Love Local: Recent Episodes
StewardSattu
A few years ago, #lovelocal alum Kristin Postill and her childhood friend Brittney Page decided to pay it forward to their community by paddling for charities of their choice. To date, their paddles have raised over $67,000 for the local community.
On Saturday, August 14th, they will be paddling the length of Kal Lake (16km) in support of Archway Society. Since the pandemic began Archway Society has seen a 48% increase in women, children and youth accessing their programs - they have therefore set a goal of raising $30,000 for Archway to help support the increase in demand of their invaluable programs. You can support them on - bit.ly/supforarchway
Artist AJ Jaeger talks about the Splash of Red charity auction - how it came about, and why it is so critical to the Caetani Centre's plans to provide more people access to the arts and the history of Vernon.
First things first, this one's close to my heart - literally. AJ has made my life better now for 8 years, whether getting rid of my chipping yips, or showing up to support Special Olympics - Kindale. But it was a great opportunity to get to know the person behind the force of nature that she is, and to explore her past as a prodigy / golf star, as well as her future as a mother and realtor.
Suffice to say that if you listen to this episode, you will come away with a better understanding of the challenges AJ has had to face through her career(s) and life, and how she's in a happy place now - and determined to take life's new challenges head on.
A very happy birthday from Love Local to AJ!
One of my cherished ideals is that right balance of heart and head when it comes to not-for-profit organizations. Whilst the right intentions are critical, I often see missed opportunities when it is not accompanied by the right skills and expertise. In that regard, Leanne Hammond who heads up the Community Foundation North Okanagan is a real treasure - a leader in whom both traits come together really well.
And the same can be said for the CFNO - when I first learned about its work a couple of years ago, it spoke to me as a financial planner as well as a supporter. As Leanne explains in the podcast, it appeals because it is a sustainable and structured form of giving, which can supplement the fund-raising efforts of individual community organisations.
Leanne & CFNO truly embody the spirit of #lovelocal - bravo!
In this episode, we feature Allisha - founder and visionary behind Kelowna’s newest zero waste refillery Chickpeace. She had some BIG dreams... and being the boss babe she is, she made it happen.
Not only is the refillery supporting the zero waste and sustainability movement but it has been thoughtfully and intentionally curated. Allisha is no stranger in working towards creating a better planet. She completed her post graduate studies in sustainability planning specifically on finding ways to create resilient communities. And now she is doing just that.
Give up some #lovelocal for Allisha & Chickpeace!
As the Executive Director of the VPAG, Dauna Kennedy is a passionate advocate, and indeed the face of art and culture in our community. VPAG or The Vernon Public Art Gallery Society is committed to fostering the appreciation of the visual arts for all members of the community.
In this episode, Dauna talks about the challenges and opportunities she sees for VPAG and the upcoming Greater Vernon Cultural Center, and how the organisation has grown its different programs ambitiously but organically through the years. The past year in particular has been a challenge that has brought the best out in VPAG and its leader. And more than ever, it needs our local love.
Not all people in business arrive there via a straight line - life's twists and turns have to be navigated first. Such is definitely the case with Cory Derpak of DIG Earthworks. From being a professional athlete to getting hurt at a young age, to losing his way and then finding redemption in work - his story is as compelling as the man himself.
I loved listening to him talk with great passion about how work represents an extension of competition for him, albeit with greater discipline & confidence, and less volatility & ego. Part of the joy of doing this series is that I always present a story that is still unfolding. I know that is definitely the case with Cory and DIG.
With apologies to listeners for the gap, I'm very proud to introduce this episode featuring my friend Russell Haubrich (aka Russty Whistle, which most skiers would recognise as a run). Russ was the owner of the Putnam Station Inn when SilverStar Mountain was being established (now the Bulldog) and is currently the General Manager of the Vance Creek Hotel and Convention Centre.
