Meet Joel! He owns the business Your Driver, where his goal is to ensure that impaired individuals and their vehicles arrive home safely.
Photo Credit: Joel Kutschera
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Kamloops and this is the second time I’ve been here about 11 years
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My son. I get to see the amazing man that he has become.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Definitely the Farmers Market! You can find everything that you need and it’s all local.
Describe yourself in one word.
Love.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would go to Peru, I have a calling to see Machu Picchu.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Swimming and any activity to do with the Okanagan lakes.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
All of the adversity of my life that has taught me so many amazing lessons.
Photo Credit: Joel Kutschera
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My grandparents teaching me and my sister the value of money by collecting bottles and cans as a young child.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Central Okanagan Foodbank and the Kelowna Gospel Mission are two amazing organizations.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would like to see people view themselves as their own best friend rather than their worst enemy. We should love ourselves in the way that we are looking to get loved by others.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Okanagan Lake.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see a safe place for everyone to live and Kelowna to be one of the other places in the world that does not have homelessness.I feel as though it is important that people have a safe place to live and food to eat so that they can grow as a human being.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Kelowna is my favourite city to live in. It has all the things that you would find in a big city without the big city including an international airport and many things you’d find in a small community like amazing farmers and awesome people that are attracted to this amazing city
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Travel the world at my leisure
2. Write a series of books
3. Create an amazing life with the woman of my dreams
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Growing up I went to 12 schools in 12 years and I was told that I would never learn how to read write or graduate from my teachers.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
People can find me on Facebook and LinkedIn.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Your Driver.
Why did you get into this business?
I started this business because I wanted to provide a service that made sure that people were looked after in there most vulnerable time being impaired and that they get themselves and vehicle home safely.
What is the goal of your business?
To provide legendary service and safety and security to our clients.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
My biggest struggle in work was losing a company to the people I trusted and helped the most and having to start all over again with nothing.
If you could start all over again, would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do everything the same because it’s important for me to have gained the wisdom of my choices and my life with no regret. I do not have "what if’s" but only "oh well’s."
Photo Credit: Joel Kutschera
What do you always find yourself saying?
What’s rolling?
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
It’s not about the cards you’re dealt but how you play them that matter.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
The Dalai Lama.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Because it’s important to support the local economy instead of putting the money and jobs other places.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
That’s a tough one! Once I reach an accomplishment I move to the next, but I would say my proudest accomplishment is to not be jaded and keep on keeping on no matter how hard I’m hit by adversity.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Barry Chretien. Because like me, he’s a fighter and has lost everything and come back to have an amazing business buzz marketing.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Kirk Stott
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!
