Meet Celine & David! Celine and David are originally from France and have been living here in the beautiful Okanagan for two years. They both enjoy being outdoors, walking around town enjoying the sunshine and spending quality time together, with their children.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
From France, settled down in Penticton in May 2017.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Our kids.
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
Gratify... She makes the most delicious raw vegan cheesecakes ever.
Describe yourself in one word.
Enterprising/Creative.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Vancouver Island to see our dear friends.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
Just walking around under the sun.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
If you are able to laugh about yourself, nothing is embarrassing.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something new every day is the key to staying inspired. By creating this chocolate atelier while coming from other backgrounds was so stimulating! On top of that, working in a field that has not been largely explored (the vegan pastry and chocolate), pushes you to keep being creative.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Celine: When I went to pick wild fruits like blackberries for my mom who would make jam for hours!
David: The long walks with my dog, Harry.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
When we first arrived, we spent our first Christmas here in Penticton with the residents of The Village by the Station (Good Samaritan). We wanted to share a moment with those people to give our kids meaning to Christmas beyond the gifts, toys and money spent. We prepared tons of shortbreads for the residents and shared their party. We also try to stay local as much as possible to be sure to have good products with a low impact on the earth (no carbon footprint). We recently found almond producers in Cawston! We give extra chocolates to the Soupateria sometimes and we also clean our neighbourhood when we have time, with our kids, gloves and large trash bags.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
We would delete money.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
When we walk, but we are never alone as we are with family, It's our resource.
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
- Put colours everywhere, with painted walls and flowers, to give a specific Penticton touch everywhere in the city not only on Main Street or Front street.
- Bigger farmers markets to have booths for all the Penticton stores who would like to participate.
- Edible plants everywhere to give people food anytime and also a place to dance salsa!
What do you think makes Penticton great?
It's community!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
- Making our kids bloom
- Becoming self-sufficient
- Building our hemp house
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Celine: I was a psychologist for 15 years.
David: I was a physiotherapist in my earlier years.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
https://www.instagram.com/maison.mulnati/ or facebook https://www.facebook.com/maison.mulnati/ and we also have a website maison-mulnati.com
What is the name of your business/organization?
Maison Mulnati
Why did you get into/start this business?
We were totally choco addicts and we didn't find the chocolate that we were used to eating before in France. Over there, we are familiar with dark chocolate. On top of that, there are not a lot of vegan options so we tried our best!
What is the goal of your business?
Promoting the vegan movement and proving that plant-based products can be amazing and even better than regular products.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Daring to do something that we have never done before and investing all our money in a project that we had no prior experience in.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
We wouldn't change anything as mistakes are always a lesson.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Celine: "I have an idea".
David: "No, not one more!"
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"If something happens, there is a reason and it will make sense later."
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Jacque Fresco has passed away recently so it would be Noam Chomsky or Leonardo Di Caprio for his involvement.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To make a great community spirit where local support local.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Our kids of course.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Sheanne and Dan Moskaluk for the energy they put in helping lives, protecting human beings, animals and our planet.
My choice for the PentictonNow In Focus spotlight is:
Alchemist Distillery as they make amazing gin and absinthe. They are really worth the drive as they design their own alembic and are focused on quality.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by emailing [email protected]. 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, Penticton!
