In Focus | Karolina and Nathan

Meet Karolina and Nathan! They're a local couple, originally from Ontario, who own Bar None Events - a full-spectrum bartending service for a range of events!



Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
We are both from Ontario but have lived here for 8 years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with?
Well, each other, and our baby, but if we annoy each other, our best friends or the bartender at the local pub (haha).

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Right now, we love FarmBound Zero waste. We get all of our diffuser oils there and are trying to be more sustainable at home.

Describe yourself in one word.
Persevering and patient (for both of us).

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
An island. In the sun.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
We love walks. we LOVE walking the waterfront, city park, going into local bars and cafes, and climbing Knox, of course. We named our baby after that mountain. Small but mighty.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Many embarrassing and traumatic things have happened but they're not to be shared. Some involve catheters and pee bags, others falling at the bar... still others include cruising through Facebook photos from 2006...

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Our baby - what a whirlwind of emotions. It is such a blessing to care about something other than ourselves. Egos run wild in this day and age - it's crazy how much perspective one can glean thinking about your child's future life and future years. It motivates you to be better, and do better, in a lot of ways. We know not everyone is so fortunate and we acknowledge how lucky we are. We don't take the responsibility lightly.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Nate - when my grandfather taught me how to drive, illegally, on a back road in small town Ontario when I was 12. Picked up my sister from hockey practice while my grandpa pretend he couldn't see the road. Got her good.



Where do you volunteer or give back in the community?
I (Kare) try to work with Elizabeth Fry as often as possible. I am not qualified to do much other than sometimes volunteer, and sometimes write some stuff for them, but I want to help whichever way I can. Together, we are also donating all of our proceeds from recycling cans and bottles from events to local mental health and addictions initiatives.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Oh, empathy. I think our biggest problem is a lack of empathy and surplus of greed. If we all could feel for other people, animals, environments - imagine how much better the world would be? You couldn't run a corporation that employs children, or clears entire habitats, poisons waterways, or makes money off of illness if you had true empathy. If we could change greed and turn it into empathy, I think we'd have ourselves an umbrella solution.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
The duck ponds by Tugboat beach.

Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
Some people's attitudes towards those less fortunate - how angry people get when you try to find solutions for homeless issues, addiction, mental health, women and children being abused. I can't believe in this town how many people use the word "lazy" as a justification. It's such a great town. We could do better! I think there is value in looking up the "myth of meritocracy" and what it means to "deserve" success.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Community! As much as there are issues, Kelowna is so beautiful. Kelowna is beautiful because of the sense of community, and love of all things local. We really support our local small businesses and entrepreneurs. It's really nice to see people you know and who someway or somehow have given you a high five over the years.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Self-sufficiency and living off the land, teaching Knox how to make a killer cocktail, sky-diving while shot-gunning a beer (only one of those is Kare's, haha).

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
We both have intimate connections with alcoholism and are big advocates for responsible drinking, for helping people that need help, and for being vigilant about our own drinking habits. This year we are donating all the proceeds from returned cans and bottles to local mental health organizations. We are not in denial about the role our industry plays in a lot of addiction - we try to always think about how not to perpetuate harm.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram: @barnoneokanagan
Facebook: Bar None Events

What is the name of your business/organization?
Bar None Events.



Why did you get into/start this business?
We love hospitality and we love making people happy. We love cocktails and we think serving people is actually an art. Not everyone can do it well. But we had a baby and we needed to make our schedules work for our child - he's our number one priority. So how could we still participate in our passion (hospitality), make people happy, and be able to work our own schedule? Events. We are a full-spectrum bartending service for a range of events, and we do it with passion. We noticed that the bar at events often seemed like an after thought. Why is that? People meet around the bar, celebrate around the bar, mourn around the bar. Even if it's non-alcoholic, it's often the centre of an event!

What is the goal of your business?
Picture a fun Friday night out at your favourite establishment. We want to bring the same level of creativity, excellence, innovation, friendliness, and high standard of service to your backyard. Every event deserves access to amazing cocktails, good service, friendly bartenders, and flawless execution. We don't think there is a place for arrogance when it comes to event bars. The cocktails (and mocktails!) should be creative, impressive, & cold, but the service should be warm and friendly and fuzzy. We want to elevate the event bar experience to something that is a highlight of a special day, not something that ruins it.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
The high cost of doing small business (mentally, financially) and the steep learning curve of being entrepreneurs. We learn a lot of stuff the hard way. Sometimes social media: it can make you feel like you're failing even if you're not. It makes you compare yourself. It's such a double-edged sword, too: you want people to know the cool new things you're doing, and what you've got coming down the pipeline, but it can hurt you, too. We value community and collaboration, but social media really sometimes makes you just feel bad about yourself, even if you're doing great.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
We would do things the same. We would focus on what we do best, which is care about our clients. And we would maybe focus on social media less. Our strength is our heart and our drive to do better for people. We're definitely not influencers (might I add - that is such a hard job).



What do you always find yourself saying?
"It'll get better tomorrow!" Honestly, it's the perfect phrase for us in this season of our lives. It applies to everything: life, business, relationships. One way or another, things (hopefully) work themselves out. "It'll all be ok in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." Also, "see ya then, or see ya on another time."

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Go all in, if you can. If you're going to follow a dream, don't look back. ALWAYS have empathy, always operate with integrity and honesty, and always treat the environment, other people (no matter their lot in life), and each other with true kindness. Treat everyone like they matter, because they do. I think there is too little empathy and too much greed in this world. Everyone deserves to be here, everyone deserves respect.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
For Karolina, it's the Obama family. For Nathan, it's Paul Rudd or Jim Carey - big tie.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Again, to support each other. Entrepreneurship is hard - a helping hand, a high-five, an Instagram share, buying a small product: that's what can save someone from a bad time. Keep your money in the community, it always comes full circle. Local businesses invest in their community, local charities, environmental initiatives, and create employment opportunities for your community members. We need to support each other because that's how we all survive.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Raising a baby, starting a business, moving, and still staying together. We are always trying to be better people, no matter what. And, of course, the business. It was a pipe dream but now it's real! Also renovating the trailer into a mobile bar - that was the closest we've come to breaking up. Now it's beautiful!



Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
There are so many! Here's the tip of the iceberg; Jaclyn from OKGN, Kristi and James Caldwell, Jenny Newell, Mark Veriker, Brea at Table Forty Nine, Ali and Public Liquor, Louise, Annie Page & Organic Tan, Yuriko and Erik Larson, Markku Luopa, and every other person grinding the grind in this town. Plus, all our friends who literally are the backbone of our lives. ALSO ALL THE ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS OUT THERE. These people and so many others are all so GENEROUS with their time, heart, support.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Table Forty Nine.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Support people! It is so hard trying to follow your dream. Be kind!

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 organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!