Key Points:

• CEO and founder Guillermo Mesa started Scalater after working as a developer for over 15 years, gaining experience in desktop, mobile, and web development.
• On a mission to help businesses scale to the next level, the company offers WordPress and Shopify solutions that are not available anywhere else.
• Guillermo says, “The only thing that keeps me sitting at a computer is creating solutions to other people’s problems.”

“The idea of dedicating my life to a single pursuit bored me,” says Guillermo.

Guillermo is a versatile and creative problem-solver who has explored various fields of technology, from desktop to web development. He has been working on the web for the last 15 years, specializes in WordPress and Shopify solutions, building, redesigning, optimizing, and automating sites and stores that do not exist on the market.

He found his passion for technology in 2002 in a technical school, where he learned the basics of programming and web development. Since then, he has been creating solutions to other people’s problems and updating his skills through self-learning, online courses, and networking.

The USA Leaders recently interviewed Guillermo, who says the biggest mistakes that tech professionals make, is not seeking unique and innovative solutions. “Another mistake is focusing only on technical skills and neglecting soft skills like communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution can limit leadership opportunities and career growth,” he said.

The USA leaders: The name Scalater is intriguing. How did you come up with it, and what does it say about your company’s mission and commitment to businesses? Also, what are the unique products/services/solutions that you offer?

Guillermo: Scalater was born in 2020 as a result of our founding team’s creative brainstorming. The name is inspired by the phrase “to scale” because we want to help businesses reach the next level of growth and success.

At Scalater, we offer four main services:

1. WordPress Solutions: We create websites that are not only beautiful, but also responsive, fast, and SEO-friendly. We make sure that your website works well on all devices and meets your specific needs. We can also develop custom plugins and integrate WordPress with other applications, ensuring smooth data flow and functionality.

2. Shopify Solutions: We take care of everything from setting up your online store to accepting payments. We design custom Shopify themes that are eye-catching, speedy, and optimized for SEO and conversion. We also build custom Shopify apps, whether you need a special feature or want to connect with other services. Plus, we provide ongoing support, including updates, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.

3. Process Automation: We help you streamline your workflows, integrate your data, and transform your digital strategy. Our team is committed to helping you improve your processes, lower your costs, and create a more efficient work environment.

4. Accessibility Solutions: We ensure that your digital platforms are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. We conduct thorough accessibility audits and fix any issues that we find. We follow ADA, WCAG, and other accessibility standards, and help you create a more inclusive online space.

The USA Leaders: Your passion for diversifying learning has led you to engage in projects across various sectors. How do you leverage insights gained from different industries to provide more personalized services, and can you share an example where this approach made a significant difference in the quality of results and client loyalty?

Guillermo: One of the reasons why I entered the world of technology, and why I still love it today, is the opportunity to diversify my learning throughout my career. I find it boring to dedicate my life to a single pursuit.

Therefore, I have been involved in projects spanning various sectors, including aviation, hospitality, medicine, and more. Each industry has its own challenges and trends that require different solutions and strategies. We target industries such as Retailers, Tech, Health, and Advertising Services. The common pains reported by clients are a lack of funds to have a development team that allows them to turn their projects into reality, and a lack of expertise to solve the development problems that arise daily.

Our maxim is to think outside of the box without giving up. In general, the challenges are our day-to-day because the majority of clients contact us to create solutions that do not exist. We are adapted to handle these situations and find the most optimal solution.

Some projects have been characterized by very specific solutions. For instance, we had a client who had a highly customized WordPress installation and they needed to integrate a functionality they had in Shopify and bring it to WordPress. The way we approached it was to conduct our research and have the mindset that the solution exists and it is within our reach to find it. Similarly, at another time, they needed a Hubspot email template. We connected with support and other partners, studied best practices, and despite the current limitations of this technology, we achieved the desired result for the client.

I delve into these subjects out of personal curiosity, aiming to provide a more personalized service. This approach has made a difference in the quality of results and in building loyalty with clients, as they see an individual or team involved as if they were an integral part of the company.

The USA Leaders: In your role as the company’s leader, what are your prominent roles and responsibilities? Additionally, please share any notable awards and achievements.

Guillermo: My main role is to lead the company and facilitate the professional development of both the company and its employees. My vision is to guide us towards our shared goals while trusting and empowering my team to take ownership of their tasks. I stay updated on daily work tasks and personal situations to assist my colleagues. I prioritize their well-being and happiness and strive to create a positive and supportive work environment for them.

Our achievements include partnerships with Cloudways, Hubspot, Shopify, Webflow, and companies like Crisp. These partnerships demonstrate our commitment to high standards of quality and professionalism, as well as our ability to deliver innovative and effective solutions to our clients.

We consider it a significant achievement that 95% of our clients are highly satisfied with our work. This indicates that we have established strong and enduring relationships with our clients, built on trust, transparency, and satisfaction. With 3 years of experience, we continue to grow and actively seek new opportunities and challenges, always eager to learn and improve.

The USA Leaders: Please provide us with an overview of your team. How do you promote a culture of innovation within your team or organization?

Guillermo: At Scalater, we have a group of skilled and enthusiastic developers, designers, and marketers who collaborate to develop cutting-edge and personalized solutions for our clients. We maintain regular communication to stay updated on each team member’s projects, and we welcome any contributions or ideas that haven’t been considered before. This approach encourages collaboration, feedback, and utilization of diverse skills and perspectives among team members.

We strive to create a professional yet friendly and cohesive atmosphere where trust is established to offer new perspectives and drive innovation.

As an initiative, we allocate two hours per week for each employee to conduct research on a topic of interest. This helps us continue learning and expanding our knowledge base while also discovering new trends and technologies that could benefit our projects. After two months, we convene a meeting where each person shares what they have learned with the rest of the team. This allows us to exchange ideas and insights, inspiring one another to innovate and enhance our work.

The USA Leaders: According to you, what are the key tech trends that will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond? How are you planning to leverage these trends?

Guillermo: One of the key tech trends that I believe will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is a tool that will impact our lives in most areas, and in our work, it is unavoidable. It has the potential to transform the way we create, deliver, and use digital solutions and enhance the value and efficiency of our services.

In our company, we view artificial intelligence as an ally, and currently, we have several projects underway to make the services we offer to our clients more viable and optimized, allowing them to achieve more effective results in less time.

For Scalater, AI is a new challenge that compels us to innovate and think increasingly about how to take the next step forward. We are always learning and exploring new ways to leverage AI to create better solutions for our clients and ourselves.

The USA Leaders: How do you achieve a perfect work-life balance? What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?

Guillermo: Finding a balance between these aspects is challenging, especially when working remotely, as the lines between spaces get blurred. I recommend that you always strive for a balance between your professional and personal life. It is not easy, but it is vital not to neglect either one, as they support each other. For me, this is more than a goal; it is a constant effort. My method is to analyze what I am prioritizing and then adjust accordingly because focusing too much on either side is not healthy.

Another aspect is keeping the objective that we pursue in mind. It is important to stay consistent, focused, and positive, knowing that there will be mistakes and that those mistakes are as valuable as or more valuable than successes.

On the other hand, my hobbies are mostly related to water sports: sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. I live near a lake, and I take every chance I get to enjoy one of these activities. I also like practicing martial arts, rollerblading, and going on adventures with my wife and dog—hitting the road and seeing what we find. It is essential to include exercise in your routine to maintain physical activity that working from home on a computer does not allow. I believe that to have a sharp mind, you need a fit body.

Quote

“You should never settle; in the technology and development industry, continuous learning is key, as well as the ability to innovate.”

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