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?
Tyler Parfeniuk
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Thirteen years; I was born in Vancouver before my family moved to Fort St. John where I lived for a short time before we picked up and moved to Prince George where I spent the majority of my childhood, before moving to Kelowna.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
For me I don’t think I could choose one person, I have a pretty tight knit group of friends that have all maintained a relationship since we were kids coming up through Kelowna Minor Hockey. No matter the time that’s passed, where guys are living or how much we’ve kept in touch, when all of the fellas are in town it’s like we never missed a beat. I wouldn’t give up the laughs, or the times we’ve had for anything.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I’d go to Australia and post up on the gold coast with my best friend for a couple months while he’s living there.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
My favourite local store in Kelowna is Man + Woman, they’ve got some pretty good-looking clothes.
What is your favourite activity?
My favourite activity is playing Wednesday night hockey with 25 of the best young leaders in the community every week through the winter.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza as long as it is from DunnEnenzies late night on a loop deal.
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Okanagan Street food will never disappoint me.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don’t think I could pinpoint just one moment… embarrassing things happen to me all of the time, I don’t like to dwell on the past. That first picture is probably the latest, embarrassing moment on the list. Nice hair bud.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The most inspiring thing that has ever happened to me was watching my brother battle cancer when he was only 6 years old. He put up a courageous fight, and it’s hard to imagine anyone having to endure something like that, let alone a little kid.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My favourite childhood memory has got to be spending my summers in Sechelt on the ocean with my grandparents they always let me get away with stuff that wouldn’t fly at home.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I often try and volunteer with grassroots sports, typically Kelowna Minor Hockey, My most enjoyable experience with that organization is having the opportunity to be part of the selection committee for the BDO KIMMT Tournament the past couple of years, and the opportunity it provides in carrying on one of the many great traditions in Kelowna.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Summer: sitting poolside or on a patio with friends or cruising down the boardwalk. Winter: Playing pond hockey.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
If I need some time alone I enjoy the Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary. It’s a quiet spot on the water that is pretty nice and secluded.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I’d like to see that continued expansion of the bike accessible roadways, lanes, and pathways in and around the downtown core and out through the Lower Mission as it is not only a great way to take the city in, and enjoy the beautiful sights, but also allows for a more sustainable form of public transportation as more and more people buy in.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
Manage an NHL team.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Every time I put a pair of shoes on I have to spider check… pinch the toes and knock them out three times on the floor…weird, but effective.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Loop Cruisers
What does your business do?
With our 30 bikes, we provide a bike rental service to locals and tourists alike in and around the downtown core of Kelowna. We also do bi-monthly event rides where people can rent a bike if they need one, or bring their own and come along for the ride if they already have a bike. It is a great social atmosphere that is both relaxing and enjoyable. Last month we had nearly 60 bikers on our first ride of the year!
How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
All of our social media accounts can be found under @Loopcruisers (Twitter, IG, FB) and also at Loopcruisers.ca. We share everything that we are tagged in under either @loopcruisers or #loopcruisers.
Where can people find your business online?
Loopcruisers.ca
Why did you get into/start this business?
I started this business with a couple of guys that have acted like mentors at GetintheLoop after interning for them in my third year of schooling at Okanagan College. Matt Crowell, and Mitch Carefoot have allowed me the opportunity to start my own business, and run with it. We wanted to do something that was fairly unique to Kelowna and provide the town with a service that would allow us to create a brand and an image that could help further promote the offers and deals that are found on GetintheLoop.ca. When presented with the challenge, I jumped at the opportunity to test my entrepreneurial capabilities, and to work alongside two hardworking, dedicated, individuals; we started the business within two weeks of developing our concept and haven’t looked back. Matt and Mitch have been very supportive through the process, and their wealth of knowledge, driven attitude, and passion for whatever it is they do have enabled me to learn and grow while working with them.
What is the goal of your business?
We want to create a sustainable staple that is unique to Kelowna and its core. Creating an experience that showcases all of what the city has to offer, allowing locals, and visitors alike to experience the natural beauty of the city from a different perspective. Cycling allows people to get out and participate in a fun, active and healthy activity, while seeing the sights, sounds and energy from all of the people out and about.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
The biggest struggle in work has been the uncertainty that comes with owning and operating your business. There are truly no days off, you eat, sleep, and breathe work. The patience and perseverance that are required when being operating your own business is something that I don’t think I necessarily underestimated, but just flat out didn’t know what to expect. The trials and tribulations of the good days and the bad, can be stressful and nerve racking, however, the self-satisfaction that comes in providing a service that may make someone’s time spent in Kelowna a little better, is more than enough to keep the fire burning and is definitely makes the daily grind worthwhile.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
The one thing I would do differently is being more aggressive in my pursuit of leaving my comfort zone. I think it is important for people to constantly adapt, try new things, and push themselves to be better, and the best way to do that is to make yourself feel awkward at least once a day. (I’m still working on it…)
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
By supporting our local economy, it only makes our city stronger as its continues to experience vibrant growth, and thrive through so many diverse sectors, whether it be a start-up company, or even a second or third generation family business. Supporting the local economy is crucial in the continued development of what makes Kelowna a must see destination.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Devon J Murray and Jared Lee at Central deserve a big shout out. They took us on as partners this spring and have been nothing short of amazing to work with. They are two young leaders in our community that show a great deal of passion and excitement in operating their business.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
The Flask Social House.
Other information you would like to share:
Our next “Loop Cruise” will be held on Thursday, June 16th, we will be meeting at central around 6:00 pm before heading out and hitting some patios, for appetizers and cold bevies, before dropping the bikes off and meeting at BNA for a post cruise beer.
Those who do not own a bicycle can rent one of the cruisers, and anyone with a bike of their own is more than welcome to link up and join the cruise. Renters will be charged $20/bike but will receive a free post cruise beer @BNA, and will be entered into a draw to win an LC swag bag. There will be a keg setup, upstairs and the beers will be flowing at a minuscule $5/each. Find us on Facebook, or message us via our website, Loopcruisers.ca, for my details and information, if you are interested in coming along, anyone is welcome!
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!
