Meet Blake.
I’m an accomplished cross-functional leader with over 17 years of experience in user experience design, Agile product management, and business strategy. I have a proven track record of building and mentoring teams, nurturing strong client relationships, and leading successful product launches.
At the core of my success is a blend of human-centered design principles, Agile methodologies, and a passion for bringing 0 to 1 innovations to market. My insatiable curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit thrive on exploring new ideas and emerging technologies. This has made me exceptionally good at quickly mastering new domains, while fueling a relentless pursuit of discovery and innovation throughout my career.
I excel in verbal, written, and visual communication, ensuring clarity and alignment across all levels of an organization. This has enabled me to translate complex visions into actionable strategies that enable cross-functional teams to achieve unified goals.
My leadership style emphasizes clear, effective communication, empowering teams, and aligning product visions with business objectives. My approach is rooted in empathy, mentorship, and fostering an inclusive culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
If you're looking for a strategic leader who can merge innovation with user-centric product development, let's connect. I'm passionate about leading teams to their full potential and delivering products that drive meaningful impact. I'm actively exploring new opportunities where I can contribute to dynamic, forward-thinking teams.
Outside of work, I’m also a…
Husband
Girl Dad (x3)
Sailor
Pickler
Scuba Diver
Comic Book Geek
90s Hip Hop Lover
Outdoors Enthusiast
Snowboarder & Skier
Saltwater Fisherman
Traveler (41 states, 16 nations)
EXPERIENCE
Chief Product Officer
Sorfeo Brands
2021 - 2024
As Chief Product Officer at Sorfeo Brands, Blake drove significant growth across the company’s 12-brand portfolio. Under his leadership, the company saw a 72.4% increase in ARR, reaching $5.0 million in the first year through strategic product management and keen financial oversight.
Blake led a strategic overhaul of five brands, integrating Agile and user-centric methodologies to achieve a 196% growth in ARR. He also spearheaded the launch of four new product lines, exceeding first-year revenue targets by 88% through innovative application of Agile and ODI principles.
Beyond his strategic initiatives, Blake improved net profit margins by over 88% for two major product lines through smart adjustments in pricing, production, and packaging. He built and mentored a multidisciplinary team of eight, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced operational efficiency and product development.
Blake's approach to leadership in product management combines strategic insight with a practical focus on market needs, making him a standout leader in driving product success and team excellence.
Vice President, Innovation
IdeaCloud
2020 - 2021
At IdeaCloud, Blake served as VP of Innovation, where he led a cross-functional team of seven in developing interactive tech simulations that significantly boosted enterprise sales, contributing to over $300 million in revenue growth for clients like Verizon, Adobe, Microsoft, and Dell. Utilizing Agile principles, he streamlined the project lifecycle to deliver outcomes from discovery to deployment in just six weeks through effective design thinking methodologies.
Blake also spearheaded the major upgrade of IdeaCloud’s Enterprise SaaS platform, which supports over 10,000 users. He oversaw the release of IdeaCloud 2.0, enhancing its CMS, analytics, and user satisfaction significantly. Additionally, he launched a lead-generation tool that achieved a 278% increase in lead capture with its initial deployment, showcasing his capability to drive product innovation from concept to market success.
His leadership not only accelerated company growth but also advanced product quality and innovation, marking him as a pivotal figure in technology and design management.
Vice President, Product
EducationXR
2019 - 2020
As VP of Product at EducationXR, Blake defined and led the implementation of a pioneering MedTech SaaS platform for VR, desktop, and mobile devices. He managed a cross-functional team of 13 in a fast-paced Agile environment, successfully launching the platform in under 10 months. This innovative tool was first deployed at the Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine, where it replaced traditional cadaver-based learning for anatomy students.
Blake owned the product roadmap and go-to-market strategy, carefully prioritizing features to optimize resources and meet business goals. He spearheaded UX and UI design, establishing a scalable design system that ensured consistency across all platforms. His leadership in prototype development, A/B testing, and user research refined the platform's design and functionality.
Following the launch, Blake implemented a data-driven iteration process that expanded user features, leading to praise and adoption by major institutions like Mayo Clinic and Medtronic. His strategic vision and execution significantly advanced the integration of technology in medical education, setting new industry standards.
Head of Product, Founder
Svelte UX Consulting
2011 - 2019
As the founder and Head of Product at Svelte UX Consulting, Blake spearheaded the development of a digital studio renowned for its human-centered design and innovative product development. His leadership guided the delivery of over 170 digital products, including mobile apps, websites, SaaS platforms, VR/MR apps, and kiosks, for a diverse clientele that ranged from startups to Fortune 100 companies across multiple sectors.
Under Blake's direction, significant achievements included:
A UX and product strategy overhaul for a multimedia platform, boosting monthly readership to over 50 million and active users to 500,000 across more than 50 countries, resulting in a 150% growth.
A UX design overhaul and product integration for a major Learning Management System, leading to a 43% revenue increase to $158 million.
Management of a site redesign and branding refresh for an eCommerce brand, which led to a fivefold ARR increase, surpassing $3 million.
The design and strategy for a vacation rental SaaS platform that connected properties to major booking sites, generating over $30 million in bookings.
A digital strategy and UX redesign for a Fortune 100 company, achieving a $4.8 million revenue increase.
Blake also led the "0 to 1" product strategy and UX design for various applications, notably a mobile grocery and meal ordering app that saw a 30% surge in online sales. His work extended to overhauling insurance and pharmacy platforms, significantly boosting pharmacy revenue by 38%.
Throughout his leadership at Svelte UX Consulting, Blake authored over 400 UX artifacts and designed more than 30 brand identities, establishing comprehensive brand guidelines and setting new standards in UX design and digital strategy. His efforts not only transformed client outcomes but also cemented his reputation as a leading innovator in the digital product space.
Head of Product, Co-founder
Mangia Technologies
2007 - 2011
As Co-founder and Head of Product at Mangia Technologies, Blake revolutionized live event experiences by inventing in-seat mobile ordering, securing Patent 8175913. He led the product strategy and user experience design for platforms including smartphones, tablets, and SMS. Managing a cross-functional team of 17, Blake orchestrated effective 2-week Agile sprints, ensuring successful launches and updates of Mangia's service.
Under his leadership, Mangia expanded its innovative ordering system to 14 professional and NCAA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Eagles, and others, enhancing fan experiences and opening new revenue streams. Blake's strategic vision and execution significantly advanced in-venue fan engagement, setting industry standards for convenience and efficiency at live events.
Featured Case Study
EducationXR
A fully immersive, multi-user education & training platform for VR, desktop, tablet, & mobile devices
Contact Blake
Located in the greater Salt Lake City area.
Email Blake@SvelteUX.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/blakeferguson