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?
Angie Bricker.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Ontario but have lived in Kelowna since 1966, with an 11 year stop in Vancouver. I grew up in East Kelowna so the smell of apples takes me back to childhood.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
All of my family, altogether at once.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
New York. I've heard everything there is 'cool'.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Georgie Girl, of course! I love unique fashions and my team makes it all so much fun. I also love Posh Jewelry. There are so many local designers and Kate Morgan has such a fabulous eye for perfection.
What is your favourite activity?
Running in the sun.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Sometimes I forget peoples names that I have known for a long time. That causes me anguish. I have just learned to ask.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Creating Georgie Girl and all that has come with it.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Fishing in an aluminum boat with my dad out in the mountains and catching kokanee, cleaning them and frying them up on the spot.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I like to volunteer where I can contribute my expertise in fashion styling and theatre, so I have been the costume designer for two New Vintage Theatre productions and dozens of photo shoots as well as video productions. I also pro bono website design and marketing for non-profit and upstart businesses in Mexico.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Negativity and ignorance.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Running and skiing!
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Anywhere up in the mountains and lakes.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
It may not be the most important thing, but when I am in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico everyone greets eachother and stops to chat. People are very open. Here often people will look away when they meet others walking as if they are afraid to say hello to a stranger. I would love that to change. Also, the homeless people with mental health challenges in the Okanagan need compassionate and alternatives to living on the streets. It is so important that these issues be addressed in an intelligent, thoughtful and sustainable manner.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
We have an amazing downtown core thanks to many that believed in the possibilities. I love that it is growing culturally and attracting people from the bigger cities to work and live here. The sustainable and modern approach to the growth of Kelowna is making it a very attractive place to live and do business. And, of course the gorgeous lake to the sky's natural beauty!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Learn photoshop and graphic design to the expert level
2. Become a decent fashion photographer
3. Design my own clothing
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have no tattoos and no plans!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram and Facebook
What is the name of your business/organization?
Georgie Girl Vintage.
Why did you get into/start this business?
It was quite perfectly accidental. The most organic and natural way to start a business is to let it flow over you until you can’t deny it’s reality. I had a space to fill and the world told me how to fill it. For once I listened.
What is the goal of your business?
To uplift fashion lovers with laughter, positivity and wickedly amazing vintage to modern apparel.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Staying true to myself. It is so easy to get caught up in the swirl of what others are doing and forget to check in with your own values and goals. It is especially true these days with constant social media sharing, and as a business owner and marketer ignoring all the information sharing is, in my opinion, not an option.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
or sure I would change things to be different. Hindsight is 20/20 but that is how we learn and grow. I am good with how things have worked out, I have learned so much and am ready to learn more. That being said, I have no regrets.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'I should go running.'
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I am with the ones I love to be with everyday.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Supporting local business owners is important because it makes good economic sense. Local businesses are employers just as much as contributing to the uniqueness of our city. Visitors to Kelowna love to come to their favourite one of a kind shops. If the downtown was like the mall, with mainly national chain stores we would lose our edge. There are probably 1000 other reasons.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I get up everyday expecting the best of myself, but now and then, I achieve what I set out to do. That’s it.
Give someone you think that deserves a shout out and explain why!
Lise Guyot, for her unrelenting, joyful sharing of her gorgeous and poignant photography as well as her bountiful support of the arts community in Kelowna.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Kim Ainsley. Owner of the Bike Shop Café.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you for such a lovely opportunity to share my thoughts.
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.
