Jessy Savage is the founder of Victoria Digital Marketing, a growing agency built on resilience, creativity, and strong human values. She began her journey during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history. When the pandemic hit, she was laid off from what she considered her dream job at a digital marketing agency.
Jessy Savage | Founder | Victoria Digital Marketing
Although the company continued to contract her part time and generously showed her the fundamentals of sales calls, proposals, and project setup, she suddenly found herself facing an unexpected crossroads. Instead of retreating, she chose to build something of her own. At EliteX, we are proud to have Jessy Savage as part of the edition: 05 Fearless Women in Business, 2026.
The business started in a small apartment during lockdown. Jessy began by sending cold direct messages through Instagram, reaching out to potential clients one by one. There was no large investment, no formal launch event, and no perfect roadmap. What she had was determination and the willingness to learn. She took the knowledge she gained from her former employer and applied it in real time. Step by step, client by client, Victoria Digital Marketing began to take shape. Now heading into its sixth year, the company stands as proof of what steady commitment and thoughtful growth can achieve.
Your authenticity and kindness will take you further than your business card ever will.
For Jessy, the greatest milestone has not been revenue or expansion alone. It has been building a workplace culture that people genuinely want to be part of. She believes impact matters more than income. Under her leadership, the agency prioritizes meaningful values. Team members are given opportunities to volunteer, receive donation funds in their names, and work on nonprofit projects that directly benefit the community. She has created an environment where creativity and compassion exist side by side. There is no rigid hierarchy within the team. Jessy does not see herself as the traditional boss. She views her role as the person who brings in the work, while everyone collaborates to deliver it. This shared ownership fosters accountability, mentorship, and open problem solving.
Like many founders, Jessy’s biggest challenge has often been herself. In the early years, imposter syndrome was a daily battle. There was a constant inner voice questioning whether she was experienced enough, educated enough, or simply capable enough. She learned that confidence is not something that arrives overnight. It is built through action. By showing up every day, continuing to learn, and pushing beyond her comfort zone, she gradually reshaped her mindset. Even now, she acknowledges that self-confidence remains a work in progress. However, she chooses to move forward despite the doubts rather than waiting for them to disappear.
One of the most important skills she developed over time was setting boundaries. In the beginning, she worked fourteen to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. She used her personal phone for business calls and answered messages at all hours because she did not want to miss any opportunity. As the company matured, she recognized that constant availability was not sustainable and did not serve her clients well either. Today, she is firm about protecting her team’s time and maintaining quality standards. She is comfortable saying no to last minute requests that would compromise existing projects. She maintains separate business communication lines and clear expectations. These boundaries allow the agency to operate with professionalism and consistency.
When difficult periods arise, Jessy allows herself to acknowledge them. She believes a bad moment does not have to turn into a bad day, and a bad day does not have to turn into a bad week. She understands burnout firsthand and has experienced the feeling of dreading her inbox. Her approach to staying motivated includes simple practices such as stepping away, listening to music, making coffee, and taking time to breathe. Closing the office door and creating quiet space for reflection helps her reset. She views self-awareness as an essential leadership tool.
Jessy’s leadership style is grounded in humility and accountability. She speaks openly about her mistakes and encourages transparency within the team. If a project becomes challenging, she is ready to step in and help. In the early days, she handled every role herself, from strategy to execution. That experience allows her to understand the pressures her team may face. She makes it clear that every position within the company holds equal value. She once declined to work with a prospective client who implied that a secretary was less important than a CEO. For Jessy, respect is non negotiable. She will never allow her team to feel diminished.
Boundaries protect both the quality of our work and the people behind it.
Balancing work and personal life has been an evolving process. She maintains separate phones and hobbies to create structure. Outside of the office, she describes herself as eclectic and creative. She drives a hearse, attends punk shows, and embraces artistic expression. At one point, she separated her professional and personal identities so strictly that they felt disconnected. Now, her goal is to blend them more authentically. She wants the creativity and individuality she enjoys in her personal life to be reflected more openly in her business presence.
For young women aspiring to leadership roles, Jessy emphasizes the importance of community. She believes success is rarely achieved alone. Surrounding oneself with supportive mentors and peers creates both accountability and encouragement. She observes that women have a natural strength in lifting each other up and encourages others to lean into that quality. She advises listening to intuition and not being afraid to say no when something does not feel right.
Throughout her journey, she has drawn inspiration from strong female leaders who lead with authenticity. In her earlier years in Kelowna, Nikki Csek stood out as someone who built a powerful media presence while remaining approachable and genuine. In Victoria, Mary Lou Newbold became another source of inspiration. Both women demonstrated that success and self assurance can coexist with kindness and openness. Their willingness to take meetings and offer guidance left a lasting impression.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Jessy sees innovative leadership shaping the business world. She believes the era of distant and unapproachable executives is fading. Leaders who embrace humility, honesty, and human connection will stand out. Imperfection and transparency will replace polished but disconnected personas. Within her own organization, she encourages innovation by investing in continuous learning. The digital marketing landscape changes rapidly, and she ensures her team has access to ongoing training. She believes complacency is the fastest path to decline.
Her business decisions are guided by alignment and community impact. Many of her clients actively support local initiatives, and she values the knowledge that their growth contributes to positive change. The agency regularly donates time and skills to nonprofit organizations, sponsors events, and mentors youth whenever possible. For Jessy, success feels most meaningful when it supports something larger than profit.
Among her upcoming projects, she is especially proud to support Soberfest in an expanded sponsorship role. The festival raises funds to provide treatment beds across the province, and since its inception, more than one hundred individuals have gained access to treatment. Being part of an initiative that directly improves lives reflects the heart of what she wants her business to represent.
Above all, Jessy encourages people to remain authentic. She believes genuine kindness leaves a stronger impression than any business card. At networking events and professional gatherings, she focuses on treating every individual with equal respect, from servers to sponsors to executives. She believes that authenticity, integrity, and community connection are not only personal values but also powerful business strategies. Through Victoria Digital Marketing, she continues to prove that resilience paired with compassion can build something both successful and meaningful.
Success is not just revenue, it is the impact we create together.
