I was born and raised on an island off the northern end of Vancouver Island called Malcolm Island. The town "Sointula" is a small Finnish Community with about 500 people. After I graduated high school in 1996, I moved to Nanaimo where I attended Malaspina University College. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Geography and Liberal Studies Minor, a Physical Education diploma in 2000 and a Tourism Studies Diploma in 2002.
I moved to Radium Hot Springs in 2002 and started working as a front desk agent at the Radium Resort. I also worked at the Radium Hot Springs Pools as a lifeguard/cashier.
Over the years I have held several different positions ranging from Front Desk, Night Audit, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor, Aquatic Director at Fairmont Hot Springs and Panorama Mountain Resort, lift attendant at the ski hill (Panorama) and groundskeeper. I also ran my own company (2009-2017) teaching swimming lessons, first aid courses, water safety instructor courses and Lifesaving courses, as well as opened and closed a strata pool located in Radium. I retired from teaching swimming in 2017 when my identical twin girls were in grade 4.
In 2016, I started as a strata assistant at Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. In 2018, I completed my strata management licensing exam and became a Licensed strata manger. I worked closely with the late William Weissig and learned a lot about strata management. I retired from strata management in October 2024.
In the Spring of 2023, I saw a need for helping locals and visitors get to and from golf courses, pubs and bars and different events and establishments around the Columbia valley. I offered rides "by donation" as I worked on getting all the appropriate licensing in place. After a lot of hard work and outpouring local support, I was approved for a passenger transportation license for a "passenger directed vehicle" in April 2024.
I then applied in May 2024 for a Temporary Operating Permit to operate a 2nd vehicle during the summer months and was approved for a 2nd vehicle on May 31st, 2024. I reapplied end of August and was granted another 92 day permit to operate a 2nd vehicle until December 1st. I will be applying for additional year-round licenses this Fall and looking to expand my fleet up to 3 or 4 vehicles by next summer (pending the Passenger Transportation Boards approval.)
My team (Joni, Lisa, Teona, Tim and I) look forward to working with the local community and the many thousands of visitors and second home owners within the Columbia Valley each year with all of your transportation needs along with any food/liquor/grocery delivery you may need.
Contact us today (text/call) (250) 342-1348 or driver@darasdolphins.net to see how we can help!
Joni joined the Dara's Dolphins team in June 2024 and has been helping part-time as she keeps herself busy with family and other part-time work.
More details about Joni to follow soon.
Lisa joined the Dara's Dolphins team in September 2024. She is new to the Columbia Valley, however, has settled in and absolutely loves living in the area and looks forward to exploring all the area has to offer.
Teona joined the Dara's Dolphins team in October 2024 and is assisting with Deliveries and working on getting her class 4 drivers license.
She is another new face to the Columbia Valley and loves everything the valley has to offer.
Tim joined the Dara's Dolphins Team in October 2024 and will assist with driving for our longer trips to Cranbrook, Banff and/or Calgary.
Tim has lived in the valley since 2003.
Picture to follow soon!
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