Meet Cristina & Maria Graziano! Cristina was born and raised here in Kelowna, and Maria moved here to the city at a very young age. The two sisters have been business partners for three years now!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Cristina: I was born and raised in Kelowna.
Maria: I was born in Cranbrook and moved to Kelowna when I was 8 years old.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Cristina: My best friend of 25 years Mr. Josh Beamish.
Maria: My husband Rob whom I have been married to for 8 years.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Cristina: It changes daily! But my current favourite is Karat Chocolate. Have you seen those desserts? Yes please.
Maria: Naked Cafe because I’m a crazy vegan.
Describe yourself in one word.
Cristina: Scrappy
Maria: Intense
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Cristina: I would get on a plane and jet set to London to see the new Dior Exhibit.
Maria: California so I could stroll down the boardwalk with my dogs.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Cristina: I love shopping at used book stores.
Maria: Wiener dog walking
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Cristina: I don’t get embarrassed.
Maria: I don’t want to say.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Cristina: When I was 17 I moved to Philadelphia to finish high school at a Professional Ballet School. It completely changed the trajectory of my life.
Maria: Reading Skinny Bitch. That’s what started me down the path of being Vegan 10 years ago.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Cristina: I woke up one morning and there was a kitten in my bed. Best day ever.
Maria: Going to the drive up A&W with my dad.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Both: SPCA, COHA, UBC, Okanagan Cat Coalition, KGH Foundation, Kelowna Women in Business, Run For The Cure.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Cristina: I would make sure all senior citizens are able to retire with enough support financially to live out their days as best as possible.
Maria: To end factory farming and to have more government support for hobby farms where animals enjoy life.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Cristina: I can’t tell you because then it wouldn’t be sneaky anymore.
Maria: I go down Abbott Street and stare at all the beautiful homes.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Both: While our wonderful city of Kelowna continues to expand, highway 97 and the bridge will continue to be an ongoing problem for the community. We would love to see the city implement an overpass so that folks just passing through Kelowna can bypass it and the locals can get around easier.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Cristina: The wine!
Maria: Our Kelowna Farmer’s Market
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Cristina: Buy a quilted Chanel, get to Bora Bora, learn how to horseback ride.
Maria: Get to California, retire at 56, open up a Vegan bakery.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Cristina: I used to be a professional ballet dancer and retired at 28.
Maria: I love Armin Van Buren.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Cristina: I only hang out on our Bliss Bridal social media.
Maria: Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
Bliss Bridal Kelowna
Why did you get into/start this business?
When Bliss Bridal opened its doors back in 2005, our mother was hired as their in house seamstress. When they decided to sell in 2011, our mother purchased the store! Being an Italian native, legacy is very important in our culture so our mother wanted to build her own brand and legacy for her daughters to carry forward. We each came in at different points in our life but we now have been managing this business together as sisters and partners for the past 3 years. We got into this business because we see value in creating an amazing shopping experience for brides who are getting married and we want to be a part of their story.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Our biggest struggle probably is managing a healthy work balance with family life. With the rate that social media has come into everyone’s lives it’s hard sometimes to disconnect from work when you are at home on a Sunday evening spending time with your family. We always want to be there for our customers and now with social media that involves being available to them 24/7. We are still working on the balance but loving every minute of it.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
There is always room for improvement and there will always be a scenario that we can look back on and see another route to have gone. Looking in the rear view mirror is just so much easier, isn’t it?
What do you always find yourself saying?
CONGRATULATIONS!
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Cristina: "No matter what happens, always keep your childish innocence, it’s the most important thing."
Maria: "Don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about something that won’t matter in 5 years."
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Cristina: Anna Wintour.
Maria: Bono
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Running a small business is a lot of hard work. But we do it because we love it. We always strive to support local businesses because that is the colour and flavour of this city. If we don’t support the little guy then we are going to be left with Wal-Mart’s and Starbucks. Nothing is wrong with these establishments of course but they don’t tell the story of our city, our local businesses do!
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Our new space we built together as a family and as bridal store owners.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Cristina: Mission Creek Animal Hospital. Everyone is super friendly and always willing to help.
Maria: Tailblazers. Amazing staff, service, and products that helps me take care of my furbabies.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Cristina: Dr. Andrew McCarthy of Mission Creek Animal Hospital.
Maria: John and Barton owners of Tail Blazers.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
We want to thank the community for allowing us to serve you during your special occasion!
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