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Meet Tanya. Tanya has lived in Kelowna for the past 10 years.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Salmon Arm and I have lived in Kelowna for the past 10 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My family for sure. My husband of 20 years and 4 teenage kids.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Ginger Lily. Love the style and always find lots of great stuff!
Describe yourself in one word.
Compassionate.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
India to work with one of my favourite artisan partnerships.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Going to the beach.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I just celebrated my 40th birthday and someone asked if it was my 50th. I really just laughed about it but it did happen.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
We spent a year and a half living in Haiti and I worked and lived along side a woman from Alberta who has been in Haiti for 10 years, her patience, understanding and compassion were unlike anything I had ever witnessed. It was the most real depiction of true grace and a life lived well that I have ever seen even in the face of unbelievable hardships to have the ability to simply take things in stride and just carry on- unbelievable.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
We lived in Northern BC in the small town of Tumbler Ridge for much of my primary years and though I am sure it was not a favourite thing at the time our family treks into the forest to get firewood with Bologna sandwiches and the fun side trip of target shooting has always remained with me as a fun time with my brothers and parents.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
My husband and I volunteer at Evangel Church in the little blue house welcoming new guests and getting kids signed in for kids church. We also volunteer in various capacities for kids sports and school events- Kelowna United- Okanagan Athletic Club, Creators Dance Studio.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
To stop human trafficking and slavery in all its ugly forms.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love beach accesses, they are usually quiet. I also love to ride my bike in the south pandosy area.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see more woman know about and visit the pregnancy care centre. What an amazing organization that offers so much healing and practical assistance. Can't say enough good things about them.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather, the activities, the fun downtown core every summer and the amazing local restaurants.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Write a family devotional.
Travel to many more developing nations and work with artisans to create life changing goods to bring to the global marketplace.
Become fluent in Haitian Creole and possibly French and Spanish too if I am aiming Big.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am worse than a kid on a road trip. I whine non stop about leg pain and being uncomfortable as a passenger and then I drive and I complain about that too. There is no winning with me on a car trip.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Mango + Moose
Why did you get into/start this business?
I saw a need. Artisans in developing nations and Artisans right here at home needing a marketplace and Canadians desiring to purchase globally and locally and to really have their purchasing power make an impact for change.
What is the goal of your business?
Mango & Moose.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
ME- ha, I am my own biggest struggle. To get out of my own head and just BE, to remain constant and not create undue stress with unnecessary worry and pressure.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would tweak a few decisions for sure but I would do life in much of the same manner. Probably would have traveled more when I was younger, it would have been cheaper than globe trotting with 6 people.
What do you always find yourself saying?
As a parent I find myself constantly saying "Be nice to each other." "Be good at school. No really behave" I am sure I say this everyday of my life.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Follow Jesus with all of you, know Him and live for Him.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Immediately my mind goes straight to books I have read and authors. I would love to spend the day with Ravi Zacharias, he has an amazingly eloquent and simply way of explaining complex issues. His life experiences are vast and I think I could sit enthralled and gleaning wisdom from him for a whole lifetime.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Small business is so important to our society and to invest in those who live right here at home. Plus we are surrounded by such a creative group of people who provide awesome goods and services.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I have been married for 20 years and we have 4 decent moral good teenagers, this feels like a big accomplishment in todays day and age. We are NOT perfect but we are a family who makes mistakes and keeps going in grace and forgiveness.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Teagen Donahue from T24 videography. He does amazing work and he is affordable.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Together we can make a collective impact and be a part of the change that we really want to see in this world. Many times we feel like we are Just one, how can we make a difference, but together our influence for positive change in the lives of others for equality and freedom are unstoppable. My favourite quote "What kind of world are we leaving our children and what kind of children are we leaving our world." As we live out our own dreams and beliefs before our kids we are being visionaries and inspiring them to do the same.
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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