Kerry Cavers is president of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and owner of the The Uncommon Carrot.
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1. What is the biggest challenge facing the Sooke business community?
Sustainability. The Sooke business community has several adverse factors working against it that need to be overcome on a daily basis. We have a population that struggles to shop locally for a variety of reasons; we have a highway that is a deterrent for visitors and people relocating; we have a short supply of commercial space driving rents up almost on par with Victoria prices; we have a large home based business demographic that is isolated and not connected; and we have a disjointed town core that does not inspire shoppers to spend any extra time perusing the shops – just to name a few.
2. If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be?
It has always been a dream of mine to own a ranch and help kids build or re-build self-esteem, move through traumatic experiences and let go of limiting beliefs and behaviours. Kind of like the show Neon Rider. You can Google it.
3. What’s playing in your music player right now?
Raffi. Both my boys, one and three years old, love music. So I listen to a lot of kids songs right now.
4. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
This culture of shaming others – moms shaming moms, people shaming their kids, pets, random people they don’t know. It both irks and saddens me. Shaming and blaming are counter productive. It creates further divides among individuals, groups, families, etc. when as a human race what we need is connection, compassion and engagement. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes, we all have lapses in good judgement; we need to remember that before we start belittling someone else.
5. What’s the best thing about living in Sooke?
The people and the landscape. It is breathtakingly beautiful here. Sooke is a little slice of paradise. And there are so many kind, generous, and supportive people in this community that are willing to come together to help each other without hesitation. The community support in opening The Uncommon Carrot has truly been amazing.
6. What’s your favourite movie?
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I love Christmas, and musicals, and this one movie has sentimental meaning as well.
7. Which person, alive or dead, would you have dinner with?
My mom. She passed away when I was 18. We have a lot to catch up on.
8. What’s your favourite vacation destination?
Anywhere in the Caribbean. I spent my first year of life there and I think its been imprinted on me as I always feel at home when I’m there.
9. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
I’d want to have the I Dream of Jeanie powers. I hate folding and putting away laundry.
10. What’s the one thing you haven’t done that you’d love to do?
Travel Italy. It just seems so romantic!
11. If you could see one concert, what would it be?
I’ve managed to go to a couple on my must see list but one band I would love to see is Pearl Jam.
12. What is your favourite TV show?
I’m a little bit out of touch with TV.
13. What’s your dream car?
I once rebuilt a 1976 Superbeetle and I would love to own a classic beetle again. Something from the 1950s or 1960s.
14. Where is your favourite place to dine?
Anywhere that is just my husband and I (no kids) and we actually get to enjoy a hot meal.
15. What are your words to live by?
They are not my words but rather those of William Ernest Henley and that is “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
