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en-caApril 03, 2021

Beautiful hair without all of the harsh chemicals - Inspirado Designs

Kris Rostecki is the owner and primary stylist of Inspirado Designs. She was born a small town BC girl, but raised in Ontario until 18. She then moved and spent 11 years in northern Alberta before coming back and spending the last 8 years, in BC.

Kris started her business a little later in life, after experiencing a few other careers that, though educational and growth inducing, didn’t bring her joy. She started out life thinking she wanted to be a veterinarian. So she worked in animal hospitals for 4 years.

Next up was the restaurant industry, while in Alberta and going to post-secondary. She moved up the ladder in that profession, until the glamour wore off and she decided to get a stable data entry position to save money to go back to school again. That job saw her quickly promoted into a material coordinator, which she then worked until, yes, you guessed it, she was bored once again.

Then it was off to get some safety training and into the oil field where she wore a hard hat, steel toe boots and grew a serious backbone. A few years there, and the politics and crazy schedule started to wear on Kris. She was at a loss. She knew she wanted to help people, but the quality of life was on a serious decline. If you look at Kris' work history, you can see that is the common thread.  She also realized that I wanted to own my own business and needed a creative outlet. She narrowed down the options and hair styling was one of her top options. It was something I'd always had a natural affinity for.

Initially Kris was mobile, and then home based. About 6 years ago, Kris opened her first studio with 2 other entrepreneurs and held that space for a year. She then branched out on her own and was fortunate to find a cute little spot in the 500 block of beautiful Bernard Avenue, where she been there for 5 years now. It is a certified Green Circle Salon, and aim to be as organically and eco-conscientious as possible. This means choosing products that are healthier for my clients and myself, from companies who are taking a look at the ethics and environmental responsibility behind what they do.

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en-caApril 01, 2021

Super Delicious and Nutritious: Vegan and Gluten Free baking with Jaide & Joel's Baking Co.

Jaide Hatfield and Joel Murga are the co-owners and lead bakers of a local vegan and gluten free bakery, Jaide & Joel’s Baking Co. (Also check out their Facebook Page).

Jaide and Joel first met when they were fifteen years old and have been together ever since. Jaide was raised a Vegetarian, and later decided to make the full switch to Vegan. She’s a huge supporter of animals, and baking is one of her biggest passions. Joel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when he was 10 years old, he now uses his passion and determination to make amazing products that he can share with other people who are like him.

In April of 2018, they decided to start a new exciting chapter in their lives, opening a fully vegan and gluten free bakery. They started out doing local Farmers Markets and special orders. A few months in, and they got there first wholesale deal with a local coffee shop. Since then, they have partnered with several stores in the Okanagan and deliver their donuts as far out as Vernon, Penticton, and Osoyoos. Their dream is to one day open their own café/dessert shop.

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en-caMarch 30, 2021

Psychedelics for Mental Health! with Daniil Khodoso

Daniil Khodosko believes there is a new frontier in medicine for psychedelic substances and am eager to spread the new research. The resurgence of psychedelics is fueled by modern studies which show how these substances can help treat anxiety, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, and addiction.

Daniil was born in Kiev, Ukraine and immigrated to Calgary, Canada when he was 2 years old. He then lived between Calgary and Irvine, California. He graduated high school in Calgary and is now in his third year of a computer science major at the University of British Columbia. Daniil has an interest in physical health and mental health and is self-proclaimed as a citizen scientist.

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en-caMarch 30, 2021

Nagging Doubt Winery with Rob Westbury

Rob Westbury grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, with nary a grapevine in sight. After a stint as the drummer in a punk band and a few years at graduate school in the States (where he met his wife), he headed into a busy career in HR. Throughout all of this, he maintained a keen interest in food & wine, and harboured a lifelong desire to work with his hands. A long-term work placement in San Francisco reignited Rob’s passion for wine, and pointed him in the right direction: towards the incredible Okanagan Valley.

