Meet Roxanna
Roxanna designing product displays at The Village Refillery
Roxanna and I met several weeks after the store’s grand opening. She walked in one morning as I was opening. I thanked her for coming in and she grinned sheepishly, admitting that while she’d wanted to check out the store for a while now, she actually had an ulterior motive: she was looking for a job. I probably should’ve said something like “great, let’s take a look at your resume” but instead I blurted out “Oh, thank god!”.
We sat in the hallway between my shop and Belle’s Urban Deli and had coffee together. I had no interview questions prepared but as we chatted about her life and experiences thus far, I could tell she was ‘the one’ - my first ever employee, someone I could foresee helping me grow this business, and most importantly, a person I would want as a friend.
Raised on a ranch just outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Roxanna’s connection to the Land of Enchantment runs deep. The Gonzales family goes back generations in Villanueva, New Mexico. Her grandparents owned the only general store in town where Roxanna recalls pretending to be a cashier with her sister when they were young. As a result, retail comes as naturally to her as ranching and working hard.
It's no surprise then that I hired her on the spot. What was surprising to me was that she wanted the job in the first place. Roxanna had previously worked in property management and had far too much experience for a job as a retail associate. But after becoming a mother, her priorities shifted. Taking care of expanding properties and climbing a corporate ladder no longer interested her. She wanted instead to prioritize outdoor time with her son in our beautiful state, while working for a small business who valued sustainability. In this way, I couldn’t relate to her more.
Though relatively new to the Village of Corrales, Roxanna already feels like she’s growing roots in here. She spends Sunday mornings at the growers’ market and walks to local restaurants on the weekends when she goes out to eat. She loves being part of a farming community as well as The Village Refillery family, as both afford her the opportunity to connect with people who share her same vision for a sustainable future.
Roxanna also just happens to be an amazing photographer with a BFA in photography. Her role at VR has evolved over time to include being our in-house product photographer and social media coordinator. In her free time, you can find Roxanna strolling the Bosque with camera in hand and toddler in tow. Her other favorite pastime: lounging under the weeping willow in her Corrales backyard immersed in the pages of Dwell magazine. She loves admiring innovative architectural spaces and learning how others sustainably inhabit and utilize their surroundings.
Roxanna with her son in Corrales, NM
QnA with Roxanna!
What languages do you speak?
My primary language is English but I’m learning Spanish.
What’s your favorite New Mexican dish?
Hands down my mother’s Red Chile Enchiladas.
What’s the best place to spend time outdoors in NM, in your opinion?
Corrales in the summertime (with bug spray!). I love taking my film camera along Bosque walks with my family.
What’s your must-have refill product from the shop?
The facial oil is a game changer. My skin is so dry here but this keeps it feeling soft without being too oily. Plus, it removes makeup better than any makeup remover I’ve tried! I also use it for baby massage as I’m confident I’m using a safe and natural product on my son that won’t irritate his skin.
Why do you want to work for a Refillery/zero waste store?
Environmentally, we’re at a tipping point. I want to look back and be able to say I was part of the ‘Earth-saving movement’. I didn’t just sit by. I like that by working at a refill shop, I can help people make small changes that ultimately improve the world for future generations.
Can you share your best zero waste home hack?
I reuse glass bottles for preserves or for propagating plants. We also stopped using plastic & ziploc bags and instead opt for washable produce bags or mason jars to store extra food. The store has both!
Come Visit Roxanna in Person
Meet Roxanna in person at The Village Refillery. When she’s not creating social posts or working magic with her camera, you can find her in the shop helping folks refill on Fridays. While you’re there, refill your household essentials and learn invaluable tips for embracing the zero-waste lifestyle.
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