Zack Oates of Ovation
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Zack Oates (co-founder and CEO) of Ovation, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Ovation – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
Growing up with a father in the NFL, it was not your traditional upbringing, but one thing stuck with me: if my dad could be the best in the world at something (he won 3 Super Bowls), then anything is possible! My first job was in restaurants and then when my dad retired, he had a BBQ joint among many other things. After leaving home, I got into startups, received my MBA, and went onto Fortune 50 customer experience consulting. I saw the incredible tools at the top, but while everything we do in restaurants is for the guest experience, the tools to measure that experience were terrible. I built an app that has since grown into a multi-million dollar company! Basically, a lot of restaurants agreed.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
COVID was huge for us. I thought we would shut down, but instead, we focused. And by doing something very specific very well, we were able to go from a couple hundred to a couple thousand in a year and a half.
What does the future hold for Ovation?
We are building the world’s most frictionless and powerful guest feedback platform for restaurants. We are developing tools to help us win the entire restaurant market and then go even deeper.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Orem?
I love the support that the community provides. Everywhere I turn, there is someone to help, and my lunch schedule is FILLED with eating at amazing places with amazing people.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Honestly, don’t do it. Get a job. It is much easier, less stressful, and more consistent pay.
Now, if that gets you excited, then you might have what it takes! It is such an incredible ride and my desire to build value has trumped everything else. And if you have a family, make sure that you set clear expectations and very good communication (while not taking the ups and down home with you). For example, my wife and I took $100k and she said that I can do whatever I want with that money to help Ovation grow, but if I can’t be getting paid by the time that money is gone, I’d have to get a job.
And while we got very close (like a couple months away), here we are, 5 years later and still kicking!