A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support, and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable and the Okanagan tech community is no exception.

Our community is strong and growing with record speed and maintaining connection through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic, we’ve got a plan.  

Introducing, The Faces of #OKGNtech. A showcase of Okanagan tech entrepreneurs, partners, supporters, and cheerleaders designed to fuel more connection, more growth, and more excitement. Follow along (on the blog and on Instagram @OKGNtech) to learn more about our growing community and what makes them awesome.

Meet Sarah. Sarah Bauer is the Lead Content Developer and Project Manager for Navigator Multimedia. When Sarah isn’t busy at work you can find her at the dog park with her mini-dachshund Deeter, in a fishing boat, or at a local bookstore. We recently caught up with Sarah to learn more about her love for #OKGNtech and her role at Navigator Multimedia. 

What is your role at Navigator Multimedia? 

“My role was really challenging in the beginning because I was wearing a lot of different hats and that meant a lot of pivoting. Now that I have been working in this role for four years, I really thrive on that and enjoy the problem-solving aspect.” #Production #Scheduling #Coordinating #Timeline #Budget #Content #Strategy #Communication #Repeat

Who inspires you? 

“Honestly, I am inspired by anyone who owns a small business. The amount of mental labour you take on in that role…the amount of responsibility and pressure…I don’t care if you own a taco truck or something larger. Anyone who owns a small business is taking on such a large risk. I just really admire the gumption. Inherently small business owners want to be challenged and I think that’s really inspiring.”

When did you get into tech?

“So my Dad started Navigator Multimedia in 1993 and he was a one-man show in our basement. In those early basement years, my Dad was around a lot and was always showing us what he was working on. He really instilled an interest in computers in me and my Brother. We always had like the nicest computers and we were always playing on the Barbie designer software and 3D movie maker.”

[Editor’s note: If you grew up in the 90s’ and didn’t play 3D movie maker – what were you even doing?!]

Where did the name Navigator Multimedia come from? 

“My Dad has always liked early explorers like Magellan—guys who have travelled the world with rudimentary instruments and explored new lands. So at the time when he started Navigator Multimedia, the internet was like totally pioneer territory and no one knew what to do with it yet, and that’s ultimately how it got its name Navigator Multimedia”

When were you first introduced to #OKGNtech?

“I guess I’ve been kind of born and bred into the tech community here. I have a deep respect for local tech companies that have been able to adapt, grow and change with the industry. There are companies here alongside us that were there in the early days. I really think that there are a lot of talented people here. People don’t quit easily in Kelowna.” #cantstopwontstop

What’s something most people don’t know about you? 

“I recently auditioned at the Actor’s Studio for their open casting call for the 2019 season and I didn’t get anything. When I was in high school I did a lot of theatre. I was the theatre nerd, I did all the plays. But then I got into university and I didn’t do theatre for 12 years, and I rock up to this audition like “The star has arrived!” – “finally the answer to their prayers!” But like I hadn’t done an audition for so long, so of course, I didn’t get a callback. But I’m just like happy with myself for trying. It was a definite kick in the butt.” 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

“I am paraphrasing when I say this but I actually had a therapist tell me once ‘When you are skiing you shouldn’t focus on trees. In life, you shouldn’t focus on the dangers. If you focus on danger, you’ll run right into it.’ I think about that all the time.”

[Editor’s note: Shoutout to Dr Eva Helpard!]

What word would you use to describe yourself and why? 

“Varied. I am constantly in flux. I am always turning through different ideas or interfacing with different people and getting curious about things that seem off brand. I surprise myself all the time and I hope it never stops.”

 

Connect with Sarah. Learn more about Navigator Multimedia. Hungry for more? Meet Kevin. 

Have you seen the rest of the OKGNtech faces? Follow us on Instagram.