Meet the team
Meet our VP of Growth, Jason McFadden
Entrepreneur, Health & Fitness Enthusiast, Mental Health Advocate
Jason is passionate about helping leaders identify opportunities that will unlock their next wave of business growth. Jason joined our team in 2019, bringing over a decade of experience building disruptive tech companies like Book4Time, Kinetic Commerce, and Avail, that have been recognized by Profit 500, Great Place to Work, and Inc 5000.
In this employee spotlight, Jason reflects on the value of understanding your customer, what keeps him motivated, and a few of the guiding principles he lives by.
What drew you to Build with Assembly?
I've known the founders John and Chris for over a decade. I've always had a lot of respect for the emphasis they place on entrepreneurship, personal and professional growth. For me, there were a few things that drew me to my next great adventure:
Building a business with my friends: It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to work with people I deeply value as much in my professional life as in my personal life. I've always found my greatest success comes from working with like-minded people who see the world a little differently. Sharing successes feels way more fulfilling, and dividing stresses makes entrepreneurship more sustainable.
Reinventing a successful company: Before joining Assembly, John and Chris shared their ambitious plans for the next round of growth, including rebranding and commercializing their service offering. It's a unique opportunity when you think about it. I've built several companies from the ground up, but I'd never worked somewhere so driven to refactor so they could thrive in the future.
Long term relationships: The other big thing for me was the tenure of our clients. Coming from an agency background, I know how rare it is to have clients that stay with you for decades. It told me Assembly is a valued partner that generates real and lasting value for our customers.
What's your favourite thing about your role?
I get to invest most of my time in deeply understanding our customers – their needs, wants, challenges, and the obstacles preventing them from realizing success in their future. I get to have lots of conversations with fascinating people who share their ambitions for their business.
"It's incredibly motivating working for an organization that prioritizes leveraging market intelligence to help the business innovate, grow, adapt, and change."
Three things that come to mind when you think of our team?
We are builders: There's something about the fast pace of software development and innovation in tech that oozes optimism. I've found that most people join the tech field because they believe it's possible to have an impact - being around that all day is contagious.
We refuse to settle: We identify and tackle meaningful opportunities to improve the world we live in.
People-first approach: I've always believed people and culture separate unstoppable companies from great ones. As one team, we ask questions and learn together; we push ourselves (and each other) to be the best, to accomplish big things, and have fun while doing it.
Favourite blogs or books?
Basecamp: I love the dynamic between the co-founders. Jason Fried and David Heinemeier are big believers in the power of keeping it simple. Every bet they've ever placed on making something easier for their customers has always paid off. It's inspiring to see other entrepreneurs leverage the principles of starting simple to build a better future through technology.
Buffer: One of Buffer's most well-known values is 'Default to transparency.' It is inspiring to see how they've lived this value over the years and have made Buffer transparent to the public.
Mottos, mantras, or daily rituals?
Motto: Time disappears quickly and never gives you a second chance; use it wisely.
Daily Rituals: I recently started the 5-minute-journal. I've found it helpful with reflecting on the change and growth in my own life.