Every place is built on the backs of the pioneers who take a chance on putting their life's work into it, and it is fair to say that SilverStar would not be the same without characters like Russ. From teaching to owning a railway themed lodge, to now managing the lovely Vance Creek Hotel, Russ has seen the mountain go from strength to strength. I hope you enjoy his stories of the mountain's history as much as I did - with the bonus of not having to put up with the train whistle prank! Listen on...
Heath Fletcher is a refreshing rarity in business - a person who believes in partnership and collaboration, and puts that into practice in his own business. He went from photographer to marketing guru and partner (a title that is again reflective of his approach to business) at Sproing Creative, by building a collective around him that allowed him to focus on what he does best whilst letting people do what they love to do.
I know that one of his proudest achievements is winning Employer of the Year for Sproing Creative, which tells you everything you need to know about the man. But he is also instrumental in the success of many local businesses as their marketing and business partner, as well as being hugely supportive of the community and #LoveLocal.
One of my favourite episodes to record since this is the story of two people who just get out and do the right thing. Between Tanya's background and experience in social welfare, and Myrika's ability to get things done (always at a million miles per hour!), giveLUCK was always going to make a difference in our community.
Listening to the two of them interact on the show, and bring their completely different strengths and characters to the table, you know this is a team that will succeed. The more interesting part was understanding where giveLUCK goes from here - as ever, the two founders have a clear vision that involves more of the business and general community, as well as reaching more causes. giveLUCK defines why we #lovelocal, we wish them some LUCK too!
Imagine this - two schoolfriends from Vernon, who remained in touch as they navigated life and work in the US for years. Then, during 2020 they both independently decided to move back to Vernon, and at the same time were figuring out how to make the best possible beds for their beloved dogs. And despite the pandemic hitting at the same time as their move, went ahead and figured out what that product was like, how to make it and Le Dog Company was born.
That, in a nutshell, is what Cara & Kristin have achieved in the past 12 months - and continue to build from. As I learnt from talking to them, they have a singular vision of what their product and brand stand for, and an extremely professional approach to putting together their supply and distribution chain. The vision of every dog on a Le Dog bed isn't as crazy as it sounds, but for now the Okanagan needs to know about "only the best for your best friend."
Apart from living in a lane that bears his family name, Don Kassa does not bear the marks of privilege or success. Years of hard work in a profession that chose him as much as he chose it have put him in an elite league of realtors who have made the Okanagan one of the biggest & growing markets in Canada.
In this episode, Don shares his approach to work and business, and how following due process, communicating clearly and having the ability to solve problems make the difference between failure & success. And how his love for all things local enables him to make more newcomers #LoveLocal too.
One of the common characteristics of the people I have met on LoveLocal is their obvious desire to offer something special to their community. Nowhere is that more evident than with my guest for today, Marilyn Courtenay of The Boarding House Cafe. For her, the cafe which opened months before the pandemic, is more than just a place to enjoy her amazing baking and coffee and play some board games - it is a place for families, friends anhd the community to come together.
The past 12 months have left that fire undimmed, as Marilyn and the cafe have negotiated the unusual times with grace and with more than a little bit of hard work - specifically, 362 days worked out of the first 365 for the owner/operator! With such talent, hard work & care, it is hard not to LoveLocal when it comes to The Boarding House Cafe.
As someone who has been involved with the not-for-profit center for some years, Dione has always impressed me with her ability to set strategic imperatives and then break them down into easily digestible and actionable action points.
After her successful stint with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, it was with some anticipation that I met with her to talk about her role at the helm of The Okanagan Science Center. As ever, she was lucid in her explanation of what the Center was about, where it was going and how they were going to help the community be part of the STEM revolution.
It's not every day that you get to sit down with a living legend - for that is exactly what Judd Buchanan is. He has been a newspaper boy, an insurance agent, a politician, parliamentarian, cabinet minister and businessman. This has taken him through all corners of the country, including Silver Star Mountain Resort which he was an owner of for a period of time. And to complete the circle, where a ski run with his name on it was the first black diamond run I skied!
