In Focus | Genadiy Selivanov

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?
Genadiy Selivanov, however, everyone I know calls me 'G'.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Kiev, Ukraine. I moved to Montreal when I was 9-years-old, and then to Penticton when I was 11-years-old. I moved to Kelowna last year, but I have been commuting to Kelowna from Penticton for the past 14 years. I enjoy not commuting and getting some extra sleep.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
After my girlfriend and immediate family, I’d have to say my best friend. We always try to do something active like squash, biking, snowboarding etc.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Israel, I really enjoyed the Dead Sea. The high concentration of salt keeps you afloat at all times. The mud around the Dead Sea is allegedly beneficial for the skin, I covered myself in it from head to toe. Afterwards, my hair and skin felt rejuvenated!

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
The Russian Ukrainian Deli on Springfield since it gives me a taste of childhood without having to fly back to Ukraine.

What is your favourite activity?
Tennis in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza! Italian food is awesome!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
In Ukraine, the washroom flush system is quite different from North America. Water runs down, collects your waste and does not rise as it does in Canada. When I first arrived in Canada, I went to the washroom at the airport and was in shock when water kept on rising higher and higher after I pressed the flush button. I quickly ran out of the washroom thinking I caused a nasty flood. I sat there with my mom glancing at the washroom door and waiting for the water to start creeping out, but it never happened. After a few minutes of blushing, I confessed to my mom that I flooded the washroom. My mom had a good chuckle and explained how the flush works in Canada. I was very relieved that I did not cause a major flood.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I used to tutor math in University at the Learning Centre. I had one student who failed the calculus course twice and this was his last chance to pass. He was quite terrified as he needed this course for his degree. After some hard work and lots of explaining, he aced the course with a 90+ grade. The gratitude was overwhelming and it felt fantastic to make such a positive change in someone’s life.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I always wanted but was never allowed to have a pet. One time I saw this cat backed up against a wall by a few wild dogs in Ukraine (wild dogs tend to roam the streets and unlike Canada, there is no SPCA). I rushed in to pick up the cat and gently distanced myself from the dogs. I brought it home and my mom allowed me to keep it in the apartment for a whole week. Then we brought it to a farm where my grandparents lived. Looking back, it never did occur to me that the cat could have belonged to someone else.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I serve on the board of directors for the S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Society, also known as the big white boat in Penticton that is docked on Okanagan Lake. It is a museum and makes a pretty awesome wedding venue.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Make recycling mandatory.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Swimming in the lake every morning, 365 days a year. The polar bear swim is pretty awesome here in Kelowna.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
City Park.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
A highway that goes around the city and not through it.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Okanagan Lake and the mountains.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Swim in every ocean, especially the Arctic Ocean, and sea.
2) Learn how to kite surf
3) Flyboard

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Despite being born in the USSR, I’m proud to be a Canadian and feel very patriotic towards Canada. I also make my own farmer’s cheese.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
Freedom 55 Financial.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I find it rewarding when I present elegant solutions to complex financial problems.

What is the goal of your business?
To bridge the financial gap between a client’s current and desired financial situation.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Gaining trust from new clients. It takes time, but always happens.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would start snowboarding at a younger age.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'You can just call me “G”.'

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My childhood hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It reduces your environmental footprint and keeps a healthy local tax base.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Not giving up and staying in my career for so many years despite having a challenging start.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Theo Bryant! Theo is one of the most positive people I know and is always up for a day of snowboarding. Theo is a 'yes' man!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Rauf Bunyatov, owner of Print Factory.

Some general comments I would like to share are
Regardless of household income, households with a financial advisor have 4-10 times more in investable assets. Financial literacy is important.

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.