Love Local

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 ...

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 ...

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 gra...

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 o...

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...

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 t...

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. 

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 stren...

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 ...

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...

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...

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, s...

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 wa...

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 tal...

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 b...

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 ...

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 p...

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 Mou...