Jonathan Clarke Email & Phone Number

Early in the days of XL.net, I was drawn to the intersection of technology and small business. The evolving challenges that small businesses face and the concrete outcomes that strategic technology can achieve captivated my interest. One of the benefits of building a new business is the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of its development. Throughout my time in various roles, my passion for solving problems and embracing new challenges kept me engaged, driving progress both internally and with our clients. As the company grew, so did the challenges, particularly in management. After several years of running operations and managing the team, it was time to take the reins of the company. While this period was rewarding and engaging, I recognized the need for a more structured management approach, which led me to step into a visionary role.I have always loved the small business world. Growing up in a small business household, dinner table conversations often revolved around business problems and issues. My first real job (aside from yard work and selling items on eBay) was working for a small business that sold lighting and sound equipment. After college, I spent time with a nonprofit, interviewing small business owners and community leaders about their community engagement and how it influenced their business operations. Moving to Chicago landed me in a startup, where our sole focus was on the small business world.Over the years, it has been a joy to work with passionate owners and key employees within Chicago's diverse small business community, witnessing how the landscape has evolved, both in terms of technology and the risks small businesses face. Coming out of 2020, I’ve seen the landscape shift again to remote or hybrid workplace. Just as before, the only approach is to roll up your sleeves and get to work on how we move forward from here.

Listed skills include Start Ups, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Networking, and 11 others.