The owner has admitted in writing that I was never an employee and therefore I am able exercise my consumer rights. The owners violated state and federal wage and tax laws. They made a verbal contract with me and then broke it. They owe me $803.43 in exchange for my labor at a minimum wage rate. They provided a hostile work environment, where I had to ignore rampant sexism. Where it seems, Steve feels he has every right to yell at his employees and customers whenever he wants. Then when I quit they verbally and emotionally abused me and impugned my character. Both bosses and a favored employee, Nick. When I posted my first review to this platform, they responded with the message in the screenshots below. It's libelous, defaming my character with lies on a public platform. His actions are also just really stupid. I think he might be a malignant narcissist(sociopath?) This man has been told that I have PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I told him when I quit so he wouldn't try to take away my self-respect. I have PTSD because I taught in some of the poorest districts in the country with predominantly African American children who had very valid reasons to be angry and impulse control issues. I was harassed and threatened on a daily basis and when I was physically assaulted by an 8th grader who was bigger than me, I went to work every day reasonably afraid for my own personal safety, for months. He blames me for my disease, he has called me crazy no less than 10 times and is claiming that I complained all the time. If I complained all the time, if they knew anything about me, then they would know that I worked hard to get to them and that I deserved a break and some compassion. I've had to pay far more out in therapy than they kept from me. He says he gave me a lesson, he did not. He says my work is "skilless." I've posted an example of my work, the work which he claims is without skill. What is more sexist than accusing me of the most stereotypical female things. I talk to much? I whine? My time is only worth giving away. Worse might be repeatedly telling me that "girls are better at cleaning than boys." I have no choice but to laugh that off bc if I made a big deal, they aren't going to like me and they aren't going to teach me. Nick walked in with a 2 hour pendant class and he can ask for an education and receive the best you. But I should be ashamed for asking, with experience, a degree geared towards glass, and skill I developed by myself over years. I only deserve a book. Many of the other employees I performed work beside were 19-22 yo men, people who can be easily taken advantage of. The idea that I volunteered is laughable. I might have put in extra time to buy good will. It would be a waste of my valuable time to volunteer to benefit these middle aged entitled white men who own a business. There's a food shelter 2 blocks from my house. There are children, elderly, drug addicts, mental health patients, the illiterate... But this FOR PROFIT business deserves my volunteer time? I have a degree in art and a master's in education. I started my college glass blowing program in 2004. I taught for 5 years. It took me 4 years and a lot of resources to get to Colorado, where I asked for a job at the place I moved across the country for. This man wanted everyone to believe that I quit bc I can't stick with anything. These men made it clear to me that they thought I was quitting bc I didn't want to clean toilets, like I haven't been sneezed, coughed, vomited, and spit on before. Also "cleaning isn't worth anything" to them. They can't/don't want to pay me for cleaning, but they also won't teach me skills so that I can be valuable to them. When I asked when the learning is going to start, I was told I might have to work for free for up to a year. That's also the 2nd time he's told me he has depression and he deals with it, why can't I? Is dealing with it yelling at a customer bc you yelled at me. And his depression allows him to run a business. Mental health issues are not all created equal. The truth is, this man thinks I should feel shame bc my health issues make me weak. No, it just takes longer to find my strength. I think In general, when you tell a bad truth about someone, that the typical response is to tell lies about you to save themselves. It's easier than defending themselves over something they know they did wrong. These are the morally corrupt men that you are supporting when you buy from this business, please find any other head shop and buy a Puffco instead of their products. There are many resources for both help and education on mental health concerns, here are a few: nami.org- The National Alliance on Mental Illness PTSD.va.gov- The Veterans Administration page Mayoclinic.org- under Diseases and Conditions- PTSD 1-800-273-8255- the National Suicide hotline, in case