In 2010, Rob started Nagging Doubt Wines (commuting in from Vancouver on weekends), and he and his family moved to Kelowna in 2012. In 2013, they bought a beautiful, west-facing hillside property in South East Kelowna, planted 5½ acres of grapes, and converted their horse barn into a small-but-awesome boutique winery. Punk drummer to corporate manager to farmer/winemaker—Rob is now, finally, right where he was always meant to be.

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en-caMarch 29, 2021

The 6 Cs of Entrepreneurship with Dark Horse Entrepreneur Tracy Brinkman

From hitting the rock bottom of drugs, divorce, bankruptcy and even the death of an 18 month old daughter. To running the planning & marketing of some of corporate America’s finest companies. To running his own marketing company, helping small business owners be SEEN and now his podcast focused on Driven Dark Horse Entrepreneurs. Tracy Brinkmann, is also a business & success coach that realizes life isn’t fair and participation awards do not feed your family, or your drive to succeed.

This Driven Dark Horse Entrepreneur is looking to share all that he has learned and is still learning about starting, restarting, kick starting and stepping up your entrepreneurial game, all while not ignoring that amazing tool between your ears!

Here's a free offer from Tracy for our listeners, The 6 Cs of Entrepreneurship:

http://darkhorseschooling.com/6-cs-of-entrepreneurship/

Check out Tracy's website for an hour of FREE COACHING with Tracy

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en-caMarch 29, 2021

Using Pinterest for Marketing with Sarah De La Coeur

Sarah De La Coeur has been on the entrepreneurial journey since 2012 when she launched a Shopping Tour company with her mother, Annie Pool. In 2015, Sarah won a business award for Best In Fashion. Sarah sold her Shopping Tour company in 2016, and started two businesses in the construction/kitchen cabinet/importing industry and then sold these companies in 2018.

Sarah is a now digital marketer who works with businesses in the home improvement industry. She can help you get the right message to the right people through the right digital marketing methods effectively, efficiently, and profitably. Marketing is an avenue to being able to serve more people, make use of our talents and have an impact on the world.

When Sarah isn’t working she is a brand ambassador for a women’s app called Locelle - connecting women within the community of Kelowna.

Sarah is unstoppable. When she sees the destination, she does whatever it takes to get there.

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en-caMarch 29, 2021

Coming Out of her Shell with Olga Poreda

Olga Poreda is originally from Poland, where she completed her Masters Degree in art and graphic design. Work and destiny brought her to Kelowna in 2013 which was a very interesting transition and an opening of a new creative chapter in her life.

The extraordinary beauty of the Okanagan inspired her to follow her calling as a artist.
Here, she found many likeminded people. The big adventure began with renting out an art studio at the former heArt school space on Bernard where, while working on slightly crazy looking paintings, she started meeting wonderful artists, musicians, poets...

The last few years for Olga have been all about coming “out of the shell” and getting back to singing, which she had abandoned many years ago.

Thanks to the support and encouragement from beautiful people involved with Kelowna Art’s Council, and their great creative initiatives like Songwriters “Stewdio”, or Our CoffeeHouse which connects artists with engaged, listening audience, she finally began to thrive and fully embrace her own artistic path.

Now she sings at “Beardy and the Beast”; jams, chants, loops, writes songs, creates electronic music, dances and keeps exploring her voice, experimenting with intuitive approach to singing, improvisation and her professional work. She perceives singing voice as a tool for grounding in the present moment, stress relief, meditation, and wishes to encourage people to try it out and see all of its benefits for themselves. She’s also enjoying intuitive dance which inspires her to dive deeper into the subject of mind-body connection. Being a part of this wonderful dance tribe has been an amazing gift... and makes her feel right at home.

She also keeps herself busy as a freelance graphic designer and occasionally videographer.

You can follow her work @ mindcrafted on Facebook.

See Olga's online portfolio here.

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en-caMarch 24, 2021

Tops Agency and the burgeoning Kelowna Indie Film Industry

I sat down with Brett Alton from Tops Agency and Noah Dorsey of Ark Films who Brett works with exclusively. We talked a lot about commercial and independent film. These guys have since morphed into other things, as this interview was two years ago. But we talked about content production for commercial establishments using Noah as a local filmmaker and producer.

