A few years ago, #lovelocal alum Kristin Postill and her childhood friend Brittney Page decided to pay it forward to their community by paddling for charities of their choice. To date, their paddles have raised over $67,000 for the local community. On Saturday, August 14th, they will be paddling the length of Kal Lake (16km) in support of Archway S…

Artist AJ Jaeger talks about the Splash of Red charity auction - how it came about, and why it is so critical to the Caetani Centre's plans to provide more people access to the arts and the history of Vernon.By StewardSattu

First things first, this one's close to my heart - literally. AJ has made my life better now for 8 years, whether getting rid of my chipping yips, or showing up to support Special Olympics - Kindale. But it was a great opportunity to get to know the person behind the force of nature that she is, and to explore her past as a prodigy / golf star, as …

One of my cherished ideals is that right balance of heart and head when it comes to not-for-profit organizations. Whilst the right intentions are critical, I often see missed opportunities when it is not accompanied by the right skills and expertise. In that regard, Leanne Hammond who heads up the Community Foundation North Okanagan is a real treas…

In this episode, we feature Allisha - founder and visionary behind Kelowna’s newest zero waste refillery Chickpeace. She had some BIG dreams... and being the boss babe she is, she made it happen. Not only is the refillery supporting the zero waste and sustainability movement but it has been thoughtfully and intentionally curated. Allisha is no stra…

As the Executive Director of the VPAG, Dauna Kennedy is a passionate advocate, and indeed the face of art and culture in our community. VPAG or The Vernon Public Art Gallery Society is committed to fostering the appreciation of the visual arts for all members of the community. In this episode, Dauna talks about the challenges and opportunities she …

Not all people in business arrive there via a straight line - life's twists and turns have to be navigated first. Such is definitely the case with Cory Derpak of DIG Earthworks. From being a professional athlete to getting hurt at a young age, to losing his way and then finding redemption in work - his story is as compelling as the man himself. I l…

With apologies to listeners for the gap, I'm very proud to introduce this episode featuring my friend Russell Haubrich (aka Russty Whistle, which most skiers would recognise as a run). Russ was the owner of the Putnam Station Inn when SilverStar Mountain was being established (now the Bulldog) and is currently the General Manager of the Vance Creek…

Heath Fletcher is a refreshing rarity in business - a person who believes in partnership and collaboration, and puts that into practice in his own business. He went from photographer to marketing guru and partner (a title that is again reflective of his approach to business) at Sproing Creative, by building a collective around him that allowed him …

One of my favourite episodes to record since this is the story of two people who just get out and do the right thing. Between Tanya's background and experience in social welfare, and Myrika's ability to get things done (always at a million miles per hour!), giveLUCK was always going to make a difference in our community. Listening to the two of the…

Imagine this - two schoolfriends from Vernon, who remained in touch as they navigated life and work in the US for years. Then, during 2020 they both independently decided to move back to Vernon, and at the same time were figuring out how to make the best possible beds for their beloved dogs. And despite the pandemic hitting at the same time as thei…

Apart from living in a lane that bears his family name, Don Kassa does not bear the marks of privilege or success. Years of hard work in a profession that chose him as much as he chose it have put him in an elite league of realtors who have made the Okanagan one of the biggest & growing markets in Canada. In this episode, Don shares his approach to…

One of the common characteristics of the people I have met on LoveLocal is their obvious desire to offer something special to their community. Nowhere is that more evident than with my guest for today, Marilyn Courtenay of The Boarding House Cafe. For her, the cafe which opened months before the pandemic, is more than just a place to enjoy her amaz…

As someone who has been involved with the not-for-profit center for some years, Dione has always impressed me with her ability to set strategic imperatives and then break them down into easily digestible and actionable action points. After her successful stint with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, it was with some anticipation that I met with her to…

It's not every day that you get to sit down with a living legend - for that is exactly what Judd Buchanan is. He has been a newspaper boy, an insurance agent, a politician, parliamentarian, cabinet minister and businessman. This has taken him through all corners of the country, including Silver Star Mountain Resort which he was an owner of for a pe…

In a year in which the pandemic has caused untold hardship to the local business community, the Vernon Chamber of Commerce has emerged as a shining example of what business advocacy and support should be like. Under the stewardship of new General Manager Dan Proulx, it has continued to provide advocacy for our local community and businesses, whilst…

