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 KamloopsBCNow.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?
Denise Strebchuk
What do you always find yourself saying?
“That’s amazing!”
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Oprah Winfrey – I like her philosophies and admire her accomplishments, plus she appears to be a person with a good sense of humor. I think I would enjoy her company.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Last year we won the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce 2014 Business Excellence Award for Retailer Award 1-10 Staff. It was such a surprise and an honour. It would be hard to beat that experience!
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Queen Victoria – I would really like to know what she was really all about.
Who inspires you?
My husband Dave. I couldn’t have done any of this without him. He’s always, kind, loving, and most of all very supportive of nearly all the crazy things I have come up with throughout the years.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Perhaps open another store in Alberta.
2. Travel across Canada for an extended vacation.
3. Have the freedom to visit family and friends more often.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
“Smooth Sailing!”
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I would hope it would be longer than a single day, but I would love to have all my children and their significant others along with my husband and I on an exotic family vacation. Perhaps Bora Bora.
What are you passionate about?
My family and friends followed by owning a bridal store. The store allows me to connect with some wonderful people and it is pretty well always “a happy place”.
I like helping others and now that I am older it’s time to give back a little. If it involves anything wedding related that’s a bonus.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
My wedding day and the individual days my three children were born.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Raising three very different children to adulthood. I’m very proud of all of them.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kamloops? What do you like about it?
Hoodoo’s – love the atmosphere and the view.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kamloops? Why?
We spend a lot of time going to the movies. Dinner and a movie is our “date night” routine.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Aglow Bridal Lounge
What does your business/organization do?
Retail sales of wedding gowns and other wedding attire, supply décor, event services, and photo booth rentals.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.AglowBridalLounge.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Aglow Bridal Lounge
What is your Twitter account?
@AglowBridal
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Denise Strebchuk
What is your mission?
To offer our brides and their families the best wedding gown shopping experience that they can possibly imagine.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To be considered the best bridal store in Kamloops.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I would like to see our business expand to include more and more of the styles and brands that we truly love. Our store is starting to transition into a boutique that is truly “all about the bride”.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
I admire the two other downtown bridal storeowners who I consider wonderful, caring people, and who I consider friends. Anthony and Rosa are great role models.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
1. Genuine caring about our clients. We want them to be totally satisfied with their Aglow experience.
2. Superior quality products and value that is evident.
3. We give back – if at all possible we contribute to various local charities and causes.
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Our customers must always come first. Nothing matters more in our store than making their wedding dreams a reality.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
We try our utmost to give back to our community. Although we cannot contribute to every worthy cause, we do our best to help as many as we can throughout the year.
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?
Any of the successful wedding industry experts. Stuck in an elevator with some of the top event and wedding dress designers that I admire would be wonderful. I’d love to know how it all started for them and receive any advice they could offer.
If I could change one thing about Kamloops, it would be:
It would be access to the downtown sector. My pet peeve is the parking situation. I’ve visited a couple of towns where their shopping experience is enhanced by how they have addressed the problem.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
We’re a thriving city but with a somewhat “small town” feel. It’s busy enough for me, without all the congestion of a larger city.
My choice for the Kamloops In Focus spotlight is:
True Image Videography – we have worked for several years with this business and Igor Kostin is creative, sociable, and extremely talented. We think this business would be very deserving of your consideration.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
We are very appreciative of this opportunity to be featured in this wonderful publication. Thank you so much!
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, Kamloops!
