Meet Brandon Benner. He was born in Victoria and moved to Kelowna when he was very young. He's been here for about 19 years now!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I'm blessed with great friends that I love spending time with, but I spend lots of my time with my girlfriend and we always have a great time together. She is someone I can be myself around and that is a great feeling!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Chef's Edge in Kelowna. It has such a unique and large selection of kitchen gadgets and tools!
Describe yourself in one word.
Detailed.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Scotland! I know, I know it's cold and not exactly the most desired place this time of year. But I am part Scottish myself and would love to explore my heritage. I also love history and I have a weird obsession with the Braveheart movie.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Hiking! I love hiking in all seasons throughout the valley. Knox Mountain, Mount Boucherie, Rose Valley, and Dilworth Mountain are some of my favourites.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Too many to count!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Growing up and slowly realizing that life is not about status, money, or appearances. Life is about family and relationships.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
It's a simple one but one that means a lot to me. Spending time with my grandfather watching movies. He would teach me so much about history and other interests we shared, and he was such a wise man. I remember feeling so loved and so content just spending time with him. He passed away a month ago at the age of 90, and it still is very hard. However, I'm so blessed that I have good memories of him.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I teach financial literacy classes to middle school students through Junior Achievement, a government agency who utilizes volunteers in the finance industry to teach our students the importance of budgeting. Post-graduation I felt lost with how to pay taxes, budget my money, and even understanding the fundamentals of credit because this was not taught well in school. It is my goal now to ensure all the students I teach, understand the fundamentals so that they are positioned to succeed in their most formative years.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
No more hatred towards others for things they cannot change, be it gender, sexual orientation, skin colour, etc. Diversity makes us stronger and the sooner we realize that as a society the stronger we become.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I often sneak away to Mount Boucherie in West Kelowna to gain some alone time. Climbing to the top and inhaling the crisp air while gazing across the valley often grants me perspective.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I commute across the bridge for work, and a lot of people complain about only have one bridge. Maybe having another one would make people complain less!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Grow a family and foster deep relationships with my children
2. Run for public office one day and give people a voice and true representation
3. Obtain financial independence and use that gift to give back to the community that has given so much to me
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
In middle school, I did not apply myself, and I had a teacher tell me I would never amount to working in any white-collar job, especially finances and banking. Look at me now, teach!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook and LinkedIn.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Brandon Benner RBC Business Account Manager.
Why did you get into/start this business?
To help our small business community grow and plan for the future.
What is the goal of your business?
To help grow your business to where you want it to be.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or life?
Working in the financial advice industry at a young age and overcoming age discrimination by working hard and overcoming obstacles.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything happens for a reason, I have no regrets.
What do you always find yourself saying?
People don't do business with a company, they do business with a person.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Show me your friends and I will show you your future.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I like kids, they offer a unique perspective on things and they are always fun. I would choose to spend one whole day with a child who has no one to turn to, or just needs a friend. That would be a cool experience.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To keep money local and support our entrepreneurs.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Helping teach others the importance of financial literacy. Whether it be through my business or through my volunteering efforts. I have been able to teach others financial lessons I myself have learned in life and I have seen others grow by applying them.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Paul Baumback, owner of Great Clips. Paul is a hard worker and enterprising business owner. Paul gives back to our community and treats his employees like family.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Paul Baumback.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Supporting our local entrepreneurs is so important. I like to think of it this way. One business owner can have, say, five employees. But let's say there are 10 business owners like him across the city. That is 50 employees who are being paid from a local business, and their salaries are going into our local community by way of taxes and their consumer spending. Supporting our local shops and service providers not only feeds a few people but through extension, it feeds our whole community and grows our economy!
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.
