Giselle Rosas
Interviewer: Eileen Barrett Brown
Transcription completed by: Jason Tejeda Molina
Language of Interview: English
Length: 37:54
Abstract
Giselle Rosas shared personal experiences with racism and discrimination in Virginia, while Barrett Brown and Rosas provided insights on immigration. Brown discussed confusion and anger at incidents of racism, while Brown and Rosas offered empathetic perspectives on the challenges faced by immigrants. Brown and Rosas discussed starting and growing a business as immigrants in Virginia, highlighting challenges and strategies used to overcome them. Rosas also shared their experience working with the Department of Health of Richmond and Henrico during COVID, providing bilingual support to hundreds of families. Rosas went on to add that they struggled to find the right ingredients and seasonings, leading them to start a business selling Colombian food. Rosas encouraged immigrants to dream big and provided insights on business leadership and COVID-19 impact.
Please Note: This interview includes mention of sexual abuse against a child
Keywords: Colombia, COVID-19 Impact, business ownership, leadership, racism, discrimination, family, Richmond, food.
Barrett Brown 00:01
All right, this is Barrett Brown, in Richmond, Virginia, and I am interviewed, interviewing, Giselle Rosas. And the date is April 16, 2024. Okay, first of all, thank you for doing this and finding the parking. And I know you're so busy. So I'm very grateful for this. So I know that you grew up in Colombia and what was your childhood like?
Giselle Rosas 00:34
Childhood? I moved during my first six years, a couple of times. But um, if I have to talk about remarks that will kind of like fall into what we're talking about, is the fact that I was six when my mom came to the US and I stayed with my grandma, with her mother. So basically, yeah, I was with my grandma, at some point, my father moved with us, with his ex mother in law, so he could be close to us.
Barrett Brown 01:10
Okay.
Giselle Rosas 01:11
So I have cousins also that were kind of in the same situation. And we all were living with grandma. So it was fun.
Barrett Brown 01:20
Yeah?
Giselle Rosas 01:21
It was fun. At some point, but um, yeah. At the end, meeting, you know, your mother and at some point meeting your Dad. So, but overall, like, I'm at this point in my life. I'm just grateful the way things happen that when my grandma and all that.
Barrett Brown 01:29
Yeah. Do you still have family still in Colombia?
Giselle Rosas 01:40
Yes. My grandma's still there.
Barrett Brown 01:43
The one that you stayed with?
Giselle Rosas 01:44
When I grew up. Yeah. Yeah, she's there. And the youngest of my aunts. Also. She's there. My dad passed away. No longer there but.
Barrett Brown 01:45
I'm sorry.
Giselle Rosas 01:50
Yeah. Thank you.
Barrett Brown 01:55
How about your mom?
Giselle Rosas 01:56
My mom lives in Florida. She's here.
Barrett Brown 02:00
Nice. So you have some in both sides.
Giselle Rosas 02:04
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 02:05
We talked about your education. What did you study in school?
Giselle Rosas 02:09
I went for X ray tech and CT tech. Graduated in 2013.
Barrett Brown 02:16
Right.
Giselle Rosas 02:18
So that's what I got my Associates Degree in. Yeah.
Barrett Brown 02:21
Was any, would any of that transfer to United States?
Giselle Rosas 02:25
Oh, okay. No, I didn't get to do that. Because I actually studied here.
Barrett Brown 02:29
Oh okay.
Giselle Rosas 02:30
Yeah, I came on 1996 to the US. Started ninth grade. Started high school here, but I dropped off on tenth grade. And I got married. Got married and...
Barrett Brown 02:39
How old were you?
Giselle Rosas 02:49
Seventeen. I was 17 when I got married. And actually when I moved in 1996…that was like, what, like seven years without living with my mom?
Barrett Brown 03:04
Right.
Giselle Rosas 03:05
So it wasn't easy to cope.
Barrett Brown 03:09
Right.
Giselle Rosas 03:09
So she was ready to send me back to Colombia.
Barrett Brown 03:12
Wow.
Giselle Rosas 03:13
And my husband at that moment, my boyfriend he's like, " Don't, go. Let's get married". And then I said "okay". That's how I got married. We're still together, 25 years.
Barrett Brown 03:19
Ok. I was going to say that's, that’s not too bad.
Giselle Rosas 03:26
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 03:27
So congratulations. But 17. Wow.
Giselle Rosas 03:31
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 03:31
All right. Well, I admire, and you're lucky. Both things, I guess at once. That is fabulous.
Giselle Rosas 03:39
So going back to the...
Barrett Brown 03:40
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 03:41
I drop off on 10th, and then went back for my GED on 2005.
Barrett Brown 03:48
Yes, so you finished that?
Giselle Rosas 03:49
I finished that. And then at some point, I moved to Texas and went to college.
Barrett Brown 03:54
Okay. Did you ever work as a tech? As an x-ray tech?
Giselle Rosas 03:57
I did. I did it for three years before I moved here to Virginia.
