Rhonda Lowry
she/her/hers
Where are you from?
Atlanta--> Chicago--> NYC--> Kingston
What do you do at MINNA?
I manage MINNA's warehouse in Germantown, which means I'm tasked with overseeing shipping, inventory and importing. It's a multi-faceted job, which I enjoy. There's the daily repetitive, physical tasks of packing and shipping out orders efficiently, as well as the big picture, logistical thinking required for coordinating and implementing effective systems. Plus I get to handle gorgeous MINNA products all day long!
How did you get started with MINNA? What does working ethically mean to you? An unexpected day off looks like… Secret/hidden talents? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of advice you give?
I was a fan of MINNA before moving upstate in January of this year. When I saw the job posting for Warehouse Manager I had this very immediate, guttural jolt that said "THIS is MY job!" I was going out on a limb a bit because my work background up until that point had mostly been in the arts non-profit world, but I felt I had many applicable skills for the role. Luckily Sara and Margaret agreed! I'm so glad they did because I'm truly loving working at MINNA.
I see the project of working ethically as an extension of the feminist concept of "the personal is political." Nothing is outside the realm of ethical concern. It's trendy for businesses to project an image of mindfulness- but how do you treat your people (and the planet) when no one is looking? Of course no one is perfect, but I feel lucky that I get to work for a company that shares my values and encourages me to learn, grow, and interrogate systems of power.
Pre-covid times you could catch me at the gig, but these days you can catch me mellowing out with my beloveds- friends, family, my wonderful partner Weston and our cat Arrow. Hiking in the Catskills or the Shawangunks. Working on house projects. Curling up with a book or a film. Music- making or listening. Giggling at memes.
I'm not one to hide my talents. Talents are meant to be shared, right?! I'm a drummer, DJ and general music obsessive. It's a huge part of my identity, my daily existence and how I've built community my entire life. Some other- not unrelated- talents are that I'm an exceptional hostess and party planner (remember parties?), and I'm an amateur astrologer and tarot reader.
Turn up the bass.
