In Focus | Reece Tomlinson of Intraline Medical Aesthetics Ltd.

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?
Reece Walker Tomlinson.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm originally from Winnipeg, and I have lived in Kelowna for almost two years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My son. He is so much fun to be around and is an inspiration.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I think I would go hiking and climbing in Iceland. It's one place I have always wanted to go but haven’t yet had the chance.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Probably ONE Boardshop. I like the stuff they sell and the people that work there.

What is your favourite activity?
I have a few…climbing, boarding, and just being outdoors in general.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Burgers for sure. Although, they would have to be gluten-free.

What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Hiking in Myra-Bellevue or all the great spots to climb. Kelowna is an outdoor paradise and there are so many hidden gems.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I’ve been blessed to work, and mentor, with a lot of great people. However, I recently completed an EO program in Boston at MIT which changed my world and really opened my eyes to what is possible.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Spending time camping with my grandfather.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I spend a lot of time working with the entrepreneurial community to help grow and foster local start-ups and businesses. In addition, through Intraline, we are members of 1% For the Planet, which is something I am very passionate about. This organization sees that 1% of our sales go directly to organizations working to improve our environment.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That is a tough one…I am a huge proponent of education, getting people outdoors, and protecting the environment. I would want to change our views about the natural world and business. I believe that they can, in fact, go hand-in-hand and I think that environmental protection is the biggest challenge we all face. However, until we change our views regarding how we interact with the environment, we cannot solve this problem.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Not sure if I can pinpoint one favourite activity, as there are so many great things to do in Kelowna, but I would have to say that I love all the hikes in the valley.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I would get out on my paddleboard or go for a hike in Okanagan Mountain Park.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Kelowna needs to have more affordable housing options to attract young families and workers who want to lay their roots in the valley. Also, I would like to see an increased focus on preserving the green space around the city.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I’ve been to 22 countries in the past two years.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Intraline Medical Aesthetics Ltd.

What does your business do?
We specialize in supplying, manufacturing, and selling injectable and implantable products for medical, as well as medical aesthetic, purposes.

How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Twitter or Linkedin are the best ways to reach me.

Where can people find your business online?
intraline.com

Why did you get into/start this business?
With a background in running and growing businesses, I was brought on board to run the business from day one. I was drawn to this business because our products have the ability to positively impact people's lives.

What is the goal of your business?
The goal of our business is to bring great medical products to the market that make people more confident. From a corporate perspective, our goal is to be a recognized brand in our industry with our headquarters in Kelowna. Currently, we have offices in Kelowna and London, UK. We are actively selling in 7 countries and want to be in 50 within five years.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Being honest, I would do things the same. Everything that happens in life is a blessing if you believe it so.

Why do you think it is important to shop local?
Local business has proven to add more to the local community in terms of jobs, taxes, etc. and I believe that buying local is hugely important for not only the local economy but also for the health of the planet.

Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Jesse Brown from the Unite Project is a really interesting young entrepreneur who is doing some really cool stuff here in Kelowna.

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.