Barrett Brown 04:04
Right, okay. Did you like it?
Giselle Rosas 04:06
I did. I don't want to go back to the hospital though. But I liked it.
Barrett Brown 04:09
Why, why did you not want to go back?
Giselle Rosas 04:11
Um. I don't know. The experience itself was nice. I got to learn. I mean, and I grew within the hospital.
Barrett Brown 04:24
Right.
Giselle Rosas 04:24
I grew up a lot. I feel like as a person, as a professional and all that. But then I moved and I just I don't know if something gets detached from the hospital. I don't know. Even the relationship with the doctors never got to enjoy it. I love the patient care part . Loved it.
Barrett Brown 04:43
The doctor care part.
Giselle Rosas 04:44
But the doctors treatment, to the tech, and nurses. Oh my god. It's like, I don't know if I want to go back to that.
Barrett Brown 04:53
I have heard that. Maybe it's changed now. I don't know.
Giselle Rosas 04:56
Maybe I mean, if I have to go back I'll go because of the patient care. I do like that.
Barrett Brown 04:59
Right.
Giselle Rosas 04:59
And um but...geriatric, geriatric? Um geriatric partner?
Barrett Brown 05:04
Geriatric.
Giselle Rosas 05:05
Yeah. I love that.
Barrett Brown 05:07
Really?
Giselle Rosas 05:08
I love that. I love that. Yeah.
Barrett Brown 05:11
But I have heard that comment before a lot.
Giselle Rosas 05:13
Okay.
Barrett Brown 05:15
One of my sisters, as a matter of fact. Okay, so we talked about you have a few people, you have your mom here in Florida. And you have family still in Colombia. So I skipped that business. You told me you moved to San Antonio. So you came to Richmond? …You've moved so many times. The question is, how has your life in Virginia changed over time? But you've moved from Colombia to Texas to Texas to here?
Giselle Rosas 05:55
Oh, yeah. And when my husband's job I'd been like in nine different states.
Barrett Brown 05:59
So it'd be hard for--that's not a good question for you, like--
Giselle Rosas 06:03
Like ow it’s change?
Barrett Brown 06:04
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 06:05
Well, yes. Because the other like big major cities, I think this is one of the cities that we have seen a grow in the Hispanic population. Like that we have witnessed ourselves as a family. So the city has, is growing so much. So we've seen it grow. So in that personal aspect of being with Hispanics, it’s exciting to see how it's growing and how it's developing. And that took me to, to Sabrosas, which is are basically our business. So. But another interesting fact, with Virginia is that I got to understand...
Barrett Brown 06:47
Wait a minute. Did that just turn itself off? Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt you…
Giselle Rosas 06:54
Very good. So, I don't know if it is because it wasn't, you know, it's not such a big city, like multicultural, you know, now it is. But I don't feel like it's the same as when I came here on 2016, I think it has changed. And from there until now.
Barrett Brown 07:15
Do you think it is because we are a much more diverse city than we used to be?
Giselle Rosas 07:19
Yes, I think so.
Barrett Brown 07:21
Is that a good thing or bad thing?
Giselle Rosas 07:22
It is a good thing. It is. The first time I experience racism like really like personally, for me, like towards me. It was here Virginia. And that was very interesting to me. Like, very interesting...
Barrett Brown 07:38
Tell me about it.
Giselle Rosas 07:41
I mean, I wasn't expecting it. I was at the pool with my kids. And I'm talking to my daughter over the phone in Spanish. And I hear this lady complaining, "I am so tired of listening these people talk in Spanish, I am done. Why don't they go back to their country. I am blah, blah, blah". Just so many things and like, I pay attention. I hung up with my daughter, and I just got close to her and like, “Hey, that is not nice.”
Barrett Brown 08:06
Oh, good for you!
Giselle Rosas 08:07
My kids are here. They speak English, and they speak Spanish. And they know exactly what you're saying. So I don't appreciate it. So--but I was I was shocked. I was shocked. Especially because it was a Black African American.
Barrett Brown 08:23
Huh.
Giselle Rosas 08:23
So like, you should know better. Like why? So at the end, she's like, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Just that last night, I'd have the Hispanic people putting music I couldn't sleep". I mean, she apologized, like, I don't know how many times. But then, but at the same time is like, this has never happened before. Like, weeks later, I'm at the post office.
Barrett Brown 08:45
Yeah?
Giselle Rosas 08:46
And then--it says not to have your cell phone once you’re at the counter.
Barrett Brown 08:50
Right.
Giselle Rosas 08:51
I was in the line. I was just getting some details of whatever that I was gonna send. And then I hear her talking. "I'm sure she doesn't speak English. She doesn't even know how to read the sign where she can be with her phone." I turn around, “I do speak English. I'm getting my final detail for my shipping before I get to the counter where it says I just can't have my phone, but it doesn't say anything before that.”
Barrett Brown 09:17
What was the response?
