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?
Nick Gowing
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born and raised in Kamloops and moved to Kelowna about three years ago with my wife.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My son Jaxon, he’s just over two-and-a-half now, a ball of energy and a ton of fun.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Peru. It’s one place I’ve always wanted to go, so maybe some day.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I really enjoy checking out the Mediterranean Market, though there are so many great local places to shop here in Kelowna it’s hard to pick a favourite.
What is your favourite activity?
Going for walks through the parks and nature trails with my son, he loves to explore. It’s such a joy to watch his brain work, he has such a great imagination.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos all the way! Not that I don’t enjoy all of them, but for some reason, tacos are my favourite and always have been.
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Oh my, I don’t know about hidden, but I know there are some beautiful beach spots along trail ways that are just perfect! A nice walk with the family and a dip to cool down and have fun, now that’s the Okanagan life.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don’t get embarrassed easily, there’s really only one thing that sticks in the mind and it’s from when I was in grade seven. Lets put it this way, gym class, basketball jump shot, no more pants.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The birth of my son, and finding out my wife and I are expecting another addition this fall. It’s what drives me to do better in life and in business.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Camping on the beach in Mexico with some of my family. I had so much fun with two of my step brothers, snorkelling, swimming and having campfires at night right near the ocean.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Our restaurant donates all the tips from our daily sales to our local food bank, we love that we are able to consistently do this for our community. We’ve also donated grocery items to organizations who are hosting events which directly benefit those in need.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
To diminish hate. If we could all concentrate our efforts on helping one another, I think a lot of other problems would soon disappear.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Going to the beach. There are so many great spots to choose from, we’re definitely fortunate to live here.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love going for a relaxing drive along Westside Road, sometimes getting away from the traffic and hitting the road is exactly what I need.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I’d love to see some creative and functional solutions on how to help the homeless and those addicted to drugs. I think that doing so would, in turn, solve many of the problems we see on our streets.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To have more time with my family. Small business life definitely has its positives, but one of them is not spare time.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I’m an animal lover, I consider our cat like one of my children.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Nourish Kelowna
What does your business do?
We feed hangry people ha ha! We serve breakfast and lunch items all made from scratch, our goal is to ensure that our customers get great food, fast so they can still sit and enjoy. We also cater events and weddings in Kelowna.
How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook
Twitter: @nourishkelowna
Instagram: Nourish Kelowna
Where can people find your business online?
Nourishkelowna.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
My wife and I both worked cooking in mines in the NWT for many years when we got the exciting news we were going to have our first child everything changed. Once Jaxon was born, the thought of missing half his life was something I didn’t want to have to do. So my wife and I worked our buts off to get this restaurant off the ground so we could stay local and raise our family here.
What is the goal of your business?
To serve the people of Kelowna (and of course all visitors) real food, with real ingredients that we are proud to serve to our own families. Of course, just as anyone else who works for a living, I also want to make sure that our business can provide for our family.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Finding a balance between the two. You often hear that working for yourself you’ll get to set your own hours and be your own boss. As any small business owner knows, this is true, but your set hours are often double or more than regular work weeks. Definitely not a complaint, just a reality, which just means you have to work harder to make sure the other things in your life find a place.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
For the most part, things would be the same, at least the outcome would be. There are just some small things that I would have focused on more.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Simple, it supports your neighbours, your community. You’re literally helping to put food directly on someone’s table, or help a family put their child through sports or university. The more you support local, the more money there is to put into other local shops.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My wife Nicole, she works so hard at home raising our son. Although she no longer works full time at our restaurant, Nourish wouldn’t be what it is without all the blood, sweat, and tears she put into it in the first year and a half especially.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Kimberley Tchebotar of Pink Pumpkin Events
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!
