In Focus | Jay Dowhaniuk

Meet Jay. He was born in Edmonton but moved to Kelowna when he was one year old. So he's been in Kelowna for 36 years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My favourite people to spend time with are my wife, Brianne, daughter Charley, son Tucker and chocolate lab named Dolly Parton. They are the light of my life and we have a lot of fun together.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I eat more than I shop so I’d have to say Bamboo Chopsticks Express. Their soups are some of the best in town.

Describe yourself in one word.
Tranquil.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I’ve never been to Europe but I’m fortunate to be going with my wife in April to Italy and France. Being with her in the most romantic city in the world, Paris, will be amazing.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Hands down my favourite activity in Kelowna is mountain biking. We have some of the best trail networks in the world within a 20-minute drive.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
During a business law class, I had to stand up and speak during a debate. My hand was shaking so much that nobody could hear what I was saying over the noise from the notepaper I was holding. I say 'for me' because I’m told that I do a lot of embarrassing things but they only seem to embarrass my wife.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I am most inspired by the positive attitudes people exhibit that are going through some form of hardship in their life, especially cancer. People very close to me have won and lost their battle with cancer. All of them have inspired me to live my life every day like it’s my last.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I don’t think I can name just one favourite childhood memory. Boating on Okanagan Lake, spending time at Seba Beach, Alberta, Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan and our family trips to Maui, Australia and Fiji are all up there.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
When my grandfather passed away a few years ago, he gifted each of his grandchildren some money. In the card, my grandmother wrote 'do good things with this'. I really took that to heart and started thinking of ways I could give back. My passion for cycling led me to enter The Ride to Conquer Cancer where I have raised over $48,000 in the past four years benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation. I’m also on the committee that helps organize Raymond James’ annual Christmas In November fundraising event. In the past four years, this amazing event has raised over $194,000 for local charities like the Food Bank, YMCA, and Foundry.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Humans disrespect for the sustainability of the planet.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Mountain biking Angel Springs trail in Myra Canyon.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More high density in the downtown core and building the multi-modal corridor bypass. Growing up in Kelowna since 1982, downtown was always lifeless after 4:00 pm. Businesses had a tough time surviving because no one lived downtown to support them. To support all of this growth, we desperately need to build the corridor bypass to alleviate pressure along Harvey Ave.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The lake, mountains, weather, people, restaurants, wineries, the list goes on…

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Watch my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow
2. Travel the world
3. Help people

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Once my kids were born, I cry a lot and I can wiggle my ears.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
Johnson Legacy Wealth Management of Raymond James Ltd.

Why did you get into/start this business/organization?
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family I always knew I wanted to be in business for myself and the world of finance always intrigued me.

What is the goal of your business?
We are a boutique full-service provider of wealth management solutions. Our goal is to deliver outstanding service and financial peace of mind. Our clients typically need help protecting their wealth, growing it, earning income from it, and transferring it to future generations.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
My biggest struggle is the fact that not enough people know what we do here at Raymond James. Raymond James is one of North America's leading independent, non-bank owned, full-service investment dealers. It’s said The Big Six Banks’ control approximately 90% of Canadian retail investment accounts. However, in the 2017 Investment Executive client satisfaction report card, Raymond James scored over 50% higher in client satisfaction than the average client satisfaction score of all the bank firms. It’s time people start taking us seriously.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t change a thing.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'We’re here for a good time, not a long time.'

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Don’t sweat the small stuff and to keep things in their proper perspective.

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

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Being a local small business myself, this is very important to me. Shopping locally supports your hard-working friends, family, and neighbours put food on the table, their kids through school, save for retirement, and live a respectable life. It’s these people who deserve our support more than the major 'institutions' making billions of dollars in profit.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
To date, my proudest accomplishment has been my two children. However, that may change depending on how they turn out!

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
It would have to be my wife Brianne Dowhaniuk because she’s truly amazing.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Brianne Dowhaniuk and Sheree Dubé of Hammers & Heels Kelowna.

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 of the people, businesses, and organization that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!