With a daughter about to turn 16 and eager to start driving, it was serendipitous that I was about to interview Kate Wells whose life has revolved around driving education. Kate香蕉视频直播檚 parents owned Young Drivers of Canada for over 35 years, switching over to the DriveWise brand eight years ago. Kate started working part time for the company at age 16 and full time as soon as she graduated.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 all I香蕉视频直播檝e ever known,香蕉视频直播� Kate says as we settle in to chat. 香蕉视频直播淚 grew up with this industry in my blood.香蕉视频直播�
As our conversation meanders, I find that the passion is rooted in running a business.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 exciting when you can actually steer your company in the direction you want to go. My dad is a huge role model for me. I香蕉视频直播檝e learned everything about the business from him. My parents are still involved; my dad jokes that he might retire at 80. He just loves it and remains one of our best instructors. Being hands-on as owners is huge for us. Our company is very personable, I know the people who teach our courses, which goes along with our dedication to customer service.香蕉视频直播�
Asked what part of running the business gets her fired up, Kate says, 香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 the controversial part of my job 香蕉视频直播� I like to live in that danger zone. I never step over the line but I push it. Like taking on the government for a bad move. My dad taught me that in this industry you have to pick your battles but never burn bridges.香蕉视频直播�
Beyond her business persona, Kate is also a mother of three boys 香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播淎nd that香蕉视频直播檚 why I own a horse,香蕉视频直播� she laughs. 香蕉视频直播淚 grew up riding but when I got married and had kids I stopped and didn香蕉视频直播檛 ride for 20 years. Two years ago I got back into it when I bought my horse, Ernie. The best lesson I香蕉视频直播檝e learned since the age of 40 is to not feel guilty about spending time on yourself. It香蕉视频直播檚 been a struggle, but I think we have to honour that for our own needs too.香蕉视频直播�
She adds, 香蕉视频直播淲hen I ride it takes 100 per cent of my focus. My mind does not shut off ever. At night I香蕉视频直播檓 constantly thinking about what needs to be done, but when I香蕉视频直播檓 riding my mind can only be focussed on that. When I香蕉视频直播檓 cantering up to a jump, I can香蕉视频直播檛 be thinking about work, I have to be focussed on that jump.香蕉视频直播�
When it comes to fashion, Kate explains that her day-to-day fashion is really secondary to her riding gear. 香蕉视频直播淚 always want the top boots and breeches.香蕉视频直播�
To her, good style is about fun: 香蕉视频直播淚 may not be the most stylish person in the world, but I香蕉视频直播檓 always having fun. If I could pass one thing on to my boys it would be that. To be free spirited and enjoy what you香蕉视频直播檙e doing in life. It香蕉视频直播檚 not all about money; you have to go to that job every day. You also have to be able to live with yourself and be happy with who you are and the choices you香蕉视频直播檝e made.香蕉视频直播�
Fashion:
Uniform: 香蕉视频直播淚 really have two 香蕉视频直播榰niforms.香蕉视频直播� First, is my everyday, business casual work wear which consists of summer dresses, jeans and T-shirts, sandals or flip flops. Second is my equestrian wardrobe which I absolutely LOVE! Italian riding boots, beautiful breeches and shirts and sweaters to match. is my absolute favourite place to shop. They keep me looking up-to-date in the equestrian world!香蕉视频直播� Favourite pair of shoes: 香蕉视频直播淢测 flip flops!香蕉视频直播� Favourite Daybag: 香蕉视频直播淥ne that can carry all my riding things香蕉视频直播es香蕉视频直播purs, boots, crop, breeches, belts and the list goes on. Oh! And a bottle of wine might be found in there too!香蕉视频直播� Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 香蕉视频直播淚 love my pearl earrings. They are simple and classy and my sister gave them to me. Fashion Obsession: 香蕉视频直播淚 love clothes, both day-to-day clothes and riding clothes. I am obsessed with breeches (riding pants) and belts.香蕉视频直播� Accessory you spend the most money on: 香蕉视频直播淎ny horse accessories, and nothing is ever cheap in this category. Just purchased my brand new saddle from Italy 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 an and I am totally in love with it!香蕉视频直播�
Beauty:
Necessary indulgence: Nails and eyelashes. Scent: . Beauty secret: 香蕉视频直播淣ow here香蕉视频直播檚 a good question, Kate香蕉视频直播檚 beauty secret? Well it involves having fun, showing my true self and being natural. I am just who I am, nothing fancy, just me! I feel beauty is best seen near the ocean and at the barn!香蕉视频直播� Must-have hair product: 香蕉视频直播淚 have been known to have the odd Brazilian blowout done to my hair and maybe some balayage. I love my hair stylist, Colin Scagliati, at !香蕉视频直播�
Life & Style Inspirations:
Favourite Artist: 香蕉视频直播淚 grew up with my Dad bringing home paintings. I loved them because there was always something hiding in the picture that you香蕉视频直播檇 have to find, and she used horses in her pictures as well.香蕉视频直播� Film or Movie: 香蕉视频直播淎nyone who knows me, knows I香蕉视频直播檓 a die-hard The Sound of Music fan. I love musicals like Grease, Annie and, of course, Mamma Mia 香蕉视频直播� I know every word to every song! My friends can attest to this and sometimes cringe when I have a mic in my hand!香蕉视频直播� Favourite local restaurant: 香蕉视频直播淚 am a girl. I have lived in Metchosin most of my life and am there most days that I have to cook. When I香蕉视频直播檓 classy Kate, I香蕉视频直播檒l go to .香蕉视频直播� Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 香蕉视频直播淎fter my recent trip to Mexico, I am a fan of lime margaritas. My favourite wine is from New Zealand.香蕉视频直播� Album on current rotation: 香蕉视频直播淎nything I can sing to! And believe me when I香蕉视频直播檓 with my friends, we are singing! Grease, Abba, Pink 香蕉视频直播� I love it all!香蕉视频直播� Last great read: 香蕉视频直播淚 found local author Chevy Stevens and I have read most of her books.香蕉视频直播� Favourite Flower: Plumeria flower from Hawaii. Favourite city to visit: Maui (Kaanapali), Hawaii. Favourite Hotel: in Maui. Favourite place in the whole world: 香蕉视频直播淭his is easy! It香蕉视频直播檚 my family cabin at Gordon香蕉视频直播檚 Beach in Sooke. It香蕉视频直播檚 a long row of funky cabins on the ocean and one of the only places I can actually relax. Beach fire, cheese, hot dogs and wine; that香蕉视频直播檚 the best evening for me!香蕉视频直播�
- Story and Photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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