I am privileged to know Destanne Norris via her art exhibits at Gallery Odin at Silver Star mountain, and later as a human being. Her work achieves the almost impossible task of mirroring the inscape and the landscape, as does her first book "Leah's Gift" - which shows how one can find new purpose and meaning after navigating the depths of grief. P…

The amazing story of how two co-workers with very different backgrounds had a shared dream which they acted on. It took plenty of chutzpah, but also talent and hard work - and now Cobbler's Rack is a Vernon main street staple. Maggie and Leonard were and are the yin and yang of Cobbler's Rack, and together they make magic. Reviving an old tradition…

As an experienced hand in the hospitality and F&B space, Trevor Jones always intended to work for himself some day. After a journey through some of Canada's leading brands, including time spent at our very own Predator Ridge, that day did come to dawn in 2019 - with the opening of Il Mercato Social Kitchen in West Kelowna. Since that time, the worl…

Patti Shales Lefkos is a Canadian writer and journalist. Patti’s articles, profiles, columns and travel writing have appeared in a range of Canadian and international publications. Nepal One Day at a Time is the story of her first trekking trip on her own, and also supports education in the Gorkha province in Nepal. Born and raised in Toronto, she …

Sometimes our journey to finding our calling takes us through many highs and lows. Abigail knew from an early age that photography ignited her creative spark, but needed to go through the many stages that life had set out for her before she ventured out on her own as Abigail; ART last year. As she puts it, "When I have a camera in my hands, I feel …

If you're retired and completely in love with the game of golf, what do you do when you find that the golf accessories in the market are not of the standard you'd like them to be? Well, if you're Sandra & Henry, you look into how you could make them better yourself - using your existing skills and learning new ones along the way. And in doing so, y…

If you've ever had anything to do with community causes in Vernon, chances are you've likely come across Cindy Masters. The soul and face of Kindale for many years, Cindy took on the task of helming the Land Trust last year. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cindy and talking about her journey to becoming the 'Good Citizen of the Year' award,…

If you've had the pleasure of dining at Station BBQ, you've probably wondered how Vernon became the home to one of the best southern barbecue restaurants north of the 49th. Chef Eric learnt his trade in multiple restaurants in Texas the deep south, but not until after being trained in French haute cuisine and finding the experience didn't do anythi…

After a successful career as a high-powered marketing executive with multinational companies, Carole discovered her true calling in health and wellness. She pursued this in Europe, before making the huge decision to relocate to the Okanagan with her children, and invest in a floatation business in Kelowna. Whilst Float Space had been in business fo…

For Rossco (aka Ross Marrington), it all started with the ability to design webpages and databases, allied with an undying love for the great game of golf. Along the way, a hobby turned into a successful golf travel company with an unwavering focus on giving people great service at fair value, and showcasing the amazing product that is Canadian and…

Jeffery Holomis started with his passion and ability to design, fabricate and build things, and turned it into a successful and growing company called SC Carts that promises to put Vernon on the low speed EV map (and already has done so in the golf cart space). Along the way, he learnt new skills, ranging from capital allocation to people managemen…

The word 'legend' sits lightly on Brian James' shoulders. As one of the pioneers of the ski industry in the Okanagan, his drive, perseverance and skills have stood him in good stead both on the ski slopes and in business. He is clearly possessed with that unwavering confidence in the face of the unknown that defines a successful business owner. Thi…

In our second episode to feature a restauranteur, we sit down with Brad Shaw, who went from a successful career in the international oil & gas space to owning a well-loved Kelowna restaurant. Hear how his dreams of taking MTL to the next level have only been delayed, but not cancelled, by the pandemic which coincided with his purchase. With clear e…

Lox & Fox Baby Boutique may be a new business, but the values and ideas behind it are old and wise - in the best sense of those words. My guest Tanis Boegel left behind a successful career in marketing to care for her newborn Lox, and in doing so, discovered a big gap in the sourcing of products for Lox and for Lox's parents. And so Lox & Fox Baby …

Frank Berkers is one of a kind, a true original. From stepping off an airplane 24 years to becoming a pillar of the Silver Star Mountain community, he has never wavered from his beliefs, values and vision. Listen in as he regales us with stories of his origins (evidently his mother wasn't a great cook!), 'sales and marketing' tips and facing up to …

Ex-professional golfer Kyla Inaba joins us to talk about her business, her journey to becoming a golf professional and instructor and her passion for growing the game of golf. Along the way, she touches on the keys to golf instruction and articulates why teaching golf is sometimes about being a life coach. Whether you love golf or not, her story is…

What is LoveLocal about? A short introduction.By StewardSattu