Giselle Rosas 09:19
Nothing. She looked at me head to toe. Nothing.
Barrett Brown 09:24
If I may ask, Black or white?
Giselle Rosas 09:26
White. This time was that white woman.
Barrett Brown 09:30
Were you angry? Scared?
Giselle Rosas 09:31
At that moment? No, I was--I don't know. I guess upset?
Barrett Brown 09:37
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 09:37
Like, but I wouldn't say like, you know, like, because I know when I'm angry like my blood starts getting hot. So I was like, shocked. I was like confused, like what just happened? Then I just left but then I'm like, Oh my god. This is the second time within a month. Like is this something that you should expect here in Virginia?
Barrett Brown 10:00
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 10:00
Like I wasn't sure. And…but that never happened again. That was like 2017, and has not happened again. But it was interesting. It was a learning experience for me.
Barrett Brown 10:11
Yeah. I'm so sorry that happened. I'm not real surprised. But um, so was--
Giselle Rosas 10:18
I was, because it never happened on me. I guess Texas, Florida, you know, you don't see that. California. I mean, they’re more used to that. So I thought it was like maybe because it's it is a city that--I mean, at that point, no Hispanic restaurants. Mexican restaurant, yes. But there wasn't like a Venezuelan, Columbian, El Salvadorian.
Barrett Brown 10:35
Mhm-hmm. Exactly
Giselle Rosas 10:38
There was no diversity.
Barrett Brown 10:40
Right.
Giselle Rosas 10:40
So like, maybe just, you know, city does growing? So year.
Barrett Brown 10:45
I'm sorry.
Giselle Rosas 10:48
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 10:48
Tell me about the Latin community here. I mean, is it a real--do you feel attached to like a Latino community that you depend on?
Giselle Rosas 10:56
I started getting, like you said, attached to the community during COVID. During COVID, I started working with the Department of Health of Richmond and Henrico.
Barrett Brown 11:07
Right.
Giselle Rosas 11:07
So I was working on the containment team. So they needed bilingual people to talk to the families-
Barrett Brown 11:14
Right
Giselle Rosas 11:14
--for isolation, quarantine and all that guidance.mSo I started talking to hundreds of families.
Barrett Brown 11:22
Yeah, yeah.
Giselle Rosas 11:23
Right. So you learn a lot from the community like that. So I'm like, Oh, my God, it's such a big community. I was so happy to support them throughout COVID. So I did it throughout the two years. And I noticed it like, Oh, my God, there's so many. And you hear, like I said, stories of struggles and all that. Having to stay home, not work. I mean, everybody went through that. But I got to kind of like get in contact with--
Barrett Brown 11:23
You really saw it.
Giselle Rosas 11:30
Yeah, with the Hispanics.
Barrett Brown 11:52
Do you think the Hispanic community was more affected by COVID than the general population?
Giselle Rosas 12:00
In some aspects. Cause some of the benefits, whenever people will get like money for rent and things like that. They couldn't I mean, they were not um how do you say like... approved, or,
Barrett Brown 12:16
Oh, they couldn't get approval?
Giselle Rosas 12:18
Exactly. They couldn't get approval sometimes. Some of them were scared even to try or ask for help. Because they didn't know if it was going to affect...
Barrett Brown 12:28
Ok, we're going to put a little pin in that . I need to come back to that.
Giselle Rosas 12:31
Okay.
Barrett Brown 12:31
Tell me more. Yeah. So your community that you were developing? Yeah.
Barrett Brown 12:35
Yeah. So they were to ask for more help. And then some of the, the assistance that was able, regardless of...you know, the status.
Barrett Brown 12:49
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 12:50
They were not feeling confident to you know, move forward. So they have to figure it out by themselves, alone.
Barrett Brown 12:57
Right.
Giselle Rosas 12:57
And it was hard to get them to know like, No, you can go, doesn't have anything to do...
Barrett Brown 13:00
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Giselle Rosas 13:01
So the easiest one for them to be free and access was food. Hey, there’s a food bank. Then you know, they will go, you don't need to provide much information...
Barrett Brown 13:11
Right.
Giselle Rosas 13:11
Just name this and that, they will go to that. But when it came to work, rent, and health--
Barrett Brown 13:19
Right.
Giselle Rosas 13:20
Yeah. It was kind of…
Barrett Brown 13:23
It sounds like some of it was self-inflicted, but the fear.
Giselle Rosas 13:27
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 13:28
And fear of being deported, being...
Giselle Rosas 13:30
Mostly, and big bills from hospitals.
Barrett Brown 13:35
Yeah, that's valid.
Giselle Rosas 13:37
Yeah that is valid. I think it happens to anybody but yeah, they like "No, how am I gonna pay" like, yeah.
Barrett Brown 13:44
That was a, you know, we still in the general community is, you know, COVID’s still roaming around.
Giselle Rosas 13:50
It is.
