This edition of Women in Business surveyed women who are employed in typically male-dominated industries or in a position that has historically been occupied by a man.
These women tell that they are underrepresented in their field and in their leadership positions – in the hope that their perseverance and success will guide the next generation of women in business so that they will continue to break glass ceilings and achieve their goals.
Women in Business shows who the movers and shakers are in Kelowna and that there is always a space to share stories about successful women.
After taking the lead in someone else’s lead in a male-dominated industry for 13 years, Jennifer Kammonen was ready to go out on her own to prove that women are more than capable of achieving any goal.
In 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, Kammonen began servicing Eco Naturals Aquatics, Pools and Spa.
“When I was younger we lived in a small town and there were minimal jobs but there as a really big pool company and if you were lucky you had to do pool maintenance,” she said. “In the summer you had to clean pools, make really good money, and life was great.”
Most teenagers pull out of their high school summer jobs, and so do Kammonen, but years later the pool industry pulled them back.
She studied at post-secondary school for eight years, from paralegal to completing her art and design certificate. Nothing she studied would apply to the pool maintenance industry. Instead, it was the years in business learning she worked that gave her the ability to start her own business.
“Basically, pool maintenance begins as pool cleaning because everyone wants a clean pool. Not only do you clean the pools every day, you also make sure that all equipment is working properly, from service to maintenance to checking the heating. “
Even though she started cleaning pools, Kammonen quickly realized that it wasn’t what she wanted to do every day, but rather what the men in the industry have to do, from mechanical to electrical. After shadowing some of her colleagues, she later took on the roles and responsibilities of what is known as dirty work.
“It’s really dirty stuff and I can see why it’s not attracting more women in the industry, but I’m really enjoying it. Me [learning how to use] A computer is hard work, but I can look at a green pool and put a smile on my face because I really want to fix it, ”she said.
In her many years in the business, Kammonen said she had only come across one pool and spa maintenance company owner whom she viewed as a mentor. She watched her run a company and showed her what was possible, despite the perception that it was a male-dominated industry.
And that’s exactly what she did two years ago. Kammonen moved to Kelowna and worked for another pool maintenance company before starting what she calls eco-friendly or Okanagan-friendly.
Every day, Kammonen visits between 10 and 20 homes to clean the pools, check equipment, or learn about how the spa works.
“I’ve shown that it doesn’t take two great people to do the job in a backyard that someone can learn and do knowledgeably.”
Although COVID-19 is affecting many businesses across the Okanagan, Kammonen n has grown much faster than expected. She said because people stayed home more to slow the spread of COVID-19, it meant they were outside and in their pools and hot tubs.
“Sometimes when I go to the back yard first they are shocked that I’m a woman. They would see if anyone was with me, and if not, they would offer help. Usually they are used to seeing two people at work. But if you do things right, the smart way pays off and they are impressed. “
She also recognizes the ability to build relationships with her customers and says it is a privilege to be able to meet her family and pets in other people’s homes.
Although she currently has no employees, this Kelowna business owner wants to mentor a young woman who is interested in the industry.
“I want women to know that this is an option for them to work in this industry because the only skill you need is common sense,” said Kammonen.
@ Jen_zee
jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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