Women of the Thompson Valley 2022/2023

Women of the Thompson Valley

Ot her Up

Meet Maria: Growing up, my mother compet ed in numerous bodybuilding competitions sparking an int erest int o fitness that has continued throughout my life I have been ac tive in the fitness industr y for 26 year s and co founded No Limit s Fitness in 2013. I am passionat e about helping people achieve their per sonal health and fitness goals from beginner s through t o elit e athlet es I also love t eaching group fitness classes In addition t o being a per sonal trainer I am also a cer tified nutritional coach I have compet ed in a wide range of areas including bodybuilding, powerlif ting and various athletic competitions.

Meet Alicia: I have been a co owner of No limit s Fitness since 2017 and wear many hat s at the gym. St af f training, backup in our childcare cent er, collec tions, and of ficial phot ographer are a few of my roles I have a beautiful 6 year old son that keeps me busy along with my beloved weiner dog Boo

Meet Sarah: I am a hot yoga instruc t or and manage the studio What I love the most is the communit y we have The last 18 months have been dif ficult for ever yone and we of fer you a place t o recharge The studio of fer s physical, ment al, emotional and spiritual health. Come as you are, sor t it out as you go. No experience necessar y, just an open mind.

Meet Donna: I was born and raised in Kamloops I moved away for a bit, but returned t o pur sue my fitness career. I am currently the manager at No limit s and have my own business, Lamarche Fitness and per sonal training I have compet ed and won 2nd place at the Mast er s Iron Ore in 2018, 1st place in the Grand Mast er in 2018 and compet ed in the BC Cup in Kamloops in 2019. No Limit s has welcomed me with open arms.

Sarah

Donna

Alicia Maria

Alicia Grover

I ha ve been doing photography f or 10 years but reall y got my business going in 2019. I love helping people document a moment in time. The creative outle t tr ul y fills me up. I enjoy all aspects of por trait wor k but I also reall y enjoy commercial photography, from headshots to int er ior and ext er ior shots needed.

Alicia Grover Photography

a l i c i a g r o v e r p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m

Buy ing , s el ling or inve sting?

I’mJessica Sutherland I and a mum of 2 beautiful girls and I am proud to call Kamloops home. I love raising my daughters in a town that is so focused on community growth and supporting local businesses. Kamloops offers amazing hiking trails, local wineries and breweries, stunning golf courses, a ski resort and much more. Purchasing real estate, whether for personal use, or as a safe and secure

investment, making sure the property you buy is a sound, solid investment is key.

Ever yday I get to help people find their ideal home. Real estate and interior design are my passions.

If you are looking to buy, sell or simply have a question please connect with me today.

250-319-1942

Royal LePage Westwin Cell: 250-319-1942 Web: www.JessicaSutherland.ca Email: Jessicasutherland@royallepage.ca

Westwin Realty 800 Seymour St, Kamloops BC V2C 2H5

I’M YOUR LOCAL REALTOR.® www.JessicaSutherland.ca

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN VETTING POSTPANDEMIC CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The COVID-19 pandemic left no aspect of life as the world knew it before 2020 untouched. In the wake of the pandemic, students were forced to learn in new ways, individuals were forced to find new ways to maintain relationships with family and friends and employers and employees were forced to confront an emerging notion of the workplace.

Since the World Health Organization first declared a global pandemic in March 2020, much has been made of The Great Resignation, a term adopted in reference to the tens of millions of people who quit their jobs during the pandemic. Further study is needed to determine just how many people quit their jobs since the pandemic began, but there’s no denying that attitudes toward work have shifted since early 2020.

That shift has made many people more willing to change careers. Women pondering a career move can consider these factors as they vet new opportunities.

Hybrid working

Women vetting new career opportunities can ask if hybrid working is a possibility. Hybrid working is beneficial for various reasons, not the least of which is affording professionals a chance to get out of the house while still ensuring they can spend more time with family, which is an especially enticing benefit for working parents.

