Photo: Contributed
A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable and the Okanagan tech community is no exception.
Our community is strong and growing with record speed, and maintaining connections through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic. We’ve got a plan.
Introducing “The Faces of #OKGNtech,” a showcase of Okanagan tech entrepreneurs, partners, supporters and cheerleaders designed to fuel more connection, more growth and more excitement. Follow along on the blog and on Instagram at @OKGNtech to learn more about our growing community and what makes them awesome.
Meet Kevin. Kevin Lavigne has been working at Reid and Associates Financial Solutions for many years but has recently become the owner. When Kevin isn’t taking care of business you can find him driving his daughters to swim, soccer, Brownies … we could go on #dadoftheyear. We recently caught up with Kevin to learn more about his role at Reid and Associates as well as his love for the Okanagan.
What do you enjoy about your role?
“My job allows me to meet so many different people. I really enjoy connecting people and making sure that everyone succeeds. What excites me the most is an introduction that I have made that leads to something bigger.”
“Everybody always says: Do what you love, and the money will come. I never believed it until I was in this role. I absolutely love numbers and going through all that stuff, but it’s totally true. If you’re not happy, do something different.” #PREACH
“It’s so rewarding to see people do what they want to do and achieve their goals because of something we helped them organize years ago. It’s pretty cool to see these clients with the proper savings to spoil their kids or getting to do all the travelling because of what we set up.”
Can you speak to mentorship?
“I always try my best to be efficient in life. I am a big believer in mentorship and bouncing ideas off of different people. A team is so much better than one. If something has worked well for someone else why not learn about it so you get to your goal quicker.” #Teamworkmakesthedreamwork
What’s something people don’t know about you?
“I think a lot of people see me in my work role and think I am a serious guy, but what people don’t know is that I throw some pretty freaking awesome parties” [Editor’s note: Canada Day at Kevin’s place?]
What do you love about the Okanagan?
“Kelowna has knocked the city right out of me. I was the stereotypical Ontarian, where all I did was work and I needed brand new everything. Coming out here I was a bit arrogant thinking I was going to work myself to the top, but the west changed my life completely and I can finally say I am a local. I’ve been in Kelowna for 10 years now!” #Workhardplayharder #westcoastbestcoast
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“When I was the social director for the Kelowna JC’s, I was having a hard time deciding what events to organized and somebody said to me, “Just organize what you like, and the people will come,” and it’s so true! I have continued to do that in my day-to-day life and my business life.” #Youdoyou
[Editor’s note: Kevin started a hiking group for families with young children that grew from sending a few texts to friends on Saturday morning up to 113 families in a Facebook group. He also created an event called The Great Canadian Bacon Chase—a marathon with unlimited bacon].
What do you love about #OKGNtech?
“The tech community and the independent financial community are actually very similar in that everyone just helps each other. I haven’t seen that in any other industry. We are all competitors, but we are working together for the better.”
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