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I spent over two decades working with amazing people to build Infusionsoft and Keap as…
Articles by Clate
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Clate Mask shared thisI'm so pumped for the upcoming week! Why? Because it's AZ Tech Week. And it's going to be huge for the tech startup ecosystem. Hundreds of events. A bright spotlight on the State of Arizona. And a time for all of us to shine. There are so many awesome things happening across our tech startup ecosystem. But we're all spread out in this massive Valley. And the Software people don't know what the Defense & Dual Use folks are doing. The MedTech people aren't plugged into the wins around Semi or CleanTech. And vice versa. To a certain extent, that's okay, because everyone's working on their stuff and some really cool things are happening! But this week, a bunch of those connections will occur. The spotlight will shine, not only lighting up AZ for the world to see, but also helping all of us in the tech ecosystem see each other a little more clearly. Awareness will improve. Collaboration will grow. And momentum will build. It's going to be a massive win! Shout out to the ACA for planning this and making it a reality. Special props to Katie Sieker and Melissa Lamson for their vision and tireless work. I know it's going to be a huge success. And I'll bet we haven't seen and won't see the real impact until long after the inaugural AZ Tech Week comes to a close. I know this: at PHX FWD we are excited to kick off AZ Tech Week on Monday evening with our community event. Don't miss it! https://luma.com/ztd8axfm Then on Tuesday evening, I'll be moderating a really interesting panel of investors and economic experts at the SVB Market Insights event, which PHX FWD is co-sponsoring. https://lnkd.in/d2Z37v3p Throughout the week, I'll be joining many other events. Hope to see you at an event over the next week as our Great State of Arizona basks in the spotlight of the Women's Final Four and AZ Tech Week. This has taken a ton of planning and the ACA deserves a lot of credit for the stellar economic development work they're doing! Thank you!! Oh, and one last thing... If you're putting on an event, thank you for strengthening the spotlight. AND, if your event attendance is not as high as it would have been if there weren't hundreds of events next week, that's okay! Because every event that's occurring is drawing more light to all of our events! This is going to be awesome for our tech community. I'm so glad we're doing it. And I look forward to doing it year after year!PHX Founder Stories + March Madness Watch Party 🏀 · LumaPHX Founder Stories + March Madness Watch Party 🏀 · Luma
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Clate Mask shared thisMost early-stage software founders don’t have a motivation problem. They have a strategy, focus and execution problem. Too many priorities. Not enough strategic clarity. No clear growth goals and timelines. That’s exactly what Fast FWD is designed to fix. Fast FWD is a year-long accelerator for ambitious software founders in PHX. Yes. One year. Because you don't accelerate growth in 6, 8 or 12 weeks. You must surround yourself with the coaching, capital and community support needed to build a serious company. I’ll be personally working with this cohort, not just as a coach, but alongside you, helping you get clear on what matters and how to move to the next Stage of growth. In the Fast FWD Accelerator, we focus on: - Founder-led sales with an MVP - Cultivating the founder’s mindset of success - Building an investable company But this is more than just coaching. You’ll be surrounded by a small group of founders who are in it with you, building, pushing, and holding each other to a higher standard. To be clear, this is not a passive program. It’s hands-on, direct, and built for founders who are serious about building a software company here in Arizona. We keep cohorts intentionally small: 8 companies. Applications for the next Fast FWD cohort are now open. If you are: - A serious software founder in AZ - With an MVP and early customers - And you’re ready to be pushed and challenged to grow 👉 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g5-mCGg2
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Clate Mask posted thisPhoenix is a software city on the rise—and today, we’re taking a massive step forward. When we were building Keap to $120M ARR, angel investors weren't just "check writers"—they were essential for us to survive the early days and scale. One of my absolute favorite days as a founder wasn’t a product launch or a PR win; it was the day we distributed returns between 10x and 100x to those early angels. When founders get the backing they need and deliver those kinds of returns, everyone wins: The companies scale, the investors thrive, and the Arizona economy is transformed. But to make Phoenix a top-tier software city by 2035, we can’t rely on "business as usual." We need more active angels supporting our software founders. We have incredible tools in Arizona—like the Arizona Angel Investment Tax Credit—that make this one of the best places in the country to back early-stage tech. That is why I am so excited to announce that Spark Angels is joining forces with PHX Angels. By consolidating our capital and mentorship into one unified powerhouse, we are creating the high-velocity engine our founders deserve. PHX FWD is thrilled to be a core partner with PHX Angels to organize the capital ecosystem across the 7 Stages of growth for AZ software companies. A few things I’m particularly fired up about: The Leadership: Aaron Favreau is the right person to lead this charge. His experience and sheer passion for this work are unmatched. The Network: Bringing the original Spark founders together with the PHX FWD community creates a "success infrastructure" that didn't exist before. The Mission: Personally, I’m looking forward to working with PHX Angels to ensure more local software companies get the crucial backing they need to win. This is a big step for our community. If you’re a builder or an investor who wants to be part of the next generation of Arizona software giants, it’s time to get involved. Let’s build the future of the Valley, together.