Despite all that he has achieved, the essence of Judd still comes down to his one love Kay, his family and an enduring belief that one's life is meant for service. It's certainly an object lesson for all of us - that success is a journey, not a destination.
In a year in which the pandemic has caused untold hardship to the local business community, the Vernon Chamber of Commerce has emerged as a shining example of what business advocacy and support should be like. Under the stewardship of new General Manager Dan Proulx, it has continued to provide advocacy for our local community and businesses, whilst providing a raft of information and support respources.
Dan sat down to talk about some of the challenges the Chamber faced head on during the past year, his take on some of the ways that local businesses have adapted during this time, and his hopes for the way forward. It was a great reminder that your local Chamber does truly #LoveLocal.
I am privileged to know Destanne Norris via her art exhibits at Gallery Odin at Silver Star mountain, and later as a human being. Her work achieves the almost impossible task of mirroring the inscape and the landscape, as does her first book "Leah's Gift" - which shows how one can find new purpose and meaning after navigating the depths of grief.
Perhaps more than me rambling on about her work, perhaps its best left to Destanne's own words - "It’s about being present in nature and in the studio, while painting, while living life’s mysteries. It’s about being curious; being ok with not knowing; being open to learning and considering different perspectives, possibilities and making new discoveries. It’s about making connections. It’s why I paint."The same is true of her writing as well, and of her as a human being. Listen in to Destanne talk about her journey through life and how it has manifested itself in her visual art & writing, and you will have a new appreciation for #LoveLocal.
The amazing story of how two co-workers with very different backgrounds had a shared dream which they acted on. It took plenty of chutzpah, but also talent and hard work - and now Cobbler's Rack is a Vernon main street staple. Maggie and Leonard were and are the yin and yang of Cobbler's Rack, and together they make magic.
Reviving an old tradition and skill in today's throw-away society requires a leap of faith, and its nice to see it pay off. If anyone listening wants to learn this ancient trade, master shoemaker & cobbler Leonard is looking for an apprentice to train - to pay it forward, to continue the tradition and to #LoveLocal.
As an experienced hand in the hospitality and F&B space, Trevor Jones always intended to work for himself some day. After a journey through some of Canada's leading brands, including time spent at our very own Predator Ridge, that day did come to dawn in 2019 - with the opening of Il Mercato Social Kitchen in West Kelowna. Since that time, the world has been turned upside down, with Il Mercato operating for longer in the pandemic than under 'normal circumstances'.
The most striking aspect of this interview though is Trevor's ability to use process to deliver a seamless great experience, and to see opportunity in adversity. I can think of few restauranteurs thinking of measured expansion whilst trying to survive the pandemic. And this is why I truly believe that under his stewardship, the Il Mercato brand will thrive and grow.
So here is Trevor Jones, giving us yet more reason to #LoveLocal.
Patti Shales Lefkos is a Canadian writer and journalist. Patti’s articles, profiles, columns and travel writing have appeared in a range of Canadian and international publications. Nepal One Day at a Time is the story of her first trekking trip on her own, and also supports education in the Gorkha province in Nepal.
Born and raised in Toronto, she has also lived in Neuchatel, Switzerland and Vancouver - but now calls Silver Star Mountain her home. Following a rewarding career as a teacher, educational consultant, administrator and advocate for inner city children, in 2006 she set out to pursue international adventure travel. Whether canoeing the Yukon River, backcountry skiing in BC’s Monashee Mountains, hiking in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides or trekking in Tibet and Nepal, she embraces the culture and environment of wilderness areas.
Patti's story in this episode of #LoveLocal is in many ways about recognizing that the world is one big local community.
Sometimes our journey to finding our calling takes us through many highs and lows. Abigail knew from an early age that photography ignited her creative spark, but needed to go through the many stages that life had set out for her before she ventured out on her own as Abigail; ART last year.
