I Made the Move

TECHIE + JEWELLER: Whether enjoying their deck with their cats, or selling at the markets this summer, Adam and Rowwie McKeown are glad they made the move.

Vancouver makers find their small business bliss

My husband Adam and I (Rowwie McKeown) are a couple of nerds with a couple of adopted cats. I grew up in Kitsilano while Adam spent his formative years in the Valley, mostly around Maple Ridge. We have both developed careers that we can attend to from home, which was solidified during the pandemic, but previously I was the design manager for Edgemont Village Jeweller before ramping my business up to full-time and Adam worked in downtown Vancouver in the tech field.

Why did you choose to move here?

Rowwie • We were looking at condos in Surrey when close friends bought a home to be closer to family who live in Lund. I had been a frequent visitor to the qathet region for over a decade and it got us thinking that a change of pace would be beneficial to our goals. Seeing the options available to us up here we decided to give a new life a chance.

When? Where from?

Rowwie • We started looking for a home in qathet in late 2020 from our tiny apartment in North Vancouver.

What surprised you about qathet once you moved here?

Rowwie • Adam was surprised by how such a small space can have such a wide variety of options for goods and services. He thought he would miss the amenities and alternatives of the city, but it turns out qathet is very well appointed for our needs.

Where is your favourite place here?

Rowwie • Our favourite place to be in qathet is the Powell River Farmers’ Market on Sunday 12:30-2:30 but on every other day our back deck with a cat or two stretched out in the sunshine is a very close second.

How did you first hear about qathet?

Rowwie • I first heard about qathet through old friends who currently live up here, Adam heard about it through me.

What aspect of your previous community do you think would benefit this region?

Rowwie • North Vancouver is highly walkable and has hours of operation that are more accessible for the typical 9-5 worker. We have so many lovely shops here in qathet that are nearly impossible to visit during the week. Our old neighbourhood in North Van also had three bubble tea shops, I miss them.

If you were mayor, what would you do?

Rowwie • Prioritize local small business and artisans living in the region with regard to tourism and local economic initiatives.

What are qathet’s best assets?

Rowwie • qathet’s best assets are its makers and small businesses, our diversity of individuals who found their way here one way or another to call this place home and spread their talents around.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Rowwie • My workshop. It’s a dedicated space that I fill with tools and materials. It’s about 200 sq ft that is specifically for me to make art in. It’s my happy place, but it’s also where a lot of my money goes. Having that space allows me to make all of the things I create for my booth at the Powell River Farmers’ Market, on Sundays, and other venues around town (shout out Thursday Night Market!) All of this is done for my small business which can be found at crossedpromise.com and followed at instagram.com/crossedpromise.