In Focus | Jaz Grewal

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?
Jaz Grewal.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Punjab, India. I completed my high school years in Winnipeg and have been living in Kelowna since the summer of 2011.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Nothing beats spending quality time with my lovely fiancé, Dalraj Boparai. She’s my best friend, she’s kind and she makes me a better person each and every day. She brings light into my life and I love to be around her whenever I can.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Well, due to this long winter we had this year, I would have to say anywhere tropical and warm at this point.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
My Neighbourhood Restaurant on Hwy 33, best breakfast you could ever eat. My fiancé introduced it to me and I have been hooked ever since. Great service, atmosphere and most importantly, great food.

What is your favourite activity?
Spending time at the gym, I love putting on some music and escaping. It’s a great way to relieve any stress and at the same time stay healthy and in shape.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
I am a big time foodie so it is hard to pick, but I'd have to say pizza is the classic choice. It’s versatile and never disappoints. Kelowna has great pizza options, like Bordello’s located downtown.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I’m sure embarrassing things happen to everyone on the daily, they sure do for me. It’s normal to be embarrassed, I tend to try to forget about the embarrassing moments.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
There are many people in my life that have provided inspiration, such as my parents, my fiancé and my mentors. Recently, I was inspired in a new, unusual way. I was inspired by reading, which is something I normally do not have time for. I began reading books that provide mentorship regarding business practices and life choices. These books provided great inspiration at a time when I was making big career changes and the moment I needed the most inspiration to feel secure about these life changes. If anyone is looking for a great read, I would recommend The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was a very accident prone child growing up. I was always getting myself into trouble and my parents were constantly driving me to the hospital for stitches or casts. One memory that stood out was when my friends and I were acting mischievous, we were 12-years-old at the time, and we decided to skip school on a sunny day to go to the water park. We almost got away with it except when I decided to run up a waterslide, I slipped and chipped my tooth. Needless to say, my friends and I never skipped school again.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Kelowna is a phenomenal city that has many opportunities that give back and allow people to contribute to our community. I support our communities by partaking in local fundraisers and donating to local charities, especially those that provide our kids with outdoor activities such as the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, the Fat Cat Festival and the Rutland May Day’s Parade. I think it’s great to provide our kids with activities and opportunities to get out of the house and away from this tech obsessed world.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would add more love and compassion into the world. We do live in a world that can be very dark at times, and very hostile towards other cultures and people that differ from you. I think the world as a whole could use some more light and kindness.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Kelowna offers a wide variety of lifestyles to get out. I love hiking up Knox Mountain and I enjoy walking the boardwalk downtown on warm sunny days.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
We are lucky to be living by a beautiful lake. It’s easy to find a nice secluded spot by the water when I want to sneak away. It’s a perfect combination of spending time alone and appreciating our beautiful city.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I love the positive expansion of our downtown area. I feel as if our locals are receiving more opportunity to expand their businesses and we are provided more local and fresh options to our community, as well as those who visit our city. My fiancé and I love to visit local restaurants and support this change, therefore, I would love to see more of that in Kelowna.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather in Kelowna is the main reason I love living here and why I think it is great. Kelowna is one of those cities that accommodate to every season, from winery and beach activities in the summer, to snowboarding at Big White in the winter.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Go skydiving
2) Tour the Seven Wonders of the World
3) Learn to surf

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am a certified personal trainer. Although I have a career in the finance industry, I went to school for Human Kinetics which then inspired me to become a certified personal trainer. Helping people stay healthy, as well as keeping myself healthy is a passion of mine.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Mobile Mortgage Specialist, Bank of Montreal.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I got into the financial industry as a customer service representative and eventually moved up to become a financial service representative which offered a wide variety of experience in lending and investments. I eventually found interest in the mortgage business when I began helping the clients in-branch. Seeing a smile on someones face when you help them get into a home motivated me to pursue this career. This job gives me the flexibility to work whenever and wherever the clients require me to be.

What is the goal of your business?
Buying a home is an important and stressful moment in an individual’s life, my goal is to make that process as easy and as convenient as possible to help reduce any stress or concern. With access to competitive borrowing solutions, I work with clients to help them understand their options and find the right solution to suit their unique needs.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Finding the right balance between work and life can be challenging at times as they can overlap quite a bit.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I do not have any regrets. I believe that everything happens for a reason and every experience and obstacle has helped shaped me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t change a thing if I had the opportunity.

What do you always find yourself saying?
I find myself saying my favourite quote quite often: 'He who says he can, and he who says he can’t are both usually right'.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My fiancé. She makes every day wonderful.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Kelowna is such a phenomenal community when it comes to local produce and activities, it would be a shame if we didn’t take advantage of that. From wines to local restaurants, our local community provides a wide variety of choices. Shopping locally is a win-win situation for Kelowna, we as consumers receive amazing products and the local businesses have constant customers.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Completing my undergrad degree has been my greatest accomplishment. After all those long hours studying in the library and all the sleepless nights, it was all worth it once I received my degree.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I’d like to give a shout out to my dad, Kushkismet Grewal. He has constantly provided me with an example of what hard work is. I have grown up seeing him waking up at 4am every day, and never once have I heard him complain. He works hard for our family, and returns home from work every day with a smile on his face. I aspire to be as hard-working as he is.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Angela Betteridge of Angela Betteridge Jewelry in downtown Kelowna. She’s an experienced jeweller and a kind person. Her business is a local one that definitely deserves a spotlight.

Some general comments I would like to share are
Whether you are purchasing a first home or your next home, choosing the right mortgage is an important undertaking. As a service-focused, home financing specialist, I have the experience and expertise to provide you with sound advice. I am ready to advise you from start to finish on applying for a pre-approved mortgage, financing your first or next home and any renovations, refinancing a mortgage loan or tapping into the equity in your current home or any other home financing matter. For a convenient appointment, day or night, home or office, contact me today!

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.