In Focus | Amanda Tocher

Meet Amanda. Amanda was born and raised here in Kelowna! She enjoys browsing the local shops downtown and sharing some laughs with her loved ones.


Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am originally from Kelowna and spent most of my life here. I moved away for a few years and am very happy to have been lucky enough to move back home last year with my husband and kids.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
That’s a three-way tie. My husband, he’s a pretty rad guy and makes me laugh. My 13-year-old daughter, she is growing up to be a pretty amazing human. And my 9-year-old son, he is probably the coolest person I have ever met.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Disneyland. Sounds cheesy but we went a few years ago as a family for our first time and it was honestly the best time ever. I got to spend days holding my kids' hands, laughing and experiencing the adventure together.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I can’t pick just one… I love any local coffee shop and I love to poke around in any little shop that carries a variety of local products. I am a huge fan and advocate of shopping local, and I am always blown away by the talent that this community has.

What is your favourite activity?
Anything that involves hanging out with friends and family while having a good time and good laughs. Whether it be backyard BBQs, snowboarding, chilling on the beach, or bike rides around town, I am having a good time if I am with the people I love.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
My husband's Burgers!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I honestly can’t think of anything. I am not afraid to laugh at myself. I have never been one to embarrass easily and as I get older, I am probably a lot more careful to not get myself into situations that would be embarrassing.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The most inspiring thing that has happened to me is still happening. I am so in awe of watching people who have a passion and turn it into a business. When I see another small business owner overcoming obstacles I feel nothing short of inspired.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Summer camp. These are my most favourite memories as a kid. Every year that I went was always so much fun and filled with so many laughs and adventures. There isn’t anything much better than getting a bunch of kids together for a week of what felt like independence and freedom in the woods. You can’t beat a good Okanagan Summer Camp memory.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am a huge fan of Mamas for Mamas. What they are doing in our community and now in communities across Canada is nothing short of inspiring and amazing. I try and find as many different ways as I can to support this Charity and Movement. I donate products from my business and make personal donations, as well as I, work with another BC business that not only gives it proceeds to Mamas for Mamas but also helps direct Mamas in need to their resources. If you’ve met Shannon, the founder of Mamas for Mamas, you know that she is a truly amazing human that has a huge heart for making “Kindness a Currency” and I look forward to finding more ways to support this cause.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I think one of the most important things in life is Education. If every human in the world could have access to a good education, I believe the world would be a much better, healthier and happier place.


What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Snowboarding with my husband and kids! My husband and I spent a lot of time snowboarding together in our early years and it might be the coolest thing to now share that with our kids.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A beach. The lake is so calming, it’s the perfect place to take a moment to collect yourself and reflect.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More and continued support for getting drugs and homelessness off the streets. Everyone deserves to have a chance at a healthy and productive life and our children deserve a city that is safe for them to grow and explore in.

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
For my children to grow up happy and healthy in a world that is happy and healthy itself.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am actually a Holistic Nutrition and Health Practitioner and have never pursued a career in that field. I am happiest when I get to be creative and I knew it wasn’t for me when I was more excited about designing my logo than I was meal planning.


What is the name of your business/organization?
Republic West

What does your business do?
I design and hand-press drinkware (and other products) that are not only permanent but fun and sometimes on the edge of what may be considered appropriate.

How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
http://www.instagram.com/republic.west

Where can people find your business online?
http://www.republicwest.ca

Why did you get into/start this business?
I love to do anything that requires creativity and making things with my hands. I also love to create things that make people laugh and feel good. I find a sense of joy when a customer leaves with a smile.


What is the goal of your business?
This is a bit of passion project for me in the sense that it is an outlet for my creativity but I do hope to see it grow into a brand that is recognized by the community.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Balance. I am lucky that I can make my own hours working from home, but that also means that I sometimes have insane work days that I look back on and feel like I missed out on some family time.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
So far I would do things the same. However, I think something we all wish we had when we started was more confidence.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I am a huge advocate for shopping locally. When we shop local, not only are we supporting our local economy, but we are encouraging a sense of community.​

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I would like to give a shout out to Dan (The Local Chemist) the genius behind the Home Grown Market. He is working hard to build up this community of local businesses with regular artisan markets. Watch out for this guy!


My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Rebekah from Sugar Pine Designs

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 of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!