Podcast · Presented by High Up Media
Building the Okanagan
Local business owners on how they built it.
Honest conversations with the people behind local businesses, from Vernon to Penticton.
Episode 01 · Open seat
Episode 01: how a local owner built it.
Your story could be firstNow booking the first guestsEpisodes coming soon on YouTube
The show
Real stories. Told by the owner.
Every business in this valley started with someone taking a chance. I sit down with the owner and ask how it really went: the hard calls, the wins, and the mistakes you only make once.
- Host
- Jon Petkau
- Where
- Okanagan Valley, BC
- Format
- 30 to 40 minute video conversations
- Watch on
- YouTube (coming soon)
- Presented by
- High Up Media
The kind of things I'll ask
What almost made you quit?
When did you know it was going to work?
What's the best decision you ever made?
What would you do differently if you started today?
Who it's for
Owners from across the valley.
If you built a business between Vernon and Penticton, I want to hear how you did it.
- Trades
- Restaurants
- Clinics
- Retail
- Wineries
- Tourism
- Professional services
- And more
You're a good fit if
- You've been running your business for a few years.
- You've made real calls with real stakes.
- You're happy to talk honestly about the hard parts.
Any industry. Any size.
North
- Vernon
- Lake Country
- Kelowna home base
- West Kelowna
- Peachland
- Summerland
- Penticton
And everywhere in between
What every guest has in common
You built it here.
How it works
Easy to say yes to.
About an hour of your time, all in.
-
2 min
Apply
Fill in the short form below. Tell me about you and your business.
-
15 min
Intro chat
A quick call to get to know each other and pick the stories worth telling. No homework.
-
30 to 40 min
Record the conversation
I come to your business, anywhere in the Okanagan. You just talk. I take care of the rest.
-
Yours to keep
Get the episode and clips
The full episode, professionally produced, plus short clips to share on your own channels.
Your host
About the host
Hi, I'm Jon.
I'm a Kelowna local.
I taught myself business and the web from scratch. Now I build websites for Okanagan businesses with my company, High Up Media.
Every time I meet an owner here, I want to know how they actually did it. Most of those stories never get told.
So I started a show to tell them.
I'd rather ask than talk, and I'm genuinely curious, so expect plenty of follow-up questions.
You get to tell your story properly. Maybe for the first time.
Jon Petkau · Host · Kelowna, BC
Say hi: j.petkau@highupmedia.net
Questions
Before you apply.
Does it cost anything?
No. Being a guest is free.
Is it on camera? I'm not great on camera.
Yes, it's filmed for YouTube. It's a conversation, not a presentation. I keep it relaxed, and you'll know the topics before the camera rolls.
Do I need to prepare?
No. On the 15-minute intro chat I walk you through the topics. Come as you are.
Can I see the questions first?
You'll know the topics ahead of time. I don't send a script, because the best stories aren't rehearsed.
Where does recording happen?
In person, at your business. I come to you, anywhere in the Okanagan.
Who sees the episode?
It's published on the Building the Okanagan YouTube channel. You get the full episode plus short clips to share on your own website and social channels.
Is this a sales pitch for High Up Media?
No. The show is the show. I won't pitch you on a website.
Apply
Want to be on the show?
Tell me a bit about you and your business. It takes about two minutes.
What happens next
- I read every application myself.
- If it's a fit, I'll reach out within 2 business days to book a 15-minute intro chat.
- You pick a recording date that works for you.
Prefer email? j.petkau@highupmedia.net
Know an owner who should be on the show?
Send them this page, or tell me about them and I'll reach out.