Dr. Tamarie Rocke: ReFillery Co and NewBoCo

Dr. Tamarie Rocke is from Belize City, a small, English-speaking country in Central America nestled on the Caribbean coast just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. She has worked as a medical doctor for a decade, specializing in global health with a focus on antimicrobial resistance. Over the past four years, Tamarie has worked with international organizations to raise awareness about the threat of drug-resistant bacteria through research, policy development and advocacy.  

Outside of work, Tamarie is a nature enthusiast. “I remind my parents of the times I secured the $2 annual kid membership to the Belize Audubon Society, a respected organization whose task is to care for and conserve the natural history of Belize,” Tamarie recounted. Because of her passion for the environment, and through leadership guidance she received while pursuing her master’s at the University of Oxford, Tamarie founded her own small business called Refillery Co.  

Refillery Co. refills household cleaning solutions to reduce the net purchase of prepackaged items in homes. She initially pitched the concept of Refillery Co. at the Belize Entrepreneurship Fest hosted by the US Embassy in Belize, winning first prize. That also led to her selection for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) program “Women and Entrepreneurship: Startups.” 

From November 7 – 10, 2023, Tamarie and 15 other participants were in eastern Iowa to examine entrepreneurial efforts in the United States, explore the role of non-governmental and grassroots organizations in supporting and empowering the development of women-owned businesses, examine strategies for job creation, and discuss societal barriers facing entrepreneurs.  

“The entire IVLP experience was fascinating, and Iowa City reminded me the most of my home country for so many reasons, which made it a highlight of my trip,” Tamarie said. “I’ll always remember the warm and welcoming faces which greeted our cohort at the Global Ties Iowa Community Dinner, which I expected to be a formal event. It ended up being a heartfelt celebration with potluck dishes and lots of hugs!” 

Eastern Iowa was the place where Tamarie discovered the most impactful community initiative in Cedar Rapids: NewBo City Market. Home to several startup and early-stage businesses that have a distinct local focus, Tamarie’s experiences there transformed her perspective on her own small business and the potential impact she can create through lasting networks. “The innovative, community-centered work being done at NewBo City Market by Sarah Blais and her team has since made me envision creating a model similar to NewBo, where we can shelve, advertise, and sell goods made in Belize, with significant input from producers, providing a platform that goes beyond the traditional grocery store setup,” Tamarie said. “I truly treasure those unique experiences I had in Iowa and hope I can be back some day.” 

Tamarie's time in Iowa also contributed to shaping how she aspires for others to feel and the manner in which she leads her life. She has now worked with other IVLP alumni to strategize around creating a community of creators, activists and thinkers in Belize City and around the country. In her personal life, Tamarie’s experiences in eastern Iowa enriched her outlook on the world. “The way I’ve travelled has changed. For instance, whenever I’m fortunate enough to visit other countries, I make it a point to integrate buying local at street markets, small businesses, food trucks, restaurants. It’s always so interesting to learn the story behind their growth and how they’ve established themselves to be impactful in their own communities,” she said.  

Since returning to Belize, Tamarie participated in a local entrepreneurial challenge that was broadcast on TV called “Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs.” She was one of 10 contestants who won and was awarded a small seed fund for Refillery Co. She has also been invited to the board of Sea of Life, a team that supports community in conservation and builds capacity in plastics reduction initiatives to promote entrepreneurial solutions for ocean conservation issues. Additionally, Tamarie said she is “weeks away from completing a professional certification in Patient Safety and Quality Assurance from the University of Washington which I pursued to increase my skills in problem solving related to patient experiences as they navigate health services.” She also broadened her career in consulting to the Caribbean where she conducts policy and research assessments for high-impact funding in antimicrobial resistance research and health capacity building. 

IVLP alumni like Tamarie show the profound impact that IVLP and eastern Iowa has on participants’ professional and personal lives. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Tamarie for sharing her story and experiences, as well as the staff and volunteers who help create lasting memories for international leaders in eastern Iowa.