In Focus | Janice Taylor of Just Be Friends Network

Janice Taylor is part of the growing segment of Kelowna's population known as Silicone Valley North. They are people who have chosen to live in the paradise of the Okanagan valley to pursue their tech careers. The endeavour that Janice has created is a fascinating blend between social psychology and the technology that has become such an integral part of our lives. Just Be Friends may just be the next big thing in social network sites and we are privileged to have the founder Janice Taylor In Focus today.

What do you always find yourself saying?
That's fantastic!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Michelle Obama

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Nobel Peace Prize

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Aristotle

Who inspires you?
My Children

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Complete a PhD
Change the Lives of Kids
Travel from one end of Europe to the Other with no concept of time.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Amicus

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
September 10, 2014

What are you passionate about?
Friendship and Community. As a child I was born to a single mom with pretty difficult circumstances. I became a child of that community, it is where I learned my core values and sense of collaboration. Currently, I see a disconnect in community and the social education of our children. I am passionate about bringing positive, healthy friendship to children through community.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Apart from the birth of my children and all the moments watching them become people. On a personal note, I was chosen as one of Oprah's Ultimate Viewers back in 2010 and received a trip of lifetime. There was a day on that trip that I had a huge moment with Oprah and I think of it often. It was an incredible moment.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Apart from my children, persevering through to bring Just Be Friends Kids to life. Had I not stayed the course I may never have experienced this incredible city. To have the team I have in place working on JBF are inspiring, talented and extraordinary and I found them here in Kelowna!

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
RauDZ

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Start Up Week

What is the name of your business/organization?
Just Be Friends Network

What does your business/organization do?
Just Be Friends is an interactive social education platform for families and kids to find NEW friends and connections. The LinkedIn for Families.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.jbfkids.com

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Janice Taylor

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
http://facebook.com/justbefriends

What is your Twitter account?
justbefriends

What is your mission?
Just Be Friends will change the lives of kids and families by bringing community and healthy friendship back to the forefront of our lives.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To pioneer the world of social education both online and offline.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
Worldwide, used by Families all over the world. To have developed ground breaking research in the fields of Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science and Education.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Facebook

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Integrity
Honesty
Respect

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Awe-Inspiring individuals who embody the change we wish to see in the world.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
Combing the core values of community with technology, Just Be Friends unites community!

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Social Psychology: I would talk to them about the impact of technology on how children are socialized. What has happened with the rampant connecting we have done online has actually spread an analogue disconnection in the communities we live in. I would ask them about how we can use technology as a tool but not a way of life. I would also wonder about the role of family, parents in the social education of our children and how switching our focus from the negative to the positive can ultimately shift behaviours in children and adults. I would tell them that Just Be Friends will pioneer this fusion of technology and social psychology and we will ultimately change the lives of families...one friend at a time.

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Grey skies in the winter. Being from Saskatchewan which is freezing but sunny! I wonder sometimes which is worse the constant grey skies or the frost bite!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The tech community make this a great place! They have completely embraced me as one of their own. Being that I am originally from Saskatchewan and was recruited to come here via Silicon Valley in California, the tech community through Accelerate Okanagan have made this transition seamless!

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Jessika von Innerebner

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Just Be Friends started as network for women to meet other women for friendship. Six weeks after I launched I wrote to the Oprah Show becoming one of her Ultimate Viewers. This completely changed my business and my life. Through that experience the site changed, many women that came to the site wanted the friendship server for their kids! This pivot led me to California from Saskatchewan and eventually just moving here! I moved here in November, hired a staff and we launch Just Be Friends Kids at the end of March! This talented group of teammates, mentors and advisors has changed my life! Thank you Kelowna!

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!