Meet Amber, her family has lived in West Kelowna since 2014. Amber owns her own business as a registered massage therapist in the Okanagan. When she isn't working on other people's wellness, she is spending time on her own by adventuring the outdoors with family.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Well we have a bit of a package deal situation! My partner Andrew and I have two children under four and two Labradors. Children learn to bring balance to their lives when they see their parents setting aside time for what they value.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love the Wood Fire Bakery. They have great sandwiches and the best hearty homemade soups.
Describe yourself in one word.
Passionate
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would love to venture to Thailand and study Thai Massage from the locals. The country is beautiful, the people are friendly and the cost of living is low. If you combine a vacation with the study, you have a solid adventuring awaiting.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Straight into the lake, paddling on my SUP with my dogs hot on the trail behind me.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Well you see, I have two small children; you want just today's?
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When my partner Andrew and I were living in Canmore, we decided to start a family and quickly came to the realization that Canmore wasn't the best location for us to purchase our first home. We quit our careers and moved to Kelowna with no jobs, no family and no established social network. To top it all off I was six months pregnant! I graduated from Saskatchewan for the remedial massage therapy diploma and in Saskatchewan the profession is unregulated and in BC massage therapy is a regulated profession. Which means that in order to become a registered massage therapist in BC I had to write BC's four provincial board exams. I studied for the first three years of moving to Kelowna, I had 2 children in the process and worked between my maternity leaves. I wrote my last exam 5 days before I gave birth to my second child. It was an extremely tough road for balancing my family life, with work and studying but with perseverance and determination all my hard work paid off. After all that I decided to start my own business and I am excited to be pursuing my dream of owning my own business in Kelowna. This situation is inspiring to me because this road would be the one less travelled by many.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My family and I took a two-week road trip to Las Vegas, Santa Ana, and Anaheim. We ventured Disneyland, Los Angeles's Hollywood, Laguna Beach, and San Diego. It was then that I fell in love with the ocean and the simplicity of the beach lifestyle!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I donated massage therapy sessions to my community. I recognize that charitable events and fundraising benefits are worthwhile causes and bring a community together. The event took place on June 9, 2018 for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Charity Golf Tournament at Sunset Ranch Golf Course; all proceeds go to the NICU AT KGH. I will set up shop on one of the holes and provided mini massage treatments to the golfers.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Slow down climate change. There is more frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warming oceans that can directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak havoc on people’s livelihoods and our communities.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love hiking around Rose Valley Regional Park in West Kelowna with my dogs.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Kelowna is growing rapidly and it seems that there is a shortage of family physicians and the healthcare system does seem to be a bit over-taxed with specialists and diagnostic testing availability. I am hoping that we will continue to get more physicians as the city continues to grow.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather, fresh produce, Okanagan Lake, parks and green spaces. There is great wineries, golf courses, cycling, hiking trails with waterfalls, Piano's in the Park and Park's Alive and let's not forget the view of the valleys, lakes and vineyards.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
- I have always wanted to sell all my family's possessions, buy a travel trailer and travel and work periodically throughout North America with my family.
- Travel around the world; it’s the single best activity that exposes you to new cultures, broaden your mind, move out of your comfort zone, allow you to meet new people, and experience the wonders of the world.
- I have always dreamed of running my own healing center in the country which focuses on the beauty of nature, nutrition and farming, yoga and meditation, one-on-one counselling and support circles, creative workshops, equine and canine therapy, drum circles and dance, massage and spa therapy modalities.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I spent 2.5 years travelling around Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. The highlight of my trip was in the clear subtropical waters miles off the coast of Whakatane, NZ swimming with a pod of over 100 dolphins in their natural habitat.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Amber Dawn Registered Massage Therapy on Facebook and Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
Amber Dawn Registered Massage Therapy
Why did you get into/start this business?
I wanted to be the creator of my own unique space for healing. My clinic is definitely one of my happy places. They say if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!
What is the goal of your business?
My goal is to empower clients to understand their particular condition and provide exercises to continue their care at home. I wish for the client to leave the clinic with a sense of knowledge and inspiration to take hold of their own selfcare.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Deciding when to take the plunge at starting my own business. Making these decisions while having two small children is pretty extreme! Finding the family, personal, and professional balance is still a work in progress.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I love my life the way it is; it is important to focus on the present. All our past experiences have been an opportunity for our own personal growth and makes us who we are.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Snitches get stitches!
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Don't sweat the small stuff and/or will this bother you in a year?
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would simply spend it with my parents; they live in Saskatchewan and I am the happiest when I get all that love in one room. Watching them be grandparents and my children just soaking all that love up.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
When you support local business owners, you get a better level of service, as well as helping make your community a better place to live. Ensuring uniqueness is preserved as a part of your community.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming a mom to two beautiful children.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My life partner and father of my children Andrew Tuckwood. He is always in my corner pushing me towards my best. He never lets up! He is one of my biggest supporters in life and he "MAKES IT RAIN" with my business cards! I am sure he hands out 50 to my 1.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Dr. Amanda Stevens, Chiropractic Doctor and owner of AltaVie Integrative Health.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I would like to take the opportunity to stress the importance of selfcare and how it is crucial for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Know your own worth. Selfcare is an important component in maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself as it creates positive outlook and boosts confidence and self-esteem.
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!
