Meet the OnwardUP Team
With our current combined experience in the outdoor industry, our OnwardUP team numbers continue to grow! We thought it would be a great time to (re)introduce ourselves to all of you. We are OnwardUP, but who are the faces behind the name?
You all know we forge connections and partnerships that enable elevated outdoor experiences. With focus on character, entrepreneurialism and a high-level of experience, in a variety of outdoor and business environments, our team is able to focus on the fine details of servicing our dealers and creating growth for our vendors. We are a dedicated crew, with compassionate hearts.
…but how cold is too cold? Where did we grow-up? What music makes us rock-out and what makes us laugh the most? What the heck did we do before we joined the OnwardUP team?
It’s been so fun getting to know our team a little more…
Oh, and look who it is! Meet Pat Valade, our next highlighted team member in our Meet the OnwardUP Team social series. We asked Pat some skill testing questions and here’s what he said to say!
Read more below!
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Any fun nicknames?
“Pattycakes, Pattrisimo, Pattington, Patrice.”
Where do you reside?
“Squamish, BC”
What is your job title at OnwardUP?
“Account Manager”
How would you describe your role at OnwardUP?
“A wearer of literal and figurative hats! I help manage relationships between our wholesale partners, and our Vendor partners. Providing support, ideas, and feedback however suits the situation best. It’s a great role, in that everyday is different, all with the goal of elevating our partners business, our partnerships with stores and vendors and having a good time while doing it.”
How long have you been a team member?
“About 8.5 years. Whoa!”
Share with us how you got into the outdoor industry?
“I was hanging around the local climbing shop in Kamloops as a youngster so much, they put me to work. At first I worked for gear, then they eventually paid me.”
Do you have a mentor?
“Mentorships are one of the most important things in life. I think I’ve been lucky enough to have many. I always love to try and surround myself with empathetic, passionate people who are better at things that I am trying to learn. Most notably, my parents, my partner Alycia and my colleague and buddy Ross Mailloux have all taught me invaluable lessons over the years.”
What’s your ideal work-life balance?
“A constant challenge to figure this out! Making enough time for my loved ones, friends and community, while always striving to grow and learn in my role, and my personal goals. It takes constant work, evaluation and balance.”
What can always make you feel better after a bad day?
“Getting out in the mountains with my partner, a good book and a cup of coffee, and time with friends!”
What makes you laugh the most?
“Usually myself at my own dumb jokes…”
How do you like to spend your free time?
“In our amazing local hills. Trail running, ski-touring, gravel biking, climbing. Anything that gets me moving outside. Always with a camera in hand.”
What are you most proud of yourself for?
“Continuing to be hungry to learn, and evolve in both my work at OnwardUp, in my creative pursuits, my recreational pursuits, and my personal life.”
What is your biggest irrational fear?
“Fear is a good evolutionary tool. Just not too much of it.”
What do you feel most passionate about?
“Moving through life with kindness, high energy and style in how you approach anything in life. Work, art, family and so on.”
Do you live by any words of wisdom?
“It is a cliche to use the term “comparison is the thief of joy” but I do feel like in the era we live in, you really need to check yourself when validation, or sense of accomplishment comes from the feedback of others.”
Book / podcast recommendations?
“99% Invisible / Death and the Penguin Andrey, Kurkov.”
One thing you have learnt in the mountains that you wish everyone knew?
“You are small, be humble.”
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
“I juggle between the two.”
What type of music are you into?
“That is hard to nail down, most of it!
What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
“Always changing. Usually with Alycia, usually in the mountains, but there are so many good ways to spend a day off around here.”
Name a non-profit in your community that is doing amazing work/or that you’re affiliated with?
“My Sea to Sky. A people-powered environmental organisation founder to protect, and restore Howe Sound. They do so much important work in our community, especially currently, when there are renewed threats”
Upcoming adventure plans, you’d like to share?
“I’m learning how to be a better surfer, so we are trying to get out on Vancouver Island a few more time this year. And my first trail running race since I was 14 years old.”
What’s the one item of clothing you couldn’t live without?
“Patagonia Airshed Pro pullover, and the mid-weight cotton T.”
A value you feel you align with, with OnwardUP’s values
“Our value about education and experiences. There is nothing better to be a part of than a culture of learning. Learning both myself and getting opportunities to teach things that I have learned, in business and the outdoors.”
Do you have a hero? Who?
“A hard question. I have a long list of heroes. I’ll tell them instead of writing it here.”
What keeps you going?
“A constant curiosity about what’s going to happen next. In work, in life, in recreation.”
Favourite place within walking distance of your house?
“The whole town of Squamish and everything that surrounds it! (Hard to beat the chief)”
Activity of choice?
“Skiing in all it’s forms – but climbing, trail running are close behind.”
How did you get into [said activity]?
“My dad! He loves skiing and the mountains.”
A Highlight from last year?
“Going to Alaska for the first time on a ski expedition.”
What’s one piece of gear that is always in your backpack and why?
“A camera! My background and education is in art and photography. I love documenting the world, and sharing when I can. I always need to have one with me.”
How cold is too cold?
“There is always a puffier jacket.”
If you weren’t working for OnwadUP, what would you be doing?
“Either continuing my career in rope-access or pursuing my career in photography.”
5: Adventures w/ Alycia and my camera
