Hello, Kelowna residents—from youth to seniors—and friends. Who is Rob Wilkinson? Do you know him?

I humbly thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in the upcoming municipal election. I will keep this brief!

From my heart to yours (and bless you for reading all the way to the end): I was born in New Westminster, British Columbia. My parents moved me out of B.C. at an early age, and we planted roots in Edmonton. Yes, I am a redneck and proud of it! I spent approximately 18 years of my life there, and some of my immediate family are still rooted in the area. In my very early years, my mom (rest her soul) told me that I glued myself to the neighbour's swing so I wouldn't fall off. True story!

My youth was spent overseas in foreign education systems. On my world adventures at an early age—I was just 10 years old—I started learning about agriculture and farming at a basic level. I was using a firearm and hunting small game on my own, shearing sheep, and helping process them. I was milking dairy cows by hand (and yes, I was drinking raw milk... and lived to tell the tale!). I rode horses in the back country by myself and went for horse runs on the shoreline of one of the largest coastal beaches in the world. I even rode a horse to school. I developed common sense and critical thinking at an early age. Just a quick count of the credible educational institutions I have attended over my lifetime totals about 10 to 13. So, I could be smarter than I look!

My first summer job was on a construction site. On the first day, the lead carpenter sent me to look for a "board stretcher." Later, I spent time in Red Deer as a shipper, receiver, and driver for Bridge Brand Restaurant Supplies. I got married and moved north.

I spent a few years in Athabasca, where I opened a furniture and appliance store selling new, used, and refurbished antiques. I specialized in vinyl and leather repairs and upholstery, helping many customers and repairing hotel chairs. During that period in my life, I raised and did some basic training with a few Arabian horses.

A fire destroyed every part of my life's vision at that time. I was later headhunted for a potential investment to purchase a new Home Hardware store. That decision was interrupted by a phone call from Kelowna, inviting me to come to B.C. and look at a business opportunity. I made a visit here to scope out the potential. I had a very young family at that time and had to make sure it was a solid risk to take. Well, a million-dollar Home Hardware franchise versus paradise... the risk was overwhelming. So, I chose paradise.

I came to Kelowna in 1987—39 years ago. The population base was approximately 65,000 at the time. I worked in direct door-to-door marketing when I first arrived. For three years, I sold products door-to-door, training and leading a sales team. I had "boots on the ground," literally.

That career came to an end in 1990, and so did my family life at the time. I decided to attend Okanagan University College for Culinary Arts to achieve my certified Red Seal. During my schooling, I opened a martial arts classroom in part of the college and had approximately 120 students of all ethnic groups signed up for regular classes. Some of those students possessed unmatched master skills and were able to take leadership roles as instructors. The college even purchased training equipment for the class. Wow! What a blessing.

I worked in many restaurants in Kelowna and helped start up three of them. Eventually, I opened my own catering company. My culinary skills were noticed in Kelowna, leading to a business opportunity adventure in Victoria. Mmm, that decision didn't have a happy ending. However, I am someone who knows there are risks in anything we do. We will win some, and we will lose some. But the opportunities we miss in life are those events or meetings we did not show up for. I moved back to Kelowna and had to start fresh. Happy Viking Furniture took me on as a shipper and receiver. When Happy Viking closed their doors to restructure their business, I found myself with my boots back on the ground, washing windows and swinging a hammer again.

I met a wonderful woman, and we married in 1998. At another crossroads in my life, I decided to go back to school to upgrade my education and get my nursing certification. I received it and specialized in geriatrics. While doing that, I also worked as a handyman, helped cater special events, and was hired part-time in the banquets department at the Grand Hotel.

In 2004, I woke up at about 2:00 a.m. with a vision—a dream—to create something for the 100-year Kelowna Centennial celebration. I took a sabbatical from healthcare and dedicated eight full months to learning the history of Kelowna to create the "Reflections" collage. It took 380 hours of full-time drawing in graphite, charcoal, and ink. The 100-year theme covered transportation, agriculture, prominent people, and places. The resource material was taken from an in-depth study of the most popular local history books I could find. Thank you, Kelowna, for keeping this masterpiece hanging up at City Hall. The words that stuck in my memory are the city's motto on the coat of arms: FRUITFUL IN UNITY. It has kept me humble to know that a simple vision and a dream, driven by a love of history, honoured the place I have made my home for nearly four decades. That was 21 years ago.

As life continues to be constant... I did not say complacent. I said constant. For the truth is, the only real thing this life has that is constant is change. Change is the only constant, stable factor.

I have witnessed many changes in Kelowna over the years. Thousands of tourists came here in the early Regatta days. I remember those summers that brought busload after busload of tourists to our city. (FYI, I was also a downtown rickshaw runner in the '90s!)

Eventually, I started getting busier in construction and had to decide which road to take: healthcare or real estate. The decision was made to continue specializing in residential housing remodels, legal suites, and additions. I'm still swinging a hammer and continuing to learn more every day. So, brace for change! (braceforchange.ca)

WHO IS ROB WILKINSON, and why should you vote for me?

For those of you who know me... this is completely out of my comfort zone! I am not a politician. I don't make promises I can't keep. If I make up my mind to do something, I do it to the best of my ability. Here is what I bring to city council:

1. Proven Business Experience: I have successfully run my own businesses for a good portion of my life and know how to manage operations.
2. Creative Problem Solver: I possess a creative mind that does not rest, always looking for innovative solutions to complex problems.
3. Sustainability Advocate: I have invested years into studying holistic health, organic food sources, and farming sustainability.
4. Defender of Agriculture: I will fiercely defend all farmers, large and small, against unfair government overreach.
5. Champion for Justice: I stand my ground on justice because I believe in the rule: NO FARMERS, NO FOOD.
6. Detail-Oriented Focus: I bring a "deep digging of trenches" into the finer details of city policy—the exact same precision I used to draw my 380-hour historical artwork hanging in City Hall.
7. Voice of Common Sense: I bring a quiet, yet loud and bold voice of reason and critical thinking drilled into me by decades of practical, hands-on experience.
8. Collaborative Leader: I work exceptionally well with others, relying on strong communication and knowing how to leverage people's unique strengths to guide key departments.

I am a "boots on the ground," hardworking average Joe with an extremely diverse background of multi-skills and talents. I am a critical-thinking, common-sense candidate ready to put Kelowna back on the rails.

Wilkinson ✍️✅

Brace for Change.ca ✍️✅