Peeling Back the Layers: Raema’s Route from Garlic to Gold

Have you ever wondered... "Why is store-bought garlic powder not good?" Well, so has Raema Obbie, founder of Rockerbox Spice Co, a woman-owned garlic, onion and specialty spice and passion project turned profit. Raema is rooted in more than just the additive-free, USA-grown spices, she creates flavor. 

Her connection to garlic runs deep, going back to her great-grandparents (‘the original Raema’), who began farming garlic in Western New York when they immigrated from Sicily and Ireland. Her father’s family continued the tradition, and Raema fondly remembers learning how to clean garlic as a child, the pungent scent of it drying in the barn lingering in her memory. The “sweet” scent of family. 

This rich heritage planted the seeds for what would eventually bud into Rockerbox Spice Co, though it wasn’t a clear-cut process. Raema's pursuit of a high-quality garlic powder started as a personal quest.  

Raema's early life took her from Texas to the Hudson Valley, then to Long Island, where she studied astrophysics before switching gears and double-majoring in environmental science. After graduating during the 2008 recession, Raema worked for nearly three years in hazardous waste management next door to Rikers Island in Astoria, Queens. As a means of stress relief, she turned to hand-peeling, dehydrating, and grinding up garlic — a hobby that soon became a passion. She took her creations to local food swaps, and with every compliment she received, the idea of starting a business began to take shape. 

“I thought, ‘Maybe I can do this,’” Raema recalls. 

Raema designed a logo featuring a gold nugget which she still uses today, “like a gold nugget, good spices are hard to find,” she explains. Ultimately choosing Rockerbox, inspired by the tool used in the gold rush to sift out valuable nuggets. In 2012, after spending time at farmers' markets, Raema recognized the need to revamp her packaging. She designed her own hexagonal mini jar gift pack, which led to a breakthrough moment: William Sonoma reached out and asked to stock Rockerbox in every store.  

"I said yes," Raema remembers. The business scaled almost overnight. But with this rapid growth came challenges. She sought help from the Schoharie County ARC, which assisted with labeling and packing. “It was fantastic working with the ARC,” she says. “They employ adults with special needs, which brings a special set of abilities.” 

Raema’s relationship with the county deepened as she made frequent trips here for business. "The drive through the mountains, the hollows, and the creeks—it was so picturesque," she says. In 2019, she made Schoharie County her home. "I feel like Schoharie County has been my home for nine years, but it’s only been six full years," she says, acknowledging how the area has become a central part of her life. 

Her love for the county didn’t just stem from the beauty of the land.  

Raema met her fiancé at Green Wolf Brewing in Middleburgh, where their shared passion for food and farming led them to run a small farm. "We are both super foodies," she says. Their 60-acre property, currently being cleared for trails, will eventually host a farm co-op to provide healthy food to the community.  

In 2017, while traveling back and forth between Hudson and Schoharie, Raema co-founded the Female Entrepreneurial Alliance with her dear friend, Michelle, a serial entrepreneur from Richmondville, to support and empower local women in growing business. After Michelle's passing in 2020, Raema embraced the lessons from their friendship: "It’s not always about the grind… Coasting can be okay; plateauing is okay," she reflects. "Just because you're not growing doesn’t mean you're failing."  

Today, Raema is more committed than ever to giving back to her community. “Investing in your community is a non-negotiable,” she says. As a side-hustle, she’s created logos for Green Wolf, Middleburgh Hardware, brochures for the Schoharie County Beverage Trail, and The Ice Burgh. She has also been co-owner of the Green Wolf Brewing Co. since May 2024. Raema was also nominated for SEEC’s Aspire Award for her work at the Middleburgh cemetery, where she worked with local historians and the Village of Middleburgh to research and design a historical sign for a field of unmarked graves, ensuring hundreds of individuals received a proper eternal rest and remembrance. 

Raema remains committed to her roots—both literal and metaphorical. Her best-selling products include the sweet corn rub, Italian seasoning ("good on everything"), and the fan-favorite roasted garlic dust. "This is my number one best seller," she says. "It gives garlic that caramelized flavor." Rockerbox now offers over 20 products, including garlic pepper, black garlic dust and pickled garlic, customer feedback being a key part of product development. "Don't just think of farmers' markets as a place to make money," Raema advises. "That's your focus group."  

Raema also offers custom gift sets and wedding favors, allowing customers to personalize labels, fonts, and blends like “You had me at garlic” or “You are my everything” for an everything bagel blend. The upcoming launch of Rockerbox’s new Shopify website will make online shopping even easier.  

“I am not a chef. I am not a food scientist. I just had a dehydrator and knew how to use it. That's the cool thing about making a whole food, the food itself is the star of the show." 

Raema’s garlic-fueled entrepreneurial journey is proof of the power of passion, community and finding a way to grow while staying true to your roots. With Rockerbox, Raema has harvested not just a business, but a legacy of flavor, creativity, and connection to the land. 

ROOTED

Interviewed and Authored by SEEC Associates, March 2025
Photos taken by Roslyn Rose Photography

RESOURCE BIN 

Human 
Raema Obbie, female founder and owner of Rockerbox Spice Co.
 
Physical 
Where to buy (local stands & stores): Click Here  
Barber’s Farm, Middleburgh Hardware, Schoharie Valley Farms (Carrot Barn) 
Processing in Town of Wright, Schoharie County 

Financial 
Self-funded 
Schoharie County Digital Strategy: Digital Marketing Grant 

Intellectual/Industry 
Cornell Cooperative Extension 
Specialty Food Association 
Community Food Swaps 

USA grown garlic & onions (California & New York), allium-flavors & varieties, no additives, no peels or roots
Some plants sourced from Wellington Herbs & Spices, Schoharie, NY 

Digital 
Website - order custom gift baskets & wedding favors 
Usually reachable weekdays 7am-7pm, Call/text: (518) 595-9385 
RockerboxSpiceCo@gmail.com 

Rockerbox discount code: “heyneighbor” for 20% off 

For more information contact marketing@seecny.org. 
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