In Focus | Linsey Valeriote

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?
Linsey Valeriote.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in Penticton, and then lived for quite a while in Vancouver. I’ve lived in Kelowna since 2004.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I love the days I get to spend with my parents. My dad is super calm, an amazing problem solver and just restful to be around. My mom is a life-long student and she always has something new and interesting to share. They’re both incredibly supportive of me and accept me exactly where I’m at, even though I’m pretty sure they think I’m crazy a lot of the time!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I just learned about The Literary Man, a hotel in Portugal with a massive library. I’m a huge reader so a combination of books and Portugal sounds like a pretty amazing trip.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Bella Boutique. I find shopping difficult at best and Sarah and her staff always know exactly what I should buy.

What is your favourite activity?
Reading and knitting are big ones. After that, something active like skiing, soccer, yoga or hiking.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Somewhere in the depths of the internet, there are websites I designed 20 years ago. I’m a little afraid that looking at them today would make most people’s eyes bleed. There’s likely at least one burning logo.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I think most people who are creative for a living would agree that inspiration rarely just shows up unannounced; you really have to go out searching for it. As a result, we’re kind of trained to locate inspiring things all the time. It’s difficult to pick one particular memory because I tend to get all wrapped up in things like the colour of the light or watching someone cook or listening to a podcast and I end up down a rabbit hole.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I have some really great memories of my English grandfather. He thought my brother and I were the most amazing children and I always knew he was incredibly proud of us. Even if I disagreed with him, I never doubted that he loved me. He was very superstitious and was always telling us odd tales and rhymes about everything from magpies to faeries. He was continually sparking my imagination.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I believe that strong design can help people take your organization more seriously and make an impact in raising awareness. Unfortunately, when budgets are tight, it’s often something that gets cut or isn’t even considered. I allocate time to helping people and organizations that have a great idea or cause, but wouldn’t be able to afford professional branding and design.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
More/cheaper/better access to education. I believe a broader worldview and a better understanding of others would create a more empathetic planet.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
It’s a toss-up between hiking and wine tasting. A day where I can do both is pretty awesome.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Big White. I love getting there when the lifts open and a lot of the skiers are still asleep.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see communities inside communities, so neighbourhoods being built around some sort of commercial centre; markets, community space, services etc. I’d like to do less driving and put my money into supporting local entrepreneurs.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
My favourite thing about Kelowna is that it keeps surprising me. Whenever I start to feel like things are the same, I discover a new event, a new business, or a new outdoor activity I had no idea was here.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I used to be really into making toys. I love 'The Secret Toy Society', a group who leaves handmade toys in public places for the finder to take home. I thought that would be a fun way to spread some joy. Sadly, my children claimed everything I made before I could give it away. It’s still in my future plans though.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
LV Creative.

Why did you get into/start this business?
A publicly available internet was just becoming a thing when I graduated from art school. Design and code seemed a great way to combine my artistic learnings with my logical brain.

What is the goal of your business?
I help entrepreneurs and small businesses with branding and design so they can attract more of their perfect people.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Focus! There are always so many opportunities (both in work and life), it can be a challenge to narrow down what can fit in a week.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I really, really dislike having to do things over, so I’d definitely resent having to start again. I believe life is a series of lessons to be learned so I suspect that even if I changed everything, I’d end up in much the same place.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'I’ve just got to go to the grocery store'. Also, 'Do you have homework?' and 'Hang up your jacket'.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I’m probably meant to select someone famous and influential, but the truth is that I don’t get to see my friends nearly enough. I would definitely choose them.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
My work is focused around helping entrepreneurs succeed so supporting the local ones is super important to me. I also think that seeing your neighbours build something from scratch is super inspiring. I’d love to see more of it.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My kids always make me proud. They are smart, strong, confident people with great senses of humour. They are some of my favourite humans.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I have a lot of friends who are teachers and I see how dedicated they are to the kids that they work with. My own kids have had some amazing teachers who have made a huge difference in how they learn, how they think and how they experience school and life. Good teachers are a treasure.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Stacey Luckin.

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.