#69. All Eyes On: Dominique Juric
a sporty and stylish gal encourages you to explore your inner freedom.
If you live in Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver or on the Island, and you haven’t yet heard of Natural Freedom, where have you been? It’s Dominique Juric’s brainchild, and it’s all about exploring your inner freedom while building connection and community through a wide range of events. And I mean it when I say wide range. Dom organizes and puts on group events - from niche offerings like Intro to Bee Keeping and Fly Fishing, to emerging hobbies like Knit Hang and Guided Forest Therapy. She’s even done a workshop on Finances (sign me up!). I think the concept is brilliant and quite sweet… she has built a space that allows people the try new things and meet new people along the way.
These types of community groups have been growing in popularity since COVID stripped us of all our social wants and needs. But it takes a certain kind of person to actually succeed in bringing strangers together to have a genuinely fun time, and it seems like Dominique has that je ne c’est quoi about her that people just want to be around. She’s a cool girl, with great style, and the natural ability to draw people in. She’s inspiring!
Natural Freedom also sells apparel. I’m sure you’ll notice it in the local shops next time you visit Tofino and Ukee. Check out her upcoming offerings… I might just see you at one of them!
39 (mostly) rapid-fire questions with Dominique Juric.
What time do you wake up? Is it different on the weekends?
Consistently up around 630-7am! Weekends sometimes later :) On the weekend I love the feeling of not having to usually be anywhere for a set time so it allows for more freedom to move at whatever pace I wake up feeling.
First thing you do in the mornings?
The moment the dogs notice we’re awake they jump on the bed for lots of cuddles and kisses, it’s the best way to wake up and also next to my partner <3
Do you hit snooze?
10 min snooze always once - a treat.
Are you a morning or evening shower-er?
In the summer I’m a morning shower-er. In the fall/winter, evening.
How do you typically spend a day off?
Days off usually with a long beach walk with the dogs. I’m a spontaneous person and don’t love solid plans so I always enjoy days off without plans to see what kind of fun I can get up too. Lately my favourite moments this summer are days when we go for boat rides up Lemmens Inlet to hang and swim in the sunshine.
What’s on your bedside table?
My prized possession: my eye mask haha! And currently The Artists Way + a journal. I also have this cutie phone home I handmade with a friend on my birthday a few years ago which was inspired by Rachel Saunders Ceramics so my phone can be tucked away for the precious moments before bed and when waking.
What’s the story behind your home and how long have you lived there?
Ahhhh my home. It's still new to me which is exciting! I just moved to Tofino from Whistler in April and I am loving it. I love being at sea level and connected to the ocean. Also Marvin my dog has been thriving since being back in a beach town as he’s from Mexico.
Favourite room in your house?
Living room :’) We share a small space but I love how open the living area is.
What are a few favorite things that you cherish in your home and why?
Quite a few things. I cherish my lovely roommates. My partner, friend and friends upstairs. We have so many communal dinners which make my heart explode. 4 dogs in one house, it's heaven. I also love that our suite has concrete floors, something about a heated bathroom floor after showering, you know!
Where do you find / shop for home decor?
Facebook Marketplace.
Vintage or new?
Vintage!!!
3 things that are always in your kitchen?
Oh! Eggs, lemons and wine haha
3 things that you wish were always in your kitchen?
Premium meats! Fresh organic veggies & fruits.
Favourite kitchen utensil / gadget?
MOCCA MASTER :’) the best coffee machine. My friends (who I live with) own Tofino Coffee Roasting and have completely introduced me to this amazing side to the coffee world which has me hooked! Also, Benchmade Knives, my partner shot a campaign with them and all their products are out of this world.
Briefly summarize your food philosophy.
I’m a simple gal. I have no allergies and not many sensitivities, however I was veggie/ pescatarian for 6 years and now that I am back eating anything and everything I’d say my philosophy about food is eat whatever makes you feel the best and for me it’s protein!
Your go-to, no fail recipe?
Ummmmmm either roasted chicken veg and potatoes (boring haha) or a bolognese pasta!
Favourite meal growing up?
Beans and rice and chicken noodle soup.
Any supplements you take / witchy elixirs you swear by?
Swear by lions mane by rainbo and I always love my magnesium by moon juice. Another thing I swear by is oil of oregano under my tongue if I’m starting to feel that I could be getting sick.
