Meet Branden! He was born at KGH and raised in West Kelowna. He has have lived in Kelowna his entire life. I love the Okanagan and I cannot imagine a better place to live.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I can't just pick one, my friends are my family and I would not be who I am today without them. We do everything together.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Cherry Pit Restaurant in West Kelowna, they have the best breakfast and service in town.

Describe yourself in one word.
Motivated, I am always pushing myself to achieve the best result for myself and others around me. I have always been hard working and it has gotten me to where I am today.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
England, my girlfriend Phoebe is from England and I would love to go and experience her cultural background and meet the rest of her family as well as do a little sightseeing.
 

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Playing Golf around the Okanagan, I have been a competitive golfer since I was 13 years old and now as an adult I enjoy experiencing different courses around the Okanagan.




What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Id rather not say.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
In 2015 I had the opportunity to attend CSLC, the Canadian Student Leadership Conference, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At this conference I attended various keynote presentations showcasing successful people around Canada. These keynotes allowed me to understand who I am and what I need to do in order to achieve my many goals. In addition, I forged some long lasting relationships, connected with some amazing people and even reconnected with someone form my past. It truly was one of the best experiences of my life and it is something I will cherish forever.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
On a camping trip in 2005 across Canada we were in a little campground in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. And we happen to meet this older couple who were situated beside us. After chatting they told us they were the parents of my childhood hero Terry Fox. I learned so much about Terry's life and the struggles he went through right from the source. Seriously one of the coolest and most amazing encounters. How many people can say they camped and conversed with the parents of a Canadian hero?

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
As a high school student who was president of SD23's District Student Council I worked along-side the KGH Foundation to raise money for the initiative called Giving Giggles. We raised almost $3000.00 from schools across the district for the prenatal unit of KGH. Now as a business manager I have worked with local organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and the Mount Boucherie Skating Club either with fundraising, donating or sponsoring. I plan to continue this work with other local organizations as well.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The level of corruption that occurs in countries in the Global South. Corruption affects so many people and it is one of the leading causes of failed states and impoverished countries around the globe.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Two Eagles Golf Course and Academy, a very friendly place where I can go to relax and enjoy myself. I also worked there for almost five years during middle school and high school so I have a very good relationship with the staff and members.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see more development, such as housing, apartments, and businesses in the downtown area. This gives Kelowna the opportunity to bring new people, new stores and a new feel to what is already a hub for entertainment in Kelowna. Kelowna is already such an amazing city but I feel it has the potential to grow and be so much more.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The sense of community in Kelowna and how everyone seems to work together to create a city people are proud to call home.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A bucket list is a concept that I have never really agreed with. My goal is to live life to the fullest, I don't want to sit back brainstorming what I want to do in life, I want to do what makes me happy and experience as much as I can. Being surrounded by people I care about, traveling, working to grow my business and having fun are just some of the many things I want to do and continue doing. 


Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I played Tenor Saxophone throughout middle/high school, attended a number of music festivals around North America and continue to play till this day. Occasionally I will attend the Thursday night Jazz Jam at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Mostly personally but also through social media like Facebook and Instagram as well.

What is the name of your business/organization?
West Kelowna Fine Cabinetry

Why did you get into/start this business?
My father and I started West Kelowna Fine Cabinetry together. I have worked with my father most of my life and we both wanted to share our excellent skills and service with the community and create something we are proud of.

What is the goal of your business?
To create a product that gives people the 'Wow Factor'. And to make West Kelowna Fine Cabinetry a well-known, welcoming business with excellent service that is able to give back to the community and create long lasting relationships with our clients.
 

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Balancing work life, university, and friends and family.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I do not regret any decision I have made thus far. The actions I have taken till this day have allowed me to generate amazing relationships, have great opportunities and have made me into the person I am today.

What do you always find yourself saying?
“Don’t worry about it, everything will work out in the end if you want it to”

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Follow your heart, do what you think is right and don't listen to what others think of you. No matter what, if you have a goal strive for it because if it’s important to you then you will achieve it.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Tiger Woods, not only is he an inspiration to me as a golfer but as a person as well. I feel that I could learn a lot about perseverance and drive from a person who is so successful in his career but also who has come back from struggles in life as well.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To build local economy and give back to a community and the people who work so hard to share what they have to offer.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming SD23's District Student Council President. I worked closely with the Board of Education and governed nearly 22,000 students. I had the opportunity to work with some great people, build camaraderie in the district and be a leader in my community.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Melanie Wowchuck, an amazing teacher at Mount Boucherie Secondary. Even though I graduated in 2016 I still live by many of the life lessons she taught me. I have her to thank for many of the opportunities I have had and many of my achievements today.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Craig Thomson, a very involved community member in Kelowna and someone I look up to as a person and as a mentor. He is a brilliant musician in the community with many achievements of his own. If anyone deserves to be recognized it is him.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I would just like to thank KelownaNow for this opportunity to be showcased on InFocus. As a young person in the Okanagan it is amazing to be recognized for my achievements and have the opportunity to share them with people in my community. 

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!