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?
Sheena Duddy
What do you always find yourself saying?
What I’m about to share can carry different meanings, but I am often caught saying that ‘it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission’. I know that can be interpreted to carry a mischievous or rebellious meaning, but to me it’s about being assertive. A lot of time can be wasted by looking at the other guy, wondering what he is going to do, or surveying the crowd, worrying about stepping out of line. To me that phrase is a call to action. It’s about being bold, and taking risks.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Probably Elon Musk – because that guy is doing great things. His attitude toward modern technology and innovation is, in my opinion, the right one. It is great to see someone leading by example in our day and age.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Probably something like the ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ award.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Pablo Picasso. I would just want to sit there and watch him create, all the while trying to decipher the prescription to the lens through which he sees the world.
Who inspires you?
Other women who have succeeded in their chosen fields. I often look to Katherine Hepburn, and Frida Kahlo, who are both great sources of inspiration to me. When I lived in Calgary I had the privilege of working on an extremely successful all-female investment team, and I still think about those advisors today. I also know many other amazing women who work in art-design, education, pharmacy, social work, health and safety, marketing, accounting, and other wonderful fields. They are my daily inspiration.
What are three things on your bucket list?
To go on a destination vacation with my family
To own my own business, whether wholly or in part
To master one of my hobbies
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
‘The Whatmough’, either that, or ‘Punkrocker’, after the Ramones song.
What are you passionate about?
Meeting new people. I’m a ‘sit at the wood’ kind of girl, who never minds waiting in a line, because the person in front of you just might be your new best friend.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I had quite a few close friends and family members get married last year, and therefore had quite a few favourite days in 2015, simply because those occasions are an opportunity to have everyone I love together in one place. That is hands down the best.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My network of friends. I learned in my early 20s that your overall happiness and quality of life is directly related to the people with whom you choose to surround yourself. I learned to be cautious about where and with whom I spend my time, and also that caution isn’t necessarily rude, its simply another form of self respect. I’ve strategically surrounded myself with lively, talented, intelligent, energetic people who share my values and it has made all the difference in my life, and for as long as I’m living will be one of the things that matters most to me.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Waterfront Wines is a favourite of mine. I love the food and the intimacy.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
I love playing (experimenting) with outdoor tennis in the Summer, golf, snowboarding, and of course, boating. I like to take in concerts and other live music. The Blue Gator is a spot that I like to hit up pretty regularly for live blues.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Okanagan Mortgage Connection (OMC), through CIBC
What does your business/organization do?
I help people buy new homes for either themselves, or for investment purposes. I help people renovate, or refinance their properties for other reasons. I help people curb their interest rate risk when looking at future possession dates that are far in the future, or help them port their current mortgage when in a moving situation. I do all of these things in such a way that will seek to put my clients in an overall better financial position than before they came to me.
Where can people find you or your business online?
CIBC.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Okanagan Mortgage Connection
What is your Instagram account?
@omc_mortgages
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Through my name, Sheena Duddy
What is your mission?
To provide a level of service that results in a referral. Sounds easy, right? Obtaining a new mortgage or re-financing a home can be a stressful, exciting, or simply obligatory experience for clients. Something that many people prefer simply to have it over and done with. Like in my real life, I focus professionally on connecting with the right people who share an interest in education and full disclosure about the entire process, are readily and willingly available, and honestly care about what is best for the client. From realtor, to lawyer, to appraiser, to contractor, I aim to connect my client with the right people and the right information from start to finish, providing a ‘turn-key’ mortgage experience. I know I’ve done my job right when I hear my clients proactively recommending me to their friends and families.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I wanted to be a recognizable and recommended brand, as well as an over achieving leader in my local industry. I would like to be successful enough to employ additional staff that would allow me to focus more on larger-scale growth and mentorship to others.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Scott Peckford – I listen to his podcasts and appreciate what he is doing to encourage others within the industry.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Energy. Whatever you do, do it with energy. Wear a smile, have a personality, e-nun-ci-ate.
Knowledge. I try to educate my clients throughout the process as well as improve on their individual financial situations.
Diligence. There is no deal that I will give up on, and no deal that I won’t follow up on.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
When you work in a position to connect people with products that almost definitely have a significant impact on their household finances, you need to take your job seriously. I think that most people I have met agree that personal finance should be a topic addressed by our education systems but is not, and when knowledge is power, I seek to EMpower the consumer. I just put on a ‘First Time Home Buyers’ seminar last week that spoke to items such as mortgage terminology, the home purchase process, and first-time owner incentives. I have another seminar coming up on New Immigrant and International Student mortgages. I think it is important that people truly understand their money, their options, and the players and processes involved in their day-to-day finances so that they can make wise choices.
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I would love if Kelowna were a little more pedestrian friendly. The absence of sidewalks, even in a lot of residential areas, as well as designated running or walking trails throughout the city, mean that I often have to drive somewhere before I and can stop and be on a beautiful running path. You won’t hear me complaining though.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Obviously there is the lake, the wine, the weather, etc. but one of the specific things that I’ve enjoyed about Kelowna is the great hockey at a decent buck. To go to a hockey game back in Alberta would be a $300 evening easily, and I love that I can head out to Prospera on any given night and pay $40 bucks for a great seat and a cold beer. Go Rockets!
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Don Warketin from Fortune Marketing Inc. in downtown Kelowna. I love what he and his great team are doing to see that Kelowna continues to develop and grow.
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!
