Meet Jenai! Jenai is originally from Williams Lake and has been living here in Kelowna for about 12 years. She enjoys wine tasting, travelling, and spending some quality time with her two daughters.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
From Williams Lake, I've lived here off and on for the past 12 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My 2 daughters are my whole world and I love spending every moment with them.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Bora Bora is such a unique store and it is local!
Describe yourself in one word.
Vivacious.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
South of France, I would love to live there. The culture, the food and the people are amazing.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Wine touring.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Kids pointing out I had a hole in the back of my pants while out doing errands.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The support I had from friends and family when I was struggling the most back in 2014 when I had cancer again and the loss of my father. Everywhere I turned, people I hadn't spoken to in years opened up their hearts and home to me.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
The Ronald McDonald house. I spent quite a lot of my childhood there when I was going through treatments and I spent a lot of birthdays there.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Canadian Cancer Society, The Easter Seals house in Vancouver, the Ronald McDonald house in Vancouver, VGH and BCCH.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Politics surrounding women and their rights to their own body.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A secluded beach with a good book and some wine.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
The homelessness. The downtown core has become unsafe for people and businesses. It's really disheartening and detrimental to everyone who works downtown.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It's beautiful here. We are surrounded by mountains, lakes and of course wineries.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I have always wanted to try kite surfing
Learn to fly a plane
Travel to at least one new country a year
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I had a very rare cancer at the age of one called Rhabdomyosarcoma and due to the high amounts of radiation I had a secondary cancer in 2014.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook and Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
New Expressions
Why did you get into/start this business?
I have been in the industry since I was 16. But the microblading was what got me to open my business. Watching the positive change I could give people was beyond rewarding. I love being able to provide services that make my clients feel good.
What is the goal of your business?
To expand to a larger space and be able to hire at least one more person. To continue to be able to provide more services that help my clients at an affordable price.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Being a single mom and financially supporting them on my own.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Start travelling after high school. I waited until my 30s to start travelling the world.
What do you always find yourself saying?
I'll sleep when I'm dead.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"Stop stressing about the past and future, live in the now."
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Michelle Obama, I find her one heck of a lady and a huge inspiration.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Support local companies! It is so important, we are actually passionate about our work as it is our lives.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being a mom has been the best accomplishment ever!
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Dr. Karen Goddard. Best oncologist, person and human I have ever come across.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Kasia Rachall- I have never met such a positive person who just radiates life.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you for letting me share who I am. I have been proud of the support I have seen from some people in this town. And the way small business support each other.
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.
