In Focus | Tanya Viala

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?
Tanya Viala

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm from Stoke on Trent in the United Kingdom. We've lived in Kelowna for a year now.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, because he is the funniest and most fun person I know.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Nowhere. I'm exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to be doing.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love Unless Market for it's fantastic range of environmentally conscious products. Sarah is wonderful.

What is your favourite activity?
Working out with my husband.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Oh the list is endless, I'm always laughing at myself.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Choosing a new path where I am always authentic and constantly face my fears. I am inspired all the time by the amazing people the universe sends my way.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Going to see the Spice Girls when I was 9. My cousin and I got all dressed up, she was Sporty Spice and I was Scary Spice.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I always give my time to my those who need my help.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would change how we see ourselves to help us all realize how wonderful and beautiful we really are.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
To Knox Mountain.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see better parking in Kelowna, because the poor, expensive parking causes people a lot of unnecessary stress.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Everything.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Disneyland
2. Disneyland
3. Disneyland

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I used to be a practicing social worker.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Mermaid Tattoos.

What is the goal of your business?
To tattoo and bring joy into people's lives.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Losing my nana in 2014 was my biggest struggle, but it propelled me into a whole new direction.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't start over.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Everything happens for a reason.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Helen Mirren seems like she would be fun to hang out with.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
That's a no brainer, supporting locally is supporting someone's dream.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Working in a tattoo studio with talented people.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My husband, Scott Viala, because he works so hard everyday to help others. He is the best person I know.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Kelly Ray at Skellys Web.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am bringing handpoke tattoos to Kelowna. I love this city and love being here in Canada. I feel at home here and love the sense of community.

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.