In Focus | Molly Gibson Kirby of KelownaNow

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?
Molly Gibson Kirby

What do you always find yourself saying?
"Yes" I'm trying to say yes to as many things as possible.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
If I could spend one whole day with anyone living right now it would be my big sister from Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. She's the most important person in my life and I consider her a mother to me. With her living in Ontario it makes it a bit hard to see each other and I would do anything to spend a full day with her. She's just the greatest.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
If I had to pick something it would be something for my writing. I've always loved to write, it's my passion, and to win an award for that would be pretty rewarding.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
I'm not sure if they would be considered historic figures but I would spend the day with either Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg. To me they are quite historic because they both were involved with the Beat Generation of writers. Their stories fascinate me and I would love to pick their brains.

Who inspires you?
Emma Watson inspires me. She's so young and has accomplished so much already. When she started HeforShe and spoke at the UN I was so in awe. She's an incredible young lady with so much to say and I really think she's helping to change the world.

What are three things on your bucket list?
My three things on my bucket list would be:
Visit Liverpool, England. I was born there and I have never been back. I was born at home in a birthing pool so I would love to see the house where my life started.
Publish a children's book.
Have a family

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
"Sex Sea"

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I wouldn't pick a date. I try my best to live in the now and not to worry about the future or stress about the past. If I knew what was going to happen during one day in my life I would be worried all my actions until then would change the outcome of that day. I would rather just coast along and enjoy every day as it happens.

What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about a lot of things and they're always changing and the list is always growing. I'm passionate about writing, journalism, feminism, vegetarianism, music, wine, and the well-being of my friends and family.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Picking a favourite day is too hard of a question since there's been so many. This summer though I spent two weeks with my dad and my step mom. They live in England and I've only seen my dad twice in the last eight years. I think my favourite day would be somewhere during those two weeks.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment was finishing college. I never thought college would be a possibility for me but after working my butt off in high school to get scholarships I was able attend college. In that moment when I stood on stage in front of my family and beside my best friend who was graduating beside me, I felt an emotion I had never felt before. It was true bliss and I was ready to take on the world.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
I've only been in Kelowna for two months now so I haven't been everywhere yet. My favourite spot I have been to though is Fernando's. I like that it's a $7 menu but what I love about it are the nachos. I am a nacho girl and these are the best nachos I've ever had.

What is your favourite event or activity in Kelowna? Why?
Right now it is simply just exploring. I moved to Kelowna from northern Manitoba where it is winter for about eight months of year, and the temperature gets to -50. Before that I lived in Nova Scotia and Ontario, so I've never been out west. I have really enjoyed exploring Kelowna and seeing what my new home has to offer.

Where do you work?
KelownaNow.com

What does your business/organization do?
We are a website that is community focused and delivers Stuff that Matters.

Where can people find you or your business online?
KelownaNow.com and check out my blog at thebookofmolly.com.

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
KelownaNow and The Book of Molly.

What is your Twitter account?
@thebookofmolly

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Molly Gibson Kirby

What is your mission?
Personal mission: To live a meaningful life
Work mission: To always grow as a writer and to write stories that people care about.

If you could achieve one thing within your field what would it be?
I would like to be a well-respected journalist that people look up to. I also just hope to continue growing and getting better at what I do.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I'd like KelownaNow.com to be the website people first go on when they're in Kelowna or wanting to learn about Kelowna. The website has so much information and positivity flowing through it; I want people to see us as a destination for information. I'd also just like to see it continue to grow as well. Growing is good!

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
There have been two journalists that I have looked up to, who I think are/were forerunners in the industry. The first one was Jian Ghomeshi. I grew up listening to Ghomeshi and the passion for journalism that I heard in his voice made me want to achieve what he had industry wise. Ghomeshi was a great journalist, even if he wasn't a great person. I look up to his work, not himself personally if that makes sense.
The second forerunner I think is George Stroumboulopoulos. There's something about him that I can't get enough of. He eats, sleeps and breathes the industry he works in. I have watched every single episode of The Hour and I have studied his every move. I think the passion he has for this world is breathtaking.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Passion, class, and uniqueness.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for welcoming me into the KelownaNow family, it means more than you all realize.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
KelownaNow impacts the community because we provide quality articles on local, provincial, national and international news every single day. The journalists working for the company have a hunger for news and the desire to share it with the people of Kelowna and surrounding areas.

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?
It would have to be people in the publishing world. Last year I wrote a book about my life and it's just been sitting in a word document on my computer and I just don't know the next step. I would love to chat about what happens after the editing process is finished.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I would change the distance between Kelowna and Peterborough, Ontario. I miss my family and I wish I was just a tiny bit closer to them.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The location. I have never seen anything as beautiful as British Columbia. Driving to work every day I am surrounded by mountains, it's incredible. Kelowna offers everything you could ever want and more. I love this place.

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!