Brett is sitting member of OSIF (Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking) and he's looking to bring an economic boom to the film industry here in Kelowna, working closely with the city and other government establishments to bring grants and workshops to the area. Brett's focus for his films tend to be for people who are either eco-conscious (Green Vanity, Mismack Cosmetics, Farm Bound & Farm Bound Zero Waste) or socially conscious (Child Advocacy Centre, their short film on mental health).

Check out the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking to see what's new in this exciting new industry for our great city!

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en-caMarch 22, 2021

Buy the Bottle! All about the BC liquor industry with Jenny Newell

Jenny Newell grew up moving around a lot! Born in Edmonton, moved to Germany, then back to Alberta, followed by Ontario before settling for awhile in BC. For high school she lived in Abbotsford, then Vancouver, then France, then Victoria, then Pender Island.

As a British citizen, the EU opened doors for Jenny and she went back to France for University, before coming back to Canada and going to the University of Victoria.

As a student at UVic Jenny had a job downtown Victoria at Swan's Hotel and Brewpub in the Wine Shoppe. She went to all the educational tastings she possibly could and became passionate about BC wine; a burgeoning category at that time.

She pursued a job as a wine, spirits and beer sales representative and began selling to retailers, restaurants and the BCLDB. Jenny's husband Rainer was a competing sales representative and they enjoyed working up and down Vancouver Island together.

They stayed in Victoria for a few years before deciding it would be fun to move to Vancouver and work in that larger market. They loved living there but an opportunity to move to the Okanagan, the heart of wine country, came to Jenny and Rainer. They were offered the BC Interior territory for Gray Monk wines. They had both worked for Gray Monk at different times and this offer was allowing them to work together.

Jenny and Rainer moved to Kelowna in January of 2004 and worked for the Heiss family at Gray Monk until they sold to Andrew Peller Limited in 2017. They stayed on for a transitional year and left Gray Monk in 2018.

Jenny considers herself so lucky to be able to find exciting new companies to work with since. She is so thrilled to represent Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and Okanagan Crush Pad wines; both at the forefront of their respective categories for innovation and quality.

You can connect with Jenny and Rainer at Buy The Bottle

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en-caMarch 19, 2021

Ice Cream in the Cupboard: Early Onset Alzheimers with Pat Moffett

Pat Moffett has a heartwarming and fascinating story to tell about early-onset Alzheimers disease and how in some cases, it can result in a shocking level of violence. Pat's wife was struck by this ailment and the formerly peaceful, gentle lady became sporadically but persistently violent and aggressive, to the shock and dismay of Pat, their children and all of their friends and family.

In order to raise awareness of Alzheimers for the benefit of family members and primary caregivers, Pat wrote the book Ice Cream in the Cupboard, which later became a film. It's an excellent film well worth watching and can be seen on Amazon Prime.

In a wide ranging conversation, Pat and I discuss:

• Alzheimers caregiving

• Independent Film Production

• Caring for the Caregiver

• Early-Onset Alzheimers

• Writing Ice Cream In the Cupboard - Book and Movie

Pat is going to be speaking at the World Creativity and Innovation Week event. He will be speaking with the conference director at 4PM EST on Friday, April 16, 2021. Here is a link to the event.

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en-caMarch 18, 2021

Combining Stunning Visuals and Entrepreneurial Spirit - Sweet Dee's Flowers

Two years ago we interviewed a fascinating young florist and photographer named Diane Herron aka Sweet Dee. She moved to Kelowna in September 2017 to start a mobile flower truck business. She bought a mini Japanese truck and with a little love it became a pink flower truck. Diane pops up at markets and businesses where she sells fresh flowers from the truck.

Diane came from Saskatoon where she ran a boudoir photography business and worked part-time in a flower shop. She knew that eventually she would want to pursue a business with flowers but at the time she was loving my boudoir photography business. When she turned 27 she was ready to take on the flower industry, but she knew a flower truck would not work in Saskatoon, so she decided on Kelowna.

