June Influencer: Jon Wiebe

Our featured Canadian influencer this month is Jon Wiebe, whose June pick in VITA is a Father’s Day gift win! Read all about Jon below, and watch for more fabulous influencer insights in the coming months! —Vita Daily

Hi Jon! Tell us a little bit about you and what do you do!

Hi! I am the content creator behind the Instagram and blog, The Road to Dapper. I’d like to think that my feed shows the everyday adventures of a stylish dad. I love not only talking about the latest style trends or products, but also about fatherhood, mental health and everyday life. For my day job I work for Village Church. I currently live in the Fraser Valley, B.C., with my wife and my two kids. We love travelling as a family and visiting local parks with our dogs!

How do you use your platform to impact those who follow you?

I initially started my platform with the goal to help the average guy down the road to becoming more dapper. I was sharing my OOTDs and how I styled different looks. But my platform has developed since then. As I have gone through my own journey with mental health (depression and anxiety), I try to use my platform as a safe place for guys to talk about their own mental health. Men often don’t like to talk about their feelings, especially when it comes to mental health and body image. My goal is to help normalize the conversation!

What’s your personal style mantra?

I wear what I think looks good together, and I like to have fun with my style. I believe personal style is just that, personal! While it’s great to watch trends, you need to wear clothes that you like, that fit your body and that make you feel like a rockstar. I like to mix more formal pieces (like a blazer or suit jacket) with casual pieces (like a T-shirt and denim).

What would the perfect Father’s Day be?

A great Father’s Day in my opinion involves spending the day outside in nice weather with my family eating good food!

Did “dad-hood” come easy to you, or were there challenges (if so, any in particular you’d like to share)?

I feel like “dad-hood” came relatively easy, but I remember walking out of the hospital with my first born 11.5 years ago thinking: “What do we do now?” Every stage of parenting comes with it’s own unique set of challenges. When they were newborns, dealing with the lack of sleep is definitely one of the biggest ones. Now, as they are both nearing the end of elementary school, we are continuing to help them navigate the online world and helping them make good decisions. I can only imagine what the teenage years and hormones will bring!

The hardest thing about being a dad? The best thing?

The hardest thing about being a dad is the responsibility you have as a parent to develop your kids into fully functioning adults. It can really weigh on your shoulders. The best thing about being a dad has been watching my kid’s personality come to life. Being able to watch them grow and develop their passions and interests brings so much joy.

What’s your top Father’s Day gift pick?

This year, let’s ditch the stereotypical gift of a tie for dad and get him a different accessory. As summer is approaching quickly, my top gift pick this year is a great pair of sunglasses. It’s something that dad can use almost every day. My personal favourites are the Nelson, designed in Vancouver by local brand Oxford and Kin. The Nelson is Oxford and Kin’s refined take on the traditional aviator style. What’s great about Oxford and Kin is that every pair of glasses sold equals a full eye exam and a pair of glasses for someone in need!

Follow Jon on Instagram and on his blog.