Digital Media & Design
Origin Story of Shivermedia
The spring of 2002 marked a pivotal moment in my life and career. I had just walked away from my position as an email manager at Webkrew, a decision fueled by their spamming policies. Back then, email marketing was seen as an easy way to blast out offers and promotions to anyone and everyone, but it felt completely unethical to me. I wanted to build meaningful connections, not throw content at the wall to see what stuck. It was a bold move, and I didn’t have a clear plan for what would come next—but I knew I couldn’t stay in that environment.
At the same time, I was juggling a side hustle with an affiliate marketing company that worked with online entertainment platforms, specifically dating and gaming sites. This gig allowed me to build an email system that was successful because it focused on the opposite of spamming—delivering valuable, engaging content. It also gave me the opportunity to develop my creativity, practice product planning, and expand my skill set as an emerging online professional.
Work wasn’t the whole story. Around that time, I threw myself into a passion project called SlidingGlass.com. The name came to me effortlessly—it felt like a perfect reflection of my love for water, surfing, wakeboarding, and the newfound freedom I discovered on my first Sea-Doo. I had recently bought it on a whim, and it quickly became more than just a toy; it was my escape, my clarity.
One day, after spending hours skimming across the lake’s surface, I found myself riding back alone, the hum of the motor blending with my thoughts. Somewhere between the waves and the shoreline, I made a life-changing decision—I was going to quit my manager’s job. That moment was pure exhilaration, like gliding across the water with nothing but endless possibilities ahead. Whether I was carving through the Great Lakes or dreaming of the open ocean far from Toronto, every ride reminded me of the freedom I was chasing. SlidingGlass became a symbol of that feeling—movement, excitement, and an endless horizon.
Even though I was landlocked in the Great Lakes region, sliding glass became a metaphor for how I wanted to live: with clarity, motion, and a sense of possibility. It was during these rides that I started dreaming about what my life and career could look like if I took full control. The idea of working on my own terms, doing something I loved, made me shiver with excitement.
The Wild West and the Birth of ShiverMedia
The internet in 2002 was what I like to call the Wild West. Everything was new, unregulated, and full of potential. It was also full of risk—just like the new business I was imagining. As I considered taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. What if I failed? What if I couldn’t pay my bills? What if I wasn’t good enough?
The naming process for my business became a way to work through those doubts. I knew I wanted “Media” in the name—after all, that’s the space I’d been working in for years. But I needed a word that captured not just what I did, but who I was and what this endeavor would mean for me. Without screaming it in an obvious way.
Around that time, I was obsessed with Coldplay’s Parachutes album. I had it on repeat, and the song Shiver stood out as a personal anthem. The lyrics spoke to me on so many levels:
“Don’t you shiver, shiver / Sing it loud and clear / I’ll always be waiting for you.”
The song wasn’t just about love—it was about longing, passion, and chasing something that felt just out of reach. It reminded me of the thrill I felt riding my Sea-Doo, the clarity I sought in my life, and the dreams I was starting to embrace as I firmly implanted myself in my 30s. I was living more authentically than ever before—falling in love, taking risks, and trying to create a career and life that reflected my true self.
The word “shiver” stuck with me. It wasn’t just a feeling; it was a promise. A reminder to chase those moments when everything aligns, when the universe seems to say, This is it. Keep going.
And so, ShiverMedia was born.
The Challenges of Building ShiverMedia
Starting a business from scratch was exhilarating, but it was also terrifying. I didn’t have a safety net, and every decision felt like it could make or break me. Back then, freelancing wasn’t as mainstream as it is today, and working remotely was still seen as unconventional. People didn’t always take me seriously, and I had to constantly prove that I could deliver results.
The early years were full of trial and error. I took on projects that didn’t align with my vision, simply because I needed the income. I worked long hours, often sacrificing weekends and personal time to meet deadlines. There were moments when I doubted whether I could make it work.
But there were also wins. SlidingGlass.com, my passion project, wasn’t just a dream—it was growing and gaining recognition. What began as a personal escape on the water evolved into something much bigger. I assembled a team of riders, each of us pushing boundaries and representing the spirit of freedom that defined the project. We covered events, created content, and started to build real partnerships with brands. I worked on deals, designed event experiences, and even crafted websites like Rock the Wake, long before the world knew what it meant to “create content” for an online audience. Every ride, every event we captured, added another layer to the business, building credibility and a sense of community.
