Shalom/Hi!! I’m Lavan!
I am so happy to be in Vancouver and to introduce you to my natural & luxurious brand. I’m here to give you advice about skin care, luxury living and well-being. Also, I would like to meet YOU! Tweet me @LavanVancouver and say hi! I’ll let you in on some special secrets if you do 🙂
Want to know more? Here is my latest interview:
OK, so Lavan, where are you from?
I made it to the beautiful city of Vancouver from Kibbutz Ein Gedi in Israel, (FACT: a Kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that is traditionally based on agriculture.) located at the shore of the beautiful Dead Sea.
Ein Gedi is a beautiful oasis with just steps away from a magical natural wonder, the Dead Sea. Being one of Israel’s most famous locales and a true source of Israeli pride, the lowest place on earth is also considered to be the biggest “natural spa” on the planet.
How different was your childhood home of Ein Gedi than Vancouver?
Growing up by the Dead Sea creates a deep connection to nature, but also exposes you to the world. This is somewhat similar to living in Vancouver and perhaps one of the reasons I feel so at home here. Just like Vancouver, the Dead Sea is a very multicultural place with a strong sense of overwhelming nature. Tourists come from all over the world to float in the salty water of the Dead Sea, to treat their skin, and ease their minds. There is no doubt that this is where my deepest connection to nature comes from.
Personally, I believe that nature has only great things to offer if it is not disturbed and treated with respect. The moments I feel truly connected to myself are the precious moments that I reconnect with nature. It can be while running on the seawall, watching the sunrise on the beach, camping in a forest, or while snowboarding. This is why Canada (and Vancouver in particular) captivated me instantly and I immediately fell madly in love with this beautiful place. Nature in Canada is outstanding, just as it is by the Dead Sea.
Why Vancouver?
I chose Vancouver to be the first host city of a Lavan store because of its wonderful multicultural collection of warm people with a strong orientation towards health and well-being. Those that would truly appreciate the natural and luxurious bath and skin care products by Lavan.
On a personal level, as an active person that loves all kinds of sports, Vancouver allows me to be active all year round, whether it’s running or skating on the seawall, hiking Grouse, biking, or snowboarding. Vancouver turned out to be a perfect place for both myself and the brand.
Do you play any sports?
Throughout my life, I have learned that sports create a healthy balance for me and help me to deal more effectively with everyday stress and allow positive energy to flow. Since coming to Vancouver I completely fell in love with Yoga. My first ‘hot yoga’ class was a beginning of a new era for me and now, when I don’t practice, I feel like something is truly missing during my day.
I find that the wonderful part about Yoga is the balance between body and mind. For me, it is like going to the gym and getting to a massage therapy at the same time. As hard and challenging as it may be, it lights my soul and inspiration on fire.
With Lavan products, I hope to create the same balance between body and mind with some soap.
What is your favorite part about Vancouver?
Honestly, the free water. You may find it a bit different, I’m sure, but coming from Israel, and growing up with a constant worry for water, it makes sense. I come from a place where having a bath everyday is considered irresponsible!
I can have long and pampering showers without my conscious killing me and even have as many baths as I want! I know you may find it funny or even a bit strange, but for an Israeli “shower queen” like me, it’s truly exciting. Especially living in a high-rise building in Vancouver – the hot water never ends! I honestly feel like I live in hotel…
What is a “shower queen”?
Everyone has a thing that relaxes him or her, right? For me, it’s the shower. In the shower, I stop to re-connect with myself and take a break from the hectic lifestyle of downtown living. The shower is maybe the only place I don’t take my phone with me and have some time for myself, with no distractions. Just me, my body, and my thoughts.
I am truly inspired by Asian culture, where a bath is a habit that is considered a part of everyday life. Just like other insights from the East, this is one that I keep in my life and it is truly rewarding. You know, dedicating fifteen minutes for a shower can take up some unnecessary Facebook or TV time, right?
If you think about it, the bathroom is a meditative place, where you can truly re-connect with yourself (or your loved ones), stop the external distractions and reflect. If you think of having a bath, it’s much more soothing and relaxing for the body and mind, especially if you share it with your partner or give one to your kids. If you add Lavan bath salts or bubble baths, you are up for a true treat.
If you have a bath regularly – and I mean truly have one with the whole “nine yards” – it can really work to improve the quality of your life. You will feel, look, and think better!
You have amazing advice for us when WE shower, tell us about YOUR shower! (and tell us which scent is YOUR favorite?)
I have so many different kinds of showers and baths. Some are revitalizing and some are calming and soothing. In any case, both start with a decision to meditate and take some time for myself and end with a scented fluffy towel or in a housecoat.
