Meet Kirk Sheppard! He was born and raised in Penticton!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Two people, my wife and son.
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
I don’t shop much but I’d have to say the crew at Pentagon are amazing.
Describe yourself in one word.
Tattooer.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Not sure lots of places I’d like to see.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
Beach with family.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
Skaha.
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
Affordable housing for working-class families. This area never had a lot of money and family’s that have lived in the area for generations are being priced out or having to live crack apartments or mouldy houses just to survive while paying way too much.
We need a rent cap per square foot as a by law and higher taxes on short-term rentals to subsidize mid to low income housing for the average person working in town, I hear it from businesses owners all around town losing good people because they can’t find a place to live. We’re losing good family’s and workers to Kamloops, Vernon and Kootenays all the time and rents are getting ridiculous out those ways now too.
As a city, we need to cater to the future, not just build housing for the elderly because if it gets any more out of hand who will take care of these people, who will serve coffee at the local shops or be the small town dinner waiter/waitresses.
This is the biggest problem we have currently in town, which is creating more homelessness because family’s are being price gouged into having to move to smaller and smaller places typically rented or lived in by the majority of our now homeless people.
What do you think makes Penticton great?
The regular people, working-class family’s, the farmers.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Email for work otherwise I am a private person.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Kirksheppardtattoos.com.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I love tattooing the craft, history, environment, every aspect of it.
What is the goal of your business?
Just to constantly progress my style and knowledge.
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 am who I am because of the ups and down no need to dwell on the downs just move forward and up regardless of how down you might be.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It’s important especially to support the farmers and growers a bad year can ruin a family a good year can be everything to the small business, supporting your own just makes sense.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My wife, she’s the hardest working lady I know, home schools my son while running a successful home business of handmade keepsakes.
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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!
