In Focus | Christine Bay

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?
Christine Bay.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in a small logging town in southeast BC called Canal Flats. I spent my twenties in Calgary, but realized that a long-term home for us had to be back in BC. My 4-year-old daughter and I arrived to Kelowna in Summer of 2008.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Easy! My partner in life and business, Mike. I had written myself a note at 26, which read: 'Universe, I know there will be hard days ahead of me, and days when I just want to give up, but I also know that one day, you will reward me with unknown joy.'

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Leavenworth, WA, and not for the onions either. We discovered it by fluke taking the scenic Cascades way home from Seattle this August Long. It is like rolling into Switzerland in the middle of Nevada! 'JGI' (Just Google it).

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Mosiac Books downtown on Bernard. I have a journalism degree, so I’m a book nut by default. Knowledge is empowerment though, and combined with drive, then anything is possible! Their staff are always so friendly and helpful, too.

What is your favourite activity?
Being alone and I don’t mean at home watching Netflix; I mean reading, paddle boarding, biking, walking my Frenchie or driving my car. I give a lot to those around me and being alone is how I regroup.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Always tacos (fish) with slaw! Yum, especially with a side of Corona and a lime wedge.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
It’s ongoing! Sometimes I accidentally spit, usually during meetings unfortunately.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I was one of six kids out of 375 applicants from across Canada selected for a Cultural Exchange trip to Hong Kong in 1997. It taught me you don’t know what is possible unless you first try. I have maintained that go big or someone else will attitude in life.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I have two: Christmas Eve dinners at Grandma Bay’s, it was a Ukrainian-married-Russian-match-in-heaven, really, and USA summer camping road trips with my parents and brother.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Usually I choose to align with organizations that are coordinated individuals impacting many people, or, otherwise it’s sports-based. I loved coaching my daughter’s U11 soccer team in Lake Country, and I belonged to the City of Kelowna, Women’s and Community Advisory team from 2009 – 2011 as well as the Central Okanagan Foundation, (2010 – 2015), as a Grant’s Committee review member. Today, I enjoy visiting with the elderly and just listening to their stories. I also donate all my bottle returns now to the Lake Country Food Bank.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I’d snap my fingers and we would instantly have more women leaders in politics and in command of countries, especially-the-super-power-leading-ones. The world would eventually be a better place for all mankind.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Road biking around the beautiful vistas early in the morning or late evening. It’s my latest sport and I just love it! High-five to Tamara Stone for taking me out on my virgin-ride.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Can’t say, it’s mine. You’ll have to get your own.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More affordable housing is an obvious one, but I’d also love to see more fun and safe places for teenagers to go hang out at... that’s not the mall, theatre, or someone else’s house.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Water, weather and wine.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
See Italy, Croatia and Greece.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
G-rated: I have terrible printing, it’s a cross between printing, handwriting and journalism short-hand.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram
LinkedIn

What is the name of your business/organization?
SEEBAY Design and Consulting has morphed into a full-service business and development company today for small to medium-sized business owners who want to grow but aren’t sure where to start, or are too overwhelmed to handle the day-to-day needs, and start.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I like helping entrepreneurs. It happened organically, as I laid down successful track work-records with clients starting in 2008. Right now, I’m fortunate and stoked to be working side-by-side with Shawn and Carlee Wiebe of Eternal Timber and Design.

What is the goal of your business?
Essentially, I drive business including the work of others to ensure things run efficiently and that a large profit is achieved. Inspiring greatness in all of us, working with customers and the teams that service them is my true passion!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Parenting. The world is just so different now, sometimes I wish we could transport our kids back to the 90s, back to the past, honestly!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
If life was only like those 'Choose Your Own Adventure' storybooks - remember reading these? I'm living my authentic life, but all we ever really know is the present. It's too bad that fear holds many of us back, and from discovering all what is possible.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Don’t be sorry, unless you really are.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Jennifer Aniston. Girl crush, admitted.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Sustainability breaks down to the simple science of expense vs. profit for business owners. All of us should try to consciously purchase our needs, daily and locally, wherever and as much as possible.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Learning to live, survive and thrive with depression.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Cara, with Quantas, who is an electrician working on our new home and I’m calling her out because she gets the 'I keep my work area and job site the cleanest award'. It's appreciated!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Allison Ramchuk because of her joyous attitude and incredible impact she makes for the community here. She’s my longest bestie, and when we made that solemn pact to move here ten years ago together, all of this was unknown!

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Cut yourself some slack. You’re human. Tell three people a day something kind and unexpected – you have no idea how badly they need to hear it. In business, I’ve learned it is always easier to speak then to listen. And in closing, try to want what you have, right now, because it will never be this way again. Time marches on.

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