JEREMY KASDORF, CHEWIE MEDIA, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

Jeremy Kasdorf: Empowering Small Businesses Through Digital Confidence with Chewie Media

Jeremy Kasdorf is the owner and operator of Chewie Media Inc., a full-service digital marketing and website design agency serving clients across Chilliwack, British Columbia, and Brooks, Alberta. With a Bachelor of Science in Interactive Arts from Simon Fraser University, Jeremy has established himself as a seasoned full-stack developer and designer with a passion for helping small businesses thrive online.

He brings a strategic, hands-on approach to every project—crafting unique, high-performing websites and digital marketing solutions tailored to each client’s goals. Known for blending technical expertise with creativity, Jeremy views each project as an opportunity to tell a story and create meaningful connections between businesses and their audiences. As both an entrepreneur and a creative technologist, he thrives on solving complex problems and delivering results that make a measurable difference for his clients.

Beyond his professional work, Jeremy is equally committed to his role as a father to two children. When he is not coding or refining user experiences, he can be found enjoying board games, experimenting with new technology, or exploring ways to merge innovation with everyday life. His career is guided by curiosity, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping others grow through the power of the web.

JEREMY KASDORF, CHEWIE MEDIA, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

THE BUSINESS: CHEWIE MEDIA

At Chewie Media, the team builds websites that do more than simply look great—they tell a story, build a brand, and grow a business. Whether supporting a solo entrepreneur or a growing team, Chewie Media ensures that an online presence reflects who the client is and where they are headed.

The company entered web design and development out of a passion for seeing businesses succeed. A great website can level the playing field; it can make a small company appear established or a niche brand feel like a major player. Specializing in WordPress, Chewie Media offers a full range of services, including SEO, SEM, and hosting. More importantly, the company offers true partnership, guiding, supporting, and celebrating every win alongside its clients.

There is nothing quite like the moment a new site goes live and begins making a real impact—whether it is that first sale, a boost in search rankings, or a client landing a deal once thought impossible. Clients have shared stories of their websites helping to secure exclusive partnerships or generating so much new business that updating their blog became impossible. This type of feedback fuels Chewie Media’s drive to deliver excellence.

Every project receives the team’s full commitment, and the results are clear. Chewie Media websites last longer between redesigns, perform better, and help clients grow with confidence. Partnering with Chewie Media means more than receiving a website—it means gaining a team as invested in success as the client.

Meet Chewie! Team member and inspiration.

IN HIS WORDS.

“Entrepreneurism always been a part of who I am. I have always preferred working at my own pace, taking ownership of the outcome, and putting in extra effort when I knew it would lead to greater reward. That mindset naturally grew into entrepreneurship. There was never a single “aha” moment. Instead, it was a steady realization that I enjoyed building something meaningful—not just for myself, but for others too. From mowing lawns as a kid to building custom computers in high school, I found real satisfaction in creating value through my work. Over time, that desire to build, grow, and make an impact became the foundation for starting Chewie Media.

My first big idea was inspired by small ventures that started in childhood. I began mowing lawns for neighbours while still in elementary school. It was never just about pocket money; I genuinely enjoyed the independence, responsibility, and the satisfaction of doing a job well. By high school, I had moved from lawns to computers, building custom systems for customers who trusted me to deliver both performance and value. Each project taught me something—about customer service, pricing, communication, and the importance of doing things right the first time. These early ventures were the foundation of how I approach business today. They sparked my passion for technology and problem-solving, and gave me the confidence to turn my ideas into something real.

One of my most memorable early business experiences came from my lawn-mowing “business.” I had quoted $20 for both the front and back yards without seeing them first. When I showed up, I realized the house had been sitting unsold for over a year, and the grass was waist-high. Armed with only a basic push mower, I spent the entire day cutting and bagging inch by inch. By the time I made it through the door, exhausted, my parents could not stop laughing. That day taught me a lesson I have never forgotten: always assess the full scope of a project before quoting. It was a tough job, but it shaped how I approach planning and communication even today. And yes, I did get paid the $20.

When I look back on how my entrepreneurial journey has evolved, I remember how much that first paycheque meant to me. It felt huge, and the rush of doing something I loved—and hearing positive feedback—was addictive. As my life evolved, so did my perspective. When I found out I was going to become a father, everything shifted. I realized I had to move from gig work to building something consistent, reliable, and scalable. Before my daughter was even born, I set goals: to fully support her and to create a growth path for our family. It was not always easy. My lack of sales experience made it difficult in the beginning. But I leaned into what I was good at: delivering quality and real value. By focusing on that, and learning from every setback, I slowly gained traction and built the business I have today.

