In Focus | Jennifer Komar

Meet Jennifer Komar. Jennifer wasn't born in the Kelowna, but she has lived here since she was twelve years old! She is all about having fun during the summer and supporting those trying to make it in the art world!

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was originally born and raised in Nelson B.C, relocating to the Okanagan Valley when I was 12. After spending a year in Budapest, Hungary, my family and I finally settled to the West Kelowna/Kelowna area in 2004.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My family. My cultural background is Hungarian, so enjoying quality time in conversation, exercise and creativity with those closest is something I really value in my life and hold dear to my heart. They keep me grounded and push me to be my best self.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Georgie Girl Vintage. With my hand being in the vintage pot as well, its a blessing to be able to dig for new pieces and creative inspiration, all while recycling and consigning pieces from my own personal closet in exchange. Continuous good vibes flow.

Describe yourself in one word.
Eclectic.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Budapest, Hungary. Not only because this city holds my most cherished childhood memories, but also because from a creative perspective, this city is on fire. Seeing the old-world mixed with this up and coming progressive new generation is truly inspiring.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Summer beach time. The sweetness of doing nothing all while enjoying the sun shining on my face, toes dug deep in the sand. Me living my best life with some sort of frozen dessert treat in hand, or charcuterie board close by my side. Bliss at its finest.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
A year-end grade-school field trip. I thought I knocked all of my teeth out tripping and during a team building activity where we had to rope swing blindfolded. I ended up with a mouth full of dirt, my classmates witnessing a very mortifying experience.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Earlier this May, I started personal training 2x a week with my partner and stepson. We go every Monday and Friday morning as a family. Taking a second now to reflect on where we all started to where each one of us stands individually now is quite inspirational. Personally, the impact that this style of fitness has done to my overall confidence, health, strength and stamina has been life-changing. My body awareness has increased, which has been such a blessing for me since I've always felt co-ordination to be a bit of a struggle and personal challenge. Training serves as motivation for me to stay on course, remain accountable for my choices and most importantly to breathe! It has been so positive and fulfilling for the family home dynamic as well, all of us working together as a team and showing up for one another even when those challenging and uncomfortable situations arise. Exercising together keeps us grounded. It has been helping each of us release that unwanted, built-up tension. If emotional energy is left unattended, it can so often put a damper on family life and contribute to an overall negative mindset. Personal training has changed my relationship with not only my family but with my self for the better, and I am forever grateful for the experience so far.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Okanagan summertime as a child was always spent camping out at my Grandma's house in Penticton. I was always either at the beach or playing amongst nature outside in the sunshine. It was a time when smart phones and social media ceased to exist, so imagination was all that I had as entertainment. I like to reminisce on how simple yet fulfilling those seasonal visits to my Grandma's were. To this day, those memories consistently serve as a gentle reminder for myself to continue to cherish the little things in life.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Aside from my creative line of work, I have been working at a financial institution for the past 7.5 years. As a result, I've been fortunate to be able to work in an environment that prides itself in partaking in numerous fundraising campaigns, such as the United Way and B.C Children's Hospital. Within branch, I have contributed in various ways throughout the years. Being branch champion for United Way one year, or donating books to the B.C Children's Hospital book drive in another, I always do my best to give back and donate to the less fortunate. It feels good, and it keeps the flow of positive energy and good karma going! If we all make a conscious effort to do our part, a difference can be made in another's life for the better.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Fast Fashion. I have a really hard time supporting cheap labor, mass consumerism, and environmental waste. It's a major factor to why I started dabbling in vintage. I was over seeing the same piece of clothing in 6574 slightly different variations.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Paul's Tomb. It's a great way to mentally unwind and dedicate some time with self. Whenever I am going through the motions, either feeling anxious, experiencing creative block or feelings of insecurity, the trail always brings a new found sense of light.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More public wall art! I feel Kelowna as a city does such a good job at promoting local businesses, but we really could take it one step further and place more emphasis on promoting local artists by having their art placed permanently on buildings. Their work would now have the opportunity to be open to all eyes of the public. There is so much artistic talent residing n Kelowna, it would be another great way that our community could support creativity and self-expression. Not to mention it would have a really cool influence on Kelowna's growth as a city on an aesthetic level. It's a pretty special experience to be able to view the world through another's eyes in the form of permanent art installations. What a good look it could be for Kelowna's future.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The support for local artists within our community. It's so refreshing and gratifying to be able to live in a city where there are so many amazing new businesses sprouting up on the daily, through creative collab,it will continue to fuel Kelowna's growth.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Burning Man: I'm really into that Mad Max/Grindhouse look at the moment, so I can only imagine the mecca of creative inspiration that festival would be for me. Pure, absolute, magic.
2. Sturgis: So I've heard that the leather vendors down there are unreal. And let's not even get into the vintage...
3. Istanbul: I've been quite fortunate to have been able to travel already quite a bit within Europe, but I've yet to see and explore this gem with my own eyes. Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia would be absolutely spectacular, especially mixed with all that surrealistic landscape. I'd be jaw wide open in awe the whole ride.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm an extroverted introvert.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram: @jakstylevintage
Facebook: Jenn Komar

What is the name of your business/organization?
JakStyle Vintage.

Why did you get into/start this business?
John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The opening scene in the movie where he's strutting down the street in Brooklyn with "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees wailing in the background. He rocks those bellbottoms like nobody's business, its the ultimate vibe.


What is the goal of your business?
To curate premium vintage pieces that have an element of magic and iconic nostalgia. The kind that puts a huge smile on its wearer's faces everytime its rocked.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Striving to always overachieve. I find myself often over analyzing, whether it be a custom design or a recent judgement call. I have to breathe and kindly remind myself that nothing is ever perfect, and as human, we are constantly growing and learning.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I feel the series of events that have led me up to now have all been true deciding factors in the person that I am today. Life will always be full of learning curves, so I do my best to embrace who I am now in this moment versus trying to change the past

What do you always find yourself saying?
1) Living my best life. 2) Dear. 3) Vintage.

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Always believe that you hold a very special piece of creative fire that can change the world.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Stevie Nicks. The woman is an absolute legend, not only as a musician but also as a style icon. I really admire how she is able to romance and create this signature look that sits in- between a witchy and bohemian vibe. She's been a huge influence on my current gravitation towards the type of vintage pieces I source: black, lace, velvet and leather. Stevie just has this forever sparkle and classic way of setting the mood, whether that be through her voice or through her personal style.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Your support and fuel the creative thinkers, movers & owners behind small craft trade businesses. A karmic exchange as well, that you believe in what they are doing and want to support them in changing the world by investing in their business.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Venturing into the art of customizing leather. I re-work vintage leather jackets into one of a kind pieces using studs and patches. It has opened up doors for inner creativity & artistic self-expression. It has become a new personal passion of mine.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Lars Widell-He's an amazing tattoo artist within our local Kelowna community. His perspective on balancing life and art is truly inspiring. He's really good at living in the now, and if it feels good in his heart, just going for it! A pretty special guy.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
@lawtattoos

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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!