Meet Marianne Koops! She is a local artisan and her creations are nothing short of impressive!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I love spending time with my four nieces, we do lots of girls only days like fishing, picnicking and exploring different places. I love teaching them new things from crafts to outdoor fun.
What is your favourite local store in Prince George and why?
Topaz Bead Gallery, great family owned store with wonderful products and service and of course the adorable dog Luc.
Describe yourself in one word.
Generous.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Pheonix, there is someone very special to me there
What is your favourite activity in Prince George?
I love exploring different lakes, streams and rivers. We live in such a great area for exploring.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My oldest niece got double leukemia at age 14, it was and still is inspiring to watch her fight her fight. To this day she fights pain and repercussions from having cancer though being cancer free. She pushes herself to go to school to be a teacher.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My brother and I spent a great deal of time with our Oma and Opa. We did a lot of day trips with them to McBride, Barkerville and a few other places. We always packed a picnic lunch and had a great time exploring these places with them.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I volunteer a lot, it is very important to me to give back to my community. I volunteer with & help support the Supertrak Bmx Track, The Prince George Cycling Club, The Wheelin' Warriors of the North, Hospice House, Fun for Families Canada and Secret Santa PG to name a few.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would change the fact that cancer exists, especially childhood cancer. I have seen how horrible it is up close and personal too many times and it's awful.
Where would you sneak away to in Prince George to spend some time alone?
There are many spots I like to take my fishing rod and spend some time alone watching nature.
Where would you like to see positive change in Prince George and why?
I love PG, but I wish we could change rid the downtown core of the excessive amount of homelessness and open drug use. Also, cleaner air would be great.
What do you think makes Prince George great?
Everything, the people, the things to do and the abundance of nature.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Go back to Vegas
2) Travel to PEI and just more areas all over Canada
3) Live happily ever after with my someone special
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am actually quite shy.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Rebicycled Treasures.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I have the amount of perfectly good materials that go into the landfill.
What is the goal of your business?
To show people that beauty can be made from things we once thought were garbage. I want people to think twice before throwing anything away.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Never having enough hours in the day to do all the cool things I want to do
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change a thing other than I would have started sooner.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Every day above ground is a great day.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Tell your friends and family how you feel about them and spend time with them. Put down your phone and enjoy your life, it's far too short.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would spend it with my boyfriend. We don't get to spend nearly enough time together doing the things we want to do.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Local business owners work hard and put in a lot of extra hours to make the businesses they are passionate about thrive.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Starting my own business.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My mom, she's the backbone of our family and she never gets to get spoiled in the way she deserves.
My choice for the PrinceGeorgeNow In Focus spotlight is:
Bulldog Wrinkle, Ange Seguin.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am blessed to live in such a great community and I am very passionate about giving back. My family has owned a business here for 45 years and its a pretty incredible feeling. I can't imagine living anywhere else the parks, lakes, rivers etc that are so close to town make it even more special.
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, Prince George!
