Renfrew

Kasia Maves

Let’s welcome our neighbour, Kasia Maves.

Hi, Kasia! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a true Valley girl, born and raised right here in the Ottawa Valley. I left home briefly for school, spending time in North Bay and Ottawa, but the pull of country living eventually brought me back home. Shortly after graduating high school, I met my husband, and together we’ve built a wonderful life just outside of Renfrew with our three amazing children and our two dogs, Dino and Felix.

These days, life is busy and revolves around family. With three kids in hockey, you’ll often find me running from rink to rink during the winter months. When hockey season wraps up, we trade the arena for the ball diamond, where I’m once again cheering on my favourite athletes. On the rare occasions we have a free evening, my husband and I enjoy taking advantage of everything the Valley has to offer, whether that’s a round of golf, a sunset fishing trip on the Ottawa River, or simply spending time outdoors.

Professionally, I am a Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with Edward Jones. I love helping people make sense of their finances and create a plan that’s built around what’s most important to them. Whether it’s retirement, saving for their children or grandchildren, growing a business, or leaving a legacy, I enjoy helping clients turn their goals into a clear path forward.

One of the things I value most is building lasting relationships. In a small community, financial advice isn’t about transactions — it’s about trust. I have the privilege of getting to know my clients and their families, celebrating milestones with them, and helping them navigate life’s changes along the way.

Being able to live, work, and raise my family in the Ottawa Valley is something I’m incredibly grateful for. I am proud to help the people in this community plan for their futures and achieve the goals that matter most to them.

If you could start a whole new career path, what would you be?

As a little girl, I always wanted to be a lawyer. Maybe it was because I always liked having the last word and enjoyed proving my point, or maybe I was inspired by Legally Blonde. Who doesn’t love a story about grit, determination, kindness, and great fashion? Looking back, I can definitely see why it appealed to me. I enjoy helping people, solving problems, and advocating for others, which are qualities that have carried over into my career today.

What three adjectives do you think your family and friends would use to describe you?

Determined would probably be the first. I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and when I set a goal, I’m committed to seeing it through.

Giving would be another. I genuinely love helping others whenever and wherever I can. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day, but supporting family, friends, clients, and the community is important to me.

The third would be patient. With three kids, two dogs, and a busy household, life can be a little chaotic at times! I’ve learned to take things in stride, stay flexible, and find the humour in the everyday moments.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would love to visit Italy. Maybe it’s my appreciation for great wine, or maybe I’m just a sucker for fresh pasta, but it’s a place I’ve always dreamed of experiencing. One day, I’d love to travel there with my husband, explore the beautiful countryside, visit local vineyards, and enjoy authentic Italian food right where it’s made. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the charming coastal villages, Italy seems like the perfect combination of amazing scenery, rich culture, and incredible cuisine. It would be a chance to slow down, soak it all in, and create some unforgettable memories together.

What is your perfect combination of pizza toppings?

I’m torn between a great BBQ chicken pizza and a classic combination of pepperoni, green peppers, bacon, and onions. It might not be fancy, but it’s my go-to order every time. After a busy week of work, hockey, and family activities, pizza night is always a win in our house!

If Hollywood made a movie based on your life, who would you like to see play you in the film?

I’d choose Reese Witherspoon. I’ve always loved the confidence, determination, and sense of humour she brings to her roles. Plus, considering my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer may have been inspired by Legally Blonde, it seems fitting! She’d probably do a much better job of making the daily juggle of being a Financial Advisor, wife, mom of three, and full-time hockey chauffeur look effortless.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I couldn’t even begin to give you an exact number! Let’s just say I’m a bit of a shoe enthusiast. My boys make fun of me all the time about my collection of shoes and handbags, but I firmly believe a girl needs options! Whether it’s a pair of heels for an event, running shoes for life on the go, or boots for a Canadian winter, every pair serves a purpose… at least that’s what I tell my family when they tease me about it. The real question isn’t how many pairs I own — it’s whether there’s such a thing as too many shoes!

Are you a cat or a dog person? Why?

Definitely a dog person! I absolutely adore my Golden Retriever, Felix, and my Mini Goldendoodle, Dino. Dogs have a way of becoming part of the family, and I couldn’t imagine life without them. They’re loyal, loving, and always happy to see you, whether you’ve been gone all day or just stepped outside for a few minutes.

If you could be on any reality TV show, which one would you choose? Why?

I have to admit this is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I’d probably choose one of the Real Housewives series. The truth is, I’d likely be the first one fired because I’m not nearly glamorous, loud, or dramatic enough! But I can’t help enjoying a little drama from the comfort of my couch.

Between the fashion, over-the-top lifestyles, and larger-than-life personalities, it’s entertaining to watch a world that is so completely different from my own. Maybe that’s part of the appeal. My day-to-day life is filled with kids’ hockey schedules, ball games, work, and chasing after two dogs, so escaping into a little reality TV drama every now and then is a fun change of pace.

What decade do you wish you had experienced? Why?

I’ve always been fascinated by the Elizabethan era. There’s something magical about that period of history, from the beautiful gowns and grand estates to what many consider the golden age of Shakespeare and theatre. I’ve always loved the history and culture of the old countries of Europe, and the Elizabethan period seems like a time when art, storytelling, and creativity truly flourished.

Of course, I suspect I enjoy the romanticized version of the era a little more than the reality of it! But I would have loved the opportunity to experience the rich culture, attend a Shakespearean performance, and see the architecture and traditions of the time firsthand. It remains one of my favourite periods to learn about and imagine being part of.

What do you miss the most about being a kid?

I miss the simplicity of being a kid. Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, summer days seemed endless. My friends and I would spend our days outside riding bikes, swimming, exploring, and coming home only when it started to get dark. There was no packed schedule, no emails, and no worrying about what needed to get done tomorrow.

Looking back, it was those simple moments and the sense of freedom that made childhood so special. Now, as a parent, I love watching my own children create those same memories and experience the kind of small-town childhood that I was lucky enough to have.

Thanks for sharing with us, neighbour Kasia.

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Next week, we will welcome Emily Wong.