Layna and her gift is featured in an upcoming Movie recently debuted at the Sundance Film Festival! Visit www.discoverthegift.com

I was born and raised in Vancouver and through my local community center I learned that I loved arts and crafts.

Volunteering and part-time work with kids kept me out of trouble during my high school years. I decided that this was my passion so I pursued a diploma in Recreation Leadership and continued to work in community centers as a programmer and summertime parks and playground leader. Combining outdoor activities, crafts and kids created my fondest memories of my 20's.

Expo86 rolled into town and travel/tourism sparked my interest. Kids, crafts, and community; my true passions, took a backseat.

I packed up and moved to Whistler with my husband in 91 then settled in Pemberton in 93 and moved back to Whistler in 06. Throughout the years I ran a successful travel agency and worked my way through the hotel industry haul-ting my creativity to put others needs before my own.

I became passionate once more as we moved forward to create Sachi Sushi. For 5 years we watched it grow to become one of Whistler's most popular restaurants.

Since then I have been haunted by the need of finding a way to combine my experiences and doing what I love to create my "dream job". A recent trip to Africa sparked my "AHA" moment when I realized that life is what I make it and following my heart lead me to creating ORKIDZ ART STUDIO.

I continually have to remind myself that it is not about how much I earn but its about doing what I love and the rest will follow......LOVE WHAT YOU DO! So I am doing it. Stepping out of my fear. Doing what I love. Inspiring and encouraging others to step out of their box and try it on.

20 years later my journey has allowed me to come full circle and pursue my true passions KIDS, CRAFTS and COMMUNITY..........JOIN ME!