In Focus | Meredith Hansen

Meet Meredith Hansen. She's a Kelowna local born and raised. She lived in Victoria for nine years from age 21 to 30 and has been back for eight years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My partner Nils because he makes me laugh. I must mention that I do love spending time with my family and friends too.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love the farmers market because it's one-stop shop for locally grown and handmade products. It supports a large group of local entrepreneurs

Describe yourself in one word.
Quirkey.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Bora Bora because it looks amazing and I love to scuba dive and more specifically my dad is there right now on a bucket list trip and I would love to share that with him.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Doing pottery at a lovely studio called That Pottery Place.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
There are too many to mention.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
It's a sad inspiring thing, the loss of my mom. It was very sudden and it has taught me so much. Never take a day for granted and hold those dear to you close.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Camping with my family all around the Okanagan, so many great memories.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I like to give back to any organization that supports mental health or homelessness. My mom suffered from bipolar disorder and I know personally how underfunded this aspect of our health care system is. She was lucky to have a supportive husband and family. So many people fall through the cracks. I also will be joining the BC cancer foundations Discovery Lunch committee for 2018, I attended the lunch this year and I like that they are raising funds to help with cancer treatment in our area. My family has been affected by cancer as so many peoples have and I am excited to have the opportunity to help.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
To have a global mindset of 'we' instead of 'me'. If everyone understood that other peoples suffering effects every single person in the world. If we all took that position I believe energetically the world would shift and as a whole, it would be a better place to be. I suggest people watch the documentary 'I AM' it sheds light on this. We are so blessed in Canada and I believe people forget that we were just lucky to be born here we need to remember that.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
The Pottery Place.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
In the mental health and addictions system, I think it would positively impact so many people to have better access to help and it would help the homeless community.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
So many things, it would be the beauty of our piece of the world.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel, travel, travel anywhere I get the chance too!

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
People don't think of me as shy but I am in big groups of people.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
Illuminate Skin Care and Esthetics.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I love the industry. Everyone is always happy to be pampered and I believe in self-care. I started the business because I wanted to be in control of my clients' experience when they visited me and I love the freedom and flexibility of being my own boss.

What is the goal of your business?
My goal is to help people love the skin they are in. I want to help people achieve a healthy glowing complexion and help them navigate what is best for their skin. I also want to make corrective skin care relaxing and enjoyable, they can go together

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Being organized.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Mostly the same but I would have been kinder to myself along the way.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'No worries'

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
When you can be anything in this life be kind, surround yourself with people who feel like sunshine and wear your sunscreen daily.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would spend the day with one of my mentors Florence Barrett- Hill, she has so much knowledge about the skin and I would love to pick her brain for the day. Taking her courses has been monumental in elevating my knowledge of the skin and advanced my success in helping my clients with there needs. I'm heading to New Zealand in January to a symposium on skin she is hosting so my wish will be coming true.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Small local business is the backbone of a healthy local economy, you are not helping the extremely wealthy get richer you are helping a neighbour put food on their table.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Opening my own business and succeeding.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Bonnie Worsdall from That Pottery Place because she feels like sunshine.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Sonja Reidigar from Sonja's Vision.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you for choosing me to be featured in In Focus!

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 for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great.