Skin on or off potatoes / yams?
I’m easy but usually keep the skin on.
Cilantro. Love it or hate it?
Love.
Coffee or tea?
Loyal to coffee in the morning then an English breakfast tea with milk and honey in the afternoon.
You’re ordering take out. What do you get?
In Tofino Toki Doki or Adriana’s. Anywhere else, sushi!
Favorite local restaurant?
JEJU, Wolf in the Fog, Toki Doki.
Describe your personal style / style philosophy.
My personal style has evolved with time and confidence. It also has been slightly changing with my coastal move but overall I’d say you can always find me in loose baggy clothing with some type of feminine or vintage touch. I want to always be comfy and I am inspired by men’s fashion a lot of the time haha!
Your three wardrobe staples, go…
Baggy blue jeans, button up of sorts and a white tshirt.
What qualities do you look for in your friends?
For me it’s important to have friends who are supportive, loyal, fun and respectful. Friends that I can rely on and they can rely on me, both understood, easy, fun, and DEEP. I love deep connections.
What’s one trend you're currently loving and hoping to stay for the long haul? I’d say the overall wellness trend. Slowing down, getting outside. Is that a trend or is that just me haha.
You decide to treat yourself. How do you indulge?
An ice cold premium cider or a pint of ice cream from chocolate Tofino or Tofino licks :)
What’s the one thing you’re willing to spend more money on?
Anything of quality that will last me a long time/ something with a story.
Keys to productivity?
I have personally struggled with measuring productivity and sometimes feeling ‘guilt’ if I am not ‘working’.. Constantly growing but overall to help my brain stay on track I like to write lists, if it’s not written down I'll totally forget, I love taking lion's mane for focus, and lots of breaks in nature. If I am overwhelmed I just go on a MASSIVE walk.
This is a nice reminder: “SLOW DOWN. DON'T CONFUSE BUSYNESS WITH IMPORTANCE. REMEMBER THAT ACTION DOESN'T ALWAYS LEAD TO PROGRESS.”
This time last year, I wish I knew…
I wish I knew this time last year that now I’d be living in Tofino. Also a nice reminder:
“Let curiosity be greater than your fear”.
One place in the world you’re dying to visit?
I’m dying to visit so many places but top of the list is Portugal and Morocco.
What’s a movie you’ve seen in the last 6 months that left the biggest impact on you?
I’m not a big movie gal and I find we have down moments in the fall/winter to really indulge in watching movies but right now it’s just having a documentary on specifically sports docs or something light and funny in the background. We did recently watch Northshore though which was really inspiring to watch, especially because I want to learn to surf.
Guilty pleasure?
Meat sticks lol like a classic gas station meat stick oh and english breakfast teas at all times of the day.
Song currently on repeat?
Recently my spotify told me my morning mood is Thinking of a Place by The War on Drugs and my afternoon mood is See yourself in my eyes Fred again and it couldn’t be more accurate.
I usually just play my daylist and make playlists that way via @bynaturalfreedom on Spotify.
Favourite form of movement / exercise?
Long walks, pilates and running - I just launched the second annual Yeehaw Half Marathon through my brand Natural Freedom so training has just begun which means lots of running is upcoming.
If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose?
My other name was going to be Gabriella and I think that’s really pretty but tbh I love my name. I never used to when I was younger because it was “different” but now I’m very grateful. It also holds a lot of meaning, people typically think I’m french but my parents gave me this name because of my Dominican background and because my mom’s name is Dominga so it sounds similar.
Tell me a bit about what you do.
If we're talking about work, I do a lot, haha it’s awesome! Full time I have a marketing gig here in Tofino which has been awesome which was a part of the reason to make the leap and move here. In ALL my free time I am dreaming and working on my brand Natural Freedom. Natural Freedom is a project I started a few years ago which has organically grown into a really beautiful community space. I partner with lots of other amazing humans to create spaces for others to try new things like hiking, skateboarding, fishing etc. I also am a freelance stylist and especially love outdoor based branded photoshoots when I get to work with my best friend.
What’s a typical work day look like?
I usually wake up early and do some work on socials. Respond to emails then go on a big beach walk with my dogs then get into the office for around 930-430 then depending on my workload on the side for Natural Freedom I will typically dedicate time in the evenings to order fulfillment, event planning etc