Barrett Brown 13:51
And it, but it was scary. I remember it very well. So outside of the Latino community, what kind of community group do you belong to? Do you have church group?
Giselle Rosas 14:04
Yes. I go to Christian Church, actually, it’s the Hispanic Church of an American Church.
Barrett Brown 14:10
Okay.
Giselle Rosas 14:11
So the American Churches, it's huge, they have like four different services on Sunday.
Barrett Brown 14:17
What's it called?
Giselle Rosas 14:18
The Chapel.
Barrett Brown 14:18
The church is called "The Chapel"? I never heard of it.
Giselle Rosas 14:20
Mhm-hmm. Yes, The Chapel.
Barrett Brown 14:25
So that's been...
Giselle Rosas 14:26
It's been there for a while. They have like four services like 500 people every service. And then a year and a half ago, I had some friends that--they've been pastors in Colombia and and all that and they said, "Hey why don't we go rent a space there so we can gather.”
Barrett Brown 14:45
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 14:46
So we went to talk to them, and we ended up being "Chapel en Espanol". So, yeah.
Barrett Brown 14:52
Fabulous.
Giselle Rosas 14:52
So it's...I mean, it's still Hispanic but we kind of like, linked and attached to the American church.
Barrett Brown 14:53
That's cool.
Giselle Rosas 15:01
Yeah. Yeah, we're loving it. It's growing a lot people were actually begging to find. Yeah, they were like, "Oh my god, I've been around--
Barrett Brown 15:11
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 15:11
...looking for, you know, Hispanic church".
Barrett Brown 15:14
Do you do the services in Spanish?
Giselle Rosas 15:16
In Spanish, and we do have sometimes some of the English pastors coming over. And I will do the interpretation for them.
Barrett Brown 15:24
You do it simultaneous?
Barrett Brown 15:26
Simultaneous.
Giselle Rosas 15:27
I mean, it's more continuous. Continuing, because I mean, you know, they stop and then I talk.
Barrett Brown 15:32
Right, Right.
Barrett Brown 15:33
Simultaneously, I’ve done, but that's over Zoom and things like that, yeah,
Barrett Brown 15:38
I got it.
Giselle Rosas 15:38
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 15:40
Good for you, you are a mover and shaker. Yeah, you know what that expression means?
Giselle Rosas 15:44
Yeah no, but I can--Yeah.
Barrett Brown 15:46
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 15:47
And I get my certification for that, for community interpretation.
Barrett Brown 15:50
Well, yeah.
Giselle Rosas 15:50
To...
Barrett Brown 15:51
Probably didn't get paid.
Giselle Rosas 15:52
Um, not at church, not at some like I get to choose. But I did get to work doing it for the IPHI. The Institute of Public Health Innovation.
Barrett Brown 16:05
Which they need more of, right?
Giselle Rosas 16:06
Mhm-hmm
Barrett Brown 16:07
So what has been the biggest obstacle? Since you've been in Virginia, let's limit it to Virginia? I don't know.
Giselle Rosas 16:13
Biggest obstacle.
Barrett Brown 16:15
Maybe you didn't...
Giselle Rosas 16:17
Taxes. Didn't pay taxes in Texas or Florida, the taxes. Yes, it was a big like, a while for us when it came for property taxes.
Barrett Brown 16:29
And you own your home?
Giselle Rosas 16:30
Yeah. I... we have we have three townhomes.
Barrett Brown 16:35
Oh god.
Giselle Rosas 16:35
And we were like clueless on--
Barrett Brown 16:39
Nobody told you what--
Giselle Rosas 16:40
Not really. We didn't. Yeah. Yeah. We were guilty of not talking to an accountant, and
Barrett Brown 16:46
I know.
Giselle Rosas 16:47
You know, learning. So we're learning. our wa , because we're planning on staying here. So yeah, it hit us hard last year.
Barrett Brown 16:54
Oh, yeah. And if you live in, I don't know, other counties. But in the city, we're about to pay our second. You know, they do it twice a year. So that’s coming up.
Giselle Rosas 17:02
Yeah. Because yeah, we'll say yeah, because we're learning.
Barrett Brown 17:07
So what kind of resources have been helpful to you since you got to Richmond, if any?
Giselle Rosas 17:13
Um, I don't know. I don't...
Barrett Brown 17:17
Yeah?
Giselle Rosas 17:18
Know.
Barrett Brown 17:19
No, I think that's valid. It you may not have needed it.
Giselle Rosas 17:23
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 17:24
So. Yeah. So tell me...
Giselle Rosas 17:27
Well maybe, about VCU. That's been really good with my daughter.
Barrett Brown 17:32
Okay.
Giselle Rosas 17:32
Education, the opportunity, and then a little bit of like a grant towards...
Barrett Brown 17:39
Good
Giselle Rosas 17:40
Education. So yeah, that's to be grateful....
Barrett Brown 17:43
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 17:43
--towards VCU.
Barrett Brown 17:45
Um, tell me about now your this is your your business? Right?