Salary

It goes without saying that salary bears significant consideration when vetting a new employment opportunity. In the past, professionals might have jumped at the chance to earn higher salaries, even if it meant leaving their current employer behind. However, many professionals experienced a priority shift during the pandemic, recognizing the value of spending less time working and more time away from the office. Some spent that extra time with family and friends, while others used it to explore new passions. When vetting a new career opportunity with a higher salary, women can do their best to determine what that higher salary will require. If it will require more time working and less time with family, friends and hobbies, then women must ask themselves if the extra money is worth the decrease in personal time.

Stability

Stability is another issue that might not have garnered as much consideration before the pandemic as it figures to in a post-pandemic world. Many professionals lost their jobs, took pay cuts or were furloughed during the pandemic. Such individuals might have worked in industries like travel or events that are vulnerable when shutdowns are issued. Women who have been through the professional wringer during the pandemic should consider the stability of a given employer before accepting a job offer. Some may find the rewards of working in a field they’re passionate about are worth the risk, while others may prefer a line of work that offers more stability and security.

Natalie L Hebert

Iobtained my Associate’s Degree from the University College of the Cariboo (now known, of course, as Thompson Rivers University), followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in English from Trinity Western University, and my law degree from the University of Manitoba.

I grew up in Williams Lake and went back there to article with Vanderburgh & Company. I was called to the Bar in May of 2008. I practised law in Williams Lake until May 2011, when I moved to Cranbrook and practised law there until January of 2016.

I opened my own firm here in Kamloops in February 2016 in order to be closer to family. My husband Chris and I have three children.

I am a sole practitioner, with a focus on real estate services, mediation services, Hear the Child Reports, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Arbitration Services. A majority of my career was in family litigation and as a parent’s counsel in Ministry of Children and Families matters.

I love helping people with buying/selling their houses, working with people on wills and estates and corporate matters. We provide a personal touch, answering our phones throughout the lunch hour, offering evening and weekend appointments to fit people’s busy schedules, and can help assist with last-minute matters. Outside of the office, I serve with the provincial government’s Mental Health Review Board as chair of its hearing panels.

I love being in the community of Kamloops!

236-425-1981

546 St Paul st #370 reception@nlhlawyer.ca www.nlhlawyer.ca

Kerri Priddle & Jasmine Kooner

Kerri

Priddle has been a lawyer for 20 years and has spent the past 13 years practicing in Kamloops. She is proud to call Kamloops home.

Jasmine Kooner began working with Kerri in 2011 during law school and became a full-time associate in 2014.

Kerri and Jasmine work together to provide effective and comprehensive legal solutions to their valued clients. Their experience in litigation, corporate law, real estate and estate planning and administration allows them to provide their clients with a range of solutions suited to their individual needs.

Priddle Law Group has consistently placed in the Reader’s Choice awards and is proud to be known as one of the best law firms in Kamloops.

P: 250-434-8911 F: 250-434-8589 900 – 235 1st Avenue reception@priddlelaw.ca

Helping home buyers, repeat homeowners and investors navigate the real estate market—in Kamloops and the Lower Mainland— has been Joy’s speciality for nearly 20 years. She found her passion for serving her clients when she began her journey as a REALTOR® in 2004.

As a REALTOR® she always prioritizes her clients’ needs and best interest. With an impeccable attention to detail and top-notch customer service, Joy ensures her clients are well taken care of every step of the way. Her long list of satisfied clients and accolades are a testament to that.

As a mother of three wonderful daughters, she now has seven adorable grandchildren. When it’s time to unwind, Joy loves going for walks and travelling with her husband.

If you’re looking to start, or continue, your real estate journey— call Joy Bruno, a trusted and award-winning REALTOR® with Royal LePage Westwin Realty Kamloops BC

Tumbleweed Toys owner Vanessa Gammel’s kids have grown up alongside the toy shop in Sahali.

