Meet James! He works in the 3D Entertainment Industry and loves Kelowna!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
My home town is Whitehorse, Yukon which is great to see in the fall, but I left with family back in 2000 to go to Alberta. After roughly 10 years there I came out to Kelowna in 2009 to study 3D Animation. Kelowna has been amazing and my wife and I chose to put down roots here.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Tough question, you could spend all day thinking through all the different people and why you like spending time with them. Of course you are also asking for a single person so naturally you can't say any of them. We are all best friends *wink*. In all honesty though my wife, Jodie. It's rare these days we get a moment to just go for a walk together with no kids and responsibilities or the dog....fur baby? Is that the right term now? Anyway she makes me happier and keeps me grounded far more than she knows. She gets me and I can be myself around her."
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Carmelis Goat Cheese hands down, there are many great shops, but Carmelis is the only one I still always want to go to, especially on a hot day in the summer. A nice casual drive, cool treats, our kids seeing there kids in the spring. It is a good time with a great view.
Describe yourself in one word.
Analytical.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Does the International Space Station count? It is not really on the world or in it, although technically it is in the atmosphere. I'd go there because it is the most unattainable and possibly unachievable thing we could do. Well for now anyway, SpaceX will find a way. Everywhere else in the world I can put in a bit of time and elbow grease, maybe drop a few dollars and I can travel there. Buy into a scuba package, sleep in a room under the ocean, visit the highest tower and mountain peak. Space though, again for right now, requires so much more.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Taking our kids to a park or playground, it is nice to run into other parents you know or just see your kids running around having the time of their life running up and down a ramp. Oh and the hot chocolate is important too.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
That has happened to me or that someone has witnessed? Key difference there ha ha. That has happened to me.....none of your business. I have maybe once or twice walked into a glass door at a networking event. Not in the little bump kind of way either, I was absorbed in a conversation and walked straight into the door. It was at the streaming cafe a few years back, silver lining was initiating conversations at that point was a breeze.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Meeting my twins for the first time. It was like someone turned on a light. Doing things you didn't think you could, focus and understanding you didn't know you had. Man the emotion.... they completely broke my understanding of life.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My first paper route check. Walking around the neighborhood in the middle of winter with a big tote bag filled with these 'Whitehorse Star' newspapers which weighed almost as much as I did. I had taken over a couple routes from some older kids who said it was too hard (new paper boy in the winter was common).Straight up I hated it and complained all month as kids do, but I really wanted some of my own money to buy presents and small things with. Gum, Nintendo games, chips for the weekend, "big" stuff like that. My mother's birthday was in a month at the time as well and I thought it would be really cool to buy a present myself. Anyway my first check after paying my dues to the print company, was just over $400 back in 1995. Enough said.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I've recently got involved with Hour4our which holds a meeting on Tuesdays at 9:30am at the new Staples innovation space. A lot of their goals are targeted toward a better future for the generations to come, something that I can resonate with these days. One of the current projects is developing a peace park.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Free group facility child care and a wait list of like 3 months. Yes it is expensive, but I don't think of it cost wise. I think of it development wise. Even if my kids were to stay home (sometimes they do just because I want the day with them) I am unable to offer the same level of social interaction, structure, toys and development challenges that a registered care facility can. They are literally designed to help your kids grow, be fed balanced diets and be safe while we go about being an adult. The staff, supplies and so on. I can't even imagine having to put together little alphabet puppets and sing day in and day out with letters of the day and activities and art projects, on top of everything else. To the point though what better way to give future generations the best fighting chance than to give them a great foundation, support team, and level the playing field for all families.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Libraries and book stores are my top choice if I am already out and about. Otherwise I'll go for a drive and do some errands or pick up something we need. Both really help me detach and spend some time processing what is going on in my head.
Often when I've encountered an issue in my 3D work stepping out this way usually helps think of a solution, that or a solution to a problem I had months earlier but had to find a work around for.
Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
We shouldn't treat others in a way we don't want to be treated. I think things would be a lot easier if we all followed that. I'm not sure why so many don't take the time to remember, it just takes a second. Yeah we all have bad days, but on the whole some people are just angry people that lash out and are mad when life isn't going their way. On that note when did retail staff become less than human and unworthy of the 'the golden rule'? On the flip side if you have been on the receiving end of a similar situation, that was complete bull and you have my sympathies. Thank you for checking in the back, making my coffee, and answering my dumb questions.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Have you been outside? Winters are amazing, even now all wet and grey and one degree outside. I grew up in areas where the road was under a foot or two of ice and my dad would boil water to throw on a frozen engine in order to try and start it, this place is awesome! Not to mention the other seasons. Also people on the whole are pretty great and you meet people from everywhere here in the summer. Not too small and not too big, so much potential and growth. Also I live here so I may be biased.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Visit every continent. Visit space. Make a meaningful contribution to the future.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I know more about seafood than I will ever want to know.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
I'm active on twitter and LinkedIn mostly, found easily by searching "jamesdksmith" Otherwise I frequent many events in the business community. For a more personal interaction, anyone can email my business and we can meet over a coffee.
What is the name of your business/organization?
BlackCap Creative
Why did you get into this business?
Video games and animation were very prominent in my childhood and have led me to make some amazing friends over the years. So when it came time for a career change it felt like a good idea to get into the 3D Entertainment industry.
What is the goal of your business?
To change the way we sell properties and develop new ones, by creating interactive tours people can use to help them visualize the built product.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Deciding to get a new home, start a business and start a family at the same time has turned out to be a lot to manage ha ha.
If you could start all over again, would you do things the same or would things be different?
I think once you've had kids you would always do things the same way.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Peek a boo!
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Life is a river, you are in the center on an inner tube. At times it is a great tube, sometimes it is covered in patches and doesn't stay inflated. Just relax and enjoy the ride because your going down that river either way.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I think Richard Garriott would be interesting, several of his game designs and projects have had a huge impact on me.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
We have some fun shops and little hidden nooks in the Okanagan, it's also nice to support one another in our endeavors. Not to mention all the usual economy talk.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I moved to Kelowna with what I could pack in my car, with no lodging set up or anything, just the desire to get an education. I now have home, a family, career and business run on my terms. I am tired but I am very grateful.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Tillman and Tracy Hodgson at Seekingfire Consulting are amazing people and incredibly knowledgeable.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Tillman and Tracy!
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!