Alongside this, my freelance work was thriving. Each successful campaign and every satisfied client reinforced the idea that I was on the right path. ShiverMedia wasn’t just a business—it was an extension of who I was. It became a creative outlet, a chance to shape my career around the values I believed in: freedom, authenticity, and the joy of building something from scratch. It was my ticket to more than just financial stability; it was a chance to live on my own terms, chase my passions, and constantly push myself to grow.
Over 20 Years of ShiverMedia
Fast forward two decades, and ShiverMedia has remained a constant in my life, serving as the foundation for countless projects and milestones. It’s powered everything from email marketing campaigns to creative design work, and has played a key role in some pivotal projects. I developed an affiliate program for various partners, worked on the Rock the Wake website, and helped build brands like Sunrise Records and BrassVixens Fitness. I also contributed to Double Click Marketing, which was my first gig after moving to Los Angeles. That was a turning point after a low period when I closed SlidingGlass due to the 2007 economic downturn and a personal relationship loss. LaHaBnB.com is another project I worked on, focusing on creating platforms for small businesses and teams to thrive.
ShiverMedia allowed me to work remotely from places like Sauble Beach, Los Angeles, and now from my temporary home on a tropical island in Mexico. It’s not just been a business—it’s been the freedom to create, explore, and live life on my own terms, wherever I choose.
Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach Califrornia!
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There’s been heartache, setbacks, and countless challenges along the way. Partners fell through, contracts fell apart, and I’ve often had to navigate the frustration of contract workers failing to deliver on promises. I’ve juggled periods of displacement, shifting between full-time roles and freelance gigs, never knowing where the next paycheck was coming from. All while trying to balance a relentless pace—work hard, play harder—only to sometimes feel like I was barely keeping my head above water.
The industry itself has transformed drastically since the early 2000s, and staying relevant has meant constantly adapting to new technologies, shifting strategies, and finding ways to stand out in an overcrowded market. It hasn’t always been easy, but through it all, I’ve learned and grown. I’ve honed my skills in the ever-evolving digital landscape, adding new tools to my belt and adapting to challenges, learning from every mistake, and finding new ways to keep pushing forward.
There have been moments of burnout, times when I questioned whether I still had the energy to keep going. But every time I’ve hit a low point, I’ve come back to the name—ShiverMedia—and what it stands for. It’s a reminder of why I started, of the passion that fuels me, and of the promise I made to myself all those years ago.
The Coldplay Connection
The lyrics of Shiver still resonate with me today, just as they did when I first heard them. The line, “I’ll always be waiting for you,” feels like a message from my younger self—a reminder to keep chasing what matters, even when the path isn’t clear. It’s like a whisper to never give up on what I truly want, even in the face of challenges or uncertainty. That line has become a mantra, pushing me forward when things get tough.
The message from my younger self has always been about returning to my path, no matter how evolving or cumbersome it becomes. It’s about remembering the core reason I started this journey in the first place—to have control over my own income, to produce work that reflects my skills, my creativity, and the growth I’ve gone through over the years. And as much as it’s been a rocky road—partners falling through, projects going sideways, and the pressures of constantly shifting markets—it’s also been incredibly empowering to know that the work I do is mine to shape. The mentors I’ve had along the way, the lessons I’ve learned, and the skills I’ve developed have all fed into creating something that’s truly mine. This isn’t just about the work—it’s about crafting a life, one that’s authentic and under my control, one that allows me to keep evolving as I grow into who I’m meant to be.
And the song itself, with its raw energy and vulnerability, mirrors the journey of building ShiverMedia. It’s about putting yourself out there, taking risks, and trusting that the effort will be worth it.
The Legacy of ShiverMedia
Looking back, ShiverMedia has been both a positive and challenging force in my life. It’s given me the freedom to live authentically, the opportunity to create meaningful work, and the ability to connect with clients and collaborators around the world.
At the same time, it’s pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s forced me to confront my fears, adapt to change, and persevere through setbacks.
Through it all, I’ve learned that the shiver—the thrill of chasing something bigger than yourself—is what makes it all worthwhile. It’s the feeling I had when I launched SlidingGlass.com, when I named ShiverMedia, and when I took that first ride on my Sea-Doo. It’s the feeling that keeps me moving forward, no matter what.
Because in the end, ShiverMedia isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of who I am, what I love, and the dreams I’ll always be chasing.
