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害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 all I害羞草研究所檝e ever known,害羞草研究所� Kate says as we settle in to chat. 害羞草研究所淚 grew up with this industry in my blood.害羞草研究所�
As our conversation meanders, I find that the passion is rooted in running a business.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檝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.害羞草研究所�
Asked what part of running the business gets her fired up, Kate says, 害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 the controversial part of my job 害羞草研究所� 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.害羞草研究所�
Beyond her business persona, Kate is also a mother of three boys 害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所淎nd that害羞草研究所檚 why I own a horse,害羞草研究所� she laughs. 害羞草研究所淚 grew up riding but when I got married and had kids I stopped and didn害羞草研究所檛 ride for 20 years. Two years ago I got back into it when I bought my horse, Ernie. The best lesson I害羞草研究所檝e learned since the age of 40 is to not feel guilty about spending time on yourself. It害羞草研究所檚 been a struggle, but I think we have to honour that for our own needs too.害羞草研究所�
She adds, 害羞草研究所淲hen I ride it takes 100 per cent of my focus. My mind does not shut off ever. At night I害羞草研究所檓 constantly thinking about what needs to be done, but when I害羞草研究所檓 riding my mind can only be focussed on that. When I害羞草研究所檓 cantering up to a jump, I can害羞草研究所檛 be thinking about work, I have to be focussed on that jump.害羞草研究所�
When it comes to fashion, Kate explains that her day-to-day fashion is really secondary to her riding gear. 害羞草研究所淚 always want the top boots and breeches.害羞草研究所�
To her, good style is about fun: 害羞草研究所淚 may not be the most stylish person in the world, but I害羞草研究所檓 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害羞草研究所檙e doing in life. It害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檝e made.害羞草研究所�
Fashion:
Uniform: 害羞草研究所淚 really have two 害羞草研究所榰niforms.害羞草研究所� 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!害羞草研究所� Favourite pair of shoes: 害羞草研究所淢测 flip flops!害羞草研究所� Favourite Daybag: 害羞草研究所淥ne that can carry all my riding things害羞草研究所es害羞草研究所purs, boots, crop, breeches, belts and the list goes on. Oh! And a bottle of wine might be found in there too!害羞草研究所� Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 害羞草研究所淚 love my pearl earrings. They are simple and classy and my sister gave them to me. Fashion Obsession: 害羞草研究所淚 love clothes, both day-to-day clothes and riding clothes. I am obsessed with breeches (riding pants) and belts.害羞草研究所� Accessory you spend the most money on: 害羞草研究所淎ny horse accessories, and nothing is ever cheap in this category. Just purchased my brand new saddle from Italy 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 an and I am totally in love with it!害羞草研究所�
Beauty:
Necessary indulgence: Nails and eyelashes. Scent: . Beauty secret: 害羞草研究所淣ow here害羞草研究所檚 a good question, Kate害羞草研究所檚 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!害羞草研究所� Must-have hair product: 害羞草研究所淚 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 !害羞草研究所�
Life & Style Inspirations:
Favourite Artist: 害羞草研究所淚 grew up with my Dad bringing home paintings. I loved them because there was always something hiding in the picture that you害羞草研究所檇 have to find, and she used horses in her pictures as well.害羞草研究所� Film or Movie: 害羞草研究所淎nyone who knows me, knows I害羞草研究所檓 a die-hard The Sound of Music fan. I love musicals like Grease, Annie and, of course, Mamma Mia 害羞草研究所� I know every word to every song! My friends can attest to this and sometimes cringe when I have a mic in my hand!害羞草研究所� Favourite local restaurant: 害羞草研究所淚 am a girl. I have lived in Metchosin most of my life and am there most days that I have to cook. When I害羞草研究所檓 classy Kate, I害羞草研究所檒l go to .害羞草研究所� Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 害羞草研究所淎fter my recent trip to Mexico, I am a fan of lime margaritas. My favourite wine is from New Zealand.害羞草研究所� Album on current rotation: 害羞草研究所淎nything I can sing to! And believe me when I害羞草研究所檓 with my friends, we are singing! Grease, Abba, Pink 害羞草研究所� I love it all!害羞草研究所� Last great read: 害羞草研究所淚 found local author Chevy Stevens and I have read most of her books.害羞草研究所� Favourite Flower: Plumeria flower from Hawaii. Favourite city to visit: Maui (Kaanapali), Hawaii. Favourite Hotel: in Maui. Favourite place in the whole world: 害羞草研究所淭his is easy! It害羞草研究所檚 my family cabin at Gordon害羞草研究所檚 Beach in Sooke. It害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 the best evening for me!害羞草研究所�
- Story and Photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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