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Clate Mask shared thisThe mission is the same. The method is evolving. 🚀 I’ve spent 25 years counseling entrepreneurs through the dark side of business ownership. My goal has always been to help you build a great business and a great life. To continue that mission, I’m making a change. I am stepping back from the podcast to focus deeply on serving software entrepreneurs in Phoenix. But the Conquer the Chaos podcast isn't going anywhere—it’s getting an upgrade. Meet Matt Vosburgh. Matt is taking over as host, and he brings a practitioner’s eye that I deeply respect. He’s been running the show and working with guests behind the scenes for the last few months. While I built the Conquer The Chaos framework, Matt is obsessed with the application. He is shifting the show toward: ✅ Tactical, "in-the-weeds" training. ✅ Micro-lessons you can use immediately. ✅ A deep focus on the personal habits that create success. I’m proud to have him lead this next chapter. See why this is the right move for the show (and for you): https://lnkd.in/gUTgkRwP #SmallBusiness #GrowthMindset #Legacy #ConquerTheChaos #BusinessCoachingBig Changes Coming: More Tactics, More Training, New Host, with Matt Vosburgh | S2 E7Big Changes Coming: More Tactics, More Training, New Host, with Matt Vosburgh | S2 E7
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Clate Mask shared thisNew Conquer The Chaos episode! Are you running your business, or is it running you? Many entrepreneurs feel like they are constantly drowning in manual, repetitive tasks. We all know the value of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), but in this episode of Conquer the Chaos, our guest Sarah Watz challenges us to take the next step: converting them into Standard Automated Procedures. Sarah’s work at Business Heroes® [Pixpro Stockholm AB] is focused on moving business owners from overwhelm to clarity. In this conversation, we dig into the practical steps you can take today to free up your time without losing the personal connection with your clients. We discuss: 🪜The "Offer Ladder": How to guide customers from an initial "yes" to premium services without being pushy. 🤓AI as a Teammate: How to "onboard" AI to handle your content and marketing chaos. 🛡️Avoidable Mistakes: The biggest errors entrepreneurs make when investing in automation software and how to ensure a return on that investment. If you are ready to get your time back and focus on scaling your impact, this is a conversation you need to hear. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gC7ufDQg #ConquerTheChaos #BusinessAutomation #GrowthStrategy #SmallBusinessSuccess #Thryv #Keap #SarahWatzThe Offer Ladder: How to Scale Your Service Business with AI and Automation, with Sarah Watz | S2 E6The Offer Ladder: How to Scale Your Service Business with AI and Automation, with Sarah Watz | S2 E6
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Clate Mask shared thisWe’re hiring at PHX FWD! This is an important one. We’re looking for a Marketing & Administrative Coordinator to join our team and help us build the movement to make Phoenix a top software city. This role is for someone who loves a mix of marketing, community, and operations. You’ll help us run workshops, mastermind meetings, Founder Fridays, and our bigger community events. And you’ll support the content and storytelling that highlight the incredible founders in our ecosystem. If you like being in the middle of the action, if you enjoy creating order out of chaos, and if you get energy from helping people succeed, you’ll thrive here. A few things about the role: It can be part time or full-time, in-person, in Tempe (2-3 days/week). You’ll manage content distribution across LinkedIn, email, Slack, and our podcast. You’ll support all of our in-person events with setup, coordination, and smooth execution. You’ll help with website updates, workshop pages, the podcast, and light design. You’ll work closely with me and our Director of Programming to keep our fast-moving operation running well. We’re a small, scrappy team doing big things for founders. If you want to be part of that, and you want your work to directly support the people building the future of the PHX software community, we’d love for you to apply. Job description + application link: https://lnkd.in/ecmVEzHn And if you know someone who would be perfect for this, please pass it along! Let’s keep driving to make Phoenix a top software city!
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Clate Mask shared thisWhat is the single most critical factor that separates thriving entrepreneurs from those who remain stuck in the chaos? It isn't strategy, funding, or market timing—it's mindset. In this episode of Conquer the Chaos, I sit down with Dobbin Buck, Co-owner of GetUWired. Dobbin shares his direct and powerful story of rebuilding his life from the absolute bottom—homeless and in a hospital—to becoming the leader of a successful agency. It's a practical lesson in the power of mindset. This conversation moves past theory and into the real, day-to-day work of developing the mental toughness required to succeed in business. https://lnkd.in/gxySqAYn #EntrepreneurialMindset #ConquerTheChaos #BusinessResilience #MentalFortitude #SmallBusinessLeadership #ComebackStory #EgoIsTheEnemy #MindfulnessForEntrepreneurs #ClateMask #GetUWiredMindset Over Everything: A Leader's Framework for Conquering Chaos, with Dobbin Buck | S2 E5Mindset Over Everything: A Leader's Framework for Conquering Chaos, with Dobbin Buck | S2 E5
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Clate Mask shared thisA new episode of the Conquer The Chaos podcast is live! https://lnkd.in/grVK6whV The Five Proven Steps To Make Every Sale, with 🥋Wes- Schaeffer Are you ready to transform your approach to sales and build a business that thrives on genuine service? In this episode of Conquer The Chaos, I sit down with the legendary "Sales Whisperer," Wes Schaeffer, to uncover the secrets to ethical and effective selling. In this discussion, you'll learn how the role of the modern salesperson has changed due to the internet, social media, COVID, and AI, and how you can leverage these changes to stop closing deals and start opening new accounts without gimmicks or high-pressure tactics. This will enable you to sell more, faster, at higher margins, with less stress, and closing deals more predictably. Wes also reveals how to shift your mindset from a manipulative salesperson to a trusted expert who genuinely serves your customers. Learn how to ask the questions your prospects can't answer, proactively address objections with the "sales dog" method, and build unwavering belief in the value you provide. Whether you're a business owner, sales manager, or salesperson, this conversation will provide you with the actionable strategies you need to master the art of sales and drive consistent growth. Watch this episode here https://lnkd.in/grVK6whV #Sales #SalesTraining #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ConquerTheChaos #ClateMask #WesSchaefferThe Five Proven Steps To Make Every Sale, with Wes Schaeffer | S2 E4The Five Proven Steps To Make Every Sale, with Wes Schaeffer | S2 E4
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Clate