Helen Siwak, EIC & Publisher
A passionate storyteller and an obsessive digital content creator with a knack for repurposing, Helen arrived in Vancouver in 1989 and quickly launched the seminal underground magazine ‘In Hell’s Belly.’ The city’s first hybrid arts, culture, and activism magazine. Two years later, she was firmly entrenched in underground publishing, artist management in music, tv/film, and contracting in entertainment law.
In 1998, having written, produced, cast, directed, edited, and music supervised for tv/film with Canadian icons, she toured NA as a band manager and walked red carpets at VIFF, TIFF, Cannes, and SXSW.
Over the years, she has sought out and interviewed icons (Giorgio Armani, Pamela Anderson, Martin Sheen, Bryan Adams, Andrew Gn, Stefano Ricci, Thierry Manfred Mugler), and the infamous (Larry Flynt, Raif Adelberg, Ron Jeremy, Marilyn Manson), and more.
A renewed interest in publishing came in 2015 when she acquired BLUSHVancouver digital magazine and re-built it into a lucrative asset with 1M visitors in its first year. Creating a women’s mid-market lifestyle brand funded with sponsored content was new and exciting. After a year of events, travel, personality spotlights, sales and web development, she was ready to move on and sold the company.
Doors opened at VancityBuzz (now Daily Hive) and multiple Toronto-based digital lifestyle magazines. Through her network, Helen extended her reach into the print world as Editor-in-Chief of the now-defunct HLM Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and a senior contributor to Boulevard Magazine (English & Chinese) before returning to digital as West Coast Correspondent of Retail-Insider, a contributor to Montecristo Magazine, and numerous others.
In December 2019, seeking to fill a void in the local market for effective, eco-friendly and distraction-free content, she launched EcoLuxLifestyle.co and Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle (flippable and digital versions) as marketing vehicles for her latest venture – EcoLuxLuv Communications and Marketing. ELL Comms specializes in guiding small BC-based businesses with ethical and eco-friendly mandates to success through digital solid foundation development and comprehensive marketing strategies.
In August 2023, Helen launched PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, a partner publication to Folio.YVR, showcases the stories of 10 Canadians who are creating, innovating, and making waves in their industries. Using storytelling to create connection with the reader, each story shares three aspects – overview, biography, and the journey ‘In Their Words.’
For over a decade, Helen has worked with brands to tell their stories through content creation, publishing, and digital marketing. She has never been one to shy away from a challenge; she is an expert-level problem-solver and an unorthodox troubleshooter with an extensive network of international connections honed from decades of entrepreneurism.
Reach Helen at helen at folioyvr.com or by cell 778-847-3011.
Helen Siwak Portfolio on Authory
Helen Siwak in the Media:
Retail Insider – Partnership PSNEWS Korea – 01/06/25
EINPRESSWIRE – PSNEWS Korea Licensing Agreement – 01/07/25
PSNEWS Korea – Interview – 11/26/24
URBANASIAN – Spotlight – 12/06/24
Retail Insider – Post-Pandemic Luxury Retail Market – 05/03/22
Retail Insider – Rise of Pre-Owned Luxury Fashion – 03/09/2020
Retail Insider – Boutique Marketing Company Launches Folio.YVR – 03/2019
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Dawn Chubai, On-Air Ambassador & Agent
Dawn Chubai is widely recognized as a longtime host on Vancouver’s Breakfast Television and as a National TV Home Shopping host on TSC (The Shopping Channel). In addition to her on-screen roles, she is the founder of King Willow Management Inc., where she specializes in media and on-camera performance coaching. Through her Live Selling School programs, Dawn is also actively shaping the future of the live commerce industry, collaborating with both small businesses and emerging talents to navigate this evolving space. Reach Dawn through her IG (@dawnchubai) or send a message via her website HERE!
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Ritchie Po, Tech Ambassador & Agent
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Jeremy Kasdorf, Chewie Media
Jeremy Kasdorf (Chewie Media) is a full-stack website developer and designer with a Bachelor of Science in Interactive Arts from SFU Surrey. With a passion for both entrepreneurship and web design, he loves the freedom to tackle problems, craft unique websites, and see the positive impact on clients’ businesses. At Folio.YVR, Jeremy drives our digital development strategy, expertly guiding us in building a powerful online presence through advanced SEO optimization, strategic linking, and custom coding, fueling our growth year after year. Whether it is creating a professional site for a growing business or a bespoke e-commerce shop, Jeremy is dedicated to building websites that make a difference.
Reach Jeremy through the Chewie Media website HERE!