In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organisations 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?
William (Bill) Schuilenberg – let me help with that. ‘Shoo-len-berg’.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
“Where am I from, when exactly?” Ontario until 1980, Alberta until 2004, Kelowna until 2007, Kuwait until 2014, then back home to Canada’s paradise.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with, and why?
My wife, Susannah-Joy. She’s an amazing life companion and my best friend of 36 years. Her optimism and enthusiasm are contagious and she challenges and encourages me to be fully engaged with life.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment, where would it be, and why?
I’d be driving a new Mustang along the Pacific coast of Chile with Susannah-Joy, blasting Huey Lewis & the News. I’ve wanted to explore Chile since I was a child.
What is favourite local store in Kelowna, and why?
Share. Hands down. I love repurposing, recycling, and up-scaling stuff into something functional, beautiful, or both. There are great treasures to be had at Share, and the added bonus is the knowledge that the money I spend there goes back into our community in really practical ways.
What is your favourite activity?
Cycling. Kelowna and this valley are great for biking, and we’ve managed to put off buying a vehicle since returning from Kuwait.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger!
What is the hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Okanagan Rail Trail. It’s open now from Coldstream to Kelowna, and it’s an amazing treasure to have in our backyard. Cycling along the backside of the three lakes feels a bit like sneaking through a backyard, and it’s a safe, beautiful ride.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
That would have to be the humiliation of peeing my pants in grade three. I’m still not over it. I probably need therapy.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Embracing a relationship with God in 1981.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Playing soccer with my dad on a father/son team in Collingwood, Ontario.
Where do you volunteer or give back to the community?
I’m so pleased to be part of ‘100 Men Who Give a Damn,’ and I volunteer in a number of organisations in a professional capacity. There’s always a grave and immediate need for counselling and mental health services in Kelowna. It’s a sad state of affairs, really.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
The abuse and oppression of children, in all of the myriad ways this evil is perpetrated. If I could change two things, the second would be to somehow eliminate pornography from the Internet. People think it is harmless entertainment, but actually many people’s lives are seriously damaged by its excessive use.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Cycling with the Opasons. There are so many trails and riding opportunities. They particularly love riding with me along Mission Park Greenway to the BMX track.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna, to spend some time alone?
If I tell you that, I won’t be alone there anymore! One place I have gone to is the bird sanctuary near Rotary Park.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna, and why?
Having been here 2004 – 2007, and then returning after 7 years in Kuwait, I have to say that Kelowna IS moving in a positive direction. While there continues to be room for improvement, it seems evident to me that the intent and the will is there, and progress will continue.
If you were granted one wish in work or in life, what would it be?
If I could make life easier for my daughters and grandsons, I would. It seems so much more complex and expensive to keep it together than it was when I was a young father. It’s grieving to me to watch many of our young families struggle to find stability and quality of life.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
What a wretched question to ask an Introvert! I’m an online racing freak. I drive really fast cars on the world’s racing circuits, and I’m good. In another life, I’d be a superstar in Formula One.
What is the name of your business/organisation?
William & Associates Consultant Services.
What does your business do?
We provide coaching and counselling to help people rebuild relationships, recover from trauma, repair emotional wounds, and restore quality of life. My speciality is working with men who have sexuality and relationship challenges.
How do people connect with you through social media?
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Google+
(A big big, big ‘thank you’ to Melodie Grace for getting this Introvert connected to the world!)
Where can people find your business online?
At our website, wacs.ca, and our blog at workplacewise.
Why did you get into/start this business?
We wanted the flexibility of a private practice so that we could share our time with our daughters and grandsons. Being grandparents to 4 boys is the best.
What is the goal of your business?
Our goal is to help people learn how to live stronger, work wiser and love deeper.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Back in 2002, my life crashed. I was a very good cabinetmaker and became overwhelmed with chronic pain. This turned out to be Ankylosing Spondylitis which is a disease that ceases up your joints. SoI could not work, had to retrain and retool my life. We came to Kelowna and enrolled in the Kelowna College of Professional Counselling. This began my new career at 40 years old and then I also conquered the AS through pursuing optimum health. A lifestyle change of fitness and proper diet helped to eliminate the pain. God really helped me through the pain, the loss, the depression and the challenges of changing everything in mid-life. Things are pretty awesome now.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I like the path my life has taken and in a do-over, I would just try to waste less time and be kinder to my girls.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping local is great because you get a much more personal experience with a higher level of service, plus the money stays in town.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
John Burke at the Trade Exchange because they are all about shopping local and John is very effective at helping small business owners connect locally, share resources and save money.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
John Burke at the Trade Exchange
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.
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