Meet Jordan & Taylor! They have lived a nomadic lifestyle since graduating from high school (since then they've lived in Europe, Hong Kong, and South Africa). But they have always been tied to the Okanagan, and can't be more excited to start putting roots down back home!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Grew up in Penticton, been back in the Okanagan for only 6 months!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Our families and friends.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Funktional - they sell super cute stuff, including my sister's handmade jewellery!
Describe yourselves in one word.
Nomadic
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Cape Town - good wine, food, surfing, and sunshine.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Golfing
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
These are the moments we try to forget! So we're having a little trouble coming up with something.. haha
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When we first tried living in our campervan "Sven" full time in Vancouver.
It was a breath of fresh air to purge our belongings and dwindle it all down to what really matters. Jordan was in law school at the time, and Taylor owned and operating his own online marketing business. We would work out first thing in the morning (mainly to use the shower facilities), then go to school/work all day until we no longer needed wifi. Coming home at the end of the day to an "unplugged" home helped us read more, spend quality time together, and be more creative with our cooking and meal prep!
We were so inspired by the experience we decided to build a business around our passion for vanlife :)
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Hiking into a secret camping spot at teenagers. After hauling all of our gear (including a very large and very full cooler) for almost 2 hours, we finally made it a serene spot with epic views around a small lake.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Taylor volunteers with a solar energy startup based in South Africa (he starting volunteering for them while we were living in Cape Town this past year).
Jordan has been known to help out with local food and wine events and participate in beach cleanups. She also loved volunteering for a rescue dog initiative in South Africa, which helped home hundreds of rescues via pop ups around Cape Town.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
More free parking!
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Up the dirt roads behind Bear Creek for great views overlooking Kelowna.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More affordable housing options for young people. Also better transit alternatives to reduce traffic!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Lifestyle - no matter the season.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A trip to the Territories in Northern Canada, driving a campervan all the way to Argentina, and snowboarding in Japan.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Our first campervan, "Leroy" was from France. We drove him down to Senegal, then up to Estonia, and back to France before selling him and flying back home. He was our inspiration to build our own campervan when we got back.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
Curious Campervans
Why did you get into/start this business?
The timing was right for us to start something new, and we thought "why not do something we love?"
What is the goal of your business?
Create a fun, comfortable lifestyle where we can work for ourselves and share our passion.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Working with your significant other is always a challenge! But we've grown exponentially together from the experience already.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Hindsight is 20/20, so I'm sure we'd do things a little differently, but we have no regrets!
What do you always find yourself saying?
Yes!
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Travel.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Any one of our friends currently living abroad or on the other side of the country, who we don't get to see often enough :)
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Not only more unique products, but supporting small businesses instead of chains is an easy way to redistribute wealth.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Building our first campervan "Sven" back in 2012!
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Michelle Johnson! She works incredibly hard, always supports local businesses, and creates amazing fun events in Kelowna and around!
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