Meet Ada Sorensen

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ada Sorensen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ada with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I grew up in the 80s, a Gen-X latch-key kid of a machinist and a waitress-sometimes-steamstress-turned-lunchlady. I was the last of five kids, and the age gap was huge—so much so that my sister was ten years older, and the majority of my siblings were long gone from the house. Dad was a steward of his local machinist union, IAM 831; he became president and board member over time.

Throughout this, my Dad had to maintain a rigorous work ethic. Back in the late 90s, they did not give many sick days. Vacation was lumped into your sick time, and it was all watched over like a hawk. The unexpected baby meant delaying his retirement at least eighteen more years.

Dad somehow made it work, seeing my sister off into the wild and hunkering to raise this last surprise baby. Despite his never-ending work schedule, he never missed a home game and was there to pick me up after practice when feasible. He maintained a balanced presence in his union and made a solid difference for his community.

All the while, the world kept turning, and things kept changing. Siblings got divorced and moved home, sometimes with fully grown cougars (yes, really) in tow. Then there was the time I was involved in Civil War reenactments, and Dad had to travel with me all across Iowa so I could portray one of our Wright ancestors, a nurse in the American Union army.

He taught me to keep a steady pace and take one step at a time. You can break down big tasks into small tasks and small tasks into microtasks. Even one step towards your goal is progress, as long as you keep at it daily. Keep your eye on the prize, baby, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. They’re wrong, and they don’t know you like you do. <3

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi, I’m Ada—**a resilient, bright, and deeply compassionate creative with a mind wired for problem-solving and a heart tuned to human connection. I thrive at the intersection of story and structure—building bold, high-converting websites, crafting safe and supportive spaces for collaboration, or stepping on screen to perform.

I grew up in a small town in Iowa, where being a queer, intuitive, and fast-thinking kid wasn’t always easy—but it shaped me into someone who observes keenly, listens deeply, and cares intensely. As an adult, I’ve turned those early superpowers into professional strengths: I’m perceptive, articulate, and unafraid to say, “This isn’t working—let’s make it better.”

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: front-end developer, actor, teacher, content creator, designer, and web safety advocate. At the core of all this is the simple truth that I build experiences that help people feel seen, safe, and confident—online and off.

I work hard, ask great questions, and bring the same integrity to small tasks as I do to big-picture strategy. I’m a great teammate (and a great solo operator), and I never lose sight of the human impact behind my work. If I can make something more inclusive, efficient, and beautiful, I’ll find and build it.

And yes—I’m also funny, a little bit chaotic in the best way, and fiercely loyal. I’m your person if you’re looking for someone who brings heart, brains, and grit.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Grit and Persistence
I learned from my Dad that success doesn’t come suddenly — it comes from steady, unglamorous effort, day after day. He kept showing up, whether working overtime at the plant or showing up for my games after a long shift. That showed me that grit isn’t about pushing through when it’s easy — it’s about staying the course when things get chaotic, uncertain, or just plain exhausting.

Advice: Build your grit like a muscle. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Take one step — even a small one — every day. Track your progress, celebrate the little wins, and remember: you don’t have to be the fastest, just the most consistent.

2. Systems Thinking & Task Breakdown
My Dad taught me how to break big goals into manageable tasks. That lesson saved me more times than I can count — in web development, public speaking, and even crises where everything felt too much. Knowing how to chunk your workload helps you stay grounded and avoid burnout.

Advice: When facing something overwhelming, stop and break it down into the smallest following action. What’s one thing I can do right now to move forward? Then do that. Repeat. This skill will carry you through every stage of your journey.

3. People Skills and Advocacy
Watching my Dad work with his union showed me the importance of advocating for others, listening deeply, and gracefully holding one’s ground. Whether it’s coworkers, clients, or community members, people matter — and how you treat them matters even more.

Advice: Develop your communication chops. Learn to listen more than you speak, stand up for your values, and find ways to create win-win outcomes. If you treat people well and stay honest, you’ll build a reputation that opens doors for years.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, absolutely — I’m always open to meaningful collaboration!

I’m especially looking to connect with:

Creative professionals — photographers, brand designers, writers, and small-but-mighty agencies who want a reliable, high-converting web partner (especially if you use ShowIt).

Local performers, artists, and speakers — if you’ve got a bold idea or a wild concept and need someone to help bring it to life or amplify it, I’m game.

Web safety educators and digital accessibility folks — I’m deeply interested in building safer, more inclusive web spaces and love trading knowledge, strategy, and resources.

If you’re collaborative, values-driven, and not afraid to color outside the lines a little — we’ll probably get along great.

Let’s connect! You can reach me through my website www.adasorensen.com, or DM me on Instagram @adalovesspace or LinkedIn. Tell me what you’re working on — I’d love to hear about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adasorensen.com
• Instagram: adalovesspace
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adalovespace/