In Focus | Dustin Erickson of Float Space

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?
Dustin Erickson

What do you always find yourself saying?
There's cat hair on all of my clothes.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Elon Musk

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
SBBC Best Emerging Entrepreneur Award

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Nikola Tesla

Who inspires you?
Jason Silva and Dr. John C. Lilly

What are three things on your bucket list?
That's easy...
Go to space.
Participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony in Iquitos, Peru.
Learn falconry.

Please tell us about a defining moment in your life
My first float experience was in a wooden tank in a guy's garden shed in Surrey, BC.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
My birth date of my first born son. I really hope that I am playing the Pink Floyd song, "Welcome to the Machine." If it isn't playing right as he is born, I don't even want an offspring anymore.

What are you passionate about?
Art.
Science.
Floatation.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
April 27, 2014.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Opening Float Space while attending university full time.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
Micro Brewery. No TVs, no wifi, just friendly faces, fresh food, and great beer!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Comedy at Dakoda's presented by David Kopp

What is the name of your business/organization?
Float Space

What does your business/organization do?
Nothing! We are the premiere destination for floatation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique/Therapy) in the greater Okanagan running three floatation tanks seven days per week.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.floatspace.ca

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
http://lnkd.in/bJBUKXW

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
FloatSpace

What is your Twitter account?
@FloatSpaceCa

What is your mission?
Our mission is to provide a safe and creative space designed to explore and enhance the art of floating.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To facilitate and play a leading role in the next wave of floatation REST research working with and alongside UBC Okanagan.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I want Float Space to be the go-to destination for inner exploration and creative development.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Float House in Vancouver

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Passion, creativity, and authenticity.
We have a deep passion for floatation as a practice, as an art, and as a tool for personal development and introspection.
We place a huge value on creativity whether we are applying it to the design of float space, or attempting to develop progressive business practices. Floating is a creative catalyst, and it works simply by putting you in touch with your deepest self, unlocking true authentic expression.
Of course, what else can I be, but a genuine me?

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Smile!

How does your business/organization impact the community?
Float Space decreases stress, enhances creativity, and improves your overall sense of well-being. Sometimes when things get a little rough, you just need to take a little time for yourself. We provide space for exactly that, to simply be.

What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
Three qualities of mine that have made me successful are: holistic thinking, boldness, and passion.
1) Think bigger people. A big dream takes about as much energy to dream as a small dream. Big ideas, need a solid, and well-integrated foundation. Thinking holistically has always allowed me to make connections between concepts that may seem unrelated, but could very well lead me somewhere completely new and incredibly beautiful.
2) Boldness. It takes more than a clever strategy to make it as an entrepreneur. I was fortunate enough to grow up alongside many entrepreneurs, artists, and genuinely spectacular human beings. One thing I learned, was that in order to achieve success in any endeavour that with a degree risk... you need to execute. It's not always about having every piece of knowledge or information, sometimes you need to take chances. And there are countless opportunities out there! But each and every one of them may only exist for a brief window of time. Being successful as an entrepreneur is about knowing when and how to execute on an idea. I try to exercise practical wisdom in all areas of my life and understand when it is beneficial to do something different, or make an exception. There is no formula for entrepreneurial success. You must develop a sense of how and when to be bold, and have the confidence to do so when the time is ripe.
3) I believe that passion for what you do is the single most important catalyst for success in any area. We are all dying anyways... just killing time, while attempting to find meaning. So you might as well do something you love, and chase the possibilities that exceed your wildest dreams. If you know what's good for ya.

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?
MAPS- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. I want to meet Dr. Rick Doblin, and speak with other experts in entheogenic chemistry and neuroscience. I would like some information on the future of psychedelic science and the application of psychedelics in future mental health care practices, psychotherapy, and the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
We need a double-decker bus for the 97X... it's getting ridiculous. I'm late for class or work nearly every day. Sometimes, the drivers just smile at me as they drive by with a full load of people. And if the height of the bus stop overhang is the issue... just fix it already.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Community! I love the people here. We live in a very unique city-sized village. I think it's the people here that make it a great city to live in. The infrastructure is certainly not yet something to marvel at. The natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and lake is beautiful of course, naturally. But without people, even the most beautiful place would get boring.

My nomination for the the In Focus spotlight is:
David Kopp, comedian, actor, and awesome human.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
My first float was in a wooden-tank in a garden shed in Surrey BC, 2012. It blew me away. It wasn't just the float, but the hospitality of my float host. I knew following my first experience, that floating was something special. And it blew my mind that more people had not heard of it. The best part, floating was the perfect embodiment of my two greatest passions. Art and Science. The concept for Float Space was conceived by the time I had arrived back home in Kelowna. Float Space- a space for REST; where the hard science of the "sensory deprivation tank" could meet the beautiful art of floating.
One thing was certain, floating is for everyone. I just needed to design a better platform, a more creative context, a space dedicated to exploring and enhancing the pursuit of inner exploration. Float Space was born. There are a lot of misconceptions about floating, so try not to have any expectations. Even if you don't believe it will work, it will work anyways. So try to keep an open mind, step into the void, and let go. You can thank yourself later.

"Floating for just 90 minutes in a salt-water isolation tank calms the noise of sensation, until awareness becomes the mirror that reveals you to yourself."
-Aubrey Marcus

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!