Meet Diane! She's from Saskatoon and moved to Kelowna less than a year ago. She's the flower obsessed girl who you will see driving around in Kelowna's first ever pink flower truck!



Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My boyfriend, we are complete opposites energy-wise, but I think when we are around each other we balance each other out. He is very energetic whereas I am more low-key. I feel at my best when we are in the same room.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Frakas, I enjoy the selection of clothing that they have. I find it colourful, different and comfortable.

Describe yourself in one word.    
Flowery

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would want to be in a park right now, laying in the sun, drinking wine lost in conversation or a book

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?    
I have grown to enjoy meeting lots of new people at markets, events and local fairs that the community of Kelowna puts on. You can tell that there is a strong sense of community and support here, it's great to see and be a part of it.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Recently, an artist painted one of my photographs & during the reveal I was asked to explain my inspiration behind the photograph. There were about 30 strangers in the room & I was put on the spot & did a terrible job telling the beautiful story.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
As of recently, moving to Kelowna by myself to start a new business. I only knew two people here and signed a lease to rent a room 2 weeks before I drove down. I have always been an independent person and lived on my own for the past 7 years, so I didn't think to move away would be any different. I have received a lot of support and encouragement from the very few people I do know in Kelowna, and even though they are people I just meet, there is a lot of support. It has been an overwhelming sense of gratitude when someone goes out of their way to help you, and I never realized how important a good support system is until I moved away and needed to ask for help.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When I look back on my childhood, I am amazed at how I entertained myself. I am the youngest while my brother and sister were teenagers, so I spent a lot of time alone. I was so lucky to have 3 dogs and 2 cats to keep me company on summer days. I went through cycles as to which one was my favourite pet that month. If it were one of the dogs, I would brush her, take her for walks, bring her into my room, dress her up (oops), try to teach her new tricks. If one of the cats were my favourite of the month, I would try to take them for walks, try to keep them in my room with me, definitely dress them up (oops, again) and try to teach them new tricks.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Kelowna is a great community because there are so many avenues to shop locally. There is no reason to go to a Tim Horton's, for example, to get a coffee. There are local coffee shops everywhere, and I think that is so great how accessible local vendors are in the city. Even when you are shopping in certain groceries stores, you can tell that a lot of things are made within the province, and back home I never noticed that many locally made goods being so accessible in the city. In Kelowna, it is everywhere and it makes it quite easy to support the community in that sense.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?    
No more winters.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?    
That there are more places to rent in central Kelowna that allow pets.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I like that Kelowna is a small city because I've noticed that there is a lot of support in the community and everyone wants everyone else to succeed in business, and I think that is great.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Adopt a cat
2. Have a career where I can take care of my family
3. Go to Italy and drink wine

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
One day, I woke up and decided I wanted to go to Japan in 3 weeks, so I did.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)    
 Sweet Dee's Flowers, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest 

What is the name of your business/organization?
Sweet Dee's Flowers

Why did you get into/start this business?
I have always loved flowers. When I was working in Saskatoon, I had a part-time job at a flower shop and absolutely loved it. I knew when I was done with photography I would move onto flowers.

What is the goal of your business?
I would love to have 4 or 5 flower trucks popping up around Kelowna.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?    
Perhaps, starting the business by yourself and not having a business partner to help. I am not good at certain things, and I often wished I had a business partner who could do the things I couldn't do and then that way we would be a solid team.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
If I did things differently, I wouldn't be where I am today, and I am so happy that I get to run a pink flower truck business.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"It is what it is."

Tell us your best piece of life advice.    
I think it is important to listen to your gut and follow your intuition. It is a muscle you need to strengthen and learn how to listen to what it's telling you.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Michelle Obama.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I feel when you shop local; you are supporting artists, boutiques owners, craft makers, brewers, etc. You are collecting little parts of the community that are now part of your life and personality. I think when buying local, it is a great expression of who you are. 

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Again, moving to Kelowna, writing a business plan and starting the flower truck. It has been quite fun and also quite scary all at once.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My mom. I wouldn't be this odd-dreamer-hardworking girl that I am today if it wasn't for her unapologetically being herself.

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!