Meet Layah. She has lived in Kamloops for 11 years. She has a passion for fashion and is the owner of Thrift Monster Threads.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kamloops?
I am a small town girl from 100 Mile House living in Kamloops for 10-11 years now.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My dog Butters haha!!! Or my best friend from Kamloops who now lives in Vancouver, Jessica Freudenbeger. We have always had such a uniquely special and close bond. There is no other friendship like ours and I treasure our times together past and present.
What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
Other then my obsession with the local Thrift Stores and constantly spending all my money treasure hunting through them all weekly, I would have to say Far + Wide. I LOVE that they support local artists and THRIFTED items.My favourite Coffee Shop Art We Are for the best vibes n Treats always!! + The Commodore for the best lunches in town!!!!!!!
Describe yourself in one word.
Genuine.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would in a heartbeat choose Guatemala. It is my old home. It is big beautiful, loud, messy, full of colour and raging with passion. The Mayan culture is strong and ever present. Traditions are rich. The people, some of the most beautiful I have ever met. They have humbled me to the core and shocked me in all ways.They may be small, but they have the biggest hearts I have ever seen.
What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
Spending time outside with my dog Butters, my partner Myles and my friends + family. Hiking, paddling, camping, festivalling and exploring Kamloop's local trails and surround lakes and mountains. And of coarse, always taking photos along the way :)
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I am ridiculous on a daily basis! From tripping on the stairs in from on my grade 4 crush while he held the door open for me to spilling drinks on customers the first time I ever held a servers tray to always being the last person to get the joke!!!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
A lot of those experiences for me are based around my time in Guatemala and my many encounters with magical people along the way. The poorest people have reduced me to tears while smiling inside their tiny shack like homes and describing how they have everything they could ever ask for, a happy healthy family with beautiful children regardless of how little to eat or how little money to spend or that the entire family of 10 shares 2 rooms and one meal a day. We live in a time of so much privilege. In a Society that has created so much unnecessary want and need to the point of unhappiness.. l All I can say is travel. Just once. Don't question it, don't make it hard. Just do it. Buy the ticket, take the ride. I promise it will change your life, and be one of the best things you ever do. Embarking on a trip into the unknown, Travel brings perspective and love back into our life every time we embrace it.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Every camping + hiking trip with the family
Every x-country ski race
Every xmas at Grandma Fred + Grandpa Kens
Every visits from Bobba + Zaida
Summers at Clear Lake in MB with family
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
For everyone to look around at one another and realize we are all the same, we are all going through it, we are all suffering. To understand we all all on this human experience TOGETHER, and if we can show some understanding and compassion and enough respect and kindness to one another, we could really make a difference. I also wish I could show every person who has ever felt alone, that they are not alone. That every person who has ever felt like giving up knows they can do it, they can make it, they are strong and they are enough. That this life is worth living and they are worth fighting for.
Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
For a walk on the local trails with my dog, or a wander through the thrift shops with a coffee or tea.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?
More spaces for local craftsman, artists and creatives to come together to connect, create, share, educate and feed off one another. A place for the creative minds of the community to freely gather, self express and create is so important!
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
Our growing and evolving Creative Community
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. See and experience as much of the world as possible
2. Travel North America in a Van with my man and my pupper
3. Be a large contributing part to the creation and future of an NGO helping that helps cultures and people who are suffering all over the world
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am part Jewish, and very proud of it,
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram: @layahd or @thriftmonser
Facebook: Layah Rebekah Davidson or Thrift Monster Threads
My website
What is the name of your business/organization?
Thrift Monster Threads
Why did you get into/start this business?
I was living abroad and looking for a way to use my skills to create an independent income for myself that positively impacted others. I also have a big passion for old + used things with stories and a need to do my part in some way however small for our world.
What is the goal of your business?
My goal is to one day grow my business enough so that is it self sustaining allowing me then to travel and invest in new projects abroad while helping to create financial freedom for hard working men, women and children in textiles all over the world. I would love to be able to educate and impact as many people as I can about the Fast Fashion Industry and its devastating impacting on the environment and the lives of many men, women and children. How creating something new from something old, and purchasing something second hand or hand made makes the world of a difference.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Overcoming by biggest and hardest critic, myself.
What do you always find yourself saying?
You are stronger than you think and smarter than you know.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Practice gratitude, spread love, just remember to save some for yourself.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Probably my mom. She is one of my best friends. She is my biggest fan and my greatest supporter. She is always there for me no matter what, day or night. Always doing anything and everything she can for me without hesitation. She always looks out for me and has my very best interest at heart. We have a ton of fun together, we laugh a lot and are usually chatting away in our own world oblivious to everyone else around us while out running errands. We share a lot of the same passions such as popcorn, music+art, hiking+camping, Thrifting and Travel.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
SO IMPORTANT! It provides selection in local products you wont find outside your community. Supports and services local craftsman and artists within your community. Local business's and their employees invest back into the community! Beautiful circle of life.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I think I have yet to live this moment :)
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Vanessa from Tooth n Eye! NO idea how talented and great she is nor does she get the credit she deserves. She is the creator, designer, sewer, model, photographer, videographer and more. She is the ultimate boss babe and one woman show. Huge inspiration.
My choice for the KamloopsBCNow In Focus spotlight is:
Hannah Senger!!!!! :)
Some general comments I would like to share are:
SOME ANSWERS DIDN'T FULL FIT AND WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING ME :)
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, Kamloops.
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!
