🎙️ I Love Kelowna

Alex VandeLaar, Owner/Director at Alex VandeLaar Consulting, is a serial entrepreneur and strategy consultant who is obsessed with marketing. Alex loves to think outside of the box and find unique ways to drive sales. Originally hailing from Ontario, Alex moved to Kelowna 4 years ago and never looked back. He has run his own consulting company for the past 8 years and recently started “The Marketing Accelerator”, a program that helps small business owners with the foundations of branding and marketing.  

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Kelowna born and raised artist, musician, social entrepreneur, business consultant and writer, Lynda Norman, has always known that creativity is a natural part of being. Her vision is to create opportunities for each and every person to experience the benefits of creativity in ways that are meaningful, fulfilling, healing, positive and essential to a thriving community.

As owner and publisher of a small local magazine for 4 years, Lynda monitored trends, focused on community awareness and developed many lasting relationships. For several years she followed her passion for inspiring others by assisting people with their employment and career goals. As Client Services Coordinator for Women's Enterprise Centre she provided entrepreneurs with resources and business start-up advice, facilitated presentations, wrote and edited business articles and built a province wide, online resource directory. Her weekly Business Start-Up telephone sessions allowed her to connect with and provide the tools for hundreds of people throughout the province to launch their businesses.

In the fall of 2012, Lynda, along with a small group of like-minded creatives, recognized the need in our community for art, culture and heritage to be offered in an inclusive and holistic way. She formed The Association of Artists for Creative Alliance as a not-for-profit society and has continued, as the Executive Director, to focus her energies and talents in promoting arts and culture through the organization. In July 2015, the ACA officially became Kelowna Arts Council. https://kelownaartscouncil.ca/

In 2016 Lynda developed Ban Draoi Studio (pr Ban Dree) where she creates art and shares her passion for several kinds of creative media facilitating workshops throughout the Okanagan Valley. https://www.bandraoistudio.com/

A passionate musician and music appreciator, Lynda currently plays cello with October Sky, a local band that performs mostly original music.

As well as being a business consultant, Executive Director for Kelowna Arts Council, and current Managing Director of the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, Lynda is always happy to support, promote, and share resources for our creative community. She co-produced a television pilot as one of the partners and co- visionaries in Songwriters Stewdio Productions Inc. and continues to produce 26 OUR Coffeehouse shows every year.

Based in British Columbia, Lynda makes her home in the beautiful Okanagan Valley and can to provide her services worldwide.

----------------------------------------------------------
POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Nathan Peacock is a film maker in the Okanagan (British Columbia, Canada) under the brand Solid Rock Video and also on the side as a wedding videographer alias Half 9 Media. 

Among other outdoor things, hiking and snowboarding have become favorite activities since moving to the Okanagan 9 years ago from the Middle East where Nathan grew up.

Meaningful connections are always the goal as Nathan's story telling ranges from mildly amusing, to deeply compelling. Books, podcasts, informative videos, and nerdy tech conversations never get old... Nathan will ask  you questions just to keep you talking as soon as he realizes you know something he wants to learn!

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Nathan Hutton is Youth Speaker and Teen/Young Adult Life Coach located in the Central Okanagan region. He has over 16 years of professional experience working with children, teens, and young adults. He has worked with clients living with addiction, mental health, criminal histories, housing and educational barriers. 

He uses his own personal story to present a message of perseverance and resilience and currently speaks to schools and community groups throughout BC as well as the rest of Canada. He is a member of the Voices For Equity speaker’s bureau and he facilitates the online support group Coffee Talk With Nate. 

Last year, he also ran a bi-weekly video series, Hurt Heal Repeat - Road to Spartan which documented his journey healing from injury and preparing for the 2018 Spartan Race Series. He is happily married to an amazing wife and father of two incredible children; musician and voice behind the studio project, Soul Forgotten; and an ordained Dudeist priest.

Here is Nathan's great website HHR Clothing

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Romina Muhametaj is the founder of Six 7 Radius and the host of Coffee with Romina. She also holds the President Chair for FSCJ-SHRM Student Chapter and recently Romina launched NE FL Negotiation Club.

Romina moved to America at just 17 years old by herself intending to pursue her American Dream and her accomplishments talk about her stubbornness on her goals continuously. Often, she talks about how her American Journey has been a rollercoaster but Romina has a power to keep a positive attitude over every situation and analyze everything with the “how can I make this better and what can I learn from this” mindset.

Six 7 Radius LLC., is a consulting firm that helps companies grow by building one of a kind marketing strategies & sales techniques. With the right guidance, the company can succeed no matter the external environmental factors. Romina helps her clients by overseeing their PR presence making sure the company’s culture is well represented, teaching negotiation skills to increase sales and revenue, as well as building long-term successful processes for the company. She comes from a sales and marketing background where she worked on B2C and B2B campaigns as a marketing project manager and sales leader.

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Kris Rostecki is the owner and primary stylist of Inspirado Designs. She was born a small town BC girl, but raised in Ontario until 18. She then moved and spent 11 years in northern Alberta before coming back and spending the last 8 years, in BC.  

