Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island.

This weeks featured local people profile is: Zoe Dubien

Here's a bit about Zoe;

I am the co-owner of Thrive Lifestyle, a retail store and hand made studio. We design and produce a fashion line, accessory line, and a home decor line right there in the store as well as curate other beautiful ethically produced products.

What brought you to Salt Spring Island?

I was born in a tree house in Big Sur, California. My parents were both artists and raised me in nature. Salt Spring reminded me of that. My husband and i were living in Victoria and wanted to start a family, we knew Salt Spring was where we wanted to raise them.

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

Salt Spring is the first place i ever felt the community wrap their arms around me like a hug! We look out for each other, support, and encourage each other!

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

There would be jobs for everybody, fresh organic food for everybody, affordable houses for everybody. Salt Spring island would be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly island in the world and we'd have sunny days all year round. I'd add park spaces like Beacon Hill park with activities including a petting zoo, water park, duck ponds, etc. There would be plenty of indoor spaces to hang out as well. Food courts with community tables, and indoor natural play areas children of all ages could enjoy.

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

I know you might know her but i'd choose my mother! She was an incredible person and would have fit in here perfectly.

Is there a special project, business or initiative you are working on that islanders should know about?

YES! We have a Kickstarter Campaign running until June 13th to fund our Women's line for this season. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check it out and support in anyway you can.

Our mission is to design, produce, and sell items that encourage a sustainable lifestyle that will honour the people who make it, the environment it comes from, and those who wear it.

We are excited to see what we can accomplish with full production before peak season. We need your help to kickstart our production. We want to see our local community THRIVE: with our success we will create more jobs and opportunities for those around us. Before we can confidently increase employment, we need to create enough product and see reflected sales to affirm our dream of expansion. This is the vision that you will be funding when you choose to back us. You are not just funding a clothing line, but a community work environment that is sustainable, local and THRIVING.

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

How do you Thrive in life?

How would you have answered your question?

I Thrive in life when i balance family, work, and play. Right now i'm going to Ganges Yoga in the Wellness Centre at 7am. It gives me time to reflect, set intentions, and move my body. I Thrive in life when i work really hard and leave a stack of hand made product on the shelf at the end the day. I Thrive in life when i make an effort to connect with my friends every week. I Thrive in life when i go home early in the evening and dedicate conscious time to my children.