Meet Ashley! Ashley is originally from Alberta and has been living in Kelowna for 12 years now. When she's not juggling her four children, she enjoys writing, having a relaxing massage, and spending some quality time with her husband.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Alberta but moved to Vernon when I was 3 and to Kelowna when I was 19. So I've been living in Kelowna for 12 years now.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Probably my husband, as cliche as that sounds. We have 4 kids aged 5.5 years, 2.5 years and 4-month-old twins. We usually divide and conquer so it's nice when we get an uninterrupted moment to talk. It reminds me of who we were before the chaos.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Green Vanity! Nikki is so welcoming and knowledgeable. I love knowing everything I buy there is not only safe for me but also the environment. I also enjoy Mosaic Books (for kids books of course) and want to check out Farm Bound Zero Waste.
Describe yourself in one word.
Busy!
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Does my bed count? Or to sleep? We've been lucky that our twins have been great sleepers so far but an uninterrupted solid 8 hours would be fantastic.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Anywhere that occupies my kids long enough to have a conversation with a fellow mama.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don't get embarrassed much these days. Having 4 small children, I'm sort of a spectacle wherever I go. When I was younger though, I got a bleeding nose at a pool and they had to evacuate the entire girls change room because I was bleeding everywhere.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I would probably say having the twins. They were definitely a surprise and I joked while I was pregnant with them that they must be destined to do great things but I'm thinking maybe it's me who is to do great things because of them. If I hadn't had them I wouldn't have experienced the coming together of my village to help me and wouldn't have been inspired to start this project. I've really realized how important community and connection is when raising a family, something I didn't think as much about with my first two.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My parents worked a lot building their business and I spent many days sort of in the background at their shop, occupying myself. Every so often my dad would take me out of school during lunch and bring me on a "date" which usually consisted of McDonald's. We would be goofy and I got him all to myself. I knew he was trying to make memories with me and it worked. Any time my parents were fully present with me, playing and being silly has really stuck with me. I try to remember that with my own kids. I often think, will this be a forever memory that we are creating right now? I find it can be so difficult though to be present with technology always at my fingertips or one of the other kids needing my attention more.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time for extracurriculars at the moment. With all the people who have stepped up to help me, I don't think I can pay them back but I do hope to pay it forward and help other mamas where I can.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That there was more of a community. This is exactly what I'm trying to do with this project; bring back the sense of a village because somewhere along the line we got scared of each other and that's been detrimental to our connection with one another.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A spa for a massage!
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Gandhi said "Be the change you wish to see in the world" and that's what I am trying to do and I'm starting with Kelowna. I hear a lot of moms say Kelowna is very cliquey and hard to make friends so I'm hoping that maybe with this project, we could change that. I'd love us to have a small-town feel despite our big city landscape.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The landscape and the structure of the city. What's not to love about a downtown on the waterfront, beaches galore and a ski hill so close?
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel to Tahiti
Show my kids the world by travelling as much as possible
Grow old
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
When I have time, I really enjoy writing. I have written a few screenplays, one of which was actually picked up by a production company, although nothing actually came of it.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram: @six.and.stones Facebook: Village: The App Kickstarter: (search) Village App
What is the name of your business/organization?
Village
Why did you get into/start this business?
I feel we've lost our village and it's having a negative effect on our kids' and our own mental health and well being.
What is the goal of your business?
To connect people in a meaningful way with face to face contact that feels beneficial to all involved.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Getting people to pledge. A lot of people like the idea but getting people to actually pledge has been tricky. I know the goal is lofty but every pledge matters. Payments aren't processed unless the full goal is met and there are rewards for pledging too!
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I've learned so much during this campaign that yes I would definitely do some things different like building more hype before the launch but we are here now and there's no turning back.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"One minute" someone always needs something from me so everyone else in line gets a "one minute" response.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
People often ask where I find time to take on projects like this and I always like to say that "you'll always find time for the things that you love".
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I've never been a person to fawn over celebrities or people I don't know. I probably would pick my mom. I see her frequently but there's always so many distractions and schedules to worry about that it would be nice just to spend an entire, uninterrupted day together.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I use to have a small local crafting business and I remember how every sale was so important and exciting to me. I like to think I'm giving that feeling to others when I purchase something from them. You just don't get that with big corporations.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I'm probably supposed to say "being a mom" here and although I'm proud of that, I'm pretty proud of being a labor and delivery nurse. I get to witness not only the birth of a baby but the birth of a mom too.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
All the moms! I see you. I understand you. I am you. What you do day in and day out is nothing short of fantastic and you should have a standing ovation whenever you leave the house and in any public setting. Dads are great too but they just aren't a mom.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Sycamore Woodcraft
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Someone named Tracy G. recently commented on a post I made and said "It does take a village and that village is outside our home and yard, we just need to be brave enough to step outside and embrace the village." I really think she summed it up well and also appreciate her support.
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.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
