Be Careful - Area Director The N2 Company Employee Review

2.0
May 28, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You set your hours, some creativity in designing magazines, you can work near your home usually.

Cons

No pay for a considerable period during ramp up, management makes the contractors feel like everyone can make solid six figure incomes with "only enough cold calling" which is not true in some areas. I spent lots of time beating myself up for not making more profit to the point of financial ruin. I kept thinking "if only" I do this and that. Finally, when I left after many years, I was not given my commission for ads I'd sold into another Area Directors magazine (and they were 24 month contracts). What really bothered me was that when clients did not pay for their ads (which happens in a bad economy - and often), the company ALWAYS took their profit leaving the Area Director "holding the empty bag". In addition, like many of the other reviews, another Area Director was put too close to my area in a suburban area. The renewal rates are poor which makes it hard if you are not in an urban area. While other publishers are asking for 6 month ads, N2 asks for 24 and 36 month commitments - not easy to sell. And, they are contracts so good luck getting out of them without considerable hassle.

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The N2 Company Response
12y
Thanks for your feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve. Without knowing the specific circumstances related to your time with N2 or your departure (one problem with an anonymous post on this site), it's difficult to address the concerns you detailed. I can say, however, that we always pay our people for the work they have done, even when they leave, as long as they have followed the terms of our agreement. While we have a 90% retention rate each year with our Area Directors, that still leaves 10% that leave to go do other things. Of that 10%, most leave knowing they were treated fairly by N2. However, some of the 10% leave because they chose not to follow the terms of our agreement, and therefore they were not treated according to those terms on our end. It’s clear that you are upset about how things ended. I can assure you, when we started our relationship with you, it was because we both hoped it would work out for the best. I'm sorry it didn't end that way, but the details of your experience may change the circumstances for you or help us improve the company. I encourage you to call us and let us know how you feel, especially if you feel you were treated unfairly. Perhaps something happened that we are unaware of, and we could fix the situation for you with a simple phone call?

Explore other reviews about The N2 Company

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Freedom to build your own business with incredible training, and supportive leadership team that truly cares about franchise success.

Cons

The business requires consistency, initiative, and personal accountability.

1
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The N2 Company Response
2w
"Freedom to grow" – yes! That's what our Area Director opportunity is all about. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We will absolutely continue investing in support, training, and communication, as you recommend. As you know, we're always striving to "be better tomorrow than we are today." Thanks for being a part of it all.
5.0
Jan 31, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The Area Director role offers an incredibly rewarding blend of purpose, flexibility, and growth. One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to do meaningful, community-driven work by building real relationships with neighbors and local business owners. The role is highly entrepreneurial, allowing you to run your market like your own business while still receiving strong support, training, and guidance from leadership. There is also significant long-term earning potential as the publication grows, along with creative fulfillment through storytelling, content development, and events. The flexibility of the schedule and the ability to see the direct impact of your work within your own community make the position especially satisfying.

Cons

Like any role, there are challenges, particularly during the initial ramp-up period. The first few months require patience, self-motivation, and the willingness to wear multiple hats, from relationship-building and sales to content planning and event coordination. However, these challenges often become strengths over time, as consistency and effort lead to momentum, stability, and confidence. For individuals who enjoy connecting with others, value autonomy, and want to build something meaningful with long-term potential, the positives of the Area Director role far outweigh the challenges.

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The N2 Company Response
5mo
Thank you so much for sharing your experience as an Area Director with N2! We love that you highlight the role brings purpose, along with flexibility and earning potential. It's also great you are transparent about the challenges of ramping up your magazine. It's not easy, but for the right people, it's a life-changing opportunity. So glad to have you on the team!
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