Startup Stories: Q&A With Thrive Market Office Manager Michelle Roberts

Welcome to Startup Stories, a series that takes you behind the scenes to share what working at a startup is really like. Our mission at Thrive Market is simple: to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. But fulfilling our big dreams takes a team of dedicated, inspiring, funny, and tenacious people who show up to work every day eager to make a difference.

Today we’re taking you to Batesville, Indiana, home to one of our fulfillment centers! This is where every order is lovingly sorted, packed, and shipped with care, straight to your door. Office Manager Michelle Roberts is the friendly face who keeps the space running smoothly on a daily basis. Read on for our interview!

Let’s start with the basics. Can you describe your role at Thrive Market?

Being the office manager, I’m involved in everything from accounts payable, ordering supplies, coordinating events, supporting senior leaders and our facilities team, managing our corrugate (packing materials), and conducting damage analysis. But for the past two and a half years, my main focus in Batesville has been hiring and providing HR support. To meet the jump in volume we’ve experienced, I’ve hired more than 90 people since our first year!

Is there anything people misunderstand about your job, or something that might surprise members to learn about your work?

We have a small support staff in the fulfillment centers, so we all wear many different hats. Anyone who knows me can tell you I’m results driven, so when I’m given a project or a goal for completion, I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen!

What do you enjoy most about helping keep our Batesville fulfillment center running smoothly?

I enjoy the fact that each day is something different and a new challenge. Whether I’m making travel arrangements or coordinating an event for our Thrivers, I’m committed to saving Thrive Market money and keeping costs low, which always gives me a sense of accomplishment.

What does a typical day look like? Do you have any routines or rituals that help you feel your best?

I grew up on our family farm and built my home there, as well, so I start my morning with my cup of coffee on my deck overlooking the land. Seeing the beauty of nature in my own backyard starts my day out right and makes me feel my best. At work, I usually have interviews scheduled and projects that I’m working on. I sometimes look at the clock and wonder how it’s possible the day went so fast!

What inspires you to live a healthy lifestyle? Is there something in particular that drew you to Thrive Market?

My inspiration is my family and farm. Growing up poor, we lived off the land and adapted our lifestyle to our needs. I’ve been raised with gardens, fresh vegetables, and meat, and have always lived organic and “off the land” versus eating processed food from stores. I even teach this to others through group trainings and blogging. I approach health holistically, so the earth is also my medicine. I make my own soaps and remedies and teach others how to do this, as well. Since I was very familiar with the organic lifestyle, I researched Thrive Market’s values and knew that its mission matched mine.

When do you feel most successful or proud of your work?

Success to me means a project completed with goals met. I’m so excited about Thrive’s continuous growth and I see it every day in our headcount and increased member orders. Our Batesville facility has expanded in automation and continues to plan for additional growth, which is so exciting for all of us here!

Give us a peek at what you eat during the day—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack!

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease and started a gluten-free diet, which makes it even more important for me to have a place like Thrive Market to shop for what I need. Breakfast is coffee and Schar Ciabatta Bread with an egg white. Lunch is poached chicken breast with sriracha and a vegetable. My dinner last night was ground turkey with tomato, lettuce, and my organic mustard. Fruit is my snack.

What’s one thing you want others to know about Thrive Market, that they might not learn from ordering, reading the blog, or visiting the website?

Thrive Market not only has a social mission on a corporate level, but in Batesville, we donate to four different area food pantries each week. In the past, we’ve set up booths and handed out energy bars at local 5K’s. We participate in local farmers’ markets, and just completed a blood drive. After a bad storm this winter, we donated to flood relief efforts and sent coconut oil and other products to local veterinarians who helped care for the skin of injured horses. There are good, caring people throughout all of Thrive Market!

Last but not least, what’s your favorite Thrive Market product and why?

Thrive Market Himalayan Pink Sea Salt is my favorite. It’s super tasty and a little goes a long way. I’m also a huge fan of the Seventh Generation Disinfectant Wipes. They’re organic with no chemicals and do an amazing job—I use them for most of my home cleaning.