In Focus | Dayley Harper of Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar

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?
Dayley Harper

What do you always find yourself saying?
Would you like any samples today?! (regarding the self-serve frozen yogurt bar we have…)
Besides that I catch myself saying, I.LOVE.IT. I love it – to life, to the Okanagan seasons, to the people who swirl 5 flavours into one cup and mix gummy bears into their smoothies, to the endless stacks of paperwork that require my attention to keep this new business moving, to the chinese herbs that I’m going to make into a daily tea tonic to help through the experience of opening a new business, to the changing seasons, to the people who I meet everyday; to life.
If I tell myself a different story, as in, I don’t love it or life sucks, it will. It is all about perspective and we each have the power to choose ours. The uncomfortable buzz of anxiety is unrelenting as every day is met with nothing to be expected. There is no way to be sure if people will like you, or like your product, or come out to support and make your project a success; this is the uncomfortable pain of GROWTH. You must be bold, be courageous, and trust that you are sharing your most kind and genuine self with others. The results do not matter – results are future tense and the future never comes, because when it does, it is called the present. So, all I can do is choose my values and live them in this moment, without fear of failure. The pains are part of the process. Just do it; I love it.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Tough one! The Dalai Lama comes to mind. Someone who can see beyond the entrapment of our social conditioning to the heart of the world and what is of true value. I would like to spend it with one who has a grand perspective and finds humour in life – haha that’s the Dalai Lama.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
An award that honours one for their participation in bringing happiness to others; that is an honour I would be proud to receive.
Or an award that highlights a successful career/life in medicine – teaching people about their health, instilling a sense of empowerment, and inspiring people to live their happiest, healthiest lives. AMAZING!!!!!!

Who inspires you?
My parents, Shi Hsin Yao Hai, my sisters; anyone/thing who I observe choosing to act/talk/walk with honesty and integrity. It takes true strength to be raw, open, and vulnerable to all aspects of ourselves – including the things we aren’t so proud of and are working on. I am so inspired by people who choose to be honest and open in that way without clinging to a sense of security behind walls of words that we use to create an illusion between who we want to be and who we actually are.
These are the warriors of our time.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1) Study medicine in Asia
2) Learn to speak French & Spanish as if I were French or Spanish
3) Hike the Himalayas, surf in Indonesia, go fishing/bear watching/herb picking all over BC…. did that last one count as 1 thing?!

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
I just typed and deleted about 20 names – none of them were awesome!

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Hahaha I have no idea

What are you passionate about?
Family!! People!! Herbs, growing food, gardening, yoga, cross-fit, health, psychology, Truth. Walking beyond our boundaries of fear and growing everyday.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Do I have to pick just one?! Impossible!

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being the daughter of my parents – wait, do I get credit for that?? Okay, hmm. I am proud that I practice fearlessness and transparency with myself – this will lead to freedom in life. I’m proud to have graduated from the Acupuncture and Western Herbal Medicine program last spring – that was fabulous too!

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
I like the idea of RaudZ – although I haven’t been in a long time so I can’t comment on the food or the people!

What is the name of your business/organization?
QOOLA FROZEN YOGURT BAR

What does your business/organization do?
Offers an environment of genuinely caring, upbeat young people that help interrupt the monotony of the daily grind to provide an excellent healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack -Frozen yogurt with options of organic, Canadian dairy and GMO, corn syrup, and gluten free!
The intention is to provide the world with healthy, affordable, organic food through education and inspiration of the daily lives of those in the community.

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Personally – Dayley Layne; owner & operator of Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar + Acupuncturist & Medical Herbalist-to-be after writing the licensing exam late October of this year!!!

Where can people find your business on Instagram?
@DayleyQoolaQueen

What is your Twitter account?
@qoolakelowna

What is your mission?
To inspire people to live their healthiest, happiest lives.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Enthusiasm
Inspiration
Dedication

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
YOU are the life-blood of the business! Products (although they are top quality!!) are not the be-all-end-all of a business. It is the service and the experience. You guys in the shop are so genuine, fun and kind – I am very impressed to be working with you and to watch your growth through your own fears of stepping outside your boundaries to do a job in customer service. LOVE IT.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The vibe. Whether that comes from the weather, the community members themselves, the landscape, or the city game changers that are maintaining our somewhat ‘small-town-still-have-freedom-to-play-and-grow’ attitude instead of new-age fear, is fabulous. The commitment to preserving our gorgeous hillsides, mountains, parks, lakes etc, allows young people, all people, to be in touch with the rawness of life instead of in a city bubble. I am so very grateful for this.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Dr. Rosalyn Harder, Dr .T.C.M, R.Ac. since 1988

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am impressed In Focus and the support you are offering to people of this community to share WHO, WHAT, WHY they are here and doing what they’re doing. Advertising is works but this feels so raw - the real way to reach out! Thank you

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!