Lifestyle

By Emily Benda Lifestyle

17 Jun: ‘Presence over perfection’: A first-time father enjoys time with his newborn son

When Chase Christman, welcomed his first child, Grayson Thomas, on May 12, he remembered the advice one of his Best Buy colleagues gave him about fatherhood: Presence over perfection.

“That’s something I’m really going to hang on to,” said Chase, the director at our delivery distribution center in Flower Mound, Texas. “I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to do things wrong. But I want to make sure I’m present and supporting him or guiding him through whatever.”

Chase implemented this advice the moment Grayson arrived.

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By KATIE KORANDA Lifestyle

14 Jun: Best Buy employees share what Juneteenth means to them

Best Buy is proud to recognize Juneteenth’s significance by observing it as a paid company holiday starting this year. The corporate office will be closed on Friday, June 18, and all full-time and part-time employees who work on June 19 will be paid time and a half.

Additionally, we are providing information for employees about local community-led celebrations, educational resources and volunteer opportunities. We’re also matching 100% of any one-time donation an employee makes to a nonprofit organization of their choice on June 19.

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

31 May: Memorial Day has a deeper meaning for this Best Buy manager

For many Americans, Memorial Day is a day for picnics and backyard cookouts with friends and family. But it means a whole lot more to Ralph Gonzalez-Viau.

The Best Buy general manager spent four years in the Army when he was a young man. He served most of that time as a casket bearer at Arlington National Cemetery, where he participated in more than 100 funerals for fallen soldiers and decorated veterans.

“I remember seeing veterans come to the funerals because their friends and brethren fell, and they didn’t want them to be forgotten,” he said.

Smiling customers talking while sitting against window in coffee shop

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

28 May: Best Buy employees reflect on what Pride means to them

The LGBTQIA+ community is full of powerful stories, and for Pride month this year we’re celebrating stories of finding your place, taking up space and choosing your family.

This takes on added significance this year, as we recognize the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community is facing. That includes a rise in violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people.

We asked LGBTQIA+ employees from across the company what Pride means to them.

How do you celebrate Pride month?

Claire D. (She/Her): “Pride Month, for me, is a time to reflect.

By KATIE KORANDA Lifestyle

07 May: Motherhood takes on new meaning for this sales manager

Elizabeth Biederman used to worry about becoming a mom. How would she balance her job and a baby? Could she do both?

Now, with a 2-year-old at home and a sales manager role at a Best Buy in Dover, Delaware, she no longer worries about it.

“Best Buy has been a great place to work as a mom,” she said.

Elizabeth has left work early to take her son, Zachary, to see the Easter Bunny and been late because of potty training.

By Emily Monday Homepage Featured Top News Lifestyle

28 Apr: Living my values: Best Buy leaders celebrate their Asian American heritage

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May, we want to take the time to reflect on the significant contributions and achievements AAPI Americans have made — and continue to make — to our country, our communities and Best Buy.

This observance comes at a time that has been significantly difficult for the AAPI community, with anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Now, it’s more important than ever to share and celebrate the voices of the AAPI community.

We’re proud to highlight four AAPI leaders who shared how their family, culture and experiences have shaped who they are today.

By Emily Benda Lifestyle

28 Apr: Creativity, Connection Fuel This Best Buy Employee's Passion

Since he was young, Paul Asao has always loved beautiful things.

He credits this to the creatives in his life who showed him how to express a passion for arts, including his mother, Rose. She was a talented artist who used art, including sumi-e paintings (Japanese ink painting) and calligraphy, to honor her Japanese American heritage.

Now as a creative director for Best Buy Creative Services, Paul is constantly creating and using art to tell the Best Buy story.

“A close friend of mine in the advertising industry once told me, ‘Never stop doing what you like or want to do,’” Paul said.

By KATIE KORANDA hideFeaturedImage Lifestyle

28 Apr: She’s proud to carry on her family’s trailblazing legacy

If you’ve met Jen Teves, you’ve met her grandmother, Vicenta. The two were so close that Jen can see how her grandmother, who died in 2011, shows up in her day-to-day life.

When Vicenta, a teacher in the Philippines, taught Jen math as a child, she wasn’t allowed to have calculators or count on her fingers. She would put her hands behind her back and work the problems out in her head.

Jen, a research director at Best Buy, still uses these skills and others her grandmother taught her.

By Nadvia Davis Lifestyle

07 Apr: Geek Squad Agent rescues mother, daughter in rollover crash

Geek Squad Agent Andrew Ward was driving down an icy Kansas highway in February when the car in front of him was clipped by another vehicle and flipped over. It landed with its wheels in the air and roof caved into the concrete.

His heart thumping, Andrew, who was on his way to help with a refrigerator installation, pulled over.

“My first instinct was to jump out and help. No matter who it was,” he said. “This could be anybody. It could have been my wife or my neighbor.”

By Ale Valeriano Lifestyle

07 Apr: Employee with Alopecia Boldly Ventures Outside Her Comfort Zone

If there’s one thing Janine Pipkin has learned in the past year, it’s that there is growth in jumping out of your comfort zone.

In January, Janine, a talent sourcing manager who has worked at Best Buy for five years, decided that after dealing with hair loss from alopecia for the last 15 years she was going to “bare it all.” She shaved her head and posted about it on social media.

Her LinkedIn post, which has more than 13,330 reactions and 1,675 comments, has been inspirational to her personal network and beyond.

By Emily Monday Lifestyle

06 Apr: Over 25 years, Best Buy career has provided her more than a paycheck

As Vicki Brown, home services senior manager, reflects on 25 years and counting with Best Buy, one word stands out to sum up her experience: possibilities.

In 1994, Vicki found herself making a career pivot. After years of living in the Bahamas and running a small hotel, she and her husband decided they wanted their children to attend school in the U.S.

So, Vicki took the plunge and moved with her three children to Florida, while her husband remained in the Bahamas to manage the hotel.

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