I have been involved in a few ventures outside of Chewie Media, all inspired by curiosity and the desire to diversify. Unfortunately, like many small businesses, they were heavily impacted by COVID-19. The uncertainty and rapid changes made it impossible to sustain them, and I had to make the difficult decision to close them down. Although that was hard, it gave me clarity and reminded me to focus on my core strengths—designing, developing, and supporting websites. Those ventures taught me valuable lessons about adaptability, risk, and the importance of staying grounded in what I do best.

Building Chewie Media required sacrifice. I worked long hours, late nights, and weekends, trading rest for the satisfaction of delivering results for my clients. I lived by the mantra that I could outwork any problem. That has not changed, but my perspective has. As a father, I now make sure my schedule allows me to be fully present when my kids are home. No distractions, just time together. Those early sacrifices taught me discipline and resilience, and today, they give me the freedom to run a business while still showing up for the moments that matter most.

The pivotal moment when I knew my business would succeed came when three clients, each at different times, returned after leaving for larger agencies. In this industry, client turnover is common, but having them come back—each saying they should have stayed—was powerful. They admitted their experiences elsewhere had fallen short, and that the guidance and personalized service we offered was what they truly needed. Welcoming them back and helping them succeed confirmed what I had always believed: what we provide is not only functional, but rare and valuable.

When it came time to scale, I focused on building long-term relationships and making services more accessible. We offered flexible monthly plans instead of demanding large upfront costs, which opened the door for many small businesses. I reinvested into software, hardware, and hosting, making sure our infrastructure was solid. Most importantly, I stayed adaptable. If a client had a goal, I found a way to help achieve it, even if it meant getting creative or pushing beyond traditional solutions. Growth came not from shortcuts, but from persistence, quality, and staying true to our values.

Mentorship has been critical in my journey. My first client, a seasoned business owner, taught me to know my worth, quote with confidence, and set clear boundaries. His advice shaped how I communicate with clients to this day. My second mentor was my mother, who ran her own painting business. From her, I learned the importance of hard work, client satisfaction, and doing things for the right reasons—family. She showed me that adaptability and empathy are as important as skill. Their lessons are still at the core of how I run Chewie Media.

If I could give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be this: your time and expertise have value, so set boundaries and charge accordingly. Early on, I said yes too often, trying to please everyone. Over time, I learned that clear expectations and respect build better relationships and healthier businesses. I also wish I had understood sooner how important it is to stay grounded in why you started. For me, that has always been caring about clients and helping them succeed. My definition of success has changed—it is not just about revenue. It is about meaningful work, supporting great people, and building a life with room for family, purpose, and joy.

In the early days, I gravitated toward complex frameworks that were fun to code in but too difficult for clients to manage. As the industry evolved, I embraced simpler, user-friendly tools that empowered clients to control their own websites. At the same time, I created ongoing support plans to handle technical details for them. Staying hands-on with coding and design has kept me ahead of the curve. This industry moves fast—if you stand still, you fall behind. Adaptability and client focus are what keep me moving forward.”

JEREMY KASDORF, CHEWIE MEDIA, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

“At the heart of Chewie Media is a simple mission: to bring big-business digital solutions to small and mid-sized businesses at a price they can afford. We focus on three pillars—website design, maintenance and hosting, and SEO/SEM—with both project-based models and monthly plan options. This approach removes financial barriers and gives clients access to professional-grade services that help them grow. Our goal is to level the playing field, one website at a time.

As my business grew, my leadership style evolved. At first, my only concern was whether I could do the work. Over time, I began asking a bigger question: am I providing value with this work? That shift turned me from simply executing projects to delivering long-term results and insights. It also realigned me with my purpose: supporting businesses in meaningful ways, building tools that help families, and giving clients the ability to reach new milestones.

Looking ahead, I know Chewie Media needs visibility to thrive. Most of our growth has come from word of mouth, which I am grateful for, but larger projects and exposure will allow us to showcase our full potential. The right introduction or opportunity could be transformational. We have the infrastructure and experience in place—we are ready to take that next step.

By the end of 2025, my vision is for Chewie Media to expand across Canada and eventually serve clients internationally. I want my legacy to be one of impact: helping businesses grow in ways that support families, while showing my own children that hard work and integrity can take you far. At its core, Chewie Media is about people, and I will never lose sight of that as we continue to grow.”

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.