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.
What is your name?
Jane Hoffman.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am originally from Revelstoke and made Kelowna my home in 1980.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
One of my favourite people to be around is Kristy Huber. We have been working together for over 20 years and when she is around it makes my life so much nicer and my work so much more enjoyable. We work side by side but she is also a really good friend. We are fortunate because we enjoy the same things so our working relationship has evolved into a good friendship. We are able to laugh together through the good times and the challenges. I admire her for her ability to create good relationships with people; she is just so charismatic that people are drawn to her.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Kelowna is so beautiful. I have been to many places in the world but I am always so happy to be able to come home. If I had to go somewhere other than Kelowna it would be Maui, I always like to visit there.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Lexi & Lake and The Lakehouse. Both stores carry great local and international lines. Because they are locally owned, there is something special about knowing the proprietors of the store.
What is your favourite activity?
I love skiing. I think it is because of my upbringing in Revelstoke where it was a winter wonderland and we would have 27 feet of snow a year. I spent my childhood looking out the window watching the snow falling. I’ll always remember seeing the mountains glowing in the moonlight and the sparkle of the snow.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza. I am Italian and was brought up on great pizzas. I still enjoy watching my brother cooking pizza in a forno oven at our summer home in Sicamous.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I can’t remember, I must have blocked it out of my memory.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Being involved with the Central Okanagan Hospice Association’s (COHA) Swinging with the Stars was inspiring as I saw the impact that generosity can make. I have never really been involved in a fundraiser of that size before and being involved in a cause that has such an impact on the community was so inspiring. Seeing people give is so nice.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
There are two memories that come to mind. Anytime I spent in Sicamous on Mara Lake with my family hold some of my favourite memories. I can also remember going on a train called The Canadian from Revelstoke to Vancouver; it was always an experience. It was so fun to leave on the train from Revelstoke at night and wake up in Vancouver.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I have been a big supporter of COHA for years. I was also recently involved with raising funds for the upcoming Foundry Kelowna project by KGH.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
There are two things that immediately come to mind. If I could change something it would be to rid the world of cancer and eliminate the suffering from mental health issues. These two things have touched many people I care about and know in the community.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Going to the concerts at Mission Hill Winery. Going to a concert there on a summer evening captures the essence of Okanagan living: the view, the venue, the artists they bring in and of course – the wine! Mission Hill does such a lovely job with these events.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
My beach house on Okanagan Lake on the west side. It is such a peaceful spot, but still close enough to the city to enjoy all Kelowna has to offer.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
It would be so nice to see Kelowna have more people take advantage of our greenways and waterfront pathways with more bikes and pedestrians and less traffic.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It’s a medium sized city with all the amenities you could dream of. I think it is the most idyllic community in Canada. I think it is the lake that really makes this city special; we are so fortunate to have our city surrounding such a beautiful lake. Kelowna has the perks of a big city with the wonders of a natural playground.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. I would love to see natural icebergs.
2. Travel to Croatia.
3. Meet Oprah.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you
I was incredibly shy as a child; I could barely speak. Social situations would paralyze me. I think back to how shy I was as a child and I never imagined that I would be in a profession that requires me to interact with people every day. Losing my husband in a plane accident when my son was six years old transformed me – it gave me the strength to come out of my shell and the drive to set out on my own career path.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Jane Hoffman Group – Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
Why did you get into/start this business?
I lost my husband in a plane crash and I knew I had to make a living. My cousin said to me, 'You love lakeshore so much you should sell it.' So I got my license and started selling. I feel privileged to have sold some of the nicest properties in Kelowna.
What is the goal of your business?
I always like to create good relationships with the people I work with. I find it so interesting to learn about the complexities of people’s lives and try to find solutions that work for them. I want to provide good client service to people when they are making one of the biggest life decisions they may ever face.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Mornings. I am such a night owl. I find a serenity in the quiet of the night where I can focus on work, reply to e-mails and review work from the day uninterrupted. Because I am go, go, go all day with clients my best time to focus is late into the night, which sometimes makes for a hard morning. I like to take my mornings to slowly wake up and prepare for the day. The pressure of an early morning meeting is likely my biggest struggle.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I think I would do things the same. There is always the dream to have more time with my family but I feel very fortunate to have the experiences I have had. I feel I have a very good life.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'Say Yes to Everything'. One of my clients once told me, 'Jane, at your age, say yes to everything.' That is actually what convinced me to say yes to Swinging with the Stars. Life is an adventure and sometimes the best thing to do is to just say 'yes, I’ll do it.'
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Oprah.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I think it is important to support local people. In small communities like Revelstoke and Kelowna I often know the proprietors (or their families) personally and it feels good to support them.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I would have to say my son Michael is my proudest accomplishment. I was left to raise my son without my husband and when look back and see him with his own family now it feels like such an accomplishment. He has turned out to be a wonderful son and successful in his own right.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Kristy Huber, my VP of Sales, Associate Broker at Jane Hoffman Group. She walked into my life when she was 19 and we have worked side by side for 25 years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. We have this natural, symbiotic relationship and can anticipate each other’s needs.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
My personal trainer Tracy Steen of Move Daily Fitness. She has these amazing online cooking videos and is like our very own Martha Stewart right in Kelowna.
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
