Meet the Team: Our Director of Facilities, Luisa Parra

How long have you worked at Commodity?

I have been with Europerfumes, the parent company, for nearly nine years. I started as an Office Assistant and then moved to the role of Office Manager.

My involvement with Commodity began a few years ago, and my role has since expanded to Director of Facilities.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role?

It seems as if I have my hands in everything! I work in tandem with inspectors to open new buildings, ensure the operational safety of existing infrastructure and our staff, stock our kitchen, manage all of our vendors and cleaning staff, fulfill machinery purchases and maintenance, and more. I also manage a lot of our ordering and outsourcing.

I also manage new construction and property improvement projects under the direction of Vicken Arslanian and Rosette Khorenian. I've assisted in opening a warehouse to support our e-commerce operations, helped establish another location to house our stock and production, and am currently assisting in the launch our first retail store—can’t wait!

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job?

One of the most significant is the opportunity for growth and the ability to express yourself through your work. This environment makes it feel as though you are not just an employee, but that you are a stakeholder. Having dedicated nearly nine years of my life to this company, treating it as my own comes naturally to me, and the company reciprocating that sentiment is the icing on the cake.

Additionally, the ability to continuously learn and grow each day is incredibly fulfilling. Not only am I growing professionally, but being in a male-dominated position given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a woman. 

And, of course, having an in-house perfume wall full of amazing niche fragrances is a unique and delightful perk!

What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

This is difficult since I’m such an open book!

Perhaps that I’m a hippie at heart. I love being out in nature, camping, hiking and exploring new places. If I could own a farm with a million animals and live off the land, that would be my ultimate dream.

Of course, I would be planting with my nails done and the latest niche fragrance sprayed on, but hey, no need to be extreme here. It’s all about balance, right?

What’s your favorite part about working here?

Honestly, that I have the chance to be a working mother. That I can fulfill my motherly/wifely duties and be a career woman.

I also love the welcoming family atmosphere—that small business feel. It’s amazing to continue to get that feeling still as we continue to grow so much and so fast.

Every day I'm inspired by my bosses and seeing how involved they are with everything. Whether it be with business projects, traveling, getting their hands dirty while digging a trench or taking a second to come sing Happy Birthday when its someone’s birthday at the office. @Vicken Arslanian is not your typical boss and I look up to him a lot for that. I appreciate how he entrusts you with making your own educated decisions, but in the same hand always has his office door open in case you have any questions.

So, I guess the short answer to this questions would be, that my favorite part about working here is the opportunity to work here, because I get all the prior through this and much more.

How does Commodity support employee growth and development?

Here at Commodity, I found the opportunity to succeed. Vicken has an exceptional ability to recognize talent in people and nurture it. I've often expressed that he is not only a great mentor, but at times have blurted out how he is also like a father figure. As long as you put in the work, he supports you in reaching your fullest potential. Is it easy? No. Can I it be done? Of course.

What’s your favorite Commodity fragrance?

I’m torn between Gold Expressive as my everyday favorite and Paper Expressive for going out. If I feel like mixing it up, then its Moss Expressive. Does that count as picking a favorite? ;)