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“I always get to where I'm going by walking away from where I have been.” ~ Winnie the Pooh
Kelly Darwin
Founder & CEO of Spark Agency and Westshore Web Hosting
With a rich background in culinary arts and a passion for technology, Kelly stands at the intersection of creativity and innovation. As the founder of Spark Agency and Westshore Web Hosting in Victoria, BC, Canada, he has carved a niche in the realms of marketing, web design, and hosting services. A former certified chef, bartender, and catering manager, Kelly brings a unique blend of artistic flair and technical acumen to his ventures.
His academic journey in computer systems and technologies, with a focus on web development, LAMP, and SEO, laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial success.
His hobbies are as diverse as his professional skills, ranging from distilling and crafting cocktails to playing drums and guitar. Kelly is also keenly interested in new-age health processes and traveling. He is an avid reader, with favorites like Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
As Spark Agency continues to grow and scale Kelly’s dream of opening a craft distillery, Ryes and Shine, specializing in moonshine, Rye Whisky, and Gin, is set for 2024.
I find great joy in creating and developing businesses, collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs, and supporting the small business community. This passion drives me to nurture my ventures, engage with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the growth of local enterprises.
I’m fortunate to seamlessly merge work with travel, gaining inspiration from various environments. This lifestyle breaks monotony, offering cultural insights and diverse experiences. It also enhances my professional outlook through varied work settings and valuable connections, enriching both my personal and work life.
Amid the pandemic, I embraced a novel hobby – distilling. As with numerous life passions, this interest of mine is transforming into a profession through the establishment of Ryes & Shine Craft Distillery. I anticipate its opening by early 2024.
I started podcasting about 5 years ago along with my co-host John Juricic as a way to highlight small businesses in the Westshore. Through my work with the Westshore Chamber of Commerce I have been able to meet with many business owners who are doing such a wide variety of amazing things.
When COVID19 hit we ended up working with local politicians to help get information out to the community. Once the restrictions lifted we took a little break.
Now that life is back and moving full steam ahead we have picked up the podcasting challenge again and our excited to start releasing new episodes focusing on unique businesses and local business owners. Visit 27minutes.ca for latest episodes.
2023 - Present
2023 - Present
2023 - Present
