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?
Debra Beck
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in northern Manitoba, did a middle-school stint in Saskatchewan and then High school in southern Manitoba and then went on to Winnipeg to study business than communications. My career brought me slowly west and over 8 years ago my husband, David Stein, and I bought Air-Hart Aviation. Been here over eight years and love it!!!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Well, I really just love spending time with all my family and friends but as far as who drives me the least crazy that’s a tossup between my dog Meeka and my 12-year old daughter Izzy. Can I choose both? My dog Meeka never talks back and keeps me in shape with our daily hikes. My daughter makes me laugh but gives me attitude and talks back – it’s a hard to choose one.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Well, I feel pretty lucky to be in Kelowna right now but I have always wanted to go to Greece. I love the culture and the beauty (at least what I imagine). I would also love to go to the Netherlands (Holland) too as all my aunts and uncles and cousins are there.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love the food at Raudz Regional Roundtable and Mango Café – again it’s a tie. One for special occasions and the other for everyday eating.
What is your favourite activity?
I love hiking and live across from Rose Valley Provincial Park in West Kelowna. Of course drinking wine and spending time with family and friends is right up there.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos but the gourmet ones.
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
If I tell it won’t be hidden anymore will it?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
That cannot be shared on a public forum LOL. My everyday life is full of them. I guess one I can share is getting caught peeing in Rose Valley Park. I did not see anyone around and squatted only to see someone coming after the fact and I just didn’t move and stayed squatted in hopes they would continue to not notice me but they did. Didn’t help that my dog wasn’t being inconspicuous.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I can’t say I have been inspired by one thing or one event. I get inspiration from my children, my family and friends and of course my dog. I have great people in my life who inspire me.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Just being with family. I have eight brothers and sisters and I used to love Christmas time when we were all together. Growing up north was isolated but was such a great upbringing with the winter carnivals. I do have one memory of taking our kiddy swimming pool down the ski hill in the winter. The fact we survived it (The pool itself had not) was amazing and a pretty good memory.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I used to volunteer my time but with running a business and working remotely for another company plus raising two children I barely have time to brush my hair. I do through the business donate complimentary tours to animal and children causes – both dear to my heart.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
World peace would be cliché wouldn’t it but my answer is somewhat related – Ignorance. I do believe ignorance is at the root of all evil. Some people need to be more open-minded and accepting and tolerant of others and those who are not, is generally a result of ignorance and fear.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I would say hiking with my dog. It’s peaceful and serene and clears my head. But just hanging out at our pool with family and friends is also great.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I was going to say my bathroom to take a bath as that is usually my goal but I typically get interrupted when I am bathing by my 10 or 12-year-old, so again, Rose Valley Provincial Park to go hiking may be my best answer again.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I don’t think this is specific to Kelowna only but I would like to see smaller classroom sizes and more resources given to teachers. My kids attend Rose Valley Elementary and the teachers are fantastic but have to do so much with so little.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
If I could be granted one wish, I would wish for world peace or that I could eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight, just kidding…I would wish for unlimited wishes but I suppose world peace and gluttony without consequences could be a couple of those wishes.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I once performed a comedy routine at Yuk Yuks.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Air-Hart Aviation
What does your business do?
We do floatplane sightseeing tours of the Okanagan, floatplane charters as well as floatplane training. Everything from getting a PPL to CPL on floats, seaplane ratings and advanced 50-hour floatplane bush course.
How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Airhart Aviation
Where can people find your business online?
www.air-hart.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
My husband was a pilot and when we saw Air-hart for sale we decided to buy – it was an easy decision for me because I loved Kelowna and having lived in Alberta for a while I was ready . Ironically Dave had done his commercial pilot's licence at Air-hart 12 years earlier and I was just his girlfriend at the time. I came out for a visit while he was training and fell in love with Kelowna. He also proposed to me at that time. We joked about buying Air-Hart some day and here we are. When we bought I became the business manager and although I had no interest in aviation at the time I have met so many amazing people since we have trained pilots from all over the world. I have made life-long friends.
What is the goal of your business?
For tours, it’s to give locals and tourists a breathtaking experience and birds eye view of Okanagan and for student pilot's it’s to give them the education and skills to achieve their goals whether that is for fly recreationally or commercially.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
I think the biggest struggle is just finding the balance between work and life.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing except maybe buying real estate in Kelowna 20 years ago. My life is not perfect but I feel blessed. I’m pretty happy where I am right now and surrounded by so many amazing people.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
When you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, etc — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Daniel Bibby is the General Manager at the Delta and very well respected by his staff plus he owns his own winery – Nighthawk Vineyards. Air-Hart leases office space at The Delta and he is an excellent General Manager to work with.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Daniel Bibby General Manager at the Delta Grand Hotel
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!
