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?
Stacie O’Leary & Christina Gautron
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Stacie was born and raised here, Christina was born in Port Alberni and moved to Kelowna in 1994.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Our kids! They will be grown before we know it, so we cherish as many family times as possible.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Bali, because we really need a vacation!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Kelowna Women’s Shelter thrift store. Great finds and friendly staff.
What is your favourite activity?
Hanging out at the beach with our families and friends.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Burgers for of us!
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Pritchard Beach in West Kelowna
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Stacie lost her shoes during a wedding and she was the wedding planner! Christina had heat stroke and went to the hospital by ambulance only after finishing set up of the décor needed for that function.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
We met because our boys started kindergarten together, and now history will forever be changed for us in our personal and business lives.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Stacie making a childhood music video with her cousins which is now featured in her cousin’s own music video. “Barbarian” by Moonface.
Christina visiting her Aunt and Uncle’s house on the island as she enjoyed the country setting and lifestyle.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Many different aspects of Kelowna Gospel Mission, we are both actively involved in our children’s school parent advisory council, and we also sponsor a candidate through the West Kelowna Youth Ambassador program.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Awareness and support for child and youth mental health, as well as less world child poverty.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Going on wine tours and going to the beach.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Glen Canyon trails
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More emphasis on having something for our youth to take part in. We used to have things like the Boardwalk, Flinstones, Old MacDonald’s Farm, Waterslides etc. And now there is very minimal places for them to go on a budget.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To have our personal friendship continue to be as strong as it is now in order to keep succeeding in business. And have it be forever as fun as it is now.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Stacie is super bossy(people may already know this, haha), and Christina is a very talented designer.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Impressions Weddings & Events
What does your business do?
Impressions Weddings & Events offers many services to help you make your wedding or event beautiful & stress-free such as full-service custom and pre-designed decor set up and take down, DIY "Decorate.It.Yourself." decor rentals, day of wedding coordination, event decor/staging and coordination, bride's own decor – setup and takedown, wedding florals, decor consignment and retail, and we also offer a specific vendor referral program.
How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
impressionsweddingsevents
@impressions_wed
@impressionsweddings
www.pinterest.com/impressionsweds
Where can people find your business online?
www.impressionsweddingspro.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
Christina purchased this business after her own wedding was complete. She has worked from home with this for nearly 10 years. Stacie had been in the banquet industry off and on for nearly 15 years with a brief stint in Real Estate Sales. When they came together to expand Christina’s business, they found it was the best partnership this industry could ask for! And now having the storefront and showroom just enhances everything they have both been working towards for so many years.
What is the goal of your business?
As a leading provider of wedding and event decor in the Okanagan, we take great pride in thinking outside the box and always going above and beyond for our clients. Our niche is being the affordable choice. We set ourselves apart by being both affordable and one of the top in the local industry! We believe every client deserves a beautiful and stress-free day. Hiring a professional decorator or coordinator should not be out of reach no matter your budget.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Balancing between being business owners, mom’s, wives, and having time for sleep!
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
We would absolutely do it again; we would just hope to have started sooner!
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping local is imperative for our own families to thrive, so it is a no brainer for us to do the same with all other small business owners like ourselves!
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
To all the other vendors in our industry, good luck for the 2016 wedding season, and don’t get sunstroke!!
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Mike Odenbach from Western Star Auctions
Other information you would like to share:
Our showroom currently has a sale of many of our previous year’s décor, as well as many new retail items. Visit us in store anytime between 9am-2pm Monday’s to Friday’s. 2424 Last Rd. in West Kelowna.
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!
