In Focus | Shanelle Connell of Dyemonds and Dishes

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?
Shanelle Connell

What do you always find yourself saying?
Have faith and never give up.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Oh, easily I would have to say my mom! Even though I do that regularly, she is honestly the biggest inspiration in my life and someone I can always count on.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I used to really want to be an actress, so if I could just live out my childhood dream to win an Oscar- I’d be very happy.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Audrey Hepburn, I think she counts. She represents everything I want to portray. She’s classy, dignified, and timeless.

Who inspires you?
Jillian Harris, Michelle Phan, and of course Audrey Hepburn. They are all woman who have grown their success and following on staying true to themselves. Even though Jillian Harris and Michelle Phan are from a different era than Audrey, they all stand for honesty, being wholesome and they didn’t waiver on their core values in order to become relevant. They kept it real.

What are three things on your bucket list?
I would love to travel to England and Japan. Both very different places, but both are cultures I really want to explore. To have a successful career and community around me that includes and gives back to the people who helped me reach my goals is a number one on my bucket list. And to achieve a beautiful life with a family one day, but still remain true to my quirky self.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Holly Golightly. That was the name of my first car, and I feel a yacht would be worthy of such a glamorous name as well.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Something simple and sweet. An easy day with smiles and people I love surrounding me. I want to be able to still have my blog and share what I’m doing and the adventures I’m on. A day where I can enjoy the beauty in my life that I’ve been blessed with.

What are you passionate about?
I am so, so passionate about blogging. The one thing I want to do with it is to inspire and help other young woman feel sparkly. A lot of the time we get lost in the trivial things of our day. We need to be reminded that to feel good about yourself you need to be able to laugh at your mistakes, wipe that frown off your face and look forward to the future. Because tomorrow is another day and that day is in your hands to make fabulous. Pick out your best outfit, spend time on yourself, and be you because that's all you can do! There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who loves herself. In a way, you could say I’m ultimately passionate about sharing the warmth I have to make a difference in others’ lives.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
It might not be my favourite day, but a day I’ll never forget is my first Katy Perry Concert in Calgary. It was a gift for my 16th because we were moving to Kelowna that summer from Calgary. I was hopping up and down because we were so close and my Twitter photo of me and my best friend got put up on the roll they had going through the Saddledome screens. It was amazing. The vibrancy and care she puts into her concerts is something I want to emulate in my life!

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Actually it would be something I recently just achieved! With my school, Centre for Arts and Technology, and my work, Dream Party Productions, we put on a Frozen Meet and Greet in order to raise money for the Kelowna General Hospital’s Children’s Care Fund! Jump2it: Indoor Playground teamed up with us hosted our meet and greet for the public. Over 150 kids showed up and their parents donated at least $5 per family toward the cause. I actually played Snow Queen, and the brightened faces of the children coming to meet their fave Frozen characters melted my heart (no pun intended). My group Jenisa Carbert, Bethany Harbaugh, Jenna Woldenga, and Curtis Sandmaier helped make it all possible on CATO’s end! And my boss Danielle Wycott was overly thrilled as putting on this charity event has been her dream for the longest time. The amount of money we raised is really going to make a difference and that’s the best part; knowing I was able to make a contribution and help the community in such a fun way!

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Gratitude Café! My friend Karin introduced it to me because it’s Vegan and Gluten Free! I loved it so much I actually did a blog review on it that they featured on their Facebook!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
The one activity that gets me out and about in Kelowna is blogging, so probably that! You could say I’m obsessed! Other than that, I just enjoy going for lunch with friends and attending fitness classes here and there! Health is a big part of my life!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Dyemonds and Dishes

What does your business/organization do?
Dyemonds and Dishes is a constantly updated blog by me with content that focuses on “down to earth life through the eyes of a glam blondie”! I always am posting about my latest fashion favourite, new hair and makeup tutorials for you to try, and quite often silly updates on my very quirky life! I’ve never been one to live “normally” and settle for mediocre. I love pushing boundaries and inspiring others to do the same! We should all learn to just create optimism in our headspace and live in the moment, and that’s what I’ve designed Dyemonds and Dishes to do!

