In Focus | Heather McColl

Meet Heather, she is from Alberta but has lived in Kelowna for more than 12 years. Heather loves the Okanagan and is proud to call it her home!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My boyfriend, friends and family. Downtime is a rare occurrence for me and I choose to spend it with the people that mean the most.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Unless Market because it's an amazing and inspiring store to help reduce my waste production.

Describe yourself in one word.
Driven

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Costa Rica because I haven't been there and it looks incredibly relaxing and a great place to explore. It would be nice to get away and unplug.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Hiking

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
There are too many embarrassing things to name just one.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The most inspiring thing that has happened was earning my mutual fund license back in 2013. The moment I found out I promised myself I would never stop pursuing my goals. Since then I have achieved more then I could have imagined and I am not done.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My grandmother used to take my cousin and me on a road trip to Kelowna every summer from Edmonton. Kelowna has always been home for me. I cherish my memories of gyro beach (or the apple beach as I use to call it as a kid) visiting Old MacDonald's farm and the Flintstones bedrock city attraction.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I volunteer with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Ambassador committee as their vice-chair. I am also a volunteer committee adviser with Gennext Kelowna. I volunteer for local events that need help throughout the year, for example, food drives for the food bank.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Starvation- no one should be hungry!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Knox mountain with my little sidekick Gus. My 9-year-old Shih Tzu. I loving hiking and getting the chance to the see the Okanagan from many viewpoints. I love being able to exercise, relax and take photos of this beautiful landscape. There is something so special about standing at the top of a mountain, even when its winter I can still get my mountain to fix up at big white. This Alberta girl has fallen in love with these mountains.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see more affordable housing (especially for first time home buyers) as well as progress on our cities homelessness issue. With that being said I feel that our Mayor and our city council are doing a great job of actively working on these issues.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people and the landscape.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I have checked off a lot of the old bucket list already but three items I haven't done are:
1. Explore the Organ Coast Trail
2. Hike the west coast trail
3. Travel to Europe

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am a huge movie fan.

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

What is the name of your business/organization?
Heather McColl Financial Consultant with Investors Group

Why did you get into/start this business?
I started my practice because I have a true passion for helping people with their financial situations and showing them how they can reach their goals, live their lives and be excited about the future.

What is the goal of your business?
To help people.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Getting over the fear of failing.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change a thing because I wouldn't be the person I am today.

What do you always find yourself saying?
You got this!

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Believe in yourself and go for your dreams. Life is too short not too.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Gail Van Ox lade, she inspired my love for financial well-being and helping people. She is one of the most successful women in the financial industry. I would love to sit down with her and ask her about her story, her passions and learn everything I could from her.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping local helps build and keep our city's identity. Our city has the best heart and I love showing it off to visitors.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Leaving my nine to five job to pursue my dream.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My mother and grandmother. I wouldn't be the woman I am today without you. Your support of my dreams means the world to me. I love you!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Danielle Libby

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!