In Focus | Maddie Elise

| October 11, 2019 in In Focus

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Meet Maddie. Maddie was born in Victoria but has called Kelowna home since the age of 2! She enjoys spending time with her husband, her dogs and hiking! 

Photo Credit: Maddie Elise


Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?

I was born in in Victoria B.C. but my family moved to Kelowna when I was about 2 years old and we've called Kelowna home ever since.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband Geoff! It’s the obvious answer but he’s a really cool person. He’s incredibly thoughtful; It’s a trait that spills out into every aspect of his life. Also, If I get distracted by nature, by the time I look up he’s usually climbed up or under so

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
The Green Vanity!! I would spend every day hanging out with Nikki and her crew. I think what they’re doing is revolutionary and I want more of it.

Describe yourself in one word.
Multipassionate

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
To a cabin somewhere remote, where it’s snowing.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Is all of them an appropriate answer?

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
One time, a few years ago, I got up early to catch the plaza chair up to the Big White village to grab a coffee before the ski day. I was first in line but the chair was spinning so I let myself through and went to sit down… turns out they hadn’t flipped.

Photo Credit: Maddie Elise


What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?

My mom got her masters degree as a single parent to two, very moody teenage girls. She's an art therapist and uses her education to support people through the worst times in their lives. She doesn't hear it enough but she's one of my biggest inspirations.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Camping at Lac Le Jeune with my entire extended family. My cousin and I once enslaved our younger siblings to run our arts and crafts business out the the RV. We specialized in Neopets drawings, beaded bracelets and knowing every single lyric to every single Shania Twain song.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Her International. They give women the tools they need to thrive (education, school supplies, micro loans) and let the women do the rest.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Plastic would be biodegradable without harmful side effects - or plastic was never discovered, science jumped straight to environmentally friendly technologies

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I pick random lakes in the area from the Park's B.C. website and go explore with my dog! Water heals all things.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I wish Kelowna would start to see our homeless population as fellow humans.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
We have a near perfect environment, we can swim in the summer, ski in the winter and hike year round!

Photo Credit: Maddie Elise


What are 3 things on your bucket list?

Ski in Japan.
Write a book.
Go swimming with sharks.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I can fit my entire fist in my mouth.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
@Gaiasmiles and @Maddieelise on instagram!

Photo Credit: Maddie Elise



What is the name of your business/organization?
Gaia Smiles Remineralizing Tooth Powder

Why did you get into/start this business?
The more I learned about how our teeth work, the less faith I had in the products available to me. I made Gaia Smiles Tooth Powder to work with our oral environment instead of against it.

What is the goal of your business?
To offer a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional tooth products.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Finding focus. I'm so interested in so many things and I want to be of service to people and of value to the community but I often end up spread too thin and don't achieve all of the things I try to tackle.

Photo Credit: Maddie Elise


If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?

I wouldn't change a thing, the consequences of mistakes are my best teachers.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Breakfast is a time of day, not a type of food.

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Don't take anything personally.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Elizabeth Gilbert!!

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Smaller environmental impact. Your money stays in the local economy. You're supporting local humans. You have the opportunity to learn way more about the products you're buying and how they're made. Its an easy way to connect with the community.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Getting an education in nutrition. It gave me the skills to help people make tangible change in their own lives.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Katrina - Our local herbalist! She's shaking things up in the alternative medicine space and has done a ton of good for her clients.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Katrina Forgues


We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!

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