As she puts it, "When I have a camera in my hands, I feel like I have a magical tool that I can use to capture the beauty in front of me and save it forever. I believe photographs capture so much more than just the image of people; I believe they capture the energy of a time in space. I believe that more than people want to remember what they looked like, they want to remember how they felt. My goal in my photography is to help people connect in front of my camera so I can capture their feelings, in a beautiful way of course."
Abigail's motto for her life & business - "As I rise, I lift" is truly a great motto, not just for her, but indeed for all of us who LoveLocal.
If you're retired and completely in love with the game of golf, what do you do when you find that the golf accessories in the market are not of the standard you'd like them to be? Well, if you're Sandra & Henry, you look into how you could make them better yourself - using your existing skills and learning new ones along the way. And in doing so, you discover that there is a whole market out there of people who want the same thing as you - items that are unique, handcrafted with passion and skill, and mean something to you personally.
This is the story of how Maggie's Celtic Golf came to be - and how Sandra & Henry took on the challenge of designing, sourcing tartan & other materials, stitching/tailoring, photography and web design, as well as trying to find distributors for their product. What I loved most about its telling is the obvious respect & love the two of them have - for the game of golf, for lifelong learning, and for each other.
Thank you for listening in so far this year, and we hope you keep listening in 2021 as we find more reasons to #LoveLocal.
If you've ever had anything to do with community causes in Vernon, chances are you've likely come across Cindy Masters. The soul and face of Kindale for many years, Cindy took on the task of helming the Land Trust last year.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cindy and talking about her journey to becoming the 'Good Citizen of the Year' award, and the work she sees ahead with the Land Trust. Along the way, we reminisced about our time together on the Vernon Golf Spectacular fundraiser, and she also talked about the need she sees for local businesses to be supported by the community.
As a person who clearly is passionate about all things local, Cindy is sure to rekindle your #lovelocal.
If you've had the pleasure of dining at Station BBQ, you've probably wondered how Vernon became the home to one of the best southern barbecue restaurants north of the 49th. Chef Eric learnt his trade in multiple restaurants in Texas the deep south, but not until after being trained in French haute cuisine and finding the experience didn't do anything for him as a human.
Listen as Eric tells the story of how he strayed away from education and into the kitchen, encouraged by his parents, and how in doing so he found a lifetime of education in cooking. As he talks about the science of BBQ, don't be alarmed if you find yourself drooling - I can assure you the interviewer did the same! And equally fascinating is Eric talking about COVID pivots, as well as taking a longer term view on the 'democratization' of cooking.
I have always been proud to call Eric, Tanya & Station BBQ one of my go-to's - after listening to his passion for his craft and community, you too will regain your #LoveLocal.
After a successful career as a high-powered marketing executive with multinational companies, Carole discovered her true calling in health and wellness. She pursued this in Europe, before making the huge decision to relocate to the Okanagan with her children, and invest in a floatation business in Kelowna.
Whilst Float Space had been in business for a few years, what Carole has done to this business is nothing short of transformational - from branding to the service scope to the space itself, whilst both keeping the core group of loyal clients and adding new ones. She has done all this with a great approach of leading from the heart whilst listening to her head, and at every step having a clear vision of what Float Space represents.
If you listen to Carole talk about her business and the community she has become a part of, you cannot help but #LoveLocal.
For Rossco (aka Ross Marrington), it all started with the ability to design webpages and databases, allied with an undying love for the great game of golf. Along the way, a hobby turned into a successful golf travel company with an unwavering focus on giving people great service at fair value, and showcasing the amazing product that is Canadian and BC golf.
In this episode, we sit down with the man to talk golf (of course!), along with the story of his journey to becoming the Best Inbound Tour Operator for Canada three years in a row. Hear Rossco's stories of clients who become friends, and friends who become clients.
Most importantly, hear Rossco talk passionately about his love for the game, and for all that the Okanagan offers in terms of both golf and life beyond it - and you will come away with a renewed sense of #LoveLocal.
