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In Focus | Mike Prince

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. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Mike Prince.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm originally from Barrie, Ontario and I'm going into my third season in Kelowna.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
As cheesy as it is, my beautiful wife, Julie. They say your wife should be your best friend and frankly, mine is. We can discuss things ranging from the everyday to major long-term plans in business and our personal lives. We share criticisms and feedback with each other that make for awesome, positive outcomes in the future. Next to that, we can laugh until we cry and be our silly true selves around one another.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would go to Arrawarra Beach, NSW, Australia. This is a place of inspiration from my younger years of travelling that lead to many of my perspectives on life today. I would love to be back there if only for a day to surf, relax, take in the views, ocean air and get in the zone.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I’m not much of a shopper, but generally if I need anything I search local above all else.

What is your favourite activity?
Definitely spending time on the lake. Or perhaps hiking and overlooking the lake from a viewpoint. Or swimming in the lake. Or flying above it on a flyboard. I think you get the picture.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Do I have to choose? Because ideally, I would start with the Tacos, tackle the burger and then finish with some nice thin-crust pizza. But if I had to pick only one, it would be the tacos for the flavour-packed goodness!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don’t think I can publicly share the most embarrassing thing that has happened. One time in university I was walking on campus and a rather good-looking girl waved to me and I was a little awe-struck as I wasn’t sure who she was, but smiled and excitedly did a sly wave back. When she walked by giving me a weird look and hugged the handsome dude behind me I felt a little smaller for the rest of the day.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I can’t pinpoint one specific event or moment, but what truly inspires me on a daily basis is all of the wonderful people our team comes across at Canadian Jetpack Adventures. People come from all over the world, are all ages, shapes and sizes and some have a fear of heights, or even water believe it or not, but they all have one thing in common, they challenge themselves with a new activity. The majority succeed, and even for the small number that don’t, you can tell it is a win and they have learned something about themselves regardless. That to me, is inspiring.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Camping, canoeing and exploring the many lakes in Ontario are what I believe spawned my love for the outdoors and water.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Being new to Kelowna I am still looking for more ways to get involved with the community and give back. However, with Canadian Jetpack Adventures currently, we give auction items to various causes for raffles to raise funds. We always love getting involved with events where we can flyboard and put on a show to help inspire.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I don’t think my choice would be to 'change' something, but rather to share a message with the world. That any individual can achieve anything, to not be afraid of getting outside your comfort zone, challenging yourself and following your dreams and what you are passionate about. I believe if everyone did this, positive 'change' would be inevitable.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Exploring the various things the downtown area has to offer, like 'Music in the Park' during the summer months, or learning about a new restaurant and testing it out is always a fun activity and way to support our local initiatives/businesses.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
As funny as this may sound, H2O Centre is my zen zone. A good workout, time in the steam room and a swim always leaves me feeling refreshed and with a clear mind.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see a positive change in the downtown area. There is a still large population that roams the streets, whether homeless or with social challenges, and I believe this is an area that needs some more focus and support from the community. With the appropriate programs in place and support from the city, I believe there could be some amazing positive change.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
What makes Kelowna great is, first and foremost, the landscape and weather. This attracts like-minded individuals, entrepreneurs and those looking to enjoy the simple things in life. To me personally, it is the outcome of all these factors that makes Kelowna great.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Experience the birth of my child one day
2) Base Jump
3) Attempt Everest
(In that order)

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I really don’t like spiders. I may seem like an extreme guy with some of my activities, but I dislike spiders in a big way. Sorry spiders, I know it’s not your fault you were made that way.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
I love connecting with others so please reach out !
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

What is the name of your business/organization?
Canadian Jetpack Adventures Kelowna.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I found the unique sport of flyboarding back in 2012 when I was in software sales and fell in love with it right away. In all honesty, I started the business so that I personally could afford to do it more often.

What is the goal of your business?
The goal of my business now is to inspire others as much as they continue to inspire me. The neat/unique thing about flyboarding is that anyone, young or old, athletic or not, can succeed at it and that is very different to many sports out there. So the ultimate goal is to prove this to people on a daily basis and continue to watch them succeed and surprise themselves.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
My largest struggle in my personal life would be between the ages of 8-15. I was epileptic and that had a huge impact on my day-to-day at the time. Looking back though, I think I was a bit of a wild child and it slowed me down a bit and taught me things I needed to know in order to grow to where I am today. So as much as it was a struggle then, I am thankful today.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience we have in life happens for a reason and good or bad, the silly choices we make all create the paths we go down and have lead me to where I am today which is a very happy place.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'If you can’t change it, don’t stress over it.' Life is too short and so many people get caught up in daily occurrences that feed into negative thoughts that really don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would have to say Will Smith. The man is uber talented in many ways, a good-looking fellow who is a stand-up family man and funny. I think it’d be a pretty fun, adventurous and enlightening day.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping locally makes everyone involved accountable. Accountable to the quality and sustainability of the goods/services being provided and the customers accountable to supporting the entrepreneurs of our communities. A true community is made up of a system that supports one another and thrives. That's what shopping local embodies.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
One of my personal proudest accomplishments was to quit the corporate world I was working in for years and pursue my passions that I am chasing today. I received no trophy or piece of paper from an institution, but the amount of positive change and learning that has been brought to my life by making one simple decision is incredible.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I’ve already given my wife a shoutout so I mean it's only natural I go to the other most important lady in my life, my mom! Without her love and support over the years and always putting her three sons first, there is no way I would have made it to where I am today. She never judged my decisions in life or tried to deter me from achieving anything but always supported any endeavour and helped where she could. Never have I known anyone so selfless for their children. I am who I am in big part due to her.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Anyone who is bringing positive change to the community and inspiring others to make change in their lives.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I will reiterate my message to the world in the earlier question. No matter your age, ability or financial well-being, you can achieve whatever you wish. As we get older, we come up with excuses as to why we 'can't' do certain things or that its 'too late' to pursue our dreams or that one thing that you have always been passionate about.

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. Thank you, Kelowna.



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