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 a connection through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic, we’ve got a plan.

We are #OKGNtech is 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 Julia. Julia Lockhart is the founder of Adventure Marketing. When she’s not helping small businesses reach their audience, you’ll find Julia on the water, travelling or enjoying the sunset.

How did you get into this kind of work?

I started Adventure Marketing, a Facebook and Instagram advertising agency in 2017. I’ve always thought that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I never knew in what field it would be, but I knew I loved business. When I finished school, I had no idea what I was going to do. I ended up finding a marketing position at Strawhouse in Kelowna, which was one of the best experiences of my life. They were doing Facebook ads and that’s where I learned all my skills. It wasn’t anything I had planned on doing, but I really love where I ended up.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

My favourite thing about my job is helping eCommerce businesses grow into being able to produce solid income and revenue. I was working with a single mom who started a makeup line who had been losing money for 2 or 3 years. I started working with her in April and she’s made over a million dollars in revenue since then. It’s awesome being able to see someone’s dream come true.

What advice would you give to someone interested in a job like yours?

Stop thinking about it and just do it. The thing that really pushed me into starting my own business was getting laid off from my old job, but I’m really glad it happened. I might have left eventually, but that push really gave me the opportunity to give it a go. I always tell people to go after their dreams and do something that they’re passionate about. It feels good to be taking my own advice.

What do you enjoy about the OKGNtech community?

I love the size. You get to know people and build relationships. You see them at the same events over and over again. If it was a larger city, you wouldn’t get that same sense of community. I love being involved in a place that appreciates startups and small businesses and likes to support local.

What is something that people don’t know about you?

I have finished all of my grade 10 classical piano with honours. And I lived in Austria for 6 months. I got to live there through Okanagan College and travelled on my own to 12 countries while I was there. Austria is the city of music, it was incredible to be there and attend operas and classical performances.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Or can share?

Find balance in your work and personal life. Don’t overwork yourself, it’s not worth your physical health or your mental health. I’ve gone through that and experienced burnout. We live in a culture where working so much can be rewarded, but we need to be more appreciative of work-life balance. If you’re not healthy, you can’t experience anything to its full potential.

Who inspires you?

My mom. She does the bookkeeping for my dad’s company, runs her own business, and always puts food on the table. She does everything. She’s always baking and cooking and she still has time to work 16 hours in the day. I don’t know how she does it.

Is there something you want to be remembered for?

I would hope that I’m remembered for my drive—ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you that I work my ass off no matter what I’m doing. I’m also an extrovert at heart and love hosting and having people over for a great time, so I hope they remember me for my hospitality.

Connect with Julia. Learn more about Adventure Marketing. Ready for more? Meet Michael.