In Focus | Brenda McBurnie

Meet Brenda McBurnie. She's from Vancouver but has been in Kelowna for about 20 years now.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband Leo, because he is also my best friend. We never fight, we laugh a lot, and we appreciate one another and the time we have together.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Well I'm not much of a shopper, so I tend to avoid stores, but I love the BreadCo on Bernard. Their bread is second to none, staff are friendly and the location is awesome!

Describe yourself in one word.
My husband says 'true'.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Definitely, Vienna, Austria because the coolest thing in the world would be to stand where Mozart and Beethoven stood.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Kelowna's so great I can't pick just one activity! I LOVE walking down Bernard, along with the water and through the park.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Maybe the time I was walking away from a bunch of friends, I was facing them waving goodbye and not looking where I was going. I face-planted into a poll and catapulted myself backwards.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Having my children. Watching them grow up and seeing them now as interesting and successful adults is truly inspiring to me!

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I had been begging my mom for a dog for what seemed like forever. One day when I was about seven my mom came home from work and there was this adorable little dog following her. My eyes lit up. I asked her who's dog that was, she smiled at me and said 'yours'.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
When I was younger I spent a lot of time volunteering at horse stables in Vancouver and at the UBC hospital. As an adult majority of my volunteer time has been with dogs. I volunteered at the SPCA, fostered dogs and cats, joined dog advisory boards such as OKDog and spent countless hours doing community events. Now that I am in the travel world I am actually looking for a volunteer position that relates more to that field, so if anyone knows anything, let me know!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
End intolerance toward the LGBTQ community. It doesn't matter what sex you identify with or who you're attracted to. At the end of the day we all have a journey in this life, nobody has the right to judge anyone else's.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love the forest so often I go hiking in and around Wilden.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see downtown swimming and water access for dogs. It gets so hot in the summer and there's nowhere for dogs to cool down. Kelowna is getting much better but we do need more dog-friendly parks for responsible dog owners.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
There's so much to do here outdoors year round! We have the lake, mountains, forests and bike-friendly roads. 12 months of the year there are outdoor activities! And it's just so clean beautiful here!

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Learn another language
2. Live in another country
3. Drive a Zamboni

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I went to 17 schools between kindergarten and grade 10!

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Yes, I'm on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

What is the name of your business/organization?
I'm a self-employed travel agent with Travel Professionals International

Why did you get into/start this business?
As a certified dog trainer, I opened and ran the very first dog daycare in Kelowna for 15 years. When I sold it my passion for travel took over and I discovered the perks of becoming a travel agent!

What is the goal of your business?
I'd like to inspire people to take risks and explore our great world! Travel wakes you up and makes you a great storyteller!

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or life?
I've dealt with a few major personal tragedies, they've taught me to appreciate my life and the people in it.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I've definitely taken the road less travelled. Looking back I could have done things an easier way, but then I wouldn't have the lessons I have now and I wouldn't be the person I am today. So for that reason, I don't know if I'd change anything.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'Live while you're alive!'

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Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, so live it today. Tomorrow is always in the future, appreciate today every day!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I'm sure most people would pick a celebrity, but if I could pick one person who is alive to spend an entire day with I would pick my best friend from childhood, Laura. She moved to Halifax about 15 years ago and I haven't seen her since.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Small, local businesses are the heart of our community. If we take care of our neighbours we make a stronger community. The stronger we make our community the more we can help take care of the rest of the world.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
As a single mom with small kids at home, I created and started a small business by myself with basically no resources, then proceeded to run it for 15 years and sell it while it was still thriving.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
One of my best friends, Trish! She's overcome some huge health battles over the last few years and she is a true friend and inspiration to me! Love you, Trish!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Elizabeth Easterling, the Dog Chiropractor!

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.

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.