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Meet Scott! Scott has lived in several places throughout his life and recently moved here to Kelowna about one year ago. He enjoys discovering the local favourites here in the city and spending some quality time with his fiancé.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am most recently from Toronto, but I have lived in the UK, Calgary, London ON, Los Angeles and Vancouver. I moved to Kelowna in November 2017, so I have been here for about 1 year and 4 months.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My fiancé, Danielle Harshenin. She makes me laugh and smile all the time and she has allowed me to feel true, unconditional love. I adore her.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Little Hobo Soup & Sandwich Shop on Leon Avenue. Delicious homemade breakfasts and lunches and the staff are unbelievably friendly.
Describe yourself in one word.
Happy.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I once rented a car and did a self-directed, loosely planned, driving tour through England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco and Italy. I would love to do that again, with Danielle.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I feel so new to Kelowna that everything I do seems new and exciting to me. I have loved exploring the local wineries, eating at local restaurants and meeting new people who have the drive to make the community its best.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
The list is lengthy! I embarrass myself almost daily, so I have got to the point that I don’t get embarrassed. Prior to that awakening though, it would be the entire period from age 11-18.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Before moving to Kelowna, I took some time off work and re-evaluated my life and career. I decided that I needed to make some serious changes in my life. So, I left my job as a partner of a Bay Street law firm, sold my home, boxed up only what was important to me and moved across the country to Kelowna. I don’t know exactly what drew me here, but I have never felt so at peace with a decision, felt so comfortable and welcome in a new city, or been as happy as I am at work.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When I was young, I would take off on my bike for hours on end. It was the days before cellphones and helmets. I would strap on my Sony Walkman with a mixtape and take off to explore trails in Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. I would be alone with my thoughts and dream big.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I currently volunteer at two outstanding Kelowna organizations: I am the President of the Board of Directors at Ozanam Recovery House and the Treasurer at MADD Central Okanagan Chapter. MADD is instrumental in providing assistance to those affected by impaired driving and educating the public about the consequences of this terrible crime. Ozanam Recovery House provides assistance to men battling addiction and/or mental illness in our community and provides them with a safe place to live, learn and recover.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
End suffering. People all over the world and locally are suffering in some form – whether its homelessness, addiction, abuse, mental illness, hunger or harassment.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I don’t get much alone time generally, but I’d likely sneak off to the Dolphins Statue with a dark roast coffee.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Homelessness and addiction is a real issue here. I would like to see an improvement in resources available for those in such marginalized communities. Everyone deserves to have a safe place to call home. If someone is battling addiction and is ready for recovery, the resources need to be available.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Having lived all over the place, I can honestly say that I have never experienced a community of such genuinely nice and friendly people who want to make the city it's very best. It’s a nice change for me to have strangers say "hi" to me on the street.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Get my pilot’s license and fly a plane.
2. Show my family the world.
3. Watch my family and kids succeed and find happiness.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I’d like to write a novel one day; I love to cook; I eat too much Sriracha sauce; I am a total foodie, and wish I was Jason Bourne (sometimes).
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Twitter: @DSEmploymentlaw Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/scottdchambers Website:https://www.doakshirreff.com/team/scott-chambers/
What is the name of your business/organization?
Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP
Why did you get into/start this business?
I have always believed that no matter what you study, it will have value in your career going forward and make you a more interesting person. I started in film, photography, science, then Military History before eventually ending up in Law.
What is the goal of your business?
My practice focuses on Employment & H.R. Law. My job is to prevent any headaches when it comes to hiring and firing employees. I assist employers in determining their best course of action.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Making the decision to withdraw from my partnership at my law firm in Toronto and hit the reset button on my life. It was the best decision I ever made, however, giving everything up in order to find happiness was an absolutely gut-wrenching decision.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I don’t think I would change anything. Everything one experiences or learns in life needs to be learned or experienced to make us each who we are today, for better or worse. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I had not gone through my ups and downs.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Be fair and kind in your daily life and you will avoid a lot of unnecessary heartaches, trouble and animosity.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Be kind to everyone! You don’t know what anyone is struggling with at any given time and kindness is the simplest, cheapest thing anyone of us can do.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My kids. They are a huge part of my daily life but it’s wonderful to just spend time with them doing something that they love. Nothing is greater than seeing them all excited and talking a mile-a-minute about something that they are truly excited about seeing or experiencing.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Driving our own local economy is fundamentally important to driving our community and making it grow and enhance local resources, facilities and tourism. Local businesses are an instrumental part of the Okanagan culture and these business owners rely on us.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Putting myself through University for my B.A. and then Law School for my J.D.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Peggy Salaberry and Stella Majic deserve a shout out. They both serve as volunteer board members at Ozanam Recovery House and are always ready to help anyone. They both have amazing hearts and fantastic personalities.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Jenn Paquette, the interim-President of MADD Central Okanagan Chapter.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I really feel honoured to have been nominated and selected for the In Focus feature - thank you!
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.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
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