In our next installment of "Ask The Boss," we’re excited to sit down with none other than Ben McKinley, the visionary founder and CEO of Cascade Web Development. Ben has been steering our creative ship with a mix of bold innovation and steady hands, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to dive into his thoughts. Known for his forward-thinking approach and his commitment to sustainable solutions, Ben’s insights have not only shaped our company but have also left a significant imprint on the industry.
So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready as we explore the depths of Ben’s vision for Cascade and how he sees the digital landscape evolving. It’s going to be a revealing ride, full of inspirations and forward-looking strategies! Stay tuned.
Looking at the projects Cascade Web Development has undertaken, which one do you feel most proud of and why?
"HelmetHouse.com has been a highlight over the last 5 years. The leadership team has extensive experience building custom web tools before current platforms were available. They also had experience being disappointed by other software companies that over-promised and under-delivered. All of this resulted in a real appreciation for how reliably and quickly the Cascade team could deliver on ever more complex needs, rapidly. This has not come without challenges, but our teams have worked exceptionally well to navigate and learn from them. Further, our partnership has resulted in powerful business growth that goes far beyond branding and e-commerce. Highly disruptive business is getting done each month. We keep learning and applying the knowledge to further their growth. I'm excited to see where it leads in the years ahead."
How do you balance the drive for innovation with the practical needs of your clients at Cascade Web Development?
"It's a challenge for sure. While some core functions like security and disaster recovery require investment to keep client solutions functional and safe, many others are client-driven. It's not our practice to build out features based on market trends or what other 'standardized' platforms are doing. We build tools to help our clients optimize their own business needs. We do so in a way that is scalable and flexible. This serves the client requesting the work as their needs evolve. It also benefits our entire client base, current and future, with similar yet unique needs. Building code that delivers on core functions yet remains scalable and flexible is at the heart of our development philosophy. It de-risks the code by keeping it clean and allows for innovation over time to serve a growing list of needs."
Outside of work, what's a hobby or activity you're most passionate about, and how does it influence your professional life?
"I love the mountains. Snow-covered mountains are preferred but I do enjoy the dry seasons as well. This is my 40th season sliding downhill on snow. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) What started off as a pure pleasure obsession focused on speed and adrenaline has morphed into a monk-like appreciation for moving through the mountains on my own power for as long as my schedule will allow. Mostly, it's a quick morning mission here and there. Other times, it's an extended week of backcountry skiing or traversing mountain ranges. This time far away from amenities and technology has proven a needed balance point for my highly sedentary profession in the web space. It allows me to clear my mind and connect with nature in primal ways while creating space to work through challenges. It's good medicine! I also enjoy a service component as a big mountain and backcountry ski coach. This past season was my 28th year coaching skiing. Helping others unlock the gifts of snowy mountains has been a huge source of fulfillment for me. I've coached athletes of all ages and in a wide range of capacities. Being a witness to others' breakthroughs and experiences is one of my greatest pleasures and sources of deep human connection. I cherish the relationships and magical places where these experiences take place."
If you could meet any historical figure who would it be, and what would you ask them?
"The list is long but let's go with Muhammud Ali. The courage and wisdom he demonstrated in his life during such tumultuous social times have always inspired me. Obviously, he was a generational talent in the boxing ring. His humor, intelligence, and unique cosmic imperative allowed him to transcend his sport and demonstrate the power of human will the world over. He confronted so many social issues during his time on this earth; religious, racial, and political. His quotes are legendary. I'll leave you with my personal favorite: "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.""
Given the choice to work on a project that's guaranteed to be successful but doesn't excite you, or a risky project that you're passionate about, which would you choose and why?
"I think it comes down to the team I am working with and the factors for which we can control. Incubating and launching Brandlive was a special and humbling experience for the entire Cascade team. I really enjoyed the experience while it was at Cascade. Our team was intimately familiar with each other. We managed the financial risks as well as we could given our knowledge and network at the time. We grew in measured steps. Once we took on outside funding and spun the company out of Cascade, the real loss of control was less appealing. We had to consider the needs of many others when making decisions. Priorities were harder to manage. Money changes people and processes in profound ways. I still love a great challenge and don't fear failure. I'll always cheer for Brandlive's success. It's much easier if the people involved are aligned around similar goals and risk tolerances."
If you could implement one change at Cascade Web Development without any obstacles, what would it be and why?
"Given our unique hybrid approach to Evergreen software innovation and digital agency services, I'd love to find a way to better address the scarcity of time needed to nurture those two critical arms of our business. While I believe it's one of the primary reasons this core team has remained so committed and intact over the years, it presents real tension to our people. The goal is to have that tension lead to beautiful outcomes v. frustration or burnout. I am proud of how we juggle these priorities and do my best to acknowledge those efforts and results with our small but mighty team."
If you could tackle one challenge facing the technology sector, what would it be and why?
"Proprietary web software faces unique headwinds in the tech space. Nobody pays much attention to terms and conditions when downloading native apps or even ubiquitous word processing or spreadsheet tools. Yet we face a lot of opposition around Evergreen being 'proprietary'. That is for good reason. There are a lot of bad actors making promises they cannot keep as it relates to web software. It does present challenges for our team as we try to earn the trust of prospects to take a chance on our team and the software we develop on their behalf. I always advocate for the people behind the technology as compared to the brand and current market momentum enjoyed by the tech itself. We have an incredible team at Cascade and a dedicated group of clients. I am grateful for that. We'll keep doing our best every day to earn the trust of our current and prospective clients."