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?
Mary Bermudez
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I've lived in Kelowna a total of 12 years. I moved back to Kelowna two years ago after working as a project manager for two land developers in Regina for eight years. I am originally from Ontario and moved to Kelowna in 1996.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I don't really have a favourite person to spend time with. There is a group of women I hang with on a social basis and I like to spend time with them because each one of them has an inspiring story, they are in some ways my mentors.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would love to spend more time exploring British Columbia, it is the most beautiful place I've been.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
There are so many great local stores here in Kelowna it is difficult to choose.
What is your favourite activity?
Walking my chocolate lab Luc because it gives me the opportunity to bond with him.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I've shown up to work on the wrong day of the week.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I used to always get the family together for my weekly magic show.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I don't volunteer however our business has a handful of customers that we provide in-kind services to due to their hardship taking care of their pets. It is important for us to help those who are in angst due to the possibility of losing their pet. Our pets especially dogs, help heal our pain, help us cope, and they improve our well-being. Studies have linked animal interactions to lower blood pressure, better physical health, and fewer symptoms of depression. Studies have shown that diseases that dogs may be able to detect by smell include diabetes and lung, prostate and ovarian cancers. A dog's ability to smell is thought to be 10,000 to 100,000 times as sensitive as a human's. Dogs have 300 million receptors in their nose compared with our five million.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Hatred, and equality. We have come such a long way in society but we have a long way to go. Hatred is taught. We all deserve to be treated as equals.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I have two, golfing and boating.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A quiet beach along the lake with my dog Luc.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Kelowna is a very accepting and forward thinking society but it takes those few that need to be educated about the different types of people that make this city thrive, we all contribute.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
I would love to say get out of debt, but that makes me feel selfish and I feel that I was put on this earth for a much greater purpose. So I really would wish for people to be more accepting of others without judgement.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I think I would like to keep that to myself, there's a reason people don't know because I don't want them to know. How mysterious!
What is the name of your business/organization?
PooCrew Kelowna
What does your business do?
We are a pet waste cleanup business. We go to customer's homes on a weekly basis to help pick up where their dog dropped off. We provide this service to people who have mobility problems, are sight impaired, and busy executives.
How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
www.facebook.com/poocrew.ca
Where can people find your business online?
poocrew.ca
Why did you get into/start this business?
We are a forward thinking pet services business who know how important it is to keep a germ-free yard. We keep busy people stress-free, physically unable people keep their dog.
What is the goal of your business?
To help people enjoy their dogs more, to help people keep their dogs, and to educate people on the importance picking up after your dog is to the environment.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
I've been on my own since I was 17-years-old, so my struggles have always been on trying to make the right decisions and picking the right paths for a bright future.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would learn at a much earlier age to invest in real estate.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To support the local economy is huge for community well-being. keeping dollars in the local community, keep the community unique, reduce environmental impact, create jobs, encourage local prosperity.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Our customers who have believed in us and continue to believe and invest in our service
Other information you would like to share:
As “Pooper Scoopers” we have a great responsibility. Our company is insured and we have fully trained employees. These "PooFessionals" are trained in disease types, sanitation practices, dog bite prevention, dog body language, and most importantly customer satisfaction! We are also all GPS tracked for the safety of our Crew Members. With a focus on client services, along with offering a unique service in Kelowna and surrounding areas, PooCrew is committed to 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Employees hired by PooCrew travel to residential or commercial properties on a weekly or one-time basis to clean up dog/goose poo from the property. PooCrew also performs spring cleans, smell and disinfection services, and mosquito repellant services.
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!
