Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Travis Mcashan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Travis , thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My Mom – From the start, my mom was my biggest champion in all things creative. Whether I was building with Legos, sketching, reading, or tinkering with computers, she made sure I was supported and well-equipped to explore my passions. Beyond just encouragement, she was intentional and goal-oriented—teaching me early on the importance of setting intentions, dreaming big, and writing down my goals. Thanks to her, I learned not only to dream but also to make those dreams a reality. She modeled what hard work looks like and showed me the power of commitment.

My Dad – My dad taught me to live with integrity, to treat others as I would want to be treated, and to work hard in all things. A creative himself at heart, he understood the responsibility that came with being a provider, and he embodied that role fully. He helped me understand right from wrong and the importance of making sound decisions. Working alongside him outdoors taught me the value of perseverance, service, and honest, hard work—lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life.

Travis , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Travis McAshan, and my journey into the world of digital strategy and design started with a deep-rooted desire to combine creativity with purpose. Early on, I was captivated by the potential of technology to connect people and empower ideas. Over the years, that fascination has evolved into GLIDE—a digital agency built around the belief that a website can be so much more than an online presence. It can become a strategic powerhouse that elevates brands, converts leads, and drives measurable results.

At GLIDE, we specialize in creating beautiful, high-impact websites and digital experiences that align with our clients’ goals and values. Our core service offerings center around web design, development, and digital strategy consulting, but we go far beyond just the basics. We help our clients clarify and communicate their unique value by focusing on three essential areas: 1) being truly user-centered, 2) leveraging data to drive decision-making, and 3) implementing strategies that deliver tangible results over time. For us, it’s not about launching a website and calling it a day; it’s about setting a foundation for growth, one that supports our clients as they evolve and their needs change.

What sets us apart is a relentless focus on outcomes. I’ve seen too many websites fail to make an impact because they’re built without a clear purpose. At GLIDE, we start by getting to know our clients and their audiences deeply, and we carry that understanding throughout every stage of the project. Our clients aren’t just getting a website—they’re gaining a strategic partner committed to their long-term success.

I’m especially proud of the impact we’ve had on the organizations we work with. We’ve been honored to work with purpose-driven companies that are making a real difference in their industries and communities, from nonprofits and educational institutions to ambitious startups and well-established brands. Our work isn’t just about achieving a beautiful design; it’s about creating tools that help our clients make a bigger impact. And as a team, we’re driven by that sense of purpose every day.

For anyone considering working with GLIDE, I want them to know that we’re here to build more than a website—we’re here to build an experience, a connection, and, most importantly, a result that matters. We’re passionate about aligning every project with the vision and mission of our clients, and we don’t rest until we’ve created something exceptional, meaningful, and effective. That’s our commitment, and it’s what fuels everything we do.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A Crucial Pivot: Finding Purpose with Simon Sinek, Author and Motivational Speaker

In the whirlwind first decade of GLIDE, I was driven by an intense vision to lead in web design and achieve tangible ROI. We created raving fans and delivered stellar results, yet, as we approached our tenth anniversary, I hit an unexpected wall. Burned out and disenchanted, I found myself questioning not just the future of GLIDE but my personal involvement in it. We were too small to sell, too integral to my identity to simply walk away, and I seriously considered abandoning the business world for something drastically different—becoming a high school football coach.

During this period of deep professional crisis, I stumbled upon a TEDx talk by Simon Sinek that introduced me to a powerful concept: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Simon’s talk about the “Golden Circle” and the importance of starting with ‘why’ struck a chord within me at a time when I was desperately searching for reasons to continue. His words catalyzed a profound 1.5-year journey of self-discovery, where I delved into the core of my existential crisis.

This introspective journey was further influenced by Michael Gerber, whose insights on connecting one’s work with their life’s purpose resonated deeply. I reflected on my true motivations beyond the grind of business—my desire to spend meaningful time with my family and to make a tangible difference in the world. This reflection brought clarity and a renewed sense of purpose, aligning my personal aspirations with my professional actions.

The realization dawned on me that while I couldn’t personally build wells in Africa or deliver care packages to cancer patients, I could empower those who did. GLIDE could be a catalyst for change by supporting impactful organizations through our digital expertise. This pivotal moment reshaped our mission at GLIDE and redefined my role within the company and the community. Our purpose became crystal clear: to support those who help others, making our work profoundly meaningful and impactful.

This transformation was not just a shift in business strategy but a personal breakthrough that pulled me back from the brink of quitting. It reinstated my passion and commitment to my work and life goals. GLIDE’s new purpose—to work with great people, for great people, doing meaningful work that makes a difference—became a guiding principle that continues to drive every decision we make. Inspired by Simon Sinek, this journey didn’t just save my business; it profoundly enriched my life, reminding me that the true essence of our efforts is helping those who help others.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

People are my greatest asset, I need to invest in them first From Carol Frink, Business Coach and Owner of Real Business Solutions

In 2019, a stark realization struck me while working on a “Business Blueprint” with Carol Frink, my business coach at the time. The moment came as I read a quote that hit me like a punch to the stomach: “You’re either building your dream or someone is paying you to build theirs.” It dawned on me that I was not providing my team—then ALL contractors—with anything of lasting value beyond their immediate pay. This epiphany was both transformative, compelling me to shift my approach towards my team dramatically. I realized that what I really wanted was people that aligned with my values and who were striving for the same goals. This was just as important as succeeding in the marketplace. I couldn’t get where I needed to be just hiring contractors to “get #$&% done” for me.

Determined to rectify this, I embarked on a mission to convert our top contractors into full-time employees, complete with full benefits. This shift started with our two best contractors, and within three years, we had welcomed 12 dedicated employees to GLIDE. This was no small feat for a company that had fewer than ten contractors in 2019, and it marked a significant increase in operational expenses. Yet, with Brooke’s guidance and the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), we managed to sustain healthy growth and profitability.

Brooke’s journey from Project Manager to Director of Client Services, and ultimately Vice President, was instrumental in this transformation. Her commitment to fostering work/life balance and advocating for our team’s benefits helped propel GLIDE to be recognized repeatedly as one of the best places to work. She, along with our People Ops Manager Paola Cardenas, has been crucial in nurturing a culture where team members feel genuinely cared for—professionally and personally.

Reflecting on the initial moment that sparked this change, I am profoundly grateful for the path it set me on. It reinforced my belief in the power of investing in people, aligning with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to a common vision. This ethos is perfectly captured by one of my favorite quotes from Pat Lencione, which I often share with my team: “If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time.” This principle has not only shaped the kind of company GLIDE has become but also defines the leader I strive to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glidedesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glide_design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glidedesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/414458/admin/dashboard/
• Twitter: https://x.com/glidedesign

Image Credits

Heroic Headshots but we have creative license