In Focus | Krista Cook of Mosaic Party & Event Design

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?
Krista Cook

What do you always find yourself saying?
“Happiness is a choice” or “….mmm coffeeeee”

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Jimmy Fallon – he seems like he’d be easy going and fun, yet also able to converse well. I’d have to include a friend or two in on the day though...just to make it complete.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I’ve never really been one to think about awards. Recognition in general goes a long way for me. Whether it’s a treat, a kind word, or a referral. Simply getting a great testimonial or recommendation from someone makes my day!

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Hands down, Leonardo Da Vinci. I have always been mesmerized with the fact that an artist as incredible as he was,painter, musician, writer, and sculptor - was also a brilliant mathematician, engineer, and a deep scientific thinker. If anyone held the secrets to life, I think it would be him.

Who inspires you?
My mother (Sharon Saunders). She was incredibly intelligent and creative – both right & left brained. She motivated me, showed me silliness, gave me love, made me laugh, taught me strength, and encouraged me to trust and follow my instincts. She gave me enough inspiration in her short life to fill an entire one for me!

What are three things on your bucket list?
Travel to Northern Italy, Morocco, Thailand, and Japan
Design an event with no budget
Build my dream home/property

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

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Tomorrow. I firmly believe that all we can control in life is the moment at hand and the way we choose to live today. Seeing tomorrow in its entirety would simply prove today is on the right path. As they say: “Tomorrow never dies”, The sun will come out tomorrow”, "Tomorrow is a new day”. I think tomorrow sounds like a pretty darn great day, no? I love ya, Tomorrow!

What are you passionate about?
I have two creative hobbies that I am really passionate about…
1). Hand-painted sugar cookies. Painting? Yes – edible art!
2. Paper Flowers. I use crepe, tissue, cardstock, book pages, and even coffee filters to develop flowers ranging from three inches wide to two feet wide. I’m currently working on 30” tall paper flower marquee letter lights for my 2015 brides.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
There’s a saying by Cesare Pavese I’d like to quote: “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” I cannot think of any one day, but so many wonderful moments stick in my memory. I’d be really hard-pressed to choose a favourite.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment has been launching my own business. All the paths I took to get to this point, and even all those enticing paths I chose NOT to take that could have kept me from this destination. Stepping out on your own to say “I can do this” is not an easy task. And I did it.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Train Station Pub. The food is fabulous (Saigon Pork Tacos – rock my world!), it has a great vibe, and I just love the historical architecture. Oh, the secrets those brick walls must have!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Just being downtown, enjoying good food, watching people, and loving the Okanagan life!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Mosaic Party & Event Design

What does your business/organization do?
Styling, design, and event décor. We specialize in theme coordination, hand-crafted décor, and specialty parties. Like a ‘mosaic’, events are a composition of unique and diverse elements. By bringing creativity and imagination to the forefront, we provide décor for all types of celebrations and help our clients host one-of-a-kind event experiences.

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

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Search for: Krista Cook – Event Specialist

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Mosaic Party

What is your Twitter account?
@mosaic_party

What is your Instagram account?
@Mosaic_Party

What is your mission?
Design with Passion
Style with Creativity
Bring Imagination to the Forefront.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Coordination, theme, and colour affects our mood… our customers… our guests. If I achieve any one thing in this field, it would be to show the general public that style and design is not just about décor - it can directly impact function.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I would like to be a recognized name – providing entertainment and décor expertise for reputable lifestyle publications and media. I would also like to be overseeing large-scale creative projects for production sets and specialty retail designs.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
In North America… David Tutera. He opened his event business with just one client at the age of 19 years old – he follows his passion, continues to grow his brand in new ways, and uses incredible imagination to transform spaces into unique experiences. Locally, Yuriko of Vintage Origami. Her overall brand, style and business focus are an inspiration to the business community.

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Integrity. Creativity. Compassion. I love helping clients bring their vision to life – listening to their ideas, using my creative abilities to make it happen, and providing a quality experience.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
I am blessed with wonderful key supporters willing to get up early, stay up late, climb ladders, and cope with my creative thought processing. To say “thanks” just doesn’t seem like enough – but I truly am thankful.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
I think my business shows the community that event design can unite us on many levels. I am blessed to be part of an industry that collaborates together to create an event for our clients. In turn, those clients and their guests get to experience our collaboration - providing them opportunities to interact and communicate together.

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?
Marketing and PR gurus. I would tell them I party for a living and ask how I can maximize on it for brand exposure. I would probably also try find out who wanted to throw a killer dinner party and slip them my card.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I recently moved to the Okanagan from the Fraser Valley. Having lived here a short time, I find it difficult to assess any change for this amazing place. The community is amazing, the lifestyle is incredible, and we have fabulous weather – most of the time.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Besides wine, weather, and location? The people and the sense of community.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Shannon Prodor of Tangerine Orchid (Wedding Floral Designer)

Some general comments I would like to share are:
One of my all-time favorite quotes is from Dr Seuss and think they are fabulous words to live by:

“Be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

And remember that Life’s

A Great Balancing Act.”

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!