ambassador

server

bartender

event manager

seasonal retail sales associate

Journeyman Distillery

 management is terrible and they treat employees like garbage. I worked there before the pandemic and everything was fine. Although the first day I started a manager came up to me and said “you better treat our business as if it were yours” no thank you for joining the team or anything. Now we get to the beginning of the pandemic, Journeyman gave me the job to sell hand sanitizer and host curbside pick ups for alcohol. Until one day I got a flat tire and could not make it to my shift. My manager took me off the schedule and voiced that I was no longer needed for the team at the moment. Unfortunately I don’t own a tire company and can’t just fix my tire. Two weeks go by and the botteling manager asks me to hop on board to fill hand sanitizer bottles. I jumped right on the task. When the one manager that let me go saw me he only gave me the stink eye and didn’t talk to me until my shifts randomly stopped. So after journeyman let me go  I decided to hop on the unemployment journey which was good news to me because journeyman pays jack nothing. Unless you are a server you don’t make anything there. Also if you are a server the management will make sure to make you feel like garbage. Work in new buffalo 5 mins down the road so much better! 

I've worked at Journeyman for just over a year now. The knowledge I've gained of multiple industries (restaurant, production, business) is astounding. Journeyman's biggest motivator for its employees is growth. This is a company building off of ten years of successful business with new locations, expanded distribution, and more jobs. My favorite thing about Journeyman's workplace culture is there is always a place for someone who is hard-working and willing to put in the effort to learn and excel in their role. As long as you are a determined, patient, and hard worker you can grow with the company. Ownership seems to work hard with the leadership team to improve upon the core processes week in and week out. The only bad thing I can say about Journeyman is they've hurt themselves in the past by putting the wrong people in the wrong seat. Luckily, they've recognized those mistakes and are clearly mitigating the effects of a previously intense and uncomfortable workplace and that change is clearly felt across the whole company.

I had the opportunity to grow with the Journeyman team for 4 years. Easily one of the best opportunities I had in my professional career. Beginning with the team in any department may feel like any other job, if not starting in management, nevertheless opportunity lies around every corner. With such a unique atmosphere every day is interesting and nothing like any job I had worked before. I began my career there when their event department really began to pick up. Working as a lead event server for a short time I expressed great interest in my passion for committing to the couples that decided to begin their journey with the distillery. Shortly after I moved through positions having the opportunity to run the events as their Event Service's Manager. With strong management and attentive ownership those looking to carve their won path will find a home with Journeyman.  

They will change your schedule without notice.  You can request time off and they will approve it and then not stick to their word.  They will schedule a ton of servers and have small sections, also servers will call off when it’s slow and there is no repercussions for it.  It is long hours and you can make good money but you don’t get your tips for two weeks and they put it on your paycheck, you also have to tip out a ton to all the support staff, sometimes comes out to 20%.  You can put in appetizers and drinks in at the same time and the food comes out way faster than you can get your drinks when it’s busy, I spent more time apologizing to my tables when we were busy.  Can’t afford to eat here or take food home as the discount is minimal.  There is no accountability for anyone that works there, they just pass the blame around.  They go through staff like crazy.  There are better places to work if you are a server or bartender. 

Management has a chip on their shoulder, seems to believe their employees owe them.  They demand employees open their availability during busy weeks, without regard for school or other commitments.  Management lacks cohesion and communication skills.  Tons of issues with scheduling.  Ownership doesn't develop employees or work to improve job performance.  Every mistake is noted, recorded, and used as ammunition.  The environment is hostile and aggressive.  Multiple employees have left after ownership has confronted them over minor issues.  Often these confrontations occur during service and with customers present.  Screaming is commonplace, including between the wife and husbamd on the floor during service.  Something isn't right with ownership and it shows.  The environment is hostile at best.  Steer clear.  That being said, you'll make money.  If you can handle being berated while making decent money, this is the job for you.

I worked as a marketing intern at Journeyman Distillery this past summer. I left on very good terms and will continue to be a Journeyman supporter for a long time. While there are some occasional roadblocks in communication, everyone works very hard to make JMD as successful as possible. The passion of the owners is inspiring which made the work fun. It was a fast-paced and ever-changing workplace (in regards to my position) that kept me on my toes and aided me in learning a lot, very quickly. The management works hard to listen and help you however they can. At the end of my internship, they listened to all the good and not-so-good things I had to say. They are listening and working hard to improve the employee experience, and as they grow it will continue to improve. Overall I enjoyed my time at Journeyman and would recommend a position with them

The people I worked with I will never forget. Bartenders, Servers, Hostess, Kitchen, Distllers, Bottlers and the support staff all rocked! Management was starting to get good but still kind of a joke and the owners don't really have a clue how to run a restaurant/bar and under pay a good amount of the employees. If it weren't for the amazing people I was fortunate to work with I would of quit awhile ago.

I started as a bartender in May 2024. I am now the Training and Development Coordinator. I love working here and being a part of the Journeyman Brewery and Distillery. It's nice when you wake up and want to go to work rather than dreading the day ahead of you. Sure, some days are stressful, but that's anywhere you would work. No workplace is 100% perfect and everyone has room for improvement whether it be in yourself or the company or both. Pay is good, benefits and 401k plan is great! Working here has been life changing for me.

Expectations are extremely unrealistic. 
Unless you have a degree, your experience is disregarded. 
Management is extremely lazy and often likes to point the blame at others, especially people who aren't present. 
Everyone is incredibly overworked and unfairly paid. 
Wages are inappropriately disproportionate from job to job. 
Trying to meet expectations is unachievable and getting a raise is unlikely unless they're trying to keep you from leaving, but they'll look for anything to argue why your performance isn't worthy of a raise. 
The company makes really poor financial decisions and has constant excessive waste.

From being a customer first and always having such enjoyable visits to the Three Oaks location, and now being a current employee, it has been the greatest experience in my career. Having the opportunity to work alongside amazing leaders with incredible vision makes it enjoyable to come to work each day. I have so much respect for Bill and Johanna for what they have created and all the amazing things we offer from events, to restaurant service, to products.  Everyone on staff is so friendly, our culture is intentional with great recognition, collaboration, and room for growth. I am able to challenge myself and evolve personally and professionally and influence others to do the same. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Ambassador 22 salaries reported	$22.16 per hour
Server 8 salaries reported	$23.00 per hour
Bartender 9 salaries reported	$22.94 per hour
Event manager 2 salaries reported	$56,250 per year
Seasonal retail sales associate 3 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour

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