small business owners, you have made it this far…

Stop Spinning Your Wheels and start scaling

Move from reactive to Strategic with the support of a powerful community behind you

—> Want to know how? Watch this 👀 (Audio ON):

 
 

You know your business could be more.

Are you Ready to put in the work?

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

Want to get to know us first?

Know a business who could benefit?

Pictured: Sibeiho (Ascend Alumni)

Is Ascend right for you?

This program is designed for:

  • Business owners with $100K+ in annual revenue (ideal: $250K–$1M)*

  • Businesses in any industry

  • Owners with 1–5 employees, ready to grow intentionally*

  • Businesses or Owners located in Oregon or SW Washington

If you’re tired of doing it alone, or unsure how to break through the next growth stage—Ascend is for you.

 

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

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

 

“Livelihood NW has been an incredible resource for me and my business over the years. I can't thank them enough for all the help they've offered!”

— M. Gino Kline (Former Client)

“It [Livelihood NW] has pushed me to dream bigger, about my business and the life around it, than I ever thought was possible. It pushed me to build a plan that doesn't just support my wealth, but benefits my community, and the young artists coming up behind me. An incredible gift.”

— Eliana Mendez, Human Centric Media (Client)

"I used to feel like the business was running me. Now, I have systems, a plan, and a team that works."

— Ascend Alum

"Before Ascend, I was scared to look at my numbers. Now I know how to forecast, make decisions, and pay myself."

— Program Participant

"This program gave me a roadmap, a community, and the push to dream bigger than I ever thought possible."

— Founder, CPG Brand (Client)

 

“Livelihood NW was the support we didn't even know we needed until it did so much for us and helped get us to where we are now.”

— Nisha Supahan and Toby Linwood, Tattoo 34 (Ascend Alumn)

“Livelihood NW is one of the best resources for anyone that owns a small business. They really care and do whatever it takes to help make your business enjoyable, sustainable, and profitable.”

— Valerie Roth, Fire Brew (Ascend Alumn)

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.

  • 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.