Startup Stories: Q&A With Thrive Market Operations Manager Cristian Arredondo

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 take a team of dedicated, inspiring, funny, and tenacious people who show up to work every day eager to make a difference.

Today we’re introducing you to our Operations Manager, Cristian Arredondo, who spends his day supporting a motivated team at our Reno warehouse (and keeping to a strict diet to maintain his 75-pound weight loss).

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

My job as an operations manager is to make sure the organization is running as well as it possibly can, with smooth, efficient service that meets the expectations and needs of our members.

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

Thrive Market is a very young company, and we’re constantly adapting to new processes to meet member expectations. I love change because it makes me think about how I can help improve things.

What do you enjoy most about managing the fulfillment team?

It’s not about managing. It’s about helping others develop in order to achieve their goals. I love leading a team of individuals who are devoted and passionate about their careers.

What does a typical day look like? Do you have any routines or rituals that help you feel your best? Or a favorite nibble to grab from the kitchen, perhaps?

My typical day starts at 5:30 a.m. with a good gym workout to help me feel energized. After the gym, I eat a healthy breakfast and look through emails. When I get to work around 7:30 a.m., I connect with my team and talk about the previous day’s achievements, opportunities, and challenges. Depending on the day, meetings can be a big part of it, or I’ll be in my office trying to find solutions to problems. I stay at the fulfillment center until the early evening—I like to connect with the night shift leaders and review our results. Connecting and engaging is the biggest piece if my day.

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

I used to be 250 pounds and decided to lose weight and be healthy. I’m now 175 pounds and extremely active. You’ll find me in the gym twice a day and hiking on the weekends. And some of Thrive Market’s products have inspired me to continue choosing healthy ingredients.

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

When I’m able to help improve all areas of my environment, and when we can find solutions to opportunities we may have. One of my most successful moments at Thrive Market was being promoted to operations manager. I love growing and this opportunity has definitely motivated me to become a better leader.

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

Since I’m eating specific items to build muscle, my breakfast consists of eggs, oatmeal, milk, and orange juice. My lunch is a meal based on my BMI (body mass index), and includes the perfect portion of veggies or greens, chicken, salmon, or beef for protein, and potatoes, rice, or pasta for carbs. After lunch, I drink a strawberry and banana protein shake. My dinner is also based on the same BMI measure and similar to lunch. Throughout the day, I also snack on Thrive Market Organic Raw Almonds and drink tons of water.

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?

We have a huge selection of healthy and organic items that many members aren’t aware of.

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

The Thrive Market Organic Roasted & Salted Pistachios and almonds!