I can’t choose one scent! It is like choosing a favorite child – it is impossible! Besides, I always change the scents of the soap or lotions according to my mood, taking each shower as a different journey. My morning showers will be mostly of revitalizing scents like lemon ginger or ocean. The relaxing coconut or vanilla showers are the best before bed.
I would use Lavan’s loofah soap after hot yoga and have a full “Dead Sea bath”, perhaps with a glass of red wine after biking or jogging. It really depends on my mood, but I try to have fun with it. Why not?
Are you snuggling someone special at the moment or are you single?
Hahaha…Not at the moment. I prefer not to be called “single”. I prefer to think of myself as still preparing my heart for true love. I truly want to have a good and inspiring relationship this time, and I am willing to wait for it.
How do you share your inspiration?
I try to share the Israeli intensity with everyone that visits the store. I feel like I am hosting visitors at Lavan just as if they visit my living room, and I find myself exciting whenever I have new guests. I love my work! Meeting new people every day, showing them around, and introducing them to my products is my passion!
The best part of inviting people to come into my store is when they take part in our tradition and scrub their hands by our stone fountain. The amount of compliments I get everyday can make anyone feel special.
I don’t think that there are many other stores in Vancouver where the words: “WOW” and “OH MY GOD!!” are so common other than Lavan. It is the most rewarding part of my job and it is truly amazing to be acknowledged for your efforts on a daily basis! I am a very lucky girl!
I feel like I have the chance to meet many incredible new people every day. I find that meeting new friends becomes harder and harder as I get older – this is why working at Lavan is such a different working environment. I try to invite all of our guests back to Lavan to visit me or the rest of the wonderful staff and let us know how they like my products, to say hi, or even just to drop in and wash their hands at the fountain!
I am super excited whenever people come back or return to introduce Lavan to their friends. I am truly blessed to have created something that people want and appreciate. What more can I ask for?
What is your motto and vision?
I believe in Good Karma and in being good to others, to nature and to ourselves.
I also believe that positive thoughts create a positive reality (and vice versa). We should all practice some positive thinking more often.
Life is too hectic sometimes. I suppose that finding some time for yourself gets harder as we grow old and have kids, but even then we should all remember that we need and deserve to have at least 10 minutes a day to ourselves. If not for yourself, how about for your kids? They will be able to enjoy time with you a lot more when you are relaxed and balanced, right?
This is why shower time is the new age of meditation; if you are having a shower anyways, why not make it luxurious? I personally think that everyone deserves small luxurious moments and I am proud to encourage others to take those Lavan moments and unwind. It’s my own little way to make the world a calmer and nicer place.
What should we expect to read over your Facebook and Twitter profile?
I hope to be able to answer any questions you may have regarding skin and skin care as well as to advise about nutrition and well-being in general.
I wish to interact with Lavan costumers and I am looking forward to hearing your opinion and reviews about Lavan products! After all, I am making those products for you and your satisfaction is my absolute top priority.
I also hope that Lavan costumers and followers will share their reviews, advice, and tips of how to live life better, in and outside the shower.
Lastly, I will share my thoughts, my feelings, and maybe some secrets from our exciting future plans :).
What are you excited about?
I am extremely excited to introduce the new line of Lavan products for 2013 as well as to share our super exiting plans to expand!!
Tell us a bit about the new products!
I am so bad at keeping secrets…Lavan products as you know them were the first EVER generation of Lavan. The next exciting line is a result of our customer feedback in the past two years as well as their new product requests! I am extremely proud of the result and can’t wait to introduce it to the world.
The products are rich with many more kinds of fruits, vegetables and amazing flowers and herbs, including 100% natural extracts of pomegranate, green tea, cucumber and blueberries all wrapped in our ancient formula from the Dead Sea. Each product provides different positive benefits, vitamins and the incredible Dead Sea minerals – rich with anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties.
The design of the new products will not only be beautiful and elegant, but will also provide new information about the different beneficial functions of each and every natural ingredient in the product. They will also describe the benefits of the healing Dead Sea minerals in each new product as well.
I am ridiculously bad with keeping secrets, eh? I guess I am truly excited to show it off :).
What about the plans to expand Lavan?
We plan to expand soon and to an absolutely perfect location. Allow me to keep it a secret just for a little bit, if you would!
What do you dream about?
On a personal level, I keep my dreams simple, I seek two important things: happiness in the small things and true love. Who doesn’t?
From a business perspective, my dreams are big have always been: to expand my brand around the world, become a proud Israeli brand, walk down the street of a foreign country and watch a Lavan store attract costumers. That would make me endlessly proud!
Anything you would like to say to your social media Friends?
I can’t wait to truly meet you all and interact. Don’t be shy, share 🙂
Lastly, how would you define Lavan?
That’s easy, where things make scents.
Lavan 