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.dyemondsanddishes.com

What is your Twitter + Instagram account?
Twitter: @dyemonds_dishes and Instagram: @dyemondsanddishes

What is your mission?
I want to inspire others to look at where they’re at and strive to go where they want to go! I want to make you laugh with my sarcastic comments and smile at my grandiose whims that may seem crazy! I want to make your life a little easier with a hair tutorial on a rushed day and a kind word to start your week off right!

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I don’t know the end goal of where I want to be, but I know it will start with growing a large following and having a team to work with one day. I hope that I’ll be able to travel and attendant events that will showcase exciting things I come across in my life time. I hope I can be a beacon of inspiration to young girls so they know it’s possible to follow your dreams and be successful at what you love. I hope I will actually be able to pair with companies I admire and even other bloggers that I aspire to be like! Aka if Jillian Harris would ever work with me I think I would faint!

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Jillian Harris. Like I just mentioned, she’s my dream girl to work with! She’s short like me, spunky, and has a lot of moxie! People relate to her and that’s how I want to be too! I love her!

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Classiness, never to quit dreaming, and to be a welcoming person. I never try to be fake with my "dyemonds" as I call them. Each piece of writing I post is from my heart. I don't think you need to be controversial and crude to achieve success. I don’t think you need to spark internet warfare. All I believe in is that if you have faith in where you are going and you can see your future so bright and clear that you will get there. Don’t fall astray from your integrity and morals and people will stick around. However, keep it relatable and throw in some dry humour- because dry humour is the best. (I seriously laugh at my own jokes all the time, you should try it.)

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
In the simplest of words- Thank You. I would not be where I’ve even gotten to in these few short months if my family and friends were not there to support me. They take my photos, give me advice, and encourage me daily. So thank you.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
I hope it impacts it in a positive way! If it’s not impacting the community to aspire to be gentle and kind- then I hope I’m at least giving them content that will help them out in their experiences! I often do reviews on local shop or places to eat like Gratitude Cafe, Blonde, and even Big White! Lots of friends and followers end up asking me about them and really want to try them out!

What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
I have faith. I don't fret over my Instagram or Twitter followers. I don't get crazy about my "likes". If that day I am supposed to gain 50 fans, that was what God had in my plan for that day. If I don't make a post because I was busy- my viewers are still going to be there because they understand real life. I take one day at a time and let my little community grow and flourish on its own. I stay positive and compassionate; people seem like what what I bring to the table of the internet. I’ve made sure it’s calming and not stressful; it still needs to be a passion.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Easily blogging, fashion, and beauty. I have been the biggest girly girl since I can remember. I would ask their advice and honestly ask to work with them! Not in a "this is what you can do for me" sense, but a "this is how I want to work with you and I feel my personality can bring something you might enjoy"! Always be grateful and show your gratitude! Never take things for granted and people will remember you.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I would probably change not being by my family and friends from Calgary. If I could pick them all up and move them here- there would be no doubt in my mind to ever leave. But I do miss my extended family there. I was raised in Calgary- my family is my home!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Is it cliché if I say the weather? However, realistically speaking it’s that it is a smaller city and opportunity is at your doorstep. People are often more likely to help you out and listen from what I’ve experienced. It's not crazy like Calgary, not everyone runs on their own agenda in Kelowna. I wouldn't have the success I've had so far without this city. It's the city of building dreams in my opinion

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
My mother, Certified Holistic Health Coach and Gluten Free Practitioner

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I hope people will see me for who I am and that will be what makes them want to read my blog! I’m very ambitious and I love what I do. I want to be a role model for the younger generation to come and I hope to see a growing following after this. I pour my heart and soul into my blog posts and getting this In Focus is a huge opportunity for me and I am so thankful. I’m hoping maybe it would even lead to working with Jillian Harris one day and that would be a dream come true. If people want to see more of me and what I’m about, all they need to do is read my blog and they’ll be transported into my quirky, sarcastic brain where I just love to love.

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