Giselle Rosas 17:49
Correct.
Barrett Brown 17:49
Tell me about it.
Giselle Rosas 17:53
Um, when I moved here in 2016-17, we couldn't find lots of the things we used to eat.
Barrett Brown 18:02
Mhh-Hmm
Giselle Rosas 18:03
Like, go to the supermarket, find some seasonings, or some food like nowhere to be found, like other states. So I came back in 2000--like, during, like right after COVID? Because whenever I went for VDH, I did everything remotely. And I was in New Jersey. So we came back a year and a half ago,
Barrett Brown 18:25
Right.
Giselle Rosas 18:25
August, July/August. So it was more than a year and a half, maybe a year, nine months.
Barrett Brown 18:31
Yeah, yeah.
Giselle Rosas 18:32
Something like that. So I started seeing, you know, I saw the growth, the growth?
Barrett Brown 18:38
That's right.
Giselle Rosas 18:39
The Hispanic growth. So I told my husband, this is the time to grow with the city. Like if we really want to stay here--because my husband's job requires moving every two, three years.
Barrett Brown 18:50
What does he do?
Giselle Rosas 18:50
He builds power lines, electric transmissions.
Barrett Brown 18:54
Right.
Giselle Rosas 18:55
So this project came along, and it's going to be like four years.
Barrett Brown 18:59
Okay.
Giselle Rosas 18:59
So we're like, if we want to stay, we have to do something. I always liked the food industry, I guess. Like, you know, Christmas, I will do some catering here for friends and family. Birthday parties and all that, I've always always have my clients. And you know what, like, maybe this could be a business. And then,but it's just not any food that I'm going to be selling. So I want to be able to provide a variety of a entrees and snacks and food so everybody can find what they used to eat.
Barrett Brown 19:04
Right. Right.
Giselle Rosas 19:38
One are the hardest thing for any immigrant, I would think, I don't know, maybe will be a big statement to talk about, you know, on behalf of every immigrant.
Barrett Brown 19:47
Everybody here, if you go back far enough, we're all immigrants, every one of us. So--
Giselle Rosas 19:52
Okay.
Barrett Brown 19:52
It’s just how many generations we're talking about.
Giselle Rosas 19:55
There you go. Yeah, so I guess right here since there's so many people all like, recently came from the countries like Venezuela. This is like growing super-fast, based on whatever is happening in Venezuela, same for Colombia.
Barrett Brown 19:56
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 20:10
You know, politics. Yeah, it's having people...
Barrett Brown 20:14
Right.
Giselle Rosas 20:15
Come in this way. So we're going to start with what we can and what we know, which is Colombian, Colombian food. But our goal is to go, you know, country by country and find out exactly what do you miss the most?
Barrett Brown 20:29
Yeah
Giselle Rosas 20:30
What is it that you can't find here? And see if we're able to slowly start bringing all that. Focusing local? Like, I can dream big and think about, you know, other states and all that, but I want to go ahead and be focused in Virginia.
Barrett Brown 20:48
Okay. So is this a chain that you bought into? Or did you start it?
Giselle Rosas 20:52
I started it. I started it.
Barrett Brown 20:56
Wow.
Giselle Rosas 20:57
So a lot to do. So. We were basically yeah, I was, I the legally aspect of it. I established in August.
Barrett Brown 21:09
Mhh-Hmm.
Giselle Rosas 21:10
But since January, is when I really like, that it started taking shape.
Barrett Brown 21:16
So how many employees do you have?
Giselle Rosas 21:18
Well, so far, I only have two that are helping me on Saturdays at the farmer’s market. But besides that it’s my husband and myself.
Barrett Brown 21:26
Wow!
Giselle Rosas 21:27
Yeah, so I wouldn't say yeah, sometimes, you know, you have to find, yeah, find help. So I have myself doing a super intense, super intense class of accounting, super intense class of marketing-
Barrett Brown 21:44
Right.
Giselle Rosas 21:44
--super intense class off, you know, food management.
Barrett Brown 21:48
Where do you find those classes?
Giselle Rosas 21:51
Online. And actually, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been really helpful with that.
Barrett Brown 21:57
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 21:58
That's where we met. Impacto Latino.
Barrett Brown 21:59
I figured...I figured he was kind of an important person.
Giselle Rosas 22:05
Yes, he was. "Impacto Latino", which is the program I graduated from last Thursday. It gives you an overview of finances, you know, which...
Barrett Brown 22:15
It’s called “Impacto”?
Giselle Rosas 22:16
Impacto Latino.
Barrett Brown 22:17
Ok. Yes. So it's like business, things you need to know to run a business?
Barrett Brown 22:25
Exactly.
Barrett Brown 22:26
Huh?
Giselle Rosas 22:26
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 22:27
Interesting.
Giselle Rosas 22:29
Yeah the legal parr of it, you want to do things, right, you want to, you know, start that foundation where everything is organized, and, and well established, which is definitely our intention.
