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. Kate91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 all I91裸聊视频檝e ever known,91裸聊视频� Kate says as we settle in to chat. 91裸聊视频淚 grew up with this industry in my blood.91裸聊视频�
As our conversation meanders, I find that the passion is rooted in running a business.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 exciting when you can actually steer your company in the direction you want to go. My dad is a huge role model for me. I91裸聊视频檝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.91裸聊视频�
Asked what part of running the business gets her fired up, Kate says, 91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 the controversial part of my job 91裸聊视频� 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.91裸聊视频�
Beyond her business persona, Kate is also a mother of three boys 91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频淎nd that91裸聊视频檚 why I own a horse,91裸聊视频� she laughs. 91裸聊视频淚 grew up riding but when I got married and had kids I stopped and didn91裸聊视频檛 ride for 20 years. Two years ago I got back into it when I bought my horse, Ernie. The best lesson I91裸聊视频檝e learned since the age of 40 is to not feel guilty about spending time on yourself. It91裸聊视频檚 been a struggle, but I think we have to honour that for our own needs too.91裸聊视频�
She adds, 91裸聊视频淲hen I ride it takes 100 per cent of my focus. My mind does not shut off ever. At night I91裸聊视频檓 constantly thinking about what needs to be done, but when I91裸聊视频檓 riding my mind can only be focussed on that. When I91裸聊视频檓 cantering up to a jump, I can91裸聊视频檛 be thinking about work, I have to be focussed on that jump.91裸聊视频�
When it comes to fashion, Kate explains that her day-to-day fashion is really secondary to her riding gear. 91裸聊视频淚 always want the top boots and breeches.91裸聊视频�
To her, good style is about fun: 91裸聊视频淚 may not be the most stylish person in the world, but I91裸聊视频檓 always having fun. If I could pass one thing on to my boys it would be that. To be free spirited and enjoy what you91裸聊视频檙e doing in life. It91裸聊视频檚 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 you91裸聊视频檝e made.91裸聊视频�
Fashion:
Uniform: 91裸聊视频淚 really have two 91裸聊视频榰niforms.91裸聊视频� 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!91裸聊视频� Favourite pair of shoes: 91裸聊视频淢测 flip flops!91裸聊视频� Favourite Daybag: 91裸聊视频淥ne that can carry all my riding things91裸聊视频es91裸聊视频purs, boots, crop, breeches, belts and the list goes on. Oh! And a bottle of wine might be found in there too!91裸聊视频� Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 91裸聊视频淚 love my pearl earrings. They are simple and classy and my sister gave them to me. Fashion Obsession: 91裸聊视频淚 love clothes, both day-to-day clothes and riding clothes. I am obsessed with breeches (riding pants) and belts.91裸聊视频� Accessory you spend the most money on: 91裸聊视频淎ny horse accessories, and nothing is ever cheap in this category. Just purchased my brand new saddle from Italy 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 an and I am totally in love with it!91裸聊视频�
Beauty:
Necessary indulgence: Nails and eyelashes. Scent: . Beauty secret: 91裸聊视频淣ow here91裸聊视频檚 a good question, Kate91裸聊视频檚 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!91裸聊视频� Must-have hair product: 91裸聊视频淚 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 !91裸聊视频�
Life & Style Inspirations:
Favourite Artist: 91裸聊视频淚 grew up with my Dad bringing home paintings. I loved them because there was always something hiding in the picture that you91裸聊视频檇 have to find, and she used horses in her pictures as well.91裸聊视频� Film or Movie: 91裸聊视频淎nyone who knows me, knows I91裸聊视频檓 a die-hard The Sound of Music fan. I love musicals like Grease, Annie and, of course, Mamma Mia 91裸聊视频� I know every word to every song! My friends can attest to this and sometimes cringe when I have a mic in my hand!91裸聊视频� Favourite local restaurant: 91裸聊视频淚 am a girl. I have lived in Metchosin most of my life and am there most days that I have to cook. When I91裸聊视频檓 classy Kate, I91裸聊视频檒l go to .91裸聊视频� Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 91裸聊视频淎fter my recent trip to Mexico, I am a fan of lime margaritas. My favourite wine is from New Zealand.91裸聊视频� Album on current rotation: 91裸聊视频淎nything I can sing to! And believe me when I91裸聊视频檓 with my friends, we are singing! Grease, Abba, Pink 91裸聊视频� I love it all!91裸聊视频� Last great read: 91裸聊视频淚 found local author Chevy Stevens and I have read most of her books.91裸聊视频� Favourite Flower: Plumeria flower from Hawaii. Favourite city to visit: Maui (Kaanapali), Hawaii. Favourite Hotel: in Maui. Favourite place in the whole world: 91裸聊视频淭his is easy! It91裸聊视频檚 my family cabin at Gordon91裸聊视频檚 Beach in Sooke. It91裸聊视频檚 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; that91裸聊视频檚 the best evening for me!91裸聊视频�
- Story and Photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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