Jeffery Holomis started with his passion and ability to design, fabricate and build things, and turned it into a successful and growing company called SC Carts that promises to put Vernon on the low speed EV map (and already has done so in the golf cart space). Along the way, he learnt new skills, ranging from capital allocation to people management to building a customer service ethos.
We are all given 24 hours every day - what we choose to do with it is up to us. Jeff manages to find the time to be a great father to his 5 year old, indulge his love of all things fast and furious, and still be the person who leads his growing company front and centre.
In the infinite game, stories of success and failure are never written until after the fact. So rather than call Jeff & SC Carts a winner, let's just celebrate the fact that they are a great reason to #LoveLocal.
The word 'legend' sits lightly on Brian James' shoulders. As one of the pioneers of the ski industry in the Okanagan, his drive, perseverance and skills have stood him in good stead both on the ski slopes and in business. He is clearly possessed with that unwavering confidence in the face of the unknown that defines a successful business owner.
This episode is longer than normal, but simply because there are lessons in Brian's story that all entrepreneurs (and ski enthusiasts!) can relate to - whether it is leaving the straight and narrow for the unknown, navigating business ups and downs, and evolving with the times. Along the way, Brian also weighs in on the necessary COVID precautions which are mandated to ensure we have the privilege of being able to ski.
I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed taping it with Brian, and come away with the same amount of #LoveLocal as I did.
In our second episode to feature a restauranteur, we sit down with Brad Shaw, who went from a successful career in the international oil & gas space to owning a well-loved Kelowna restaurant. Hear how his dreams of taking MTL to the next level have only been delayed, but not cancelled, by the pandemic which coincided with his purchase.
With clear eyes and full hearts, Brad and his team are incredibly pragmatic, willing to adapt and yet completely focused on the end vision. Their resilience is a metaphor for how all of us should be looking at our currrent circumstances, and for me, it was incredibly energising.
I hope you enjoy listening to this chat as much as I did recording it, and I do hope it reinforces why we #LoveLocal. Not because it's a slogan, but because almost always, our local business owners deserve that love. And dare I say, respect.
Lox & Fox Baby Boutique may be a new business, but the values and ideas behind it are old and wise - in the best sense of those words. My guest Tanis Boegel left behind a successful career in marketing to care for her newborn Lox, and in doing so, discovered a big gap in the sourcing of products for Lox and for Lox's parents.
And so Lox & Fox Baby Boutique was born. Hear the story behind its genesis, the values that drove its creation and how it is intended to be a sustainable business. Once you hear about the 'happy dance' that your purchase can create in the Boegel household (Lox included!), you're going to always LoveLocal.
Tune in, drop some comments and share with others who may enjoy the series.
Frank Berkers is one of a kind, a true original. From stepping off an airplane 24 years to becoming a pillar of the Silver Star Mountain community, he has never wavered from his beliefs, values and vision.
Listen in as he regales us with stories of his origins (evidently his mother wasn't a great cook!), 'sales and marketing' tips and facing up to this year's challenges with eyes and mind wide open and with nimble steps. This includes becoming popular with the Food Bank when his cafe suddenly had to close in March. When you have 52 litres of fresh cream which the Food Bank can't take, if you're Frank, you make ice cream - so what if you've never made any before?
The fact that a Dutch boy can become part of the fabric of our business community, even if it is approximately 1609 metres higher than where he grew up, is part of the reason we LoveLocal.
Tune in, drop some comments and share with others who may enjoy the series.
Ex-professional golfer Kyla Inaba joins us to talk about her business, her journey to becoming a golf professional and instructor and her passion for growing the game of golf. Along the way, she touches on the keys to golf instruction and articulates why teaching golf is sometimes about being a life coach.
Whether you love golf or not, her story is an inspiring one - about taking the risk to give up something she was pretty good at, to take up something she knows she can be great at.
That journey from good to great, with all its uncertainties and risks, is exactly why we LoveLocal. Tune in, drop some comments and share with others who may enjoy the series.