In Focus | Jamie Schaab

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?
Jamie Schaab.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in Merritt, then lived in Northern Alberta for 10 years before moving back to BC in 2005. I have called Kelowna home for two years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My 14-month-old daughter Lucy, because, in addition to being completely in love with her, she is the funniest person I know.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
My favourite place in the world is my king-sized bed when everyone (me, husband, baby, dog and cat) are there chilling out. Lucy is being goofy and cracking us up, the cat is making bread and snuggling Jason and the dog is curled against my legs and snoring. It’s pretty perfect.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Butterscotch Kids Consignment because I can bring home bags of brand name clothes and play guess-how-much-I-paid-for-this (my favourite game) with my husband, Jason, and he ALWAYS over-guesses and is suitably impressed with me.

What is your favourite activity?
I have taken to listening to audio books whenever I can. I have so much reading to do while I finish up my Master’s that I was not getting any reading done for self-improvement or leisure. Now I can 'read' while driving, getting ready in the morning, etc. and no time ever feels wasted!

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
This is a tough question because I go through these phases where I can’t eat meat, the idea just grosses me out. When I am NOT in one of those phases then I’m burgers all the way, but during a no-meat phase then I’m all about Hansen’s Pizza.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
There are so many things to choose from, I’m a bit of a nerd. One situation really sticks out to me though. I had my wisdom teeth removed in my early 20’s and was told to ensure I went to the washroom prior. I had to go under for the procedure. When I was ready to go in I was asked if I went to the washroom, but I was fine so I said I didn’t have to but, it did not escape me that they made it seem quite important that I went. So then I’m in the chair ready to go under and my stomach starts rumbling from nerves, so all I could think about as I counted down to my deep sleep was, 'Oh my goodness, why was it so important that I went to bathroom first? Am I going to lose control of my bodily functions?' Fast-forward to after the procedure when I was coming to, and I heard footsteps walking around me. Picturing myself alone in a recovery room with a nurse, and still completely high, I yelled out, 'Did I s*** myself?' When nobody replied, I opened my eyes to see about six other people in different stages of recovery staring at me in the large, shared recovery room. I feigned that I had a relapse from the drugs and kept my eyes closed until I heard some of the more conscious people leave the room.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My husband and I got married outdoors at the Japanese Gardens in Penticton. Attending our ceremony were the justice of the peace, two witnesses and my dog. Just before we started a homeless man joined us, shopping cart and all. He interrupted the vows a few times to ask if we were done yet, but otherwise was a lovely guest. Then at the end he dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of loose change, and from the nickels and dimes he picked out the one Toonie and presented it to my husband. Jason (my hubby) refused at first, but the gentleman insisted saying that it was for luck and he was honoured to be a guest at our wedding. We saw that man several times in the community afterward and he never remembered us. But the time he passed onto us his greatest riches he was our wedding guest and well-wisher. Just reminds me that we are all so much more the same than we are different.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My dad would take me to Pete’s Drive-In in Merritt on weekends and let me play the pin ball machines. I was so small that he would need to ask Pete for a milk crate for me to stand on so I could see the ball and I felt so special, imagining that there was a reserved spot in the back for Jamie’s milk crate.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I offer some spots in one of the weekly yoga classes I teach at reduced rates or for a trade of some sort. To some that might not sound like giving back to the community, but I believe it is so important for people to take the time to honour their bodies and minds. There is powerful work that can be done in a space full of like-minded, yoga-pant wearing individuals! So if I can provide a spot for someone to participate in a class that benefits them physically and opens their heart, then it is my pleasure to do so. I am especially open to offering reduced rates to single parents/guardians, because I am so blessed to have a husband that is also an equal parent, and I couldn’t imagine parenting without him. I am also passionate about animals so our family’s annual donation budget is mostly directed toward the SPCA.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
One thing?! No more violence. Not to animals, children, the elderly, women, men, people of specific races/religions. Let’s educate or love potential perpetrators so we can show them a different way. And if that doesn’t work, impeach them.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
In the summer, it is our family walks which include dipping our feet in the water and looking in shops along Pandosy. Right now, we are really enjoying Fun Bugs indoor play centre because we have a toddler who likes trying to keep up with the bigger kids.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Third Space Coffee or the back room at the DeDutch by Staples. I get a lot accomplished at both places.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like there to be more affordable housing options AND more rental options for people with pets. I get that it’s a supply and demand thing, so while there is more demand than supply landlords can capitalize. It breaks my heart when I see posts on Facebook from young families or single-parents who can’t find suitable accommodations that they can afford. I’m not sure what the solution is, I would just like to see it change.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Kelowna is so vibrant with start-ups and locally-owned businesses that there are many unique people to learn about and original shops to explore. And, of course, the beaches.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Complete a doctorate degree.
Take our daughter to all of her great-grandparents’ countries of origin.
Learn how to do my hair.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am a huge introvert and feel socially awkward pretty much from the moment I leave the house until the moment I return.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook

What is the name of your business/organization?
Jamie Schaab Consulting.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I started this business so I could have a flexible schedule for our daughter, but also because I am extremely passionate about certain aspects of business, and I was not able to fully realize my passions while working for someone else.

What is the goal of your business?
I implement a Relational Approach into workplace organization, process development and sales training that leads to improved efficiency, conversion rates, culture and retention.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Trying to marriage earning a living and caring for a child.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wish I started to become more self-aware at an earlier age so I could have avoided some maladaptive coping strategies.

What do you always find yourself saying?
That I don’t have enough time, and I hate that I do because it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I often do have enough time, but I stress myself out anyways.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Dr. Brene Brown. We are kindred spirits, even though she doesn’t know I exist.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I grew up in a family that owned a small business, so I know how much those local shops rely on the residents of the city in which it exists to support it. I also know, from people sharing their childhood memories with me, how much richness a unique store, in which the staff know you by name, can add to the narrative of one’s life.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I want to say our daughter, but I don’t really see her as my accomplishment. She definitely comes from something greater than me. At the time, I was proud to be the valedictorian of my graduating class in university, but that doesn’t seem as important to me now. I would say I’m most proud of giving up working for organizations that do no align with my passions and values because the uncertainty of going into business for myself was scary.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My husband, Jason. He is extremely supportive and maintains a sense of humour about my biggest shortcomings. He also gets a lot more accomplished around the house while on baby duty than I ever manage to, so that impresses me. I hope one day to be the domestic goddess he is.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Captain Peter Brady, owner of Kelowna Water Taxi & Cruises

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Take deep breaths, move your shoulders away from your ears and give people the benefit of the doubt.

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.