‘Craving Connection’: Kamloops entrepreneur creates romantic, customized picnic experiences

Kamloops resident Ashlee Gowans has always loved decorating, throwing baby showers and bridal showers for friends, and gifting them romantic picnic setups for their special occasions.

Two months ago, after friends encouraged her to open a curated picnic business, she was skeptical, but took the leap anyway.

“I’ve been doing picnic setups for eight years and people said I should do it as a job, and I thought ‘no, no one would pay for this, this is silly,’” she said.

After gathering with friends on Valentine’s Day, she discovered her male friends were having trouble coming up with creative ideas for the romantic occasion.

“The guys were like, ‘there is nothing to do in Kamloops,’ but there is a lot to do, you just have to be creative,” Gowans said.

“The next day I created my website and started buying stuff and taking pictures, and away I went.”

Through her business, Ember & Oak, Gowans creates luxury picnic experiences in Kamloops and the surrounding area. She specializes in intimate dates, bridal showers and bachelorettes, and partners with local vendors for add-ons like charcuterie, florals and desserts.

“It’s just something different. I want to create something pretty where people can put their phones away,” she said. “I really like finding areas that don’t have good cell service so people can really connect. I feel people are craving connection.”

Gowans sets up picnics and stays until the couple arrives, just long enough to see their reactions, before leaving for three hours and coming back to pack up. She recently set up a picnic on the Rivers Trail in Kamloops for a man who wanted to surprise his wife for her birthday.

“It was so cute, they came walking along the beach and she had no idea there was the picnic set up for her, she was delighted and he was so proud,” she said. “I have to stay to make sure no one is trying to steal stuff or whatever so I get to watch the reactions but I’m like in a bush peering through!”

There are several different picnic packages to choose from for smaller, intimate celebrations to larger ones with many guests.

The picnics come with thoughtful table styling, colour palettes to match the celebration, sparkling water or juice and sweet treats, and can be customized with additional guests, florals, charcuterie, games and painting.

Gowans moved from the Lower Mainland to Kamloops a decade ago and lives on a cattle ranch on the outskirts of the city with her husband and son. She said she loves the slower pace of life and beautiful outdoor spaces Kamloops has to offer.

Since starting Ember & Oak two months ago, she been asked to set up decorative tables at a music festival in Kelowna and several local event companies are reaching out. She just signed on to set up tablescapes and décor at a wedding venue.

“It’s exciting, I’m getting enquiries every day for picnics for birthday parties and anniversaries,” she said. “I’m brand new, but I think this can really grow.”

Gowans also runs a business called Timber & Toast offering curated date nights. Go here to find out more about Gowans’ businesses or to set up a curated picnic experience.