Barrett Brown 22:40
Right.
Giselle Rosas 22:42
Another thing was a three-day seminar at the University of Richmond. That really helped, you know, opened my eyes in so many aspects--
Barrett Brown 22:52
What was that course about?
Giselle Rosas 22:54
It was called "StarTech Weekend". So basically, in three days, we have to create a company from beginning to end.
Barrett Brown 23:04
That's cool.
Giselle Rosas 23:04
We were a team of six.
Barrett Brown 23:06
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 23:06
And for me, it's like, "Oh, my God, the power of being focused, the power of having people with the same interest as you.” So it was really fun. They heard 27 ideas of businesses. Then they chose 12. I made it into the 12. Then they chose seven, I made it into the seven, and then the three winners. I didn't make it to the winners.
Barrett Brown 23:33
Oh man!
Giselle Rosas 23:33
But, but hey, what I learned that weekend was amazing.
Barrett Brown 23:37
That's, that's amazing. That's really impressive.
Giselle Rosas 23:41
Trying to grab whatever I can to learn and be prepared.
Barrett Brown 23:45
Yeah. Yeah.
Barrett Brown 23:46
Okay, so you have two in school, right?
Giselle Rosas 23:48
Mhh-Hmm
Barrett Brown 23:50
How has it been with the school system?
Giselle Rosas 23:54
Very diverse with all the moving. Currently, I'm in Hanover--
Giselle Rosas 23:59
Right.
Giselle Rosas 24:00
So my kids go to a school there. And it's a very small school. I'm loving it, because it's so small that even the principal gets to call you like once a month and give you a report on your child.
Barrett Brown 24:14
Yeah, that's great.
Giselle Rosas 24:16
Yeah, it is like so personal. And I love it because it's kind of similar to what it used to be in Colombia.
Barrett Brown 24:23
Okay?
Giselle Rosas 24:23
Where the teachers are, like, always connected with the parents. Almost in a way that feels personal.
Barrett Brown 24:32
That's amazing.
Giselle Rosas 24:33
So that I love, it's not like, "Okay, here's a progress report. Here's I don't know, like he's doing okay. He's having trouble with this. How can we do this"? I mean, I love it.
Barrett Brown 24:44
Oh, that's great. That's is good to hear. I'm happy about that. Okay, so there's some questions about your business. I want to make sure I haven't missed anything. Leadership, absolutely. And we talked about COVID. Right? Did any of you, did your kids stay at home during COVID?
Giselle Rosas 25:05
They did. They did.
Barrett Brown 25:08
How was that?
Giselle Rosas 25:12
Um, it was challenging. I had to, at the beginning, nobody could travel.
Barrett Brown 25:18
Right.
Giselle Rosas 25:18
So I had my nephew coming from Colombia to tutor them during class because I was working with the Department of Health.
Barrett Brown 25:25
Right.
Giselle Rosas 25:26
And challenging, but we survived…other people.
Barrett Brown 25:32
Yeah, that was something. And we talked about Latinos during the pandemic. Do you feel like you're a Richmonder?
Giselle Rosas 25:43
If I'm a what?
Barrett Brown 25:44
Richmonder...I don't know…no se…donde? De Richmond?
Giselle Rosas 25:51
It's growing...it's growing in me.
Barrett Brown 25:52
It's growing?
Giselle Rosas 25:52
Yes. Yeah. To the fact that we want to basically you know, set our roots here and stay. So yes.
Barrett Brown 26:02
Good. That's nice. So what--how do you feel when, as I mentioned, Mr. Pence, just had this horrible...
Giselle Rosas 26:14
Comment.
Barrett Brown 26:15
Comment about how problems with voting had to do with illegal alien aliens. He's not the only person who was saying repulsive things. How do you feel when they talk like that?
Giselle Rosas 26:28
I feel they don't understand. They don't even know what they're saying, in a sense. Yeah. In the legal aspect, yes, maybe that's the name and maybe they feel like call by their name illegals, right? But I think at the same time, it's not empathy at all, when you say things like that, like, “Why do they come here?” I mean, I think we can talk hours about--
Barrett Brown 26:53
Yes.
Giselle Rosas 26:53
--different backgrounds, reasons, why people come over here. But when it comes to politics itself. And that's a part what I might be the ignorant one--
Barrett Brown 27:06
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 27:07
--when it comes to the cost of having people without, you know, legal documentation here. I don't know the numbers, I don't know. And I definitely understand that that’s something they need to address on every... um, on every level. But at the same time, whenever you talk directly to that person--one thing is talking about the topic and whatever...
Barrett Brown 27:29
Right.
Giselle Rosas 27:29
--they need to do, but when you do this call someone illegal its’s getting-- it's humiliating.
Barrett Brown 27:36
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 27:37
I don't think there's need...
Barrett Brown 27:37
We didn't used to use that, they were called "immigrants".
Giselle Rosas 27:40
Immigrants.