Kris started her business a little later in life, after experiencing a few other careers that, though educational and growth inducing, didn’t bring her joy. She started out life thinking she wanted to be a veterinarian. So she worked in animal hospitals for 4 years. 

Next up was the restaurant industry, while in Alberta and going to post-secondary. She moved up the ladder in that profession, until the glamour wore off and she decided to get a stable data entry position to save money to go back to school again. That job saw her quickly promoted  into a material coordinator, which she then worked until, yes, you guessed it, she was bored once again.  

Then it was off to get some safety training and into the oil field where she wore a hard hat, steel toe boots and grew a serious backbone.  A few years there, and the politics and crazy schedule started to wear on Kris. She was at a loss. She knew she wanted to help people, but the quality of life was on a serious decline. If you look at Kris' work history, you can see that is the common thread.  She also realized that I wanted to own my own business and needed a creative outlet. She narrowed down the options and hair styling was one of her top options. It was something I'd always had a natural affinity for.  

Initially Kris was mobile, and then home based. About 6 years ago,  Kris opened her first studio with 2 other entrepreneurs and held that space for a year. She then branched out on her own and was fortunate to find a cute little spot in the 500 block of beautiful Bernard Avenue, where she been there for 5 years now.  It is a certified Green Circle Salon, and aim to be as organically and eco-conscientious as possible.  This means choosing products that are healthier for my clients and myself, from companies who are taking a look at the ethics and environmental responsibility behind what they do. 

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Jaide Hatfield and Joel Murga are the co-owners and lead bakers of a local vegan and gluten free bakery, Jaide & Joel’s Baking Co. (Also check out their Facebook Page). 

Jaide and Joel first met when they were fifteen years old and have been together ever since. Jaide was raised a Vegetarian, and later decided to make the full switch to Vegan. She’s a huge supporter of animals, and baking is one of her biggest passions. Joel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when he was 10 years old, he now uses his passion and determination to make amazing products that he can share with other people who are like him.

In April of 2018, they decided to start a new exciting chapter in their lives, opening a fully vegan and gluten free bakery. They started out doing local Farmers Markets and special orders. A few months in, and they got there first wholesale deal with a local coffee shop. Since then, they have partnered with several stores in the Okanagan and deliver their donuts as far out as Vernon, Penticton, and Osoyoos. Their dream is to one day open their own café/dessert shop.

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Daniil Khodosko believes there is a new frontier in medicine for psychedelic substances and am eager to spread the new research. The resurgence of psychedelics is fueled by modern studies which show how these substances can help treat anxiety, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, and addiction.

Daniil was born in Kiev, Ukraine and immigrated to Calgary, Canada when he was 2 years old. He then lived between Calgary and Irvine, California. He graduated high school in Calgary and is now in his third year of a computer science major at the University of British Columbia. Daniil has an interest in physical health and mental health and is self-proclaimed as a citizen scientist. 

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

Rob Westbury grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, with nary a grapevine in sight. After a stint as the drummer in a punk band and a few years at graduate school in the States (where he met his wife), he headed into a busy career in HR. Throughout all of this, he maintained a keen interest in food & wine, and harboured a lifelong desire to work with his hands. A long-term work placement in San Francisco reignited Rob’s passion for wine, and pointed him in the right direction: towards the incredible Okanagan Valley.

In 2010, Rob started Nagging Doubt Wines (commuting in from Vancouver on weekends), and he and his family moved to Kelowna in 2012. In 2013, they bought a beautiful, west-facing hillside property in South  East Kelowna, planted 5½ acres of grapes, and converted their horse barn into a small-but-awesome boutique winery. Punk drummer to corporate manager to farmer/winemaker—Rob is now, finally, right where he was always meant to be.

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST

From hitting the rock bottom of drugs, divorce, bankruptcy and even the death of an 18 month old daughter. To running the planning & marketing of some of corporate America’s finest companies. To running his own marketing company, helping small business owners be SEEN and now his podcast focused on Driven Dark Horse Entrepreneurs. Tracy Brinkmann, is also a business & success coach that realizes life isn’t fair and participation awards do not feed your family, or your drive to succeed.

This Driven Dark Horse Entrepreneur is looking to share all that he has learned and is still learning about starting, restarting, kick starting and stepping up your entrepreneurial game, all while not ignoring that amazing tool between your ears!

Here's a free offer from Tracy for our listeners, The 6 Cs of Entrepreneurship:

http://darkhorseschooling.com/6-cs-of-entrepreneurship/

Check out Tracy's website for an hour of FREE COACHING with Tracy

----------------------------------------------------------

POST A REVIEW

GUEST BOOKINGS CLICK HERE

Follow me on Social Media

New Town Big Dreams podcast on Facebook

Instagram

Linkedin

Luke Menkes Kelowna Realtor

My Personal Facebook Page

Support the show

NOMINATE YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON OR A BUSINESS TO APPEAR ON THE I LOVE KELOWNA PODCAST