Kelowna grew to be home quite quickly and Diane found the entrepreneurial community here quite welcoming. She has made many friendships through Sweet Dee's Flowers.

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

en-caMarch 16, 2021

Occupational Health - What you need to know! With Steven Kupidy

Steven Kupidy grew up in Edmonton Alberta where he attended the University of Alberta and obtained his BScOT in 1999. Steve has been working with CBI since 2013 and relocated to Kelowna in May of 2014 to open up the 1st CBI Health clinic in the Okanagan and is currently the clinic manager.

Steven has always had a passion for helping people navigate through the complexities of recovery and always makes time to answer questions. In his spare time he has currently decided to go back to school and is currently enrolled at Dalhousie University completing his post professional Masters in OT. He has been happily married to his best friend Jordin for 18 years and has a busy, active household with two teenage daughters keeping everyone moving!

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NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

en-caMarch 16, 2021

From Israel to the Okanagan - Wonderful Wines Brought to Life by Efi Perel

Efi Perel was born in Israel to a Canadian father (from Ottawa) in 1970. He lived for 14 years in Taiwan from 2001 to 2014 and since 2015 he has lived here in Kelowna. He is married with two kids.

Efi worked in the cellars of Summerhill and Nagging Doubt wineries in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he spent his time making sparkling and table wines. He also served as the wine maker of First R.O.W Estate Winery in Vancouver.

In 2018, Efi opened my his winery with a partner, called Tender Hope Winery, in West Kelowna. Tender Hope is located at 350-1405 Stevens Road, West Kelowna, BC

I got to sit inside the winery in 2018 before it was open to the public, to do this interview and sample some amazing wine. Efi had a fascinating story to tell about his time in vineyards in Bikat Arad, Israel, and in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, growing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir grapes.

Efi also worked as sales manager of various companies in Asia for eleven years.

To learn more go to the website of Tender Hope Winery

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en-caMarch 15, 2021

World Class Baking from Slovakia to the Okanagan with Jan Petrasek

Jan Petrasek is originally from Slovakia and moved to Calgary, Canada in 2003 with his wife Silvia. They have three daughters age 15, 14 and 10.

Jan's first job in Calgary was at Boston Pizza. In August 2007 he opened his own bakery in northwest Calgary. 7 years later he opened his second store in Cochrane, Alberta and moved all of his production there.

Eventually, Jan was supplying 20 stores with his products in Calgary including health stores, organic stores and European stores. In 2016 he decided move to Slovakia with his family and sold his business and house.

But his friend in Calgary told him that before he moves to Slovakia, he had to visit the warmest place in Canada. He told Jan to go to Osoyoos, British Columbia. Jan was planing to get there with his family but on the way there they encountered a big storm, so they had to stop in Penticton. Jan was on his motorcycle and his wife and kids were in the truck. So they stayed in Penticton for four days instead of going to Osoyoos.

They loved Penticton`s weather and all of the lakes. They moved to Slovakia, but it didn’t work out how they thought it would. After just one year they moved back to Canada and settled in Penticton. In November 2018, Jan opened his bakery in downtown Penticton.

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en-caMarch 15, 2021

Vegan Food that's Healthy, Delicious and Photogenic with Shaun Sanders, Renegade Kitchen

Shaun Sanders of Renegade Kitchen knew he wanted to be a chef since the tender age of 4. Through his high school years in punk rock bands he’s always been a bit rebellious (just ask his parents). Growing up on a farm he was always drawn to cooking and the gritty rock and roll lifestyles of famous chefs only made it seem cooler and more appealing to him as a teenager.

Shaun attended the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island for his formal training. He’s been in the business for over 10 years and in that time has worked at a wide range of establishments, notably Kingfisher Restaurant at Halcyon Hot Springs, Notch8 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and the Terrace at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery.

