Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Slater.
Hi Jake, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Kaysville, UT. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I enrolled at Utah Valley University where I received my associates degree. I transferred to BYU where I studied communications and graduated with a bachelors degree in public relations. While studying at BYU I worked as an EVS operator (slow motion replays and taped elements/editing) for BYU Broadcasting. After I graduated, I took an internship at a PR agency called Thatcher & Co. in New York City. I had a job waiting for me back in Utah at a company called TestOut when my internship was over. TestOut provided certification training and simulated labs to IT students throughout the country, and I managed their social media accounts. My boss at TestOut, Rocky Steele, left the company and started Ascend Education. He brought me along with him in the beginning to be a partner, and to initially manage the marketing of the company. I have helped build the company from the ground up, which has been difficult but very rewarding. During the first few years of the company, I worked a couple of other jobs to help make ends meet. I worked as an EVS operator for the Utah Jazz broadcasts, as well as Real Salt Lake, and other sporting events for the major colleges in Utah. I also have performed most of my life, acting and singing. I took a number of paid performing gigs throughout the years, and in 2022 found my wife performing in the Nauvoo Pageant (for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Each of my experiences at school, on my mission, a study abroad, as an EVS operator, as a performer, and in my day to day work have shaped me into the leader I am now. All of the successes and failures experienced throughout my life have shaped how I learn and lead. I always strive to look for the lessons and learning opportunities in each experience. I am currently enrolled in the Indiana University online MBA program to learn how to be a better leader at work and in my community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. Ascend Education has grown consistently, but slowly. As I mentioned in my story, I’ve had to take on extra jobs to make ends meet throughout the years. I’ve had the mindset of using revenue to grow our team and take advantage of growth opportunities over filling my own pockets, and that has lead to some personal difficulties. When we finally had a full product to sell in 2020 we were blessed to land a very large online school, they used our product for a couple of years, and funded a number of growth opportunities. In 2023 we lost that account, and since they were such a large chunk of our revenue, it almost felt like starting over. Some difficult decisions were made, and we were able to get through that difficult time, and we learned a lot through it. Luckily I work with very smart and driven people, and together we’ve gotten through the challenges. It’s been a priority to hire well, and it has paid off.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ascend Education is an online IT training company that provides courseware to instructors and students at colleges and universities, as well as IT professionals looking to level up their career on their own. Our goal is to make the lives of IT instructors and students easier. Our courses provide all they need to be successful; virtual labs, text lessons, videos, assessments and more. My title is VP of Business Operations, but I do a little bit of everything right now since we are still a small organization. I manage the sales team, marketing team, course development team, as well as working to build and cultivate partner relationships. I try to be a thoughtful leader that is kind, fair and productive. I’m really proud of the growth of our brand in the industry. To some it still may seem small, but I’ve seen it grow from the beginning and it’s now a real player in the online education/training industry.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I had an amazing childhood, and it’s hard to pick just one memory. I feel like most of my favorite memories are from when we traveled as a family. We did a lot of fun road trips throughout the country and I loved spending time with my family in that way. Another memory that is coming to mind right now is for one of my birthdays as a kid, my dad surprised me with tickets to the Monster Truck rally in Salt Lake City. we had dinner and then I opened presents, and one of the presents was a couple of tickets. My Dad said ‘get your coat!’ and we left. It wasn’t that it was a monster truck rally, it was that my dad had surprised me in that way that made it memorable. We had a great time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ascendeducation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascendeducation/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascendeducation/
