Lifestyle

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

10 Sep: Best Buy leaders share what being Latinx means to them

As we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, Best Buy is proud to honor the rich heritage of our Latinx team members, customers and the communities we’re privileged to serve.

We’re committed to inclusion and diversity year-round and aim to foster welcoming environments where everyone can express their whole selves. Latinx Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) is an opportunity for us to specifically recognize the contributions of those whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

By Anthony Aleman Lifestyle

10 Sep: She started as a cashier, now she’s a top Geek Squad manager

Yaquira Resto didn’t start her career in Best Buy working in tech, but now she’s running one of the top-performing Geek Squad precincts in the company.

The Puerto Rico native started as a cashier at a store in Puerto Rico in 2008. She became a service operations manager before leaving to work at another tech company for a few years.

Yaquira returned to Best Buy in 2018 and now serves as a Geek Squad manager at our San Juan location. She leads a team of 35 Geek Squad Agents who serve thousands of customers each month.

By Kaylie Brazil Lifestyle

10 Sep: Employee’s bilingual children’s story is one for the books

In August 2019, Best Buy social media specialist Lindsay Montoya and her husband, Brian, welcomed their son, Marcello, into the world. Holding 8 pounds, 6 ounces of optimism in their hands, these new parents had big plans for the life of “Marcelito.”

Tucked in a neighborhood in New Jersey, the Montoya household is bilingual; Brian’s first language is Spanish while Lindsay’s is English. They planned to raise Marcello with as much of each culture as they could and had a goal for their little guy to learn two languages.

By Samantha Nelson Lifestyle

30 Aug: Employee’s son wins gold medal at Paralympic Games

Forgive Tina Seidenfeld if her mind is on other things besides work this week. The Best Buy employee’s son, Ian Seidenfeld, just won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Ian, a 20-year-old student at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business, represented the United States in table tennis. His father, Mitchell Seidenfeld — himself a former Paralympian gold medalist in table tennis — was on the sidelines as the coach of Team USA.

“There are no words to describe the feeling of how proud and excited I am for Ian and what he has done at the age of 20,” said Tina, a senior transportation analyst in parcel operations at Best Buy.

By Katie Koranda Lifestyle

30 Jul: What’s in a name? A lot for these two Agents

Geek Squad assistant manager Brenda Aragão is used to seeing badges for new Agents come across her desk, but this one was different. It was inscribed with her family name.

The badge was for her cousin Karine Aragão, who installs home theater products.

The two grew up as close as sisters and now work in the same market in Massachusetts. Brenda is the one who encouraged Karine, one of the only women installers in her market, to work at Best Buy.

By Emily Benda Lifestyle

30 Jul: This New York GM is honored to serve her community

Last Friday was a big day for Katherine Brito, a homecoming of sorts. After 14 years rising through the ranks at Best Buy, she opened her first store as a general manager — and it’s in Riverdale, Bronx, right in the heart of her beloved community.

Katherine is excited to bring the new store into her community, which she describes as a tight-knit and supportive group of people, many of whom are Spanish-speaking. Katherine, a proud Dominican American, was raised by her grandmother in Dyckman, near Riverdale, and still lives in the neighborhood today.

“I’m here, and I’m [working] back home,” Katherine said.

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.

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