Her oldest daughter Madelyn, on the left, was just 11 when the store opened. She is now 22 and studying journalism and communications at Thompson Rivers University. Madelyn plays a big role as part of the social media team and her biggest accomplishment in that department was getting Tumbleweed Toys to 10,000 followers on TikTok this summer.

Joy Bruno Vanessa Gammel 250.879.0689 | 250.374.1461 800 Seymour Street joybruno.realtyhd.com

On the right is Elizabeth, who was just 5 years old when her mom started running the business. She is now 16 and spends her weekends on the sales floor, learning the ropes of the business. Not only is Elizabeth learning a lot in high school, she also spends some spare time taking an online class in retail sales.

Tumbleweed Toys is truly a family business and the shop is expanding this October to take over the entire building it occupies at the corner of Columbia Street and Summit Drive. Now there will be even more room for the beloved jigsaw puzzles, board games, toys and the newest addition — exotic candy.

250-372-3500 1201-A Summit Drive www.tumbleweedtoys.ca

Karen Watt

Karen Watt, in her position of President/CEO of Excel Personnel Inc. since 1992, has over the past thirty years provided temporary and full-time employment placements in professional offices and skilled labour situations throughout British Columbiaand surrounding areas.

Member and Past Director, District 10 Director and Past President of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. This year she was nominated for the 2022 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award and Corporate Visions-Corporate Coaching and Recruitment Awards 2022. In previous years, Karen was the recipient of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce President’s Award for exemplary service. Karen’s Demonstrated Management Excellence and Outstanding Business Achievement was recognized by the Kamloops Business Community with the Professional Business Service Award for Small Business. Karen leads by example, learned from her mentors and implemented policies and procedures that her staff can follow. Her standards are high, her clients and candidates attest to the fact that they were all happy with the way in which they were treated on both sides and the successful results keeps her clients coming back monthly for placements. Although Covid hurt a lot of businesses, Excel Personnel survived with having continued client needs and they remain your temporary and permanent staffing solution in northern central and southern B.C. Excel Personnel recruits Great People for Exceptional Companies, It Just Takes a Little Longer Now

Kamloops, Kelowna & Prince George, BC 250-374-3853 www.excel.bc.ca

Women of the Thompson Valley

The Many Women of Dearborn Ford

The automotive industry strives to have 20 percent of its staff represented by women. We are pleased to say that at Dearborn Ford that number is 40 percent. We have a solid staff of professional women in Automotive Sales, Controller, Finance Manager, Service Department, Parts, and Administrative Staff. These ladies excel in their roles at the dealership.

We are pleased to serve the Kamloops area, including Salmon Arm, Merritt, Vernon, Clearwater,and 100 Mile House. Dearborn Ford is your premier retailer for new Ford vehicles such as the popular Fiesta, Mustang, and new Ford suv ’s such as the Edge or the Escape and of course new Ford trucks. We also have an extensive selection of premium certified used vehicles.

Our team is here to make your auto shopping experience fun, easy and financially advantageous.

Celebrating 97 Years of Ford

Iam so excited to introduce myself as the Owner and CEO of Happy Day Senior Services with a professional designation of CPCA - Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. I am also very proud to say I am a Senior myself, only in numbers!

Happy Day Senior Services started as a dream more than 30 years ago, a dream to be able to drive seniors around when they couldn’t drive anymore, to be a companion helping them with things they want or need to do, and to help them keep their independence in an increasingly technical world. Prior to starting my business, I worked as a Marketing/Client Relations Manager at Kamloops Seniors Village and was very aware of how many people would love to have this opportunity.

I started my business in January 2021 and currently have 2 employees helping to meet the requests for companionship services. I have found the opportunity to help seniors and their families extremely rewarding and the perfect thing to do in this next chapter of my life. You are never too old to realize your dreams!

