Meet Pat! Pat is originally from Mantiboa and has been living here in Kelowna for about one year. On his free time, you can find out on the field playing slow-pitch or enjoying a good beer on the patio at BNA.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
The Pas, Manitoba. I've lived in Kelowna for just over a year now.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Anyone with a dog.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
BNA. Good vibes, great beer.
Describe yourself in one word.
Honest. I'm extremely self-aware & blunt to the point it gets me in trouble sometimes.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Australia. I've been a few times and every time I leave I wonder why.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Slo pitch. I'm addicted. I'll catch myself laughing at how ridiculous it is that I spend 5-7 nights a week in the summer just trying to hit a damn ball to the moon. (still, haven't come close).
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Too many to count. Basically every first interaction with a person I've ever had. I do a lot better with dogs.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Maybe it's pretentious, but just comparing myself to where I was 5, 10, 15 years ago and seeing where I'm at now has been the biggest inspiration to me because it's shown me that growth is possible. It's also my biggest motivator to keep pushing things forward.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I've got a few and they all revolve around the hockey rink. Growing up in The Pas every second weekend was a road trip to some other small community for a tournament. For some strange reason, I remember my pre-game 'meal' was a full lemon or lime. No idea what I was thinking but I was (am) a weird dude. A fun weekend scoring goals and ripping down waterslides was always finished off by stopping at the local candy store to stock up for the ride home. I remember playing in a hockey tournament where the local Jr. A team, OCN Blizzard was watching and Terrence Tootoo (Jordin's brother) came up and talked to me after. He didn't speak to me like I was just some young punk, but like I was his peer. I got to speak with him quite a few times as the years went on and those camps/events always stood out as memorable. The last one that stands out is when the Easton Synergy stick first came out and my parents got me one. I must have carried it around with me everywhere I went for a week straight.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I try to raise money for MS. As with anything, I feel it's easier to volunteer or give back to situations that you have a personal connection with. I've had an experience with Clinically Isolated Syndrome and although it's a blip on the radar of what people who have been diagnosed experience, it really gives you a sense of what it is you're helping to find a cure for.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Stop social media from becoming a thing.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I just moved to Kelowna after living in Asia for the past 3+ years. I think one of the great things about Kelowna is even on the busiest of days you're never too far from the middle of the lake, a mountaintop or a park to get away from things.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More affordable housing. Downtown cleanup. Both would allow more people to experience the best Kelowna has to offer.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather, the limitless physical activities at your disposal and the people.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Get on a reality TV show
2. Skydive
3. Create a course and/or podcast aimed at providing small business owners with marketing tips
I think there's so much noise in what people offer as 'expertise' or 'consulting' that there's a lot of quick wins that get overlooked.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Over the last 8 years, I've lived in Manitoba, Ontario, BC, Australia, Hong Kong, Bangkok & Singapore.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
@tail.waggers.kelowna on Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
Tail Waggers
Why did you get into/start this business?
My love of pets and knowledge of what it would take financially and strategy wise.
What is the goal of your business?
Provide safe, affordable pet care to ensure owners their pet is being cared for like they never left.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Putting myself out there. It's been too easy to just settle and blend in.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything different. I've already done things this way - doing it all over again would be boring.
What do you always find yourself saying?
99% of the truth is still a lie.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Time does, in fact, heal all wounds.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
The boys (can't pick just one).
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Keeps money in our community and inspires others to take a leap to potentially start their own passion project.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Getting to be where I'm at today.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Alex VandeLaar - Fellow Brock Badger that couldn't be more polar opposite from me but I respect the hell out of him and think he should write a book on 'How to make everyone like you'.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Kurt Jory
Some general comments I would like to share are:
- Value experiences over anything else, especially when you're younger.
- To anyone looking to start a passion project. Start out as a side hustle to figure out if its viable and actually what you want to be doing long-term. You never know until you try.
- Don't make the same mistakes I did when going to school. I spent way too much time earning perfect grades and no time networking. EVERYONE is willing to help out a student looking for advice. The second you graduate you become just yet another person begging for a job.
- A great piece of advice I got when I moved to Kelowna is always asking the person you're meeting with, "Who should I meet with next?"
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!