Barrett Brown 27:41
But it actually it happened actually, after 9/11. All of a sudden, Hispanics became illegal aliens.
Giselle Rosas 27:51
Yeah. Yeah.
Barrett Brown 27:54
So okay. You're being very charitable, saying that they're, they're just uninformed. Oh, okay. If you have a chance, because if we done a lot, we've covered family, kids, work, religion, basic life. If you had a television show, and you want to talk to people from Colombia, about the United States, what should they know?
Giselle Rosas 28:26
Well...
Barrett Brown 28:27
That's a big question. But I really wondered.
Giselle Rosas 28:29
Yeah, and I think you have, like, different routes that I can answer that question. Because when it comes to money, yes, it is a country for me, that can adjust to almost every budget.
Barrett Brown 28:44
Mhh-Hmm
Giselle Rosas 28:45
You can get things at the dollar store,
Barrett Brown 28:47
Right,
Giselle Rosas 28:48
Or you can go to the most expensive grocery store. I don't know which one will be here. Publix, I don't know. And--but for example, you will find the same kind of beans--
Barrett Brown 28:57
Right.
Giselle Rosas 28:58
Either one, but you won't pay the same. So you can adjust it. You have thrift, thrift stores--
Barrett Brown 29:04
Yes.
Giselle Rosas 29:05
--maybe you can find cheaper, you know, clothes, or you can go to Saks Fifth Avenue.
Barrett Brown 29:09
Right.
Giselle Rosas 29:10
And then find the same coat that's gonna keep you warm. With a couple hundreds, thousands different.
Barrett Brown 29:16
Right.
Giselle Rosas 29:17
So, yes, so the first thing I will say, yes, maybe you can survive.
Barrett Brown 29:23
Right.
Giselle Rosas 29:23
With a, with a budget here, versus Colombia.
Barrett Brown 29:27
Right.
Giselle Rosas 29:28
But at the same time, it's not easy, because there's this mentality, also in our countries where they think that if you get paid in dollars, you will have a lot of money,
Barrett Brown 29:37
Right. Right.
Giselle Rosas 29:38
So every country that's, you know, someone that has not been here and have family here. I noticed that every time they think that asking for money is an easy thing, cause you will find the dollars in a tree, or something like that. So that's something that I noticed a lot, with the family. So it'll be like, it's so it is hard, you have to work really hard like anybody else.
Barrett Brown 30:07
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 30:07
You will see the fruit of your work more compared to our countries.
Barrett Brown 30:11
Okay.
Giselle Rosas 30:12
Yes. Because I understand that I mean, people that have been born here lived here study here also struggle with money. Not because you were born here, you you will have money. That's another thing. Of course not, you know, and it is hard to get people to understand in our country, like, it is very hard. In my case, people will maybe see us with a business, maybe see us with three properties, but they don't know the whole story.
Barrett Brown 30:38
Right.
Giselle Rosas 30:39
At some point, I have to take $40 in pennies to buy my daughter's food.
Barrett Brown 30:45
That's a lot of pennies.
Giselle Rosas 30:46
It's a lot of pennies. And that's how I pay for my daughter's food once. And having a letter outside of my apartment for the whole year, month after month, saying if you don't pay tomorrow, you have to leave. You know, so it is hard, it is hard. And then, that “How did you do it?” Or “I want to do the same.” It's been 25 years of, you know, struggles and learning and the language and the system itself. Everything. So it is hard. It's not easy.
Barrett Brown 31:19
They don't see that though.
Giselle Rosas 31:20
Yeah, no, they don't see that. So basically, that's what I would say. And the other fact that the emotional aspect of things. I also know families that go through the problem of bringing their teenagers. Or leave--they leave their kids.
Barrett Brown 31:24
With Grandma.
Giselle Rosas 31:36
With grandma or father or the aunt or whatever. And whenever they're reunited, again, it's lots of lots of…yeah, trouble to go back. I mean, to be together again…and myself.
Barrett Brown 31:53
Right.
Giselle Rosas 31:54
And I thought it was only me and then at church, and then the community and serving also, I also worked with La Case de la Salud.
Barrett Brown 32:01
Yup.
Giselle Rosas 32:03
For a while. And then also you meet this family, and they're having so much struggle with the teenagers. Because of that space and that gap--
Barrett Brown 32:13
Right. Right.
Giselle Rosas 32:13
--you know, in the relationship, so it will, I don't know if I'll be naive to say, "don't leave your children". Like, do whatever you can. My mom even sometimes will say, like, if I go back, I don't know, if I will, you know, come to the U.S. and leave you guys there. You know, I mean, at this point, we all get along. It's perfect. I have an excellent relationship with my mother. But hey, I made her cry. I did. I was mean, mean, mean, mean.
Barrett Brown 32:48
I’m sure you’re the only, the only teenager that ever did that.
Giselle Rosas 32:53
No, but it was very painful.
