This year, with the return to school, I'm also facing another change. A change that many people go through after becoming a mother or father, when they rejoin the workforce.
I'm very excited about this new chapter in my life. I was eager for my children and husband to see me capable of doing other jobs outside the home and family. Interestingly, for me, returning to the workforce means working with my family again. This is because Salud Mediterránea has been a part of my childhood, adolescence, and professional life. I'm the eldest daughter of Hugo and Nancy, the founders of Salud Mediterránea, and the shop has always been a part of my life. I spent many Saturday mornings there, helping my parents: serving customers, distributing bulk honey and pollen, and witnessing the transformation the shop—and our lives—underwent in 1988.
After completing a Master's in Business Administration, I went to work in the offices of Estée Lauder and Avon in New York. The experience I gained from those two jobs is invaluable, but they certainly didn't fulfill me like working in the store. During those years, the family business was always on my mind. So, one day I told my parents I was coming back to work with them. During that time, we opened the second Salud Mediterránea store, the one on Manuel Becerra Street, launched the first version of the website, and increased the number of products in our own brand, Árbol Verde. When my third child was born, I decided not to officially join the company. It wasn't for lack of desire, but because I simply couldn't give it my all.
Now with four school-aged children, I can once again be part of this company that means so much to me. The story of Mediterranean Health began with my great-grandfather. Four generations later, it continues with great strength. I feel very fortunate that, starting this month, I'll be working with my sister, the creative one; my cousin, the organizer; my father, the brains; and a team of over 20 people dedicated to always bringing you quality and good prices.
I've known some of these people for many years—some have been with us for 20 years, others not so much, but I'll get to know them little by little. My father says he has a fantastic team at Mediterranean Health, and when I had the opportunity to work closely with the team at the Barquillo store this summer, I noticed the great atmosphere, the camaraderie among everyone, and the importance they place on ensuring customers are well taken care of.
I'm also looking forward to reconnecting with you, the customers. I've known some of you since I was a child and worked in the Atocha store, and others I haven't met yet, but I hope to learn more about you very soon.
As a business owner, I want the company to improve in every way: more product variety, better prices, and a better quality of life for everyone who works at Salud Mediterránea. I want to increase the number of employees and continue contributing to the Spanish economy with the smallest possible environmental impact. I would define myself as a resource optimizer. Optimization allows us to fulfill our promise: Quality and Good Price.
I also want to share my passion for healthy living with you. I have to take good care of myself so I can take care of my families—my family at home and the one at Mediterranean Health. I imagine you also take care of yourselves for different reasons, and I'd like to know what they are. Taking care of yourself isn't easy. What keeps you from giving up?
Finally, I invite you to send me your ideas to sugerencias@saludmediterranea.com. All will be welcome and will contribute to us offering you the best possible product, price, and service.
Thank you
Ruth