In Focus | Tamara Robinson of Mint & Chopsticks Clothing

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Tamara Robinson

What do you always find yourself saying?
Where are my keys?!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
I would spend a day with Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal. She went from selling vintage clothes on EBay to building a massive company and having a net worth of $250 million and growing. I would love to pick her brain and learn as much as possible.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Albert Einstein. He kept a child-like curiosity while he studied the world around us and strived to uncover the greater truths about how our universe works.

Who inspires you?
Young entrepreneurs, talented artists, amazing musicians - anyone passionate about what they do.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1. To travel to Japan, I love a lot of aspects about Japanese culture and it would be amazing to experience it first-hand.
2. To learn how to speak fluent Spanish.
3. Learn how to surf like a pro.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Fishizzle

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Next Saturday so I could check the winning lotto numbers.

What are you passionate about?
Technology, design and fashion. Each of these fields are always evolving and there is always so much to learn.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
It was a whole week in 2009 at the Burning Man festival in Nevada. It was my first year attending and I met so many amazing people from all over the globe. I have never seen so many mind blowing expressions of art, technology and creativity.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Finding something I am passionate about and being able to earn a living doing it!

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Original Joe's in the Mission. Awesome food, atmosphere and service. I recommend the fish tacos or pulled pork poutine, so good!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
I love the Hopscotch festival, the atmosphere is a lot of fun and there is no shortage of spirits and beers to try.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Mint & Chopsticks Clothing

What does your business/organization do?
Mint & Chopsticks is a clothing brand offering a mix of unique and fun designs. I draw inspiration from Japanese street fashion, pop culture and hip-hop styles. The patterns and designs are hand drawn then recreated digitally in Illustrator before the design is transferred onto the garment. I take great care in the quality and fit of my items and believe clothes should be not only cute but also comfortable and wearable for any occasion.

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.mintandchopsticks.com

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
linkedin.com/in/tamtimestwo

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Mint and Chopsticks

What is your Instagram account?
instagram.com/mintandchopsticks

What is your mission?
To be creative, learn, have fun and share my designs with as many people as possible.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To see my items being carried in stores and worn by people worldwide.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
Continuously growing, offering new designs and becoming a well known brand within the industry.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
A few amazing brands and online stores that I love and inspire me are Black Milk, Dolls Kill and Nasty Gal.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Creativity, fun and individuality.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
I've had the pleasure of working with some amazingly talented photographers: Lauren Leggatt, Chris Velasco and Theo van Besouw to name a few, as well as some of the gorgeous and talented models from Dejavu Model Management. Thank-you for all that you do! Your skills and creativity help to add so much value to my brand and I appreciate everything that you have done to help Mint & Chopsticks grow.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
I hope to inspire others that are interested in starting a clothing brand that you don't have to live in a huge city to do so. As long as you have the passion and creativity you can launch it from anywhere.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I wouldn't be thrilled about being stuck in an elevator with anyone but Kevin O’Leary would have some no-nonsense business advice to offer and hopefully find a way to get us outta there.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
It would be great to see more small shops where you can purchase locally made clothing, art and accessories.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The wineries, landscape and weather! Being born and raised in the Okanagan, I couldn't imagine a more beautiful place to call home.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Chris Velasco of Stay Crispy Studio / www.staycrispy.ca

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. Thank you, Kelowna!