In early 2018 Shaun decided it was time to throw aside convention and embrace his inner renegade. To abandon the life as a fine dining chef and bring kick ass food to the people on the street. To reject the idea that meat and dairy are even apart of the food pyramid, to forget what he’s learned about conventional dining, to create something completely unique, yet oh so familiar. Seemed only fitting that a renegade Chef would work in a Renegade Kitchen.

Definitely check out Shaun's amazing restaurant Renegade Kitchen at 467 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC

For stunning food photography, check out Shaun's Instagram

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en-caMarch 11, 2021

Proper Hygiene and High-Quality Masks during Covid with Deanna Burger

Deanna Burger is Co-Founder of commUNITY, offering Canadian-made, high quality, 100% cotton, reusable masks, holders, and organizers. With over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing, sales enablement, and sponsorship strategy, Deanna has a history of successfully leading teams at Fortune 100 companies. Her main focus has always been developing and executing marketing and sponsorship campaigns with the goal of elevating the customer experience to achieve business results.

An advocate for the safety of women and children in Canada, Deanna has also held a number of board and advisory positions with various organizations working towards making homes a safer place.

Proving that she can face any challenge head on, Deanna managed her team remotely and completed a good portion of her EMBA from Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto) while hospitalized and on bed rest in her third trimester before her son was born in 2018. Now, she has worked with her co-Founders to take commUNITY from Zero to a $1M business in under a year while enriching the community through socially conscious initiatives.

Learn more about proper mask hygiene and pick up high quality non-medical masks to keep you, your family, and the community safe at commUNITY Masks.

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en-caMarch 11, 2021

Justina LeeStolz is a fantastic REALTOR® and wonderful people person

As an Irish, Scottish, Russian-German, Chinese real estate professional born in Canada and raised in cities throughout the Okanagan, Justina holds a true appreciation for the beauty of the valley and the unique opportunities and advantages of the various Okanagan communities. An avid traveller and explorer, she always looks forward to returning home to the Okanagan oasis. After a globetrotting adventure, nothing makes her appreciate home more than the friendly people, breathtaking scenery, and cornucopia of agriculture available in the valley. Such awareness promotes her passion to advocate for the protection of the natural environments that make the valley such a desirable location and she encourages her clients to make environmentally friendly choices that are to their economic benefit yet also ensure sustainable Okanagan futures.

When Justina is not out helping people make life change decisions in real estate, you'll likely find her out in her garden, camping, hiking, climbing, dancing up a Latin storm, volunteering at local music and cultural events or just relaxing with a good book on her patio! Living in such a diverse community and environment has allowed Justina to develop a variety of hobbies and passions and compels her to encourage everyone she knows to move here and take advantage of holiday-living 365 days a year.

Justina comes equipped with a passion and knowledge of real estate investing and she is dedicated to sharing her experiences to guide her clients in their decisions, whether it is their first or forty-first home, Keeping YOU Connected!

To reach Justina and talk about real estate, CLICK HERE

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en-caMarch 06, 2021

Fighting Cancer through the Power of Travel with Annie Francesca

Annie Francesca is a Speaker who helps women who are diagnosed with cancer to take back their bodies, their bank accounts, and their love life after treatment.

Annie's program takes 8 weeks and allows clients to feel beautiful in their own skin, shift their relationship with money, and re-ignite the passion they’ve lost without having to spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on financial advisors, marriage counseling, or therapy.

Annie is also the Author of the book, Passport To Life - How I Overcame Incurable Cancer Through the Power of Travel

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en-caMarch 05, 2021

Optimizing your fitness routine and your nutrition with Ryan Stokes

Today we are talking all about fitness and nutrition! Ryan Stokes Moved to Kelowna in 1991. Strength and Conditioning CrossFit coach and athlete. Here are just some of his qualifications: MadLab School of Fitness, CFL1, BTN, CF Running, CF Scaling, CF spot the Flaw. Freestyle Connection and Movement ASFA group and personal fitness certificate. Wow!

Ryan is into skiing, golf, CrossFit, mountain biking, softball and paddle boarding. You can find him on Instagram @ryanstokes

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