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?
Alex Linke.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
That’s a tough one. I was born in Kelowna, but I’ve lived in Calgary, Toronto, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Let's call it 15 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I’m afraid to answer and get hate mail from my second choices! I don’t have a favourite person per-say, I love to spend time with my family because they do things as abnormally as I do.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I’d love to go to Australia, but I’m honestly terrified of spiders… so New Zealand it is!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Alchemy is at the top of my list. Whenever I go in the staff are super helpful and bubbly, and their home decor is unparalleled.
What is your favourite activity?
I love to golf and Kelowna has so many amazing golf courses to choose from, it's hard not to love the sport. Gallagher’s Canyon is my go-to place.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza, it’s less of a task to avoid being covered in sauce, something I’m not very good at.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Last year my girlfriend and I took our first ever trip together to Switzerland. Having spent a lot of my childhood living in Austria and Germany, I was fairly confident in my German speaking abilities. I didn’t hesitate to boast my fluency to my girlfriend prior to us leaving for our trip, much to my regret. For our first meal we went out for lunch at a bar on the water. Me, being ever so confident in my German, thought it best I order for the both of us, ordering her what I thought to be a salad, and myself some grilled chicken & potatoes. After a fairly hefty laugh-fest from both the staff, they asked me to repeat what I had ordered. At this, a little PO’d, I placed my order again with the staff. Once again they chuckled, so in German I asked, 'what’s the problem?' The staff were quick to inform me (in English) that not only have I failed to order my girlfriend’s meal by speaking incoherent French-German- English-gibberish, I also ambitiously ordered myself some 'jet planes and a throb.' My girlfriend didn’t leave me, just an FYI.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Growing up watching my mom was the most inspiring thing that has happened to me. I’ve watched her accomplish things I thought impossible, and she still managed to do it with finesse. She can take on more than anyone I know, and still be there to support at a moments notice.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My favourite childhood memory involves a free futon. My family and my best friend used to take yearly trips to Pender Island near Victoria. Upon arrival on our last year travelling to the island, we noticed someone had a free futon sitting out front of their property. Being quick to realize such an amazing opportunity, my friend and I quickly walked on over to the futon and procured it for our rental property, which was about 300m away (picture two 13-year-olds carrying a giant, queen-sized futon down a forest service road). The futon was our hub for the two-week vacation, we played badminton from it, made a bed for our local deer friends and tried to bring it on the roof at one point, because who doesn’t want to suntan on a futon on the roof?
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
The hiking trails around Kelowna are usually pristine, but sometimes people forget their garbage. I try to help their garbage find the garbage can.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would make post-secondary education free.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
To be honest, I could use a weekend at Sparkling Hill right now, are you offering?
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see more job availability for professionals. Too many alumni that I recently graduated with from UBC are struggling to find employment in Kelowna within their niches. The average price of a home and average income of someone living in Kelowna are completely out of line, I’d also like to see that reach more of an equilibrium so locals and graduates alike can afford to continue live here.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
What I like about Kelowna is it forces you to be active outdoors. We have so many natural amenities like mountains, rivers, lakes and forests that it’s really hard to spend a weekend inside.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Invent something
2) Visit Yosemite
3) Touch a spider, which seems currently impossible
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am an avid gardener.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
www.JohnAntle.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
I got into this business because it allows me to use my brain without getting repetitive and I still have flexibility in my schedule to enjoy facets of life I’ve given up for previous employment.
What is the goal of your business?
I would love to have a reputation for creating success stories that expand beyond Kelowna. The biggest driver for me is to know that I’ve helped out, or improved a situation. I’d love to be able to do this on a countrywide scale.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
I struggle to find balance between my desire for success and my need for R&R. Sometimes I forget to do things for myself, but I’m getting better at it.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
That’s a hard question, a little bit of both. I would be a little bit easier on myself for my early years, and go with the flow a little bit more. I think I worked too hard trying to force things.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'Work hard and be nice to people.'
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, whom would you select?
I think Kevin Hart would be a blast to hangout with.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I think it’s important to ensure some money goes back into the pockets of locals. We live in such a unique place, and our local products reflect it.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Finishing my BSc degree despite many roadblocks is my proudest accomplishment recently.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Ariel Smith deserves a shout out! She’s working toward being a doctor, working full-time hours, volunteering another 20+ hours per week and still living a balanced lifestyle.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Ariel Smith.
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.
