Chelene Reimer is a fun, outgoing woman who loves life and the community she now calls home. She is passionate about her business, Corks and Hops Okanagan, her children and the people closest to her. Chelene always dreamed of moving to the beautiful Okanagan and made her dreams come true. She gets to travel the valley with guests on her hop on/hop off wine tour company and share in the experiences of those visiting for the first, or second, or third time. Being a mother was her biggest dream come true and she was fortunate enough to be blessed with twin girls and a son. Chelene is enthusiastic, positive and a role model for those looking to do something they are passionate about. Today Chelene Reimer and Corks and Hops Okanagan are In Focus.
What is your name?
Chelene Reimer
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Say something nice"...or..."I'm in!"
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Oprah Winfrey - without hesitation! What an experience that would be!
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Any Community Hero award - helping or saving a person in some way would be so rewarding!
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Either Mother Theresa or Walt Disney...WOW!
Who inspires you?
My mom... She's the strongest, most positive woman I know. She could write a book about her interesting, tough and happy life. And with all that she's been through and the challenges she still faces...she's always got a kind word and smile. She Rocks!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. A trip to Australia....for at least a month!
2. Seeing my children raise their children - how fun!
3. To finally move in to my dream home...in Peachland!
Please tell us about a defining moment in your life.
The birth of my 5 year old twin girls and my 3 year old son! It was my biggest dream to become a mother!
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Seas the Day
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
My 50th Birthday - hopefully everyone I know and love can be there!
What are you passionate about?
Being with my family ...Hanging out with my friends....and any time I have free time...to spend it just relaxing or getting creative
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Ooh that's a tough one...but my first thought is the time I reconnected with my (future) husband on a trip to Cuba. We knew each other as children, and 20 years later we are on the same flight and staying at the same hotel! And now we have 3 kids...life is crazy!
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
First has to be my 3 children...and also moving to the Okanagan. I had wanted to live here for about 20 years...and every time I would come here to visit family and friends...as I would head back to the lower mainland, I would always say " I am going to live there one day, no matter what it takes".. and here I am ..I feel so very fortunate!
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
RauDZ...Barb Douglas took me there for my birthday dinner...WOW! What a meal and what a fun experience!
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
I am always up for a Kelowna Rockets game...or just hanging out at the beaches or parks...I LOVE it here!
What is the name of your business/organization?
Corks and Hops Okanagan
What does your business/organization do?
It’s a two-fold company - with Corks being our Sales and Marketing group focusing on smaller-mid size boutique wineries and Hops being our hop on / hop off wine tour group.
What is your email address?
chelene@corksandhopsokanagan.com
Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.corksandhopsokanagan.com
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Chelene Reimer
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/corksandhops
What is your mission?
To welcome our guests to the Okanagan wine region, ensuring they have a safe and memorable experience!
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Outstanding Customer Service - to have guests return to Corks and Hops time and again!
Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
To be the #1 choice of wine tour companies for the 3rd year running! *We have a 2 year goal!
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Although they are a different company model...Uncorked and Distinctly Kelowna both have good reputations.
What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
1. Frontrunners - we are the 1st hop on/hop off wine tour company in Kelowna.
2. Customer Service - ours guests experience and how we treat them is what it all boils down to.
3. Choice - Our guests get to choose their day and how to spend it visiting the wine regions.
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
We are excited you are a part of our team!
How does your business/organization impact the community?
As long as Corks and Hops provides a positive, memorable experience. Our guests return to Kelowna or even stay longer and any time we can highlight this wonderful part of the country - we are golden!
What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
Support from people like Maxine DeHart, Tourism Kelowna, and all the participating wineries. We are a new company, and we appreciate all the support and positive reinforcement we have received thus far from friends, family and businesses alike.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I would want to be trapped with Richard Branson from Virgin. I would pick his brain and get his advice on everything and anything! What fun stories and advice he must have!
If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Dealing with the increasing drug problem would be first on my list. As my kids become school aged, I worry what this problem will look like when they are teenagers.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people, the weather, the lake, the mountains, the community events...all of it! Just the general way of life here is something we should all be so lucky to experience!
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Shane Collins of Sunluv Photography! Phone 250-212-7967 or email: shanesphotography@gmail.com
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I would just like to give a shout out to those that have helped us so far...to have such talented, professional people in Kelowna is so appreciated.
Hans at Main-city.net websolutions
Vicky at Signcraft
Shane at Sunluv Photography
Angie at Quantum Graphics
Cliff at Best Choice Auto
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
