In The Gym with Maxine of the BuddhiBox

FFFC:  Please introduce yourself to our readers.

MC:  Sure, I attended Santa Clara University for undergrad and shortly after that started working in the Bay Area. I actually started as a marketing manager for a manufacturing company then did a brief stint in advertising. A year into working full time, I decided I need to get away and travel, so I ended up in Costa Rica for 6 months. It was amazing to live in another country and experience a different culture. Living among the rainforest gave me an appreciation for nature and conservation. I really loved my time there, it still feels like my 2^nd home whenever I visit.

When I returned to the states, that is when I began my career in eCommerce operations. I moved back to San Francisco (my 3^rd home), and started working for a company called Red Envelope Gifts.

Over the last 11 years, I continued evolving, learning and growing in the eCommerce world, expanding into understanding supply chain, buying, and third-party management. Most recently, prior to launching Buddhi Box, I worked for Provide Commerce here in San Diego.

In 2011, I started spending more time on my yoga mat and fell in love with the practice. I realized that yoga was much more than the physical postures, it was a lifestyle. One that was very familiar and complimented my existing lifestyle. One year later I took teacher training and found a deeper understanding of what I wanted and needed from my life. And that is when a transformation occurred in me. I began realizing that I was going through the motions of life but not fully committing to living it. My best life, my true potential. It took a full year of being open and following the clues the Universe had laid out for me, to finally come up with the concept of BuddhiBox. The idea came quickly like a bright flash. And I just knew that this was what I was meant to do. That was 6 months ago and it has been forward moving ever since.

FFFC:  How long have you been practicing yoga?

MC:  I have been practicing for 12 years but not until 2011 did it become a daily part of my life. That was a year of awakening for me. A lot changed for me the moment I spent more time meditating and taking care of my mind, body, soul connection.

FFFC:  What advice do you have for someone new starting to practice yoga?

MC:  Be patient and don’t worry about what you look like. I promise, no one is looking at you and judging you.

FFFC:  Why did you create the BuddhiBox?

MC:  I founded BuddhiBox on the mantra – Discovery, Union, Compassion. My vision was to provide a service to my community of like-minded yogis. A community that is curious and cares about taking care of themselves and the world around them. I hope that when people receive their monthly subscription they are discovering new products that help them do this. Reminders and inspiration to spend time on their yoga mat, their meditation cushion, or restoring and healing themselves.
We live in a society where we are always on the go. We can’t remember how we got to work or what we had for dinner two nights ago because we are so over-stimulated that it creates a disconnect. We stop being active participants in our lives because we are too busy making a living, caring for our families, putting our energy into everything, everyone else but ourselves. BuddhiBox is there to remind you that YOU matter. You need to spend time taking care of yourself. And you should care about what you put on and in your body. I care. BuddhiBox is like the best friend that holds you accountable. That says okay Yogi, time to slow down and spend some time nurturing yourself.   So you can nurture everyone else and everything else. But it all starts with YOU.

I work hard at bringing the philosophy of yoga, the 8 limb path into every aspect of BuddhiBox. That is the foundation.

FFFC:  How did you come up with the name and what’s the significance?

MC:  Great question. As I stated earlier, it was important to me that yoga and the principles were very apparent in the curation of boxes and the business model. I also wanted the name to represent the values of discovery, union & compassion. As I was coming up with ideas, Buddhi popped into my head. A buddhi is a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the more familiar masculine form Buddha. It means to be awake, to understand, to know. A spiritual faculty on the path towards enlightenment. It just fit perfectly. The bodhi leaf is the leaf logo you see, surrounded by a box. The bodhi is also a symbol for awakening.

FFFC:  What type of boxes does BuddhiBox offer?

MC:  We offer three different types of boxes.

1 – Monthly sample size box which is 11.95 inclusive of shipping within the US. It contains 3-5 product samples and coupons.
2- Monthly BuddhiBox filled with 4-6 products that ranges from 25.95-30.95 in cost depending on length of subscription. There is a charge for shipping.
3 – Quarterly BuddhiBox Jewelry. It is shipped every three months and contains 2-3 pieces of jewelry along with some bonuses. The jewelry is handmade by local artisans and with intention.  It is 49.95 per quarter.
4 – Gift subscriptions! A great gift for any healthy living person or yogi. Offered in 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month. If you leave a note, we even create a card that is enclosed with the gift.

FFFC:  What types of products are there on the BuddhiBox website?

MC:  The BuddhiBox store contains a variety of products from apparel to beauty to jewelry. I try my best to find unique product that is not everywhere. I want to provide the excitement of discovering something new to my customers. So I mix these products in with cute yoga fashions and essentials like yoga mats.

FFFC:  What wonderful surprises can people expect to find in their curated subscription box each month?

MC:  Essentials that complement their yoga practice and yoga lifestyle. Yoga is not just about the postures, but the subtle transformations that occur off the mat. The healthy & mindful decisions to choose how you manage your time, what you put in your body, and on your body. The products featured range from yoga products to healthy food to beauty. There is variety each month.

FFFC:  How did you come up with the concept to donate proceeds from the same of each box to a worthwhile charity?

MC:  I have always been involved in charity work. Since the time I was young, I have always devoted time to helping others.
When I was 5, my mom would have me round up the clothes and toys I had outgrown so we could ship to our cousins and friends in Mexico who did not have all the luxuries we had in the US.

Then it continued through high school with visiting orphanages in Tijuana, testing water levels for the Surfrider foundation, and wrapping gifts for Toys for Tots. Seva is at my core. My mom has always said that I inherited my Great Grandma’s compassionate and gentle spirit. So it was passed down to me from a beautiful line of luminous women.

When I was in the idea stage of BuddhiBox and piecing together my vision for the business, the giving back element was an integral piece. There was never a question. BuddhiBox had to be an extension of where I came from and the core principles of yoga. As BuddhiBox continues to grow I want to create new opportunities and unique ways to give back. I wanted to create a business with a purpose. Yes it is great to be your own boss and to build a successful company, but trust me and I speak from experience, you can make all the money in the world but if you don’t have a sense of purpose, a reason to show up every day, something greater than you to devote your attention to, then you will never be happy. And giving back makes me happy.

FFFC:  What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about ordering a BuddhiBox?

MC:  I would contact me, ask me some questions about the current box and the products. Or read some of the reviews and see what our customers are saying. Know that all the products are made by extremely honest & kind businesses. Many started by yogis just like them. You can feel the intention and energy the take in making each item. It is quality. Then try us out for a month. If you love the box, you can transition your subscription to a longer time, to benefit from the discount.

FFFC:  How are the charities of the month selected?

MC:  Some I have worked with in the past. Some have been referrals. Some have contacted me. There are so many people trying their best to make a positive impact in the world. It is inspiring to support and be involved with helping them in their mission.

FFFC:  How can someone order a BuddhiBox?

MC:  That is simple, they can go to www.buddhiboxes.com/boxes and place their order. For gifts, the link is https://www.buddhiboxes.com/product/yoga-gift-subscription/

There is a ton of other fun stuff on the web site like recipes, yoga events & retreat listings, information on the charities we work with, blog posts on all things yoga lifestyle, and a suggestions form that I read and use to choose future products.