Pros
Gave me a whole new perspective on what to look for in an employer
Cons
I left my role at Altar’d State about six months ago after working in the Home Office Marketing Department for 2+ years. I’m sharing this now with a clear head in hopes it helps others considering a position there. Before accepting my role, I read reviews on Glassdoor and dismissed the negative ones as emotional venting. I now understand many of those accounts were accurate. My time at Altar’d State had moments of growth and connection, but was consistently overshadowed by anxiety and stress, largely due to the CEO, Aaron Walters. Toxic leadership behavior was normalized, including public shaming, verbal intimidation, and sudden terminations. Meetings regularly ran late into the evening without notice. Staff were expected to cancel personal plans and attend weekend meetings, often unpaid. During one such meeting, a group of interns was kept until 9:30 PM without food, while being lectured and served wine. Incidents like this were not uncommon. The culture discouraged boundaries and fostered fear. Leadership justified this as “the retail industry,” insisting it was worth it for the exposure and opportunity. In reality, it came at the cost of employees’ wellbeing and personal lives. If you're considering a job here, a few things to note: The company promotes Christian values, but the internal culture often contradicts them. If relocating, be sure you truly want to live in Knoxville. It is not worth the move for this role alone. Flexibility is minimal. Leadership dictates the schedule, and personal obligations are often seen as secondary. Eventually, the stress impacted my health. I realized no job, no matter how creative or rewarding parts of it seemed, was worth the toll it took on my mental and physical wellbeing. If you do accept a role, document everything and protect your boundaries. Know that you deserve to be treated with respect, and that it is possible to find a workplace where you are.