Barrett Brown 32:54
That's true, that's a tough adolescence and then getting back together as a family.
Giselle Rosas 33:00
Yes. And like who are you to tell me what to do when you were not there for 10 years. You don't understand that she needed to go for us to eat. A child does not understand that. So that's mental health aspect of lots of family reuniting after years. I think it's a big gap within the, the help or resources these families aren't getting.
Barrett Brown 33:26
This has been going on for many generations.
Giselle Rosas 33:29
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 33:30
Of leave the kids with grandma, and then get them, call for them and then get them over later.
Giselle Rosas 33:35
Yes.
Barrett Brown 33:36
But you're saying they really don't have any realization that they're going to have an, a mad adolescent, an angry adolescent.
Giselle Rosas 33:45
And then some of them, you know, get abuse for being mean, or some of them go just go to the streets and do what they don't need to do.
Barrett Brown 33:51
Right.
Giselle Rosas 33:54
I think it's bigger than we think. Lots of sexual abuse--
Barrett Brown 33:58
Really?
Giselle Rosas 33:58
To the children when they’re not there.
Barrett Brown 34:02
Right. Were you…was it an uncle or somebody?
Giselle Rosas 34:09
Mhh-hmm. So those things it’s like, and that's--was how upset I was. I mean, that year when my mother's like, “If you weren’t there, this wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t there…”
Barrett Brown 34:18
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 34:19
I'm telling you, like, God, you know, I don't know I can talk about that. I can see that person in front of me, feel nothing. But it's been a process. It's been a process, but not everybody gets the help. Nobody gets, you know, doesn't know how to seek for help.
Barrett Brown 34:36
Right.
Giselle Rosas 34:37
And what amazes me is how repeatedly it happens. And you know, in other families. When you think it's only you and then you start listening to the stories of family coming to over here.
Barrett Brown 34:49
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 34:49
So excited, they're to bring their kids after so many years, and then they start having those issues.
Barrett Brown 34:55
God.
Giselle Rosas 34:56
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 34:57
Well, those are really good insights. I--you know, on--the one about their family, the difficulty of putting the family get together, back together. I've never read anything about it. But, of course!
Giselle Rosas 35:12
There's a lady that actually, she lives with me. She's from El Salvador. And she was gonna to go back, she came with a family, with her work permit everything. And then 12 years later, they decide to send her back, but she doesn't want to go back. So she doesn't have that, she doesn't have a house. Nothing. And I only had my daughter back then. And I told her, “Hey, if you stay home with my dad for three hours, you know sheltered me, like, for how, until you decide if you're going back or not?”
Barrett Brown 35:34
Mhh-Hmm Right.
Giselle Rosas 35:47
And she's like, "Okay". And then she stayed with me. And she's still with me.
Barrett Brown 35:54
Wow.
Giselle Rosas 35:56
The saddest thing also, I mean, she left her daughters, they were like, 14, 13 by the time she, she came here. And I've been wanting her to go back, like, forever. You should go back, you should go back. But I mean, I just can't make the decision for her.
Barrett Brown 36:11
Right. Right.
Giselle Rosas 36:11
But she's getting older. I'm like, "You need to go back to your family".
Barrett Brown 36:16
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 36:17
I mean, we love her. I had my two boys after that. And she's been like a grandma for them.
Barrett Brown 36:21
Does that happen? It--Do you know, the families where this happened? Where somebody really doesn't want to go back?
Giselle Rosas 36:27
Yeah.
Barrett Brown 36:28
Doesn't have a home, so it's like au--We would call that an au pair. Somebody that lives in the house--
Giselle Rosas 36:28
Yeah. Like an au pair Yeah.yeah.
Barrett Brown 36:35
But I mean, it's not exactly like that.
Giselle Rosas 36:37
It's not exactly an au pair exactly. Because I do have friends from Columbia that have been here as au pairs. And you know, they go back and...It's like a whole work--
Barrett Brown 36:48
I just think about that.
Giselle Rosas 36:49
Yeah, and now you know, her health. I'm looking for a clinic and she has diabetes, and all that. And, of course, I feel like now it's like my responsibility because we don't want to let her go either like anywhere, Like if you-re not--from my house to El Salvador then I don't want you. Yeah, so we tried to help her also.
Barrett Brown 36:52
What an interesting life you are leading. You are so you, really I so admire your...particularly the stories about the bad comments. It's so easy just to pretend you didn't hear that you've talked, told them. I’m just so impressed.
Giselle Rosas 37:32
Thank you.
Barrett Brown 36:33
So as a sign of our gratitude…
Giselle Rosas 37:34
Thank you! I didn't know about that when you told me.
Barrett Brown 37:36
Yeah.
Giselle Rosas 37:37
Thank you.
Barrett Brown 37:39
That's part of the you know, it's a university wide project. So that's part of the grant that they got. So, look at us!
Giselle Rosas 37:48
Thank you.
Barrett Brown 37:50
Okay, I'm going to stop the interview here.