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?
Kashlee Parmiter.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm originally from Toronto and lived in Regina for seven years before making my way here in 2013.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, Trevor! We are both so incredibly like-minded and we love to brainstorm together and get super creative about life and new things to try! He is also my biggest motivator so I feed off of his excitement.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
That is a great question! Since we are now nomadic after selling 95% of our belongings, we have a huge list of places to go. If I had to pick one, I would have to say Italy! The language, the wine, the pasta, the buildings.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Meal Prep For You! They have been making the meals I eat during the week for almost a year now and I am crazy about them. Healthy, lots of local produce, non-GMO, organic and incredibly delicious.
What is your favourite activity?
Business development. I am wildly resourceful and nothing floats my boat more than solving problems, overcoming obstacles and developing momentum when it comes to business.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza, It’s my spirit animal!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Hitting rock bottom. Although it was a scary and painful time, the whole ‘what doesn't kill you makes you stronger’ saying rings true. It gave me a kick in the pants, made me flip my values back around and opened my eyes to what's important in life. Secondly, selling 95% of our things. I always thought ‘I'm going keep this, just incase', but 'incase' never happens and it just weighs you down. Selling and donating almost all of my belongings has been immensely freeing and has breathed a new life in me! If someone had told me a year ago that my entire life could fit in two suitcases, I would have called them insane. Now I realize the only insane thing was me clinging onto 'things' and letting them hold me back from living in the life I was meant to!
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Making full-length musicals with my keyboard. Oh yes, all characters performed by yours truly.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I have always been involved with local causes and charities and this year, I am stepping that up to have more of a global impact. Since we will be travelling for the next 5-10 years, we have decided to find a way to give back to each new country we visit. Whether that is with donating my time, funds, awareness or other types of assistance, I hope to leave each place better than when I found it.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
A global reassessment of ones priorities. I believe that would shift a massive amount of energy that is now being spent on vanity, comparison, greed, blind consumerism and other careless (and physiologically damaging) priorities, and into energy that focuses on collaboration, innovation and the real importance of our greatest recourse: Time.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Walking. There are so many paths, trails, streets, boardwalks and beaches to stroll on.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Our small piece of land right on Okanagan Lake. It’s absolutely my hidden retreat where I can escape any daily pressures.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I think Kelowna already does a fantastic job at this, but I'd like to see us continuing to develop the local entrepreneurial spirit and fostering that type of innovation. More support, funding and promotion for individuals turning their dreams into reality with small business.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I fell in love with Kelowna the moment I stepped foot here! I came out from Regina for a weekend away and knew immediately I had to make the move. One of the sunniest, warmest, most diverse and breathtaking places in North America? Yes please!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) To speak five languages fluently
2) To dance the Waltz at a ball in Vienna
3) Take a train across an entire continent
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
That I am a major closet nerd with a love for all science (both physical and social sciences), computer technology and I have an obsession with World War II.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram
Facebook
What is the name of your business/organization?
Trevor and Kashlee. We have a blog about our travel and minimalism journey, along with some fun projects we will get to work on worldwide! I'm an influencer in everything travel and lifestyle and currently run eight different Instagram networks in these genres! I also just opened up 'Wanderlust Girls Canada' a travel lovers group for only Canadian women. It’s been such a fun forum to swap ideas, talk about destinations, share our journeys and even host meet-ups!
Why did you get into/start this business?
We started our blog, travel influencer network and lifestyle business in order to impact the lives of others while giving ourselves the most important thing: Time Freedom. Life is too short to be doing something you hate on someone else schedule. I started 'Wanderlust Girls Canada' because an all female, all Canadian group like this did not exist! My hope is that it will grow into a platform where I can showcase and celebrate more and more Canadian women, recognize their achievements and connect them with new opportunities. If any girls want to join the 'Wanderlust Girls Canada' group, they can simply add themselves to the Facebook page.
What is the goal of your business?
To enhance quality of life by travel and experiencing different cultures. To show others that time and memories are far more important than things. To guide and support people who have a desire to see more of the world and take back control of their lives.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Consistency. In both work and life I have found lack of focus has been my biggest struggle. It’s always fun to run with new ideas, but they would all do better with more consistency.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Deep! I'd do things 100% the same. Even the parts that hurt the most. It’s those moments that truly shaped and molded me. No pain, no gain.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'It is time to eat yet?'
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Maria Menounos. That girl has got it going on! I admire her drive, hustle, not taking no for an answer and her ability to stay humble in the spotlight.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To celebrate our community and the entrepreneurs who live in it, shopping locally needs to become a higher priority. Flourishing, vibrant cities are built upon this model. Cities with ghost town streets show the implications of choosing big box/online
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Losing over 70lbs and keeping it off. Through a journey of self acceptance (paired with learning a lot about healthy eating, proper exercise, sweat and tears) I have shed 70lbs and found a love for helping other people do the same.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My husband, Trevor Kucheran! He inspires me every single day because of his dedication to helping others. He runs online bootcamps and has helped over 2000 people (many in Kelowna!) hit their goals, which is incredibly motivating to me!
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Chris Pihl
Some general comments I would like to share are:
In February this year we sold our house and 95% of our belongings so that we can travel the world! But hey, we can’t give up the Okanagan so we bought a lake lot that had an old cabin on it, parked a trailer there too, and that is our Kelowna home-base for life! Even though we have an enormous list of places to go before 2017 is over, we will take a one month road trip across the USA, head over to the UK for three months and likely end the year in Mexico.
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.
