In Focus | Sarah Elizabeth Watt of Begrand Fast Design

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 KelownaNow.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.

What is your name?
Sarah Elizabeth Watt

What do you always find yourself saying?
I find myself saying “oh man”, “perfect”, “you’re kidding me”, “amazing”, and “because I said so”.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Good question! I’d have to go with the culinary genius Thomas Keller. We would spend the entire day preparing the most exquisite meal ever tasted, and then we would feast all night with a close group of friends and family.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
A Grammy would be nice! I’ve always admired the musically inclined.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Jesus. I’ll bet he’d have some interesting things to say about our modern misinterpretations of a lot!

Who inspires you?
My husband (cheesy I know, but true). He not only inspires me, but he fully supports me and pushes me to be a better person and fully realize my potential.

What are three things on your bucket list?
See my kids grow up happy, healthy, and loved
Spend six months in Italy and Spain on a food and wine extravaganza
Have grandchildren

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Dual Income or Grey Poupon, depending on the style.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I’m not sure I’d like to foresee any day! I’m pretty content taking it one day at a time.

What are you passionate about?
My family, interior design, and cooking.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
My wedding day.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My most impactful accomplishment will be the legacy I’ll leave behind with my two amazing and hilarious boys, and my beautiful stepdaughter. My proudest accomplishment would be when I chose to follow my heart and change career paths mid-life. After attaining my BComm in Finance and spending years as a trading analyst, I left the field to have children and pursue my passion in interior design. Going back to school full time to earn a Diploma in Design, while two of my kids were under the age of four, was one of the most challenging experiences of my life.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
I like all the usual suspects (RauDZ, Old Vines, Waterfront Wines, Bouchons) but at the moment I’m particularly partial to Krafty Kitchen. I find the food exceptionally well balanced and complex with a mix of sweet/salty/sour/bitter flavours.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
I love the Cedar Creek Telus Sunset Concert Series. It’s the quintessential Okanagan summer experience.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Begrand Fast Design

What does your business/organization do?
We design residential and commercial interiors

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.begrandfastdesign.com

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Begrand Fast Design Inc.

What is your Twitter account?
@begrandfastid

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
linkedin.com/pub/sarah-watt

What is your mission?
To turn spaces into sanctuaries that evoke emotion and reflect the personality and lifestyle of each unique client. To bring visions to completion with a pragmatic and realistic approach, maintaining a keen attention for detail, and respecting time and budgetary constraints.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
One day I would love to win an award from the American Institute of Architects for Excellence in Design.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I would love for my organization to see steady and continued success in the Okanagan, and continue to develop a strong reputation for inspiring and timeless design. If I could hear back from clients in five years’ time who still love their space, that to me would be a success.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Nicky Dobree, Jessica Helgerson, and Nicole Begrand Fast!

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Timeless, trendsetting, and creative.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
I would like to say to my colleagues, thank you for all you’ve taught me! Your dedication and creativity are truly inspirational!

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We impact the community by making spaces not only beautiful, but perfectly functional and tailored to their users. And wherever possible we opt for materials that are sustainable. With well-designed spaces, those who occupy the space will be set up to do whatever it is that they do best.

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?
I think I would like to have a long conversation with Kyle Bass at Hayman Capital Management and discuss his long-term views on Japanese government bonds and their credit default swap positions.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I would love to see infrastructure projects move along just a little quicker

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The weather, the natural beauty, the small town mentality, and the wonderful people

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Sarah Gumpinger at UBCO and CPA Canada

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I feel so blessed to live where I do, to be working in a field that I’m so passionate about, and to have my beautiful family to spend every day with. I hope I have opened your eyes to the wonderful world of interior design, and possibly inspired you to rethink your own interior!

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!