When building Boxwell, Rod Bolls set out to create a company with a strong business model, a dedicated team, and a sustainable work environment. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Boxwell is a leading manufacturer of portable and relocatable self-storage units. Each employee at Boxwell plays a crucial role in creating a company that values quality, connections, and community.
In this month’s Team Member Spotlight, we feature John Chavez, our Sales and Operations Assistant. John is a Colorado native with a diverse professional background ranging from travel and tourism to business development. He has an adult daughter, a teenage son, and three dogs. For fun, John likes to read, spend time with his family, and take his dogs for walks on mountain trails. Join us as we explore who John is outside the office.
At Boxwell, John’s job is to tackle the unexpected. With market fluctuations, changes in material costs, labor shortages, and a few pirates disrupting global shipping, there is never a dull moment. And John handles the chaos with grace. He guides our clients through the process of booking freight shipments from China to their ultimate destination. He also monitors rates and industry trends, empowering our sales team with insights into the ever-evolving shipping landscape.
John is always even-keeled and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. In a recent article in Fast Company, they discuss best practices during pandemonium at work: “When you’re in that chaotic moment, everyone wants to know how’s it going to get fixed… It’s saying, ‘Here’s what we’re owning, and here’s what we just can’t touch right now. We’re watching it, and we’re on top of it…” That’s John.
For this edition of our Boxwell Team Spotlight, we asked John a few questions:
What is something about yourself that most people do not know?
I served four years in the US Navy (USS Savannah AOR-4), and I do not know how to swim.
If you are having a difficult day, what helps?
Music! I put my earbuds in, leash the dogs, and go for a long walk.
Say you are forced to completely change your career, what would you choose to do instead?
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I enjoy being around animals. I would work with animals in some capacity: rescue, train, and/or study.
Tell us about your ideal vacation. What necessities would you pack for the week?
An ideal vacation would be a chartered boat cruise in the Caribbean Sea. Packing list: my phone with downloaded music, Kindle with downloaded books, journal, headphones, and speaker.
When you were 10 years old, what did you imagine you would be doing now?
When I was in elementary school, I pictured myself as a teacher. I got the idea because I believed I could do a better job! I still think I would have enjoyed that.
What book are you reading right now? Give us some recommendations.
One of my recent favorite books is “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr. It is set in three periods, the 15th century, the present day, and the future. It is a story about an ancient book and how the protagonist in each period interacts with and is affected by it.
I just finished the second book of the Trilogy “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck. It is a novel about a peasant and his efforts and consequences of becoming a landowner in 19th-century China.
I also recently finished “The Unsold Mindset: Redefining What It Means to Sell” by Colin Goggins and Garrett Brown. 5.5 STARS! I recommend it to everyone: salespeople and non-salespeople alike!
Favorite movie?
I’m an 80’s movie fan. Probably The Breakfast Club or Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Speaking of the 80’s, here’s a picture of John at our 80’s-themed holiday party dressed as Prince. He won, “Best Costume” for the night!
Best sandwich?
Either a Philly cheesesteak or ice cream sandwich!
At Boxwell, we may be outgoing and approachable, but there are intriguing sides to everyone on our team that might surprise you. Since Boxwell was founded, we’ve experienced significant growth, and we now have a team of nearly 25 individuals. Successfully reaching the right balance between our team, product, and our partnerships. Read more about it in our article, Staying Small and Nimble for Optimal Growth
About Boxwell
We value the connections we have with each other, our clients, and partners. And we are all genuinely proud of our product and our company culture. Boxwell uses a hands-on approach to business that is carried throughout everything we do. When we need to talk, we pick up the phone. If there are questions, we demo our product. And when we’re intrigued with something new, we give it a try. If a team member needs help, we offer it. When our community needs support, we lend our resources. With compassion and innovative ways of “thinking outside of the box,” anything is possible. That’s our culture.
Boxwell is a leading global provider of portable and relocatable self-storage solutions designed to cater to the diverse needs of businesses worldwide. Our extensive reach encompasses storage facilities across various regions, spanning the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and beyond. What sets Boxwell apart is our commitment to delivering fully customizable, exceptionally durable, and effortlessly movable storage solutions that meet the unique demands of every client. Our products include drive-up self-storage units, relocatable self-storage units, portable storage containers, moving containers, 10 x 20 units and restoration containers.
Work with a Boxwell representative to decide your ideal unit mix, custom colors, door configurations, and more. Your Boxwell storage units will be shipped flat-packed and assembled quickly with just a few dozen nuts, bolts, and basic tools. You will be ready to rent them in no time! Check out boxwell.co or call (303) 317-5850 for more information.
