Bio for Devon Riel
Devon Riel is the General Business Manager at Avonlea Group of Companies, where he also does sports photography alongside event photography.
Episode highlight
Devon Riel comes from an illustrious lineage yet has carved his own way. Listen in on how his job training Santas has helped him illuminate his own and others’ paths with joy.
Links
Email: devon@avonleastudio.com
Website: www.avonleastudio.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonleaSEP/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avonleasep/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvonleaSEP
Quotes
“Ignore the negative BS out there, go with the path of most positivity.”
“If I can let someone smile in a day, then I’ve done my part.”
“Improving efficiencies wherever possible, that tickles me for sure.”
Takeaways
Childhood incidents:
Devon found his parents’ separation when he was very young to be beneficial to him, since he witnessed almost no conflict. He attributes his technological success to his mother, who bought him a computer when he was young.
Groups you were born into and belonged to:
Louis Riel, a Métis political leader, is Devon’s great-great-great uncle. His mother comes from the Powell family and they may be descendants of the Baden-Powells, the founders of the Boy Scouts/Girl Guides Movement.
Devon attended 8 different schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 because his family moved often. He also moved to Australia with his mother in Grade 4. He couldn’t form long term friendships because of these changes.
He worked in banking and took finance at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). Around the same time, he discovered Business Network International (BNI), a networking group his mother attended, and was introduced to Dean Skoubis, one of the owners of Avonlea.
Temperament and personality influences
Devon had always been a happy child and the class clown. However, he has worked to temper down his hyperactivity to make sure it’s not overbearing to other people.
A time I became aware that my way of doing things was cultural and specific to my cultural experience
Devon says that he has always felt he was different from everyone else. He feels immune to the cultural and societal norms which dictate a certain kind of life.
Advice to an employer to work with me
Devon says that even though he doesn’t like micromanagement, he works well with direction. When he follows up with someone, he expects them to be there, though he admits he is not the best at following up with people.
More great insights from our guest!
If you or someone you know needs headshots in Edmonton or around, contact Devon!