Stop Spinning Your Wheels and start scaling

Watch this video, then apply by Dec 10:

Why Ascend?

  1. You shouldn’t have to '“figure it all” out alone

  2. You’re ready to stop REACTING and start being more STRATEGIC

  3. You don’t want to be in the same place again NEXT year

  4. You know your business could be more.

Applications take 30 minutes to complete — No commitment or application fee.

Want to get to know us first?

Know a business who could benefit?

 
 

Is Ascend right for you?

Pictured: Sibeiho (Ascend Alumni)

Ascend is For You If:

  • You’re making at $100k-$1M in annual revenue, but feel stuck*

  • You have 1–5 employees and are ready to grow with intention*

  • You or your businesses is located in Oregon or SW Washington

  • You want to break through to the next stage of growth

  • You’re tired of doing it alone

Cohort starts February 2026. We only run ONE Ascend cohort per year, don’t miss out!

 

*Don’t have employees? Revenue below $100k?

Not sure if Ascend is right for you?

Schedule a free meeting with a Business Advisor — We make exceptions for the right fit, and have other programs for smaller businesses.

 

Pictured: Tattoo 34 (Ascend Alumni)

What You'll Gain:

  • Confidence in your leadership & decisions

  • Stronger financial systems & capital readiness

  • Expert preparation to enter new markets and take on bigger contracts

  • A powerful peer network of other business owners who “get it”

  • Access to resources and referrals across an ecosystem of business support

  • More time, clarity, and direction for your next stage

Don’t want to be in the same place next year?

Hear from Businesses we’ve worked with

This isn’t a course you forget when it’s over.

Pictured: Roasted By Mom (Ascend Client)

Ascend is live, high-accountability, and rooted in community. You’ll:

  • Meet weekly (camera on) for expert-led sessions

  • Apply strategies directly to your business in real time

  • Get one-on-one advising and bookkeeping support

  • Learn alongside peers navigating similar challenges

  • Develop a strategic roadmap tailored to your unique goals

Not passive. Not theoretical. Real transformation.

Ascend is for action takers, not spectators.

Pictured: Emilly Prado, LLC (Client) Photographer: Celeste Noche (Client)

Ascend requires your commitment. It’s built for owners ready to learn, not those who throw money at problems. When we’re live, your camera is on and you’re engaged—even if you're folding boxes or helping customers. You show up. You do the work. And you grow.

We’ve had clients finish while parenting, managing storefronts, traveling for trade shows, or visiting family around the world. Ascend is built for real life—and for business owners ready to shape their future, not wait for it.

Applications are due 12/10/25 for our 2026 cohort. We only run Ascend ONCE per year, don’t miss out!

FAQs

    • 6 live “Core” sessions over 3 months, February - April (2 hrs/week) REQUIRED

    • 1:1 advising scheduled at your convenience (during business hours) REQUIRED

    • Participation in a curated CEO group (6 sessions) REQUIRED

    • + optional Mastery Series are included in your program enrollment May - September.

    All Core, Mastery, and 1:1 advising is done over Zoom.

  • Live is best, but we record sessions. You’ll still stay connected via advising and peer CEO groups.

  • This program is subsidized thanks to our generous funders.

    We’ll talk through costs and scholarships during the application process.

    Ascend is a year-long enrollment (whether you choose to engage beyond the 3-month Core Series or not). Ascend’s program fees are subsidized by Livelihood NW’s Sponsors.

    • This program has a client engagement fee of $200-$1000 based on Household Income.

    • Scholarships are available.

    • We will make sure that the fee will not be a barrier to enrollment in this program.

  • The Core of Ascend is a 3 month commitment that includes 6 cohort sessions covering the following content:

    • Management (entrepreneurial mindset, strategy & goal setting, business assessment tools, customer segmentation, value prop, internal & external analysis, accountability & high performing teams, executing growth, KPIs.)

    • Money (analyzing financial statements, pricing, budgeting, forecasting, scenario analysis, cash flow, using financial statements to make decisions, access to capital, ratios, financial management + bookkeeping best practices etc.)

    • Market access (sales channel analysis, growth planning) 

    • PLUS: Strategic Documents

  • There will be 3-4 Mastery Courses each with 3-4 sessions scheduled May-September.

    Mastery topics include Marketing, Money, and Leadership.

    • Marketing & Market Access (4 sessions, 1.25 hours): digital marketing, e-commerce, branding, gov’t contracting (local, state, fed + certifications), wholesale strategies for retail buyers

    • Money (3 sessions, 1.25 hours): financial caption options (grants, loans, competitions & pitches, angel investors, crowdfunded microloans, selling your business, Co-ops, ESOPs, employee ownership trusts, legal aspect of closing your business,  personal & business succession, retirement planning 

    • Leadership (4 sessions, 1.5 hours + .5 office hours): effective leadership (understanding job satisfaction, effective delegation, and setting clear expectations), creating high performing teams (results-based management), time management, unlocking employee potential (effectively coaching, evaluating and collaborating with your team)

    Topics are subject to change at any time.

    • We review applications on a rolling basis through Dec 10.

    • We’ll contact you to schedule a short interview.

    • Final decisions will be made by January.

    • The program starts February 2026.