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?
Ryan Lancaster
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm originally from Burlington, Ont.but I've lived most of my life either in Langley or here in the Okanagan. I moved back here most recently about a year and a half ago.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Besides my girlfriend who I am fortunate to have by my side on all of my crazy ventures, I'd say my friend Drew Vincent from the OYP. We both have a unique sense of humour and anytime we're together we're guaranteed to be the loudest in the room.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Comic Con backstage at the new Star Wars movie premier (I'm a bit of a comic/sci-fi geek).
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Andre's Electronic Experts and not just because I work there. I've been in retail a long time and I've experienced the good from the bad. Andre's is full of smart people, who love what they do and care about their customers. That's hard to find these days
What is your favourite activity?
I have too many favourites to list but I will say I just recently got into road biking and I'm quickly becoming addicted. It combines some of my favourite things, the outdoors, being adventurous and post beer socials.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos…hands down. And if you haven't had them before, best tacos in town our Taco Tuesday's at FSH. Trust me…I've done my research.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Well, that's difficult cause I don't embarrass easily (case and point: I was 1 of 5 guys who dressed up as the Spice Girls at the Sisters For A Cause Charity Lipsync contest last week (FYI we won)) but if I ever let someone down I am truly embarrassed.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When I was at Okanagan College I was involved in a student-run volunteer organization called Enactus. Seeing the environmental, social, economic, and educational impacts that the students were able to make on our community was truly inspiring.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I played baseball every season from age seven to 17. In my final year and what would end up being my final game I was goofing around with some friends in our pregame warm-ups. I said something to my teammates and they chased me outside the field, tackled me and gave me a few shots in the arm as punishment. When I got up to chase back after them I decided rather than go through the gate to the field I would look way cooler if I hopped the fence. I put my hand down on the chain-link and threw my body over. Unfortunately, the chain was broken right where I put my hand down and the metal corkscrewed right into my hand. I was hooked on the fence and my hand was split open. Instead of calling for help I thought I could maybe get myself out of it if I could just swinging back over the fence. I threw one leg over and my baseball pants got caught on the fence. I was now straddling the fence and with my hand still stuck firmly to the metal. At this point, I was forced to sheepishly call for help. Both teams and parents came over to watch/help but I had to wait as a parent drove home to get bolt cutters to cut the fence and free me. Instead of pitching that game I went to the hospital and we ended up losing our last game of the season.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
When I first moved back to Kelowna I was looking for a way to connect with the community and make a social impact. Within the first few months, I had gotten four different recommendations to join the Kelowna Jaycees (JCI Kelowna). After attending my first meeting I was hooked and I've been heavily involved with the organization ever since. The Jaycees are an incredible group of men and women looking to better themselves and their community. Every year we run amazing projects that help raise funds or make an impact to deserving organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club, The Okanagan Food Bank, The Women's Shelter, The Gospel Mission and much more. This year I'm really excited to have been voted to the Jaycees executive committee. It's our goal to scale the reach and impact of the organization and hopefully roll out a new long-term legacy project that we can build on for the next few years.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The precedence we put on our environmental impact. To see the mass devastation that occurs both globally and locally due to climate change but still the lack of action from business's and governments makes me so disheartened. If I could make one change to the world it would be a massive shift to clean renewable technologies and a commitment from everyone to join in the movement.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Just being outdoors. Whether it's hiking Knox Mountain, biking through City Park or just walking down Bernard, this city has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire world and every time I'm outside I appreciate it more.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
My backyard patio. I know it's not somewhere everyone can enjoy but I've got a great view of the mountains, there are comfy chairs and the beer is cheap so you can't beat it.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see more support for social business's that are trying to make an impact on our communities systemic problems. I am inspired though by projects like Andrew Greer's Purppl – PURposeful PeoPLe which works as a social incubator for charity's & non-profits.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
I want to live life with purpose, passion, meaning, direction, fulfilment, and enjoyment. I would wish every day to encompass all of these things.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm the only one of my family that is not involved in the horse industry. My dad, brother and some of my uncles all train Standard Bread races horses. I may be a city boy now but I spent every summer with my dad on the farm since I was very young.
What is the name of your business/organization?
ScaleMyLife.com
What does your business do?
Scale My Life is a community of people striving to build themselves a more purposeful, passionate and fulfilling life. The blog documents my journey as I challenge myself with a new ambitious life goal every month in an attempt to take control over my life.
How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Scale My Life
Where can people find your business online?
www.scalemylife.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
I was feeling very unaccomplished and unfulfilled in my life. I felt like I was letting life pass me by as I procrastinated my life ambitions away. I decided I had had enough so I started the blog and committed myself to one new lofty life goal every month.
What is the goal of your business?
Many people feel the same way as I did before ScaleMyLife. They feel trapped by their lives and don't feel like they can do anything about it. By doing these challenges I am hoping to not only add value to my life but show that real change is possible.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Trying to balance all the different commitments in my life and still give them 100 per cent is really difficult. Fortunately, my last month's mindfulness challenge taught me to focus on being present in the moment. Now I'm less distracted and a lot less stressed.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Every challenge I've done so far has been a building block for the next. I've added so much value to my life and connected with so many amazing people over the last five months, I honestly wouldn't change a thing.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's small local entrepreneurs that create the best unique, creative and inspiring businesses and offer us amazing new and wonderful ideas. If we don't support that then we're doomed to live in a big box, mass marketed world and that sounds pretty boring.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
During my Budget Challenge, I reached out to the local Food Bank and connected with an amazing single mom who was living off of $200/month while putting herself back through school, supporting two children and still volunteering. She deserves a big shout out
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Drew Vincent
Other information you would like to share:
As well as running my passion project with Scale My Life I also manage the Andre's Telus mobility store downtown on Bernard Ave. I'd like to give a shout out to the store and let everyone know that if they need a good honest and reliable person to get them a great deal for their cellular, home or business needs please come and see me and I'd be happy to help.
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!
