Ash Wilson

DUAL PERSPECTIVES. Ash Wilson has always thrived on a full plate, balancing a whirlwind of activities with a commitment to efficiency and helping others. Raised by their father—a serial entrepreneur—and stepdad—a dedicated elevator industry professional—Ash’s unique upbringing instilled in them a dual perspective on business. This laid the groundwork for Ash’s current venture, AuditMate, a company revolutionizing the elevator industry.

AuditMate is the first-ever SaaS company designed to help property managers optimize their elevator contracts. AuditMate provides clarity, saves money and time, and alleviates the headaches of managing elevator contracts—a game-changer.

From a young age, Ash exhibited an eye for productivity and a knack for challenging the status quo. In high school, they were often the student questioning teachers and finding quicker ways to complete tasks. Ash’s entrepreneurial journey began early, starting with a coffee stand and a cleaning business while at community college and working as a bank teller. “I’ve always had a full plate and a side plate—and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ash admits.

After selling their businesses and completing their degree at Grand Canyon University online, Ash returned to traditional banking. However, a pivotal moment came with the death of their father, leading them back to their parents’ roots in direct sales. “I experienced the loop my dad had been stuck in, of selling the next thing for a big paycheck. At 22 years old, I thought, ‘if I don’t get out now, I might get stuck.’”

Seeking a more fulfilling career, Ash transitioned to the elevator industry, working for the Schindler Elevator Corporation, and quickly rose through the ranks and being mentored by the US CEO.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES. Ash’s time in the elevator industry revealed significant inefficiencies and a lack of customer understanding. “I got in trouble for not following the chain of command,” Ash remembers. While Ash left feeling defeated, this was also a catalyst that inspired the creation of AuditMate.

With the support of their stepdad and leveraging their network, Ash and Andrea Arceneaux, co-founder and CTO, raised half a million dollars to start AuditMate. They quickly realized the importance of mentorship and community, with organizations like StartOut and a senior VP at Salesforce providing crucial support. “I knew we could do this, that we would figure it all out, but we needed someone to lend us credibility,” Ash says.

ELEVATING INTEGRITY. From hiring missteps to finding the right product-market fit, Ash’s journey has been one of relentless improvement. Their father’s advice, “Never sit on a loser,” has been a guiding principle, encouraging Ash to quickly move on from strategies that don’t work.

For aspiring LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, Ash also advises prioritizing and maintaining meaningful relationships, adding: “My co-founder Andrea is one of the most caring and thoughtful people I know... she ensures people feel safe and supported while shipping a new product, running a meeting, and sending a birthday card. I’m not sure how she does it all, but thank god she does.”

Reflecting on their experiences in a traditionally straight, male-dominated industry, Ash says their LGBTQIA+ identity has profoundly influenced how they develop AuditMate. They strive to create an inclusive, values-driven organization where everyone can be their true selves. “I want us to be real people, having real emotions, and able to speak up when it doesn’t feel right,” Ash explains. “We work on elevators and escalators, sure, but what we’re really working on is honesty and transparency.”