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?
Holly Sumner.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am from St. Albert, Alberta and I moved to Kelowna in July 2003 so I have lived here for 14 years. Sometimes I can't believe I live in such an amazing place. Best decision I ever made!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My children. I have six year old twins and they, by far, are the most fun to hang out with. They make me laugh constantly and I really enjoy watching them grow and change. I love the people they are becoming, their personalities shine bright!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Well I do love traveling and I constantly feel the urge to explore more of our world but at the moment traveling scares me to be quite honest. But that aside, I would choose Tahiti because it is an oasis. Warm, private, glorious and I could just unplug!

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
The local culture of shopping in our downtown core is fantastic! I am often at Funktional, Water Garden or Alchemy finding the perfect gift. Problem is I usually end up buying it for myself too which can be a problem!

What is your favourite activity?
Spin class at SpinCo. It is the best workout. It's tough yet exhilarating, motivational and I really dig the tunes they play. The best starts to my day begin with SpinCo. I wish I could do it more often!

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza for sure. I'm constantly trying to eat a healthy plant based diet, but put pizza in front of me and I will always cave!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Well this one day, years ago, I had a bad wipeout on the ski hill in Banff and had to be taken down by ski patrol. Seriously awful. I blamed the skis, not me! I still try to believe this!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Inspiration comes in many forms. But, I am always inspired whenever a customer tells me that I have improved their life or situation due to a recommendation I have made. There is no better feeling than to help others when they need it most.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
All the summer road trips I took with my parents, I am an only child, to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Grandma always had plenty of candy at her house which was excitement in itself! Being from the prairies, visiting the ocean was always a treat. I loved being able to make sandcastles, collect sea shells and swim in the water as long as I wanted.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Our group at Shoppers Drug Mart have many initiatives throughout the year to support our local community. We have raised funds for the Kelowna Women's Shelter, the local division of CMHA, the new perinatal unit at the hospital and breast cancer to name a few. This year our main fundraising goals are to support the build of JoeAnna's house in collaboration with the KGH foundation as well as our upcoming event for cancer research. I also volunteer at a retirement facility by taking the residents blood pressures monthly. Personally, I held a fundraiser for my birthday party and donated the funds to MS research here in Kelowna.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would make cancer non-existent. Not just a cure for cancer, but like a magic wand to wipe away its existence. I have friends and family who have had to endure this torturous path and I know how hard it is on them and their loved ones. I have patients at the pharmacy going through it all the time. It seems like it is all around us. I would love to see a day when no one has to suffer from cancer.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
My all time favorite thing to do is spend the day on our boat with family and friends. To make it a perfect summer day, we always make sure to stop at the Hotel Eldorado for a snack on their patio, it's the best in town!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
The little free time I have alone is usually spent at SpinCo, which is not really alone time but it is "me" time! Other than that I walk my dog, Chloe in my neighborhood which makes both of us happy.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see an influx of family physicians come to Kelowna. This indeed is a big issue for us right now as every day I hear of people who are without a doctor and the walk-in clinics are at full capacity or closed which makes the ER overflow. It's a crisis.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather, our beautiful landscape, the diversity of activities and the people. Where else can you ski and golf in the same day? We have done this! Did I mention the wine too? Well it speaks for itself!

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I'm happy to say that I have been able to accomplish most things on my bucket list over the years so I keep coming up with new ones.
1. I would love to improve my golf game, as it is one of my favorite things to do with friends.
2. I aim to become more fluent in French, so I am currently taking lessons to refresh my skills. The kids are in French immersion and learning at an astounding rate so I have to keep up!
3.  I would really like to be able to take my kids back to some of the amazing places we have visited over the years that made an impact on us  like Bali, Europe or Belize. I learned so much about myself and other cultures through travel and wish the same for my children.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have been a tap dancer for almost 30 years. I still do it whenever I can!

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Shoppers Drug Mart. I have two stores in the mission area. One on Lakeshore Road and the other around the corner next to the Mission Medical Clinic on Lanfranco Road.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I had been a pharmacist with Shoppers for a number of years and was ready for a change so I took on the ownership role 10 years ago and never looked back. Most people don't realize that every store is locally owned by a pharmacist!

What is the goal of your business?
I'm working hard to make my businesses be a favorite destination. I want to be a pharmacy and retailer of choice whether it comes to improving someones health, helping with beauty or just simply for the convenience of an easy grocery pick up.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
It's both! The perpetual work life balance. As the kids get older, it's all about balancing the needs of my business and staff with the needs of our family. Whether it is hockey or dance, we are always on the go. I'm thankful for my husbands support!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change a thing. I believe that most everything happens for a reason and I have been fortunate for my life experiences thus far.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'It's fine. We can work it out'. There is always something that I need to fix, whether it's in my stores or in life, so I choose to keep a positive attitude. The curve balls constantly get thrown and it's how you deal with them that matters.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Justin Timberlake! Ever since I saw him in person during a taping of Saturday Night Live in New York, I wished that one day we could hang out and do a dance number!! I think he is so talented and absolutely hilarious. Maybe I could join in on one of his duets with Jimmy Fallon, now that would be fabulous.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To support our people.  It is not easy having a business, so any support we can give helps our economy. Local owners put so much effort into their businesses so why not reward them? The personal touch goes a long way in customer satisfaction.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I won the Best Store In Canada award for Shoppers Drug Mart, the highest award my company gives. It was a huge honor to be recognized for the hard work of myself and my team to meet all the performance metrics and standards over and above any store.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My friend Jennifer Thorne. Investment Advisor at Odlum Brown. A working mama keeping it all together! I admire her success! She's keepin it real, go check out #100AwesomePeople on Instagram.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Chris Trunzer. Director of Golf instruction Gallaghers Canyon. He gives a killer golf lesson like no other to any age and can make a great difference in your game. He has re-located to Kelowna from Florida and is very involved with our youth.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
We are having our biggest cosmetics event in store on Saturday November 4th 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Shoppers on Lakeshore in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. The Great Gatsby Gala is $10 per ticket with $5 going to cancer and $5 to your purchase. There will be makeovers, hair styling, wine from Cedar Creek Winery and food from Nourished Edible Wellness. Lots of gifts with purchases and prizes! Come support a great cause and have a fun night out. See you there!

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.