Episode 110: Matt and Taylor are joined by Paula Quinn.
Paula is the Executive Director of the Downtown Kelowna Association from Kelowna, BC, who's lived here for almost 20 years after moving to Canada 25 years ago from London, England. Also A board member of WeBC, COEDC, and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Paula was awarded the 2025 Kelowna Women in Business "Women of the Year", and is a tireless advocate for local businesses, women entrepreneurs, and inclusive economic development.
The Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) is responsible for marketing, promotion, furthering trade and commerce, and providing programs and services to local businesses that will assist them to thrive and grow in the Downtown core. Employing a unique approach, the DKA runs the third largest holistic safety and cleanliness initiative in British Columbia, including early morning cleanup teams and safe evening walks to cars for workers.
Paula is here to discuss:
→ Her career so far, why she loves living downtown, and getting involved in the Downtown Kelowna Association.
→ What the DKA does, their unique, holistic approach to safety & community, and how they're involved in community events & initiatives like Meet Me on Bernard.
→ The current state of downtown Kelowna, if adding fast-food restaurants is a good idea, and the barriers we need to overcome to attract more people to the city's core.
→ How important downtown is to Kelowna's overall economy, the mindset shifts that need to happen among downtown businesses, and the projected doubling of those living downtown by 2040.
Downtown Kelowna Association Website: htpps://www.downtownkelowna.com
Downtown Kelowna Association Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtownkelowna/
Downtown Kelowna Association LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/downtown-kelowna-association/
Downtown Kelowna Association YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@downtownkelowna7882
Paula Quinn's Email: executivedirector@downtownkelowna.com
Paula Quinn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-quinn-91221926/?originalSubdomain=ca
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
6:14 Today's Guest: Paula Quinn
10:29 Why Paula Loves Living Downtown
11:19 What the Downtown Kelowna Association Does
15:40 The Unique, Holistic Approach of the DKA to Safety & Community Services
16:46 The Current State of Downtown Kelowna
19:31 The Importance of Downtown to the Kelowna Economy
22:04 Overcoming Barriers to Get More People Downtown
25:43 The Progression of Meet Me on Bernard & Family-Friendly Activities
27:35 Chain Restaurants Opening Downtown
29:39 Kelowna in 2040
30:58 Barriers to Downtown Real Estate
33:47 Kelowna's Needed Mindset Shift
36:11 Wrap Up
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OUR SPONSOR
The Kelowna Real Estate Podcast is brought to you by Century 21 Assurance Realty, the gold standard in real estate. To learn more, visit: https://www.c21kelowna.ca
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CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast: https://wavve.link/kelownarealestate
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KelownaRealEstatePodcast
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelownarealestatepodcast/
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CONNECT WITH MATT
Matt Glen's Website: https://www.mattglen.ca
Matt Glen's Email: matt.glen@century21.ca
Matt Glen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattglenrealestate/
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CONNECT WITH TAYLOR
Taylor Atkinson's Website: https://www.venturemortgages.com
Taylor Atkinson's Email: taylor@venturemortgages.com
Taylor Atkinson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturemortgages/
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