Member Spotlight: Ada Slivinski

Welcome to Vancouver Tech Journal’s Member Spotlight, a place where we can learn more about our community members, share their unique stories and specialities, what they can offer other members, and the kind of connections they’re looking for.

At the start of her career, Ada Slivinski worked as a TV producer and video journalist, lugging around a camera and interviewing everyone from Justin Trudeau to Christy Clark, protestors at pipelines, and those living in tent cities. 

The experience taught her that everyone has a story to tell. It also gave her the confidence to pick up the phone and ask any political leader or CEO a question — a skill that would serve Slivinski well throughout her career, especially when she was forced to pivot.

When the network she worked for shut down, Slivinski had to think about her next move quickly. A friend suggested that she get into PR. Slivinski would then spend the next year learning the ropes at a small consulting firm focused on real estate. 

Over time, she recognized a gap in the market for PR for small businesses and decided to start her own firm, Jam PR. 

“Making the pivot from journalism to PR was a big shift, as was starting a company with two small kids at home,” shared Slivinski.

Over six years, Slivinski built a team and served clients across different sectors, such as real estate, hospitality, not-for-profit, and tech. Then, she sold Jam PR to Talk Shop Media — one of North America’s leading PR agencies — and became one of their executives.

Slivinski sat with Vancouver Tech Journal to share more of her story, advice for any startup struggling with exposure, and what she can help other members with.

Where are you from? 

I was born in Poland but grew up in Ottawa and moved out to Vancouver in 2012.

What’s your job?

I’m now the vice president at Talk Shop.

Tell us what you do.

I’m in charge of Talk Shop’s business development for Western Canada and supporting its U.S. expansion. 

My day-to-day involves finding great companies who could benefit from PR support and creating proposals and strategies for them. It’s so cool to see the impact PR can have on a business's growth trajectory, particularly in the startup tech space. 

From helping Snowflake, Poshmark, and Rover make their mark in Canada to launching FORM and Return Bear in the U.S., our business-first PR strategies have really helped to move the needle for clients. 

What gets me excited about my work is the impact we can have with companies like HiBoop, a mental health care startup. Not only are we helping the business grow by spreading the word about their tool, but we’re also making mental health treatment more accessible. It’s work I feel really great about. 

How long have you been a part of the Vancouver tech ecosystem?

Since my first foray into PR, supporting local tech companies with PR has been a big part of my business focus.

I always found startup tech stories to be some of the most interesting. Founders identifying a problem and creating a product or service with a solution. It really doesn’t get better than that.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you’d give to startups struggling with exposure?

If you’re struggling with exposure as a startup, first define your unique selling point (USP).

What is it that makes you different from other companies in your field? Why should anyone care? Make sure you ask not just your “yes men” — your family and friends who will tell you that you’re brilliant and your company should be on the cover of Forbes — but a true outsider's opinion. 

Once you clarify your USP and elevator pitch, find a journalist who understands your niche and pitch your story to them. 

What do you need?

Introductions to founders making an impact. If you know someone who has a great story and needs help to get the exposure they deserve, I’d love to meet them.

What can you help others with?

At Talk Shop, we help tech companies maximize their exposure through 360-degree communications strategies, spanning media relations, digital strategies, corporate communications, influencer relations, and events. 

We also support founders with thought leadership, media training, and profile building. 

Why are you a VTJ member?

I first started attending Vancouver Tech Journal events in 2021, and they’ve been a meaningful way to connect with the ecosystem's movers and shakers. 

Who’s your dream #VTJLive speaker?

Codie Sanchez, a former journalist-turned-investor. 

Sanchez's whole M.O. is buying and building “boring businesses.” We often get sidetracked by the shiny new companies with a lot of VC funding and a high valuation. 

I love the dose of reality she brings and the refocus on what really makes money and what the market needs. I think there’s a lot the local tech community could learn from her. 

How can people connect with you?

You can find me on LinkedIn or send me an email. You can also learn more about Talk Shop and what we do by visiting our website.

Join Ada and become a VTJ member today