Bonnie Johnson 250-214-4141 bonnie@happydayseniors.com happydayseniors.com

MARILYN GIESBRECHT Executive Financial Consultant CFP®, RRC®

Marilyn is proud to be associated with IG Private Wealth Management for over 24 years. Over her time with IG she has helped hundreds of families structure their income for a prosperous, tax-efficient retirement while also ensuring they transfer as much wealth to the next generation as possible Marilyn works with a select group of high net worth clients and business owners, managing their wealth and implementing strategies to enhance their legacy Marilyn cherishes her three lovely grown daughters. She enjoys international travel, the outdoors and is an avid kayaker As a widow, she deeply understands the importance of planning for all situations including the unexpected Marilyn is involved with numerous charities, including the Kamloops Hospice Association and has completed several mission trips go Guatemala with Wells of Hope

Shannon Ramunno

Hi, I’m Shannon Ramunno and I have been the owner of the Ruby Room for 11 years. I am a lifelong Kamloops resident, and live in Sahali with my husband of 23 years, Jason, and children Dawson and Kyra. The Ruby Room is a mixture of new and recycled fashion and accessories that keep our customers coming back to discover what’s new. I love finding quality and unique items to bring into the store, as well as designer finds that keep you coming back looking for more! We carry popular and trendy brands such as Wilfred, Free People, Babaton, Michael Kors, Coach, Lululemon, Guess, American Eagle, Levi's, Matt & Nat and Banana Republic.

Local artisan soap and bath products by Two Sheets Soap Co. and jewellery/accessories from Good Works, Merx and Caracol are other items to keep your gift giving needs covered. We also are now excited to be carrying Papillon clothing!

We have an amazing selection of consignment bridal and grad gowns, with some great deals on formal dresses! We put new gowns out weekly, and buy gowns on consignment at a rate of 50 percent cash. We look forward to seeing you soon at The Ruby Room, “where you don’t need to spend a lot to look like you're worth a lot!”

www.therubyroom.live 265 Victoria Street 250-828-7829

KELSEY BOUDREAU

Associate Consultant CFP®, RRC®

Kelsey works with multiple generations of high net worth clients to realize their goals through sound financial planning She specialize in guiding families to enhance their financial results beyond what they have been able to accomplish on their own

Kelsey is passionate about providing business owners, retirees and professionals financial confidence and clarity through in depth planning strategies. She believes deeply in empowering people through personalized service and trusted, accurate advice that they deserve

When not with her clients, Kelsey keeps busy with her two children, her loving husband and their golden lab She enjoys spending time at their lake house at the Shuswap, travelling and exploring the outdoors.

Kelsey is a proud member of 100 Women Who Care Kamloops.

Your finances: did you know?

• Women typically live longer than men your retirement, income may need to last longer.

• Women are often caregivers providing care to a loved one with a long ter m health condition, or need

• On average, women aged 45 and older repor t having spent about 5 8 years providing care throughout their lives.

• S ome women retire ear ly, quit or lose their jobs due to caring for others

6 4% retired early, quit or lost their paid job, and 4 7% turned down a job offer or promotion because of difficulties balancing care and paid work

I’m here to help plan your best future

MORE WOMEN BECOMING PRIMARY FINANCIAL PROVIDERS

Women are increasingly becoming the primary breadwinners in their homes, according to surveys in Canada and the United States.

This represents a long-running trend that indicates women’s earnings and economic contributions to their families are of growing importance.

Studies show how much more likely it is for today’s mothers and working females to provide essential financial support to their families compared to earlier generations. It can be empowering to be a sole or primary earner. However, this role also may place extra pressure on women who also want to be ideal mothers. While gender roles have become much more egalitarian, the traditional household dynamic, in which women take on more responsibilities around the house, remains predominant in many families. That can contribute to stress for women who work.

A 2015 University of Chicago study found that opposite-sex couples in which women were the top earners reported greater relationship strife and were more likely not to endure as couples. The study also found that some women who earned more did a greater amount of housework in order to make their husbands feel better about the situation.

There are several ways to address and cope with feelings that arise from an increase in female breadwinners:

• Stay open-minded. Couples need not fall into dated ways of thinking regarding gender roles. If they adjust their roles accordingly and continue to adapt, things can work out just fine.

