Meet Sasha Chada | Founder and CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sasha Chada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sasha, how do you think about risk?
Anyone who leaves one job to start their own business is familiar with risk. There is a safety to be found in remaining in the state you are in, a sense of security in the status quo, even if it leaves you unfulfilled. Setting off on your own is always a risk, the question is how much of a risk you are willing to tolerate, and how big the risk really was.

I was already incredibly familiar with weighing and considering risks. A significant portion of my job as an admissions counselor is advising students on the risks they take, and helping them find a zone they are comfortable with. Do they want to risk it all on a long-shot reach school applied to early decision, or shoot instead for something safer, that they think they would like just as well?

I weighed the risks before setting off to start my own business, and decided they were at a level I was comfortable with. This analysis didn’t make the process any less risky, but did make it more comfortable, because I knew what I was signing up for.

What should our readers know about your business?
What I’m most proud of in Ivy Scholars is also what sets us apart in our field: the level of personal care we take when working with each student. I began this company alone, and tailored my approach to every student I worked with, building on their strengths and helping them tackle their own particular weaknesses and difficulties. This wasn’t always easy, but it was fulfilling, especially when I got to see the students I worked with get into the schools of their dreams.

As Ivy Scholars grew, I tried to keep that personal touch going. Students work primarily with one mentor, develop a strong relationship with them, and have their entire experience shaped to meet their needs. I’ve learned many times that people may forget exactly what you say or do, but they’ll never forget how you make them feel. I’m dedicated to making my students feel heard and valued, and helping them express their own voices and stories through their applications.

This isn’t always easy work, but the challenge is part of what makes it fun. Each new application is a puzzle to be conquered by you and the student working and growing together, and each success is that much sweeter for the work put into achieving it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Jinya Ramen bar
Seawolf Park (especially the submarine tour)
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Theater Under the Stars
Mosquito Cafe

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Catalyst Collective, led by Founder and Executive Director Joe Elliott, is a non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas. The mission of Catalyst Collective is to help the next generation find clarity and confidence in their unique design and purpose. Through innovative mentorship programs and social-emotional learning curricula, Catalyst Collective reaches thousands of students and leaders across the United States.

The organization began in 2011 with Joe Elliott and five high school interns, and has since grown into a vibrant community impacting thousands of young adults annually. The core initiative, the Purpose Project, helps individuals understand and unlock their identity and potential in a matter of hours rather than years. This project is accessible through online courses, workshops, and a secondary curriculum aimed at providing a comprehensive social-emotional learning experience for students.

Joe Elliott brings over 20 years of experience in mentoring, coaching, and leadership, coupled with a successful professional background in the technology sector, to his role at Catalyst Collective. His authentic and direct communication style, combined with his practical advice and storytelling, engages and inspires audiences at various events and workshops.

Catalyst Collective’s vision is to empower a new movement of mentors capable of effectively connecting the next generation to a deeper sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. The organization aims to support thousands of students per year by 2026, ensuring that every teen has the opportunity to discover and leverage their unique design to positively impact the world.

Website: https://ivyscholars.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivyscholars/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-scholars-education

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IvyScholarsHouston/

Image Credits
Sasha Chada