Meet Kendall! Kendall is originally from Edmonton, AB and is currently living here in the beautiful Okanagan while attending UBCO. She enjoys spending time with her best friend and life partner Owen and floating down the channel on a hot summer's day!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I'm from Edmonton, AB. Currently, I study at UBCO and spend my summers in Penticton.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Owen! Nothing is better than spending my time working on our bus, road-tripping, or just hanging out with my best friend!
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
If we're talking food, I would eat at Salty's every day of the week if I could. But if we're talking lifestyle, I'm a big fan of Freeride's clothing!
Describe yourself in one word.
Adventurous.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Road-tripping across Iceland would be my absolute first choice. But, given the weather we're experiencing lately--maybe Bali to thaw out!
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
I love the channel! It's a great way to keep out of the heat in the summer!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Oh man, where to start? My life is full of embarrassing moments!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I think the most inspirational thing I've done is purchase Peppermint, our bus. Our project has been a learning process. When we began we had no experience in welding, carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, etc. Now, we've gained experience in all of these things! We still may not be experts, but I'm extremely proud of how far we've come. It even makes the remainder of our project less daunting.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I've been spending my summers on Skaha Lake since I was 8 years old. Although all of these memories seem to blend together, I have a distinct memory of going tubing for the first time. We stopped at the old train-bridge in OK Falls to go for a jump, docked our boat to make a pitstop at Tickleberry's for ice-cream, and then spend the majority of our afternoon tubing around the lake.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Aside from donations, we don't participate in any volunteering programs currently. Since I am a full-time student, with a part-time job to support my education, I have no time left to volunteer.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Sustainable resources! Please Canada, I beg of you.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
The Skaha Bluffs!
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
I'd love to see the Penticton community invest in solar panels! We have ample amounts of sun (and heat) in the summer, which could lower the city's footprint drastically.
Also, I'd love a Costco closer. That's a brutal drive for slightly cheaper milk and toilet paper.
What do you think makes Penticton great?
The people! Unless I'm feeling antisocial--then it's the wine, for sure.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Finish Peppermint! We're so close!
2. Travel across Canada in our new home-on-wheels. Plus, make sure to fully embrace the culture of every community we visit.
3. Open a "Small World, Big Bus" shop. More than anything, we'd love to encourage people to find safer, and more eco-friendly modes of RV-ing.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm 6'4!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Small World, Big Bus.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I've always loved photography, but when we bought Peppermint (our bus) things just seemed to fall together!
What is the goal of your business?
Share our process of creating a sustainable lifestyle, and hopefully encourage others to do the same!
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Balancing family-time. Our family is split between Edmonton, AB and Seattle, WA so it's hard to see both as often as I would like.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
The same! As they say, we are made of our experiences.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Try again! This is a learning process." This is said almost daily while building Peppermint.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"Surround yourself with love and support. A few good friends are worth infinitely more than 100 acquaintances."
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
It might be lame, but I think the answer would be Owen. My favourite memories are days spend road-tripping, and exploring, without an agenda.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To defeat Walmart! Just kidding, but I think it's important to maintain competition so that chains do not monopolize our markets!
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Moving to the Okanagan to pursue university, a career in history, and hopefully find a community to call home.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Dr. Sam Marlowe. He's a great professor at UBCO! Plus he commutes daily from Penticton to campus--even during the Summerland mudslide.
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, Penticton!
