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In Focus | Chad Haller

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?
Chad Haller

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m part of the rare breed that was born and raised in Kelowna!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My fiancée and business partner, Jillian. Whether it’s discussing business strategies, playing a round of golf or eating way too much sushi at home, we spend most of our time laughing and joking together. She keeps me focused and pushes me to be a better person in business and life.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Honestly, with the launch of our business, I would spend my time traveling throughout the Okanagan Valley to find the most unique and incredible experience to share with our guests.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Big fan of Mediterranean Market. Pick up some meats, cheeses and a bottle (or 3) of wine and I am set for the weekend.

What is your favourite activity?
I am big into sports: hockey, softball, volleyball, golf – any sport that you can meet for a beer after!

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Is there such thing as a burger/taco/pizza? I feel that is like picking your favourite child!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I do not embarrass easy. I am usually the first to laugh at myself. Tripping upstairs, waving back at someone that is waving to a person behind you. The usual stuff, nothing epic.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The support of the community, my friends and family in starting Kelowna Concierge inspires me every day!

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Spending countless days and nights at Christina Lake, travelling with my family and sport tournaments throughout the province. I was very lucky to have had many opportunities to explore and learn as a child.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I’ve been involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Canada, participated in the Arthritis Walk and 24hr Relay and we are looking at some new fundraising initiatives with Kelowna Concierge, stay tuned!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That people would be more considerate to each other. Being different is okay, let’s embrace that! Everyone has a story to tell and can bring positive change to the world if they are given the chance.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Our Sunday Funday tour was born from this type of question! Starting with brunch somewhere delicious, followed by a wine, beer and spirits tasting. Kelowna has so many amazing spots to visit with incredible stories, I enjoy exploring new places.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I really don’t like alone time, so I would sneak away to somewhere with people! Maybe the mission sports field to take in a softball game or cheer on the Kelowna Rockets. Anywhere I can be social.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More entry-level career positions for people right out of university and college. So that grads aren’t moving to Vancouver/Calgary to start their careers. We are starting to attract new businesses with the Centre for Innovation, but we can do more to bring these types of companies to Kelowna.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The four true seasons. Snowy winters and hot summers with beautiful spring and fall in between. Each season brings new activities to do and adventures to have. Where else can you ski at Big White in the morning and play a round of golf in the afternoon?

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Create a bucket list
2) Travel to all 30 major league baseball stadiums (two down, 28 to go!)
3) Skate along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am an ordained minister in the State of Washington! I preformed the ceremony for my step-brother and his wife at Veranda Beach, I’m now known as Chaplain Chad.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
Kelowna Concierge.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I’ve been in hospitality my whole life and earned my business degree at Okanagan College and always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Kelowna Concierge was the perfect opportunity for me to use my knowledge of Kelowna and guest service experience to show visitors our incredible city.

What is the goal of your business?
'We plan. You play' is our tag line and pretty much sums up our business. Our mission is to save our guests time by planning for them, so they have more time to enjoy the Okanagan Valley!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Having the confidence to start our own business. Really believing in our ideas and that the hard work is worth it!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I have made so many decisions on a whim and everything has brought me here, so I truly do believe that everything happens for a reason.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'You're almost there.' It is more of an internal thing that I say when there is a big hill to climb or a project that seems impossible. Create a point half way up and do everything you can to reach that point. By this time, you are closer to the top than the bottom so you might as well keep going.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would choose Wayne Gretzky. He is the greatest NHL player of all time and I am sure he would have some amazing dressing room stories to tell. He also has some good golf connections so maybe we could play a round at Augusta or Pebble Beach, he would pay of course!

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Support local business! Especially in years like this with the flooding and now fires, we all need to support each other locally and encourage our guests and tourists to do the same.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Earning my business degree. After high school, I really didn’t want to further pursue school, it took me five and a half years to get it done, but am so glad that I did!

Give someone you think that deserves a shout out and explain why!
Shout out to my business partners and best friends Jon De Bruyne, Jessica Eldridge and Jillian Wegner. They each bring a unique skill set to Kelowna Concierge and together we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. When there are tough days, these three make it better with their encouraging words and tireless work to ensure we are successful.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Michael Buffett with the Start Fresh Project!

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am so lucky to have been raised in Kelowna and am proud to still call it home today. There are so many amazing people and businesses in this community and we are finally being recognized for this worldwide. I have seen the transition over the last decade where Kelowna has changed from a retirement community to a vibrant centre with culture, fresh ideas and innovation. I am excited to see where we will go next! Thank you KelownaNow for allowing me to share my story.

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.



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