In Focus | Dale Conway

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?
Dale Conway.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m originally from St. John’s Newfoundland, but I have lived in Kelowna since 1997.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Without a doubt, my wife. She is my best friend and the support structure for our family. She keeps us all grounded and focused on what matters most, each other.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Somewhere warm. While I love the Okanagan, I’m not a fan of winter. I’d probably pick Jamaica right now as I have always wanted to go, but I haven’t had the chance yet.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Bean Scene Coffee Works. Not only do they have amazing coffee, they are also very environmentally conscious. But don’t take my word for it, stop in for a cup and check out 'Woody' while you’re there.

What is your favourite activity?
Longboarding with my kids.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
I’m a sucker for a juicy burger!

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Going to my grandparents house every Sunday for Jiggs dinner. As a Newfoundland tradition, family always came together on Sunday for dinner and it was a big family!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
As a member of West Kelowna Fire Rescue, I have spent the last 11 years of my life working alongside some of the most community-minded and selfless individuals in the Okanagan. My time with this department has given me so much appreciation for our community and how we bind together when we face adversity.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Our reliance on fossil fuels.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I know this may sound contradictory as I don’t like the winter, but man have I had a lot of fun skiing Big White this year!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
The benches at City Park. I could literally sit there for hours watching the boats and clouds pass by. Always reminds me why I love living here so much.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I have been really impressed by the progression of the downtown core over the past few years, and I would love to see this continue. This area has so much natural beauty as an attraction for locals and tourists alike.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The sense of community. I have been fortunate enough to see Kelowna thrive through some very trying times. This community, despite its differences, always amazes me when confronted with difficulty. I also challenge you to find another city in which the locals are as proud to call home.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Buy a Harley, I can hardly wait for the Livewire. Yes, Harley is making an electric motorcycle!
Become a Grandparent. Not too soon though kids… I’m serious.
Build our dream house.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have an edgy side and I’m pretty good at disguising it. Not many would picture me with tattoo’s riding a Harley on the way to go skydiving.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook
Twitter

What is the name of your business/organization?
Current Taxi Ltd.

Why did you get into/start this business?
As someone who has worked in hospitality my whole career, I have long recognized that the taxi industry needed a customer-centric and environmentally responsible option. People have seemed to accept that taxi service is simply getting moved from A to B. I know it can be so much more than that, so we set out to prove it.

What is the goal of your business?
In one hashtag, we want to #changethwayyouride. We provide a high-level taxi service using luxury Tesla vehicles that are environmentally friendly, along with the ease of booking over an app or our website. We want to change the way people think about taxi services while helping our community reach its sustainability goals. Transportation can be responsibly current.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Taking the leap off the entrepreneurial cliff. I thoroughly enjoyed my previous career so walking away from it after almost two decades to start our own business was very difficult.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I am too happy with my life to wish anything different.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'Like I said'. Oddly enough, I often catch myself saying it at the start of a conversation.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
That’s easy, Elon Musk! Not only is he behind the beautiful Teslas our fleet is made up of, he has a vision of making the world more environmentally friendly, and we are hoping to make that vision a reality.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Kelowna is filled with so many good businesses that are locally owned and operated because of the strength of this community and the progression that it has proven. If we want this to continue, we need to support the organizations that foster our values and feed our local economy.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
That’s even easier, watching my kids grow into beautiful and kind people.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Stan Walt of Chances Kelowna. I have never met a man that cares as much about his customers as Stan. I was fortunate enough to work alongside him for several years and it's time that I will always value, as will my customers.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Lindsay Rainbird from Accent Inn.

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.