• Divide tasks evenly. Evenly divvy up tasks around the house so that neither partner feels as if they are doing more than the other.

• Share financial goals. Even if one person is bringing in more money, the overall household should be the main priority. That means that all adults have an equal say in financial goals, regardless of who earns the most money.

Many women are now the primary breadwinners in their households. That has, in many cases, led to shifting gender roles and couples and families may have to adjust accordingly.

Tracy McCall

Trac y McCall

ca/tracy

Women of the

I’m here to help you plan for your best future

Todd

How can we help?

www.petermilobarmla.ca

One Can’t Copy an Original

Straight 8 Barbershop has only been around since 2019 but has quickly become the premier place to get a quality hair cut. Behind this fast growing company is owner, Favá Favá has honed her craft across the world including places such as USA, Italy, and now Canada She brings with her a wealth of knowledge about not only how to give a good cut, but also all the 1 percenters that come along with a successful barbershop

The stores have been so successful that Favá has had to open up a third location in Valleyview Long has there been a demand where people have driven all the way from Valleyview to Sahali to receive the Straight 8 service

It has been nonstop with not only a new location but the North Shore and Sahali locations both being moved and expecting grand openings within a few weeks of each other

While many businesses have been struggling to recruit staff, let alone hire qualified people Favá has thought outside the box and has long worked with sponsoring qualified hairdressers from across the world, giving them the opportunity to live and work in Kamloops while having world class hairdressers offer unique styles from different parts of the world.

“It isn’t just about the haircut you leave with; it ’s the environment it happens in, that feeling of freshness, and the confidence to take on the world after your perfectly crafted cut.”

This perfectly r

p

what Favá brings to each of her stores, from the second you walk in to the second you leave you feel welcome and important

LEAHNA Floral

MANDY Deli

MICHELLE Produce

Seafood

ANDREA MISSING

Assistant Manager

CHEF NICOLE MACKIE

Supportive Options & Solutions

During Nellie Krombach’s 30 years in the Social Services field, her work with special needs clients and their families naturally led to suggesting they apply for the Disability Tax Credit. Unfortunately, they would often apply and be denied over and over. Nellie started h e r o w n r e s e a r c h s t u d y t o d i s c o v e r w h a t f a c t o r s d e t e r m i n e d an applicant’s success or denial. Nellie discovered many people qualified and were not receiving refunds owed to them People with Arthritis, IBS, Diabetes, etc., were all unaware they were eligible.

I n 2 0 1 1 N e l l i e b e c a m e a D i s a b i l i t y T a x C r e d i t S p e c i a l i s t , w h i c h allowed her to assist he r clients and their medical professionals to submit successful applications By assembling a dedicated & caring team that continues to study and adapt to the continuously changing requirements, Supportive Options & Solutions (SOS) is able to provide clients with the most up to date information SOS combines their knowledge and expertise to ensure the highest level of success, which reduces time and frustration when submitting applications.

Happy to join the team Keara Thorne. She is motivated to help people. Call Nellie or visit their website for more information.

“Nellie thank-you for your valuable work in my successful Disability Tax Credit application not just for me but also for a couple of my friends with appreciation.“ C. Parker.

“I felt safe with Nellie as she is dealing with my sensitive information. She suppor ts and advocates for her clients with the utmost of confidentiality She also shared other impor tant information with me that has made such a positive change in my future. Thank you again Nellie .“ prefer to be unnamed

“I

also

NELLIE KROMBACH & KEARA THORNE

with

only

and

situation. Ever ything was ver y professional & timely. It was a stress free process for

and

with a wonder ful outcome.“ D. Fer tuson.

“My constant driving force is advocating to fulfill the needs and dreams of my clients. I strive to go above and beyond expectations”.

~ K I N D W O R D S F R O M O U R C L I E N T S ~

Maria Maywood and Alicia Grover co own

Maria Maywood

Alicia DierdreGrover Delgado