Meet Brent. Brent is originally from Manitoba and has been living here in Penticton for almost 20 years! He enjoys sampling wine at all the local wineries in the Okanagan and spending some quality time with his family.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I'm originally from Brandon Manitoba but have lived on and off in Penticton since the early 2000s.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Anyone from my family, I have an amazing family that all live in Ontario so anytime I have the opportunity to see them out is great.
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
Sirius Science & Nature, they have just such an amazing selection of toys for kids that are fun and educational.
Describe yourself in one word.
Dedicated.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I’d go to Lahr Germany. My family lived in, at the time, West Germany for four years as a kid, so I’d be interested to see how much it’s changed over the last 30 years.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
Penticton has a little bit of everything so it’s hard to pick one thing, but if I have to, I’d say taking a wine tour through all the local wineries.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I try not to put my embarrassments out there for everyone, and I’m sure there are plenty, but maybe ask me privately and I’ll share.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Such a tough question since there are a lot of inspiring people and events that happen every day. I think I get the most out of watching people making themselves into a success story, the self-made individuals out there.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I have a lot of great memories as a kid but I’d have to say touring through the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France. It just made a lasting impression on me thinking of the sacrifices that others made for us to live like we do today.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I try to give back in lots of different areas. Whether it’s helping those with housing instability or it’s helping with Christmas hampers, I think it’s important that everyone takes the time to support those that need it. Penticton is great for that type of thing, it really makes you appreciate the true feeling of community that you get.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I think we need to strive for more acceptance. There’s too much division in the world these days and I feel that we need to start accepting each other for who they are and starting coming together more rather than the divisiveness we see every time we turn on the news it seems.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
Munson Mountain is a great escape for anyone, hard to beat the view from up there.
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
Penticton has done a good job of addressing some social issues that exist but of course, it seems like there can always be more done. It’s an amazing little community and I think anyone that has spent time in Penticton as a tourist or resident appreciates it appropriately, I'd like to see more people take the time to visit and experience everything that Penticton has to offer.
What do you think makes Penticton great?
I’ve mentioned already the sense of community in Penticton. It’s not so big that you feel disconnected from the people but it’s not so small that you don’t have all the amenities of a big city. It’s really a tight-knit community where you know everyone in it.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, across the southern states and up the eastern seaboard.
2. Visit the far east, I've done Europe and the middle east, so would like to venture a bit further one day.
3. Build a wellness ranch for people that are suffering from mental health challenges.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I’ve visited and lived in Europe and spent time in the middle east.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Social media is becoming kind of the go-to way that people connect. It’s becoming so important to any business to be active and interact with people that it’s almost essential nowadays.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Okanagan Mediation Services Ltd.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I saw a need that existed for people to have an alternative method for resolving disputes prior to engaging in the legal process. Mediation is by in large a relatively new option for people but it’s extremely useful for people whether it’s in dealing with family conflicts, commercial conflict, restorative justice, or any number of situations that call for a neutral party to help guide people to resolution. Mediation isn’t right for every situation, but it’s most definitely an option for people that aren’t at the stage of litigation.
What is the goal of your business?
To help people. At the end of the day, it really comes down to just helping people find a resolution. That brings the most satisfaction to me personally, when you know that people are able to find a resolution that everyone is happy with and brings them a sense of closure and peace.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I think like anyone, it’s about finding the balance between your personal life and your business life. Everyone needs to disconnect a little bit and for me, it’s about making sure I carve out that time to unplug and de-stress.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I think we all are the people we are today because of our successes and failures along the way and the life lessons that we hopefully learn.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Sounds good!" No idea why it just seems like that’s my default saying….
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Don’t waste time, it’s precious. That always stuck with me and I’ve tried to live up to it as best I can by not putting off things that I can do now, and not holding back in how I live.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Wow, tough question, I’d say I’d spend it with the oldest person alive. Just to hear how much things have changed and their perspective on it all would be interesting to me. Plus if they share their tip for living that long, I’d appreciate that too.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Anytime you can support your local community I think it’s important to do so. The small businesses in Penticton are truly the lifeblood of the community and everyone wants to see them succeed so I’m a huge proponent of spending your money within our community when you can.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
That’s a tough question, I don’t spend a lot of time focused on accomplishments so much. They are nice but then it’s right into the next thing so you don’t settle and get satisfied which can kill your desire for more growth.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
So many people deserve a shout out but I’d have to go with Andy Oakes, the President of the Okanagan Hockey Group. Andy was the one that hired me to work for him back when I was coming out to Penticton just for summers, so I feel like I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience and make Penticton home. Andy also showed me how a leader should act and I got to see his habits first hand.
My choice for the PentictonNow In Focus spotlight is:
Bobbi Sloan of Bobbi Sloan Photography. She does amazing work professionally and also is very actively involved in the community and giving back, an excellent ambassador for Penticton.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Penticton is an amazing community. When I first moved to Penticton, I was welcomed into the community with open arms and felt like I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m a proud Manitoban but Penticton has definitely become home and I’m so thankful to be a small part of the community.
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In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
