Introducing Ashley Allen, ITequality’s CEO & Salesforce Architect

What were you doing before you founded ITequality?  

I graduated from Cal State San Marcos in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. My first job after graduation was writing test code for a Salesforce development focused consulting company. I quickly learned I did not want to continue writing code, but I really loved the admin side of Salesforce. So in 2012 I passed my Salesforce Admin certification while living in Buffalo, NY. 

As a consultant, I loved learning new things so I was often tasked with being the first to pick up a new app. In 2013, there was only one consultant at the company I was working at who knew how to set up Quote Quickly, and I was tasked with learning how to implement it so I could assist my overtaxed coworker. Soon after I started learning how to set up this quote-to-cash system, it was rebranded to Steelbrick CPQ.

When I moved back to Southern California in 2014 I took a career turn and left consulting to become an in house system administrator at Autotrader, and later at Verizon. I picked up several more certifications along the way, and to this day I maintain a policy of pursuing one new certification per year. I presently have 12 Salesforce certifications and 12 years of experience.

Why did you found ITequality?

In early 2017, while going through a divorce, I was approached for a contract job working with Salesforce via a staffing agency. My life was already in such disarray that I felt like, ‘Why not?’. There was enough money with the contract to pay my bills, which were significant as a single mom with a mortgage in Orange County, CA and daycare for three children. I told myself if I could still pay the bills come the end of summer, while in business for myself, I would keep going. It was difficult, but I did manage to find enough business to continue paying my bills at the end of the summer, so I kept going.

I wanted to make sure along the way  I was able to give back to the Salesforce community, which had given me so much. My hiring practice has always focused on people who were looking for a way to break into their first Salesforce job, and who come from marginalized backgrounds. 

Coincidentally I founded ITequality the same year Salesforce acquired Steelbrick CPQ, which was later rebranded to Salesforce CPQ. I had prior experience working with this product from my consulting days in 2013 and many companies started asking me to help with setting up Salesforce Quote-to-Cash, later rebranded to Revenue Cloud. My team and I have been solely focused on setting up Salesforce Revenue Cloud (CPQ & Billing) for the past six years. 

What have you learned since founding ITequality?

I have learned that in order to be a good manager, boss, and CEO, I have to keep my own mental health in the best shape possible. So many people rely on me to be sharp, responsive, and always available, if I didn’t take care of myself I would crumble under the weight of the responsibilities I have. It is for this reason I chose to get sober, and start antidepressants at the start of the pandemic. 

2020 was a financially devastating time for the company, we were unable to retain 80% of our employees by the end of 2021. I was able to stay strong through these hard times by taking care of my mental health, and being honest and open about it. Friends and family pitch in to help me when I need it, and I don’t try to ‘go it alone’. 

Fortunately things are now improving in 2023. As the business begins to grow again, I will continue to be authentic, and encourage everyone to take the best care of their physical and mental well being. I have learned that leading by example is the best way for me to help others, in all aspects of my life. My goals for the future are to do more public speaking with marginalized people, continue lifelong learning, and to provide the best Revenue Cloud Implementations on the market.