In Focus | Megan Graham

Meet Megan! Her and her partner reside in Kelowna with their beautiful children, and own Over The Top Racks!



Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Like most, I am not originally from Kelowna. I grew up in the Ottawa Valley and moved out West when I graduated high school. I spent a few years on the coast to begin with, but I immediately fell in love with Kelowna when I came to Lake Okanagan Resort and visited Big White for a snowboard trip. This place spoke to me! Within 6 months I was offered a promotion and a position here with the company I worked for and haven't looked back since. That was 19 years ago this winter!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with?
My best friend, inspiration, teacher, partner in life and business, James. He grounds me, encourages me and works so hard, doing whatever he needs to do - to get things done.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I would have to say Sweetlegs - because well.... children. Stretchy pants are kinda my thing now. Life is too short for uncomfortable pants and muffin tops.

Describe yourself in one word.
Resilient.



If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Hawaii. It looks so beautiful! My partner and I have always talked about going, as neither of us has ever been. I would love to go explore its tropical and volcanic, vast natural beauty.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
It is so hard to choose! I always say you have to try pretty hard not to enjoy yourself here. Outdoor adventure tops the list for me - hiking, biking, camping and snowboarding at Big White - although technically that's not an activity in "Kelowna."

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I have had my fair share of embarrassing moments of course! Here are a few from recent memory. Having the pizza delivery boy come up the stairs to my back door, which is a fully glass, french door....usually you can hear people coming but I think he was a ninja or something. I had a fresh baby and as many parents know.... mom spends a lot of time without much on up top, that's life. So I was walking in the kitchen topless, spotted him and ran away laughing. My milk had just come in so I was in the uncomfortable, swollen udder phase - not pretty. Afterwards I asked James if he thinks he saw me - his response ""oh yeah!"" The poor kid couldn't make eye contact whatsoever. We tipped a little extra that night. Come to think of it that back door has betrayed me on more than one occasion. Another time, I thought it was James coming home, so I was in my underwear loading the dishwasher when my neighbour came up and knocked.... Me - deer in the headlights... I sheepishly open the door. "Sorry Bruce." However, possibly the most embarrassing thing - as I'm really not sure what the extent of the 'damage' was. Houses are typically build in such a way that if you have windows that look into your neighbour's place - that it's dining area to dining area, things like that. Our neighbour had to tell us that our curtains are actually see-through. They clearly use their dining table for eating and mine is loaded with folded clothes a good percentage of the time and is used more so as a dressing room. So one could only imagine the horrors they witnessed and for how long!? It could be an episode of Seinfeld. "I don't see why they don't just get different curtains already! Savages!"

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The recent birth of my daughter, Violet. We planned a home birth, even though I know it's hard to "plan" that sort of thing. She came so fast that I got my home birth and delivered her by myself! I feel so blessed, honoured and empowered by the experience of catching my own baby and fortunate that we were healthy and had no complications. It was so surreal, raw and amazing. She came at Christmas time and it just made me love that holiday so much more. So much so that I refused to take my tree down until it was nearly March, when there were about 4 lbs of needles on the floor.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I couldn't pick just one. I grew up on a farm, making friends with chickens, cats, pigs, cows and horses - picking wild strawberries and raspberries, riding bikes, horses and climbing trees. My sister and I painted my dad's hunting dog's nails pink, he loved that. However, my fondest memories would have to be camping with my immediate and extended family, in Ontario. We would go island camping for weeks at a time in the summer. Spending a lot of time with our cousins created such a strong bond. We are all pretty close to this day and we are more like siblings, which is so special. We are all grown up now and have our own kids - a lot of my family as relocated to Kelowna and the surrounding areas - so we try our best to connect often and re-create that for our kids.



Where do you volunteer or give back in the community?
I would like to do more to give back to the community for sure and business is the perfect vehicle to do so. Through management and ownership of two separate businesses we have done multiple successful holiday food drives. We also had a free install event in the fall, where we put people's racks on at no charge and provided DunnEnzie's pizza by donation, collected by The Lions, with proceeds going to the Salvation Army. We also gave away a ski rack to one lucky winner. I get involved when other local companies like CSN Springfield, Toyota or Mazda have fundraisers as well, to donate food, cash or unwrapped toys. I have also partnered with a few organizations like the KWIB, KCKC and 4WDABC to offer membership incentives. I realize it is my responsibility to make a difference. I aim to organize 3 to 4 annual charity events per year, once I'm more established.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Big money manipulation.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Knox Mountain has always been a special place for me. The views are so beautiful and there are endless trails to find yourself, as well as some solitude.

Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
The drugs use and needles popping up everywhere is a problem for sure. My main concern lies with the children, they touch everything they find so it's dangerous when these things find their way to their daycare centres, playgrounds and the beach.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
What originally drew me to this place was the scenery and the activities I love, like hiking, biking and snowboarding. In the last two decades, I've watched the city blossom and prosper into a vibrant tourist destination, drawing in a younger more diverse crowd that have all sorts of interests. I love the valuable investment in the outdoor infrastructure in recent years.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Finishing our Jeep XJ overhaul and doing an overland Rooftop tent camping trip around BC and down the Oregon Coast to California, Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
2) Cat skiing! Although I hear it ruins you for riding the regular hill after that.
3) I want to rent out our house and live at Big White for a year.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I met my partner on the internet when that wasn’t really a thing and that is what prompted me to move across the country back in 2001. We are also happily unmarried! Marriage was never something I felt I really needed to do. We have been pretty independent financially and when we got to a crossroads of marriage or real estate, we opted for the latter. We will probably elope some day, maybe to Hawaii?



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

Website:
www.overthetopracks.com

LinkedIn:
Megan Graham

Instagram:
@overthetopracks
@m3gatron82

Twitter:
@OverTheTopRacks

What is the name of your business/organization?
Over The Top Racks & Accessories Ltd.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I got into my industry quite unintentionally seeing a help wanted ad 13 years ago. I was looking to shift gears and thought it was cool! Retail experience was required and that I plenty of... mixed with outdoor adventure - which I of course love! Plus, getting to work on vehicles was new but I enjoyed hands on physical labour - so it seemed like it was the perfect fit! That company sold to a large chain last spring and at that point I decided that was not what I wanted for my future. I had worked for a large corporation before, which ended badly, so I swore I wouldn't do it again. So at one month pregnant I incorporated my own company and branched out on my own. One challenge wasn't enough, apparently.

What is the goal of your business?
Personally, the goal of my business is to be successful enough to support our family and allow us to have some time freedom as a unit. One surprising thing I realized about owning my own business and having small children is that the stress and implications of missing work because they are sick and can't go do daycare, or having to bring them with you to your place of employment is pretty much gone. We have other stresses now but I try hard to live in the present. Professionally, the aim of our shop is to support the needs of our clients in the Okanagan, primarily by enabling them to enjoy the things they love by getting them outfitted with what they need to transport their gear, as well as enhance and optimize functionality of other company's work vehicles to streamline their operations on a commercial level.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Starting my business when I was freshly pregnant and starting back working right after my baby was born has been a challenge. I joke that her birth was the easiest thing I've done this year, which is not far from the truth. I work a demanding, manual labour job for the most part and that was hard to do the further along I got into my pregnancy.... and but now that she is here with me - balancing being a mom and the owner/operator of a retail business is still a lot of work, but the challenge is so rewarding at the same time. One foot in front of the other.



If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do a few things differently for sure along the way, everyone makes mistakes - but I think I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Like most entrepreneurs though, in hindsight, I would have listened to literally everyone.... and started my business earlier.

What do you always find yourself saying?
What's meant to be will be.

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
If it excites you and scares you at the same time, you should probably do it.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Ryan Reynolds - sorry not sorry James. He is Canadian for starters, which is so great and he is hilarious. We would just hang out and laugh - maybe make paper airplanes, ride a double decker bus and maybe go to the Kangaroo Farm? I can just see the montage now....

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
When you shop locally you are buying diapers for local business owner's babies (for instance) instead of lining the pockets of people who may not even notice or even live in the same province, or even country. It's important for the economy! After starting my own business I have a new appreciation for supporting local business. I always chose Canadian and British Columbian stores wherever possible, based on principle. But I now go out of my way to buy things from the smaller shops even though it costs more. The service is way better usually and the people actually appreciate your business. You're not just a number to these people. I am so proud of being an entrepreneur and I love the business climate here, everyone is so encouraging and fiercely protective of each other. I have so many mentors and such a great network of people who support me. I am so lucky to be able to be doing what I love, in the city that I love, with the people I love around me. A huge and sincere thanks to all my clients, family, friends and followers.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Personally, my two kids are my greatest treasure. It's really something else, the journey of motherhood. Professionally, starting a business with a young family is cat lady crazy and the largest risk and investment I've ever taken on.



Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Simon Grant of Carbon Cut Horticultural Services is a brand new local business doing great things. He has a Chevy Bolt an all electric vehicle, which has been racked out with crossbars, a cargo box, hitch and bike rack - which he uses to get to and from his job sites for lawn maintenance. He uses all electric trimmers and mowers. He also has solar panels at his home, which he uses to generate all his power! He costs about the same as a standard lawn care service and his work is amazing! I had him look after my yard last summer when I was too pregnant and busy to do it myself and it’s never looked so good!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Bruce & Natalie Paige - Okanagan Inspired Construction.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
1) Always take the high road and be positive.
2) Don't let others decide what is an opportunity for you.
3) You miss all the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky.
4) It's better to try and fail... than to wonder "what if?"
5) When one door closes, another opens.
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