Meet Rebecca! Rebecca is originally from England and made her move to Kelowna 13 years ago. She enjoys playing Slo-pitch and spending some quality time with her daughter.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Maynes
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am originally from England. I have been in Kelowna for 13 years, becoming a citizen in Sept 2017 with Justin Trudeau in attendance at my citizenship ceremony!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
It has to be my 11-year old daughter. Most of the time she's a lot of fun to be around, but being a pre-teen there are definitely some days I question my sanity!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I've always loved Blue Ginger in Pandosy Village for its jewelry, I could spend hours in there!
Describe yourself in one word.
I feel like "organized" would nail it. But also "busy" according to my friends and family!
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I'd go back to Costa Rica – I was lucky enough to spend 2 weeks there last year and just loved it. I would love to take my daughter there.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Slo-pitch!! I have been playing for over 10 years (having come from England where no one plays) and play 2-3 times a week from April – October. I love the Slo-pitch community and will choose to watch a game over any other activity in Kelowna!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
There are literally so many embarrassing things that have happened to me that I've lost count. One that is right up there is sneezing and accidentally farting at the same time in a restaurant when I was 8. My parents still don't let me forget that.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Maynes
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I recently listened to a motivational speaker (Eitan Sharir) who completely changed the way I try to approach life. He talked about how we should try and live more "vertically" rather than "horizontally" (a difficult concept to grasp but worth looking into) and as a result of listening to him, I quit my day-job to focus on my "side-hustle" full-time. This was all in the space of the last 3 months. I have dramatically changed my life and have no regrets. Life is too short not to try and do what you love every day.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My memories of my family vacations to France are my favourites. We used to go every year with another family, so there were 6 of us kids, and we would spend 10 days swimming, riding our bikes, and playing Monopoly. I don't know why we loved playing it so much, but we played at least one game a day. We were once in such an intense game that my older brother put off going to the toilet as he didn't want to leave the game…and ended up pooping himself. That's something we don't let him forget. There seems to be a theme with my family's embarrassing stories!!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
With my business, I try to support any event that I can with gift certificates to go into fundraising baskets. I also have a vision of being able to take my services to the women's shelter to help women who have been the victims of domestic violence get free beauty treatments, but it's something I am just starting to think about. I've spent the past 2 years running my business on the side of working a full-time job, so I've only now got the time I need to put this vision into motion! Any help I can get doing this would be amazing!
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Ending child-abuse. It breaks my heart when I think of the kids out there that do not have the loving childhood that I had, or that I provide to my child.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I like to hike Mount Boucherie in the summer. It's a great hike for clearing your head with an amazing view at the top!
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I live on the Westside, so I would like to see a second bridge crossing! I think that would be a positive change that a lot of people would benefit from!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I love how many free events are put on for the community. Having come from England, I can say that the sorts of free events that the city puts on are not the norm in other parts of the world!
Photo Credit: Rebecca Maynes
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Visit Santorini, Greece
2. Hike Machu Picchu
3. Watch my daughter play soccer for Team Canada (this might be more of a pipe-dream!)
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I sometimes suffer from anxiety. Most of my close friends and family know this, but to other people, I think I give the impression of being super confident, so they wouldn't necessarily know.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
https://www.facebook.com/becca.maynes
What is the name of your business/organization?
Kelowna Esthetics Studio.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I've always wanted to run my own business and put my marketing skills to use, so I trained in esthetics and ran my business from home, evenings and weekends to start.
What is the goal of your business?
To bring top quality, but affordable esthetic services to local women, at times that suit the working woman (7 days a week, 10am-9pm)
Photo Credit: Rebecca Maynes
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I used to struggle with public speaking. I once had a panic attack during a presentation that then spiralled my fear even more. I joined Toastmasters and worked on my presentation skills for 18 months before presenting at a conference in front of 700 people!
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I like my life. I have been through some tough times, going through a divorce far away from my family with a 2-year old to name one of them, but everything has shaped me into being the person I am today, and I wouldn't change that for the world!
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Rhiannon (my daughter), did you listen to what I just said!"
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Life is to short to be bitter, and if you hold grudges, you might miss out on something wonderful.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My grandparents. They live in England. Growing up, we lived 5 hours away from them (which doesn't sound much for Canadians, but in England, that's almost the length of the entire country!), so we didn't see them much more than 2-3 times a year. I go back to visit every 18-months or so, and that time with my grandparents is so precious.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Because local businesses are owned by local people, in your community, just trying to make a living for themselves and their families.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Probably my daughter!
Photo Credit: Rebecca Maynes
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My sister-in-law Cheyanne. She's probably the most positive person I know, never seems to let life get her down, and I love her to death – she's like a ray of sunshine on an otherwise dull day!
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Jeremy Haines – owner of Dasher Mechanical!
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you KelownaNow for the opportunity to share more about myself!
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!
