Hoda and Hassan moved to Penticton from Vancouver. But this is not where their journey started. Both of them were born and grew up in Iran.
Since she was a child, Hoda was attracted to beautiful architectural forms and showed creativity in everything she did.
“I remember one of the most precious gifts that my mother gave me when I was a child – a sketchbook and 12 pencils,” shares Hoda. Not surprisingly, interior design was a natural career choice for her.
Thanks to a masterful collaboration between their moms, Hoda and Hassan got married, and, soon after, moved to Malaysia, where they took turns working and studying. Hassan became a professional in accounting, and Hoda in Interior Architecture.
Then came the time when they decided to move again, explore new possibilities around the world. Canada and Australia made it to the top of the list and, after months of research, they picked Canada as their new home country. The immigration process took a lot of time and effort but in the end Hoda and Hassan started their new lives in Vancouver.
Every summer the couple visited the South Okanagan and dreamed about moving to Penticton someday. That day finally arrived.
“I loved Vancouver,” continues Hoda, “we’ve made a lot of great friends there, found exciting career opportunities, but I did not like the weather there and we both wanted our own home. We love our new life in Penticton. The weather is amazing and the people are very kind.”
Today, Hassan continues his successful accounting career, and Hoda is a proud owner of the Homont Design on Martin Street in Penticton. The name of the company is the combination of Hoda’s first and last names – Hoda Montazeri.
“For me, interior design is more than just arranging furniture or selecting color palettes. It is a language through which I connect with people and understand their individual styles, preferences and aspirations. Exceptional design is a reflection of your unique story,” says Hoda.
During the spare time, the couple enjoys their time on the beaches, playing volleyball and talking to friends. “I am not very outdoorsy, but Hassan pushes me,” adds Hoda with a chuckle.
“It is not easy to move around so much, but I have a moto that I try to follow: ‘Do whatever makes you happy’,” she concludes.
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This profile is a part of the Community Champions campaign of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Local Immigration Partnership (SOSLIP). The Partnership project is led by the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS), which provides a range of services for newcomers to the region. This article, written by Elmira Galiyeva, was previously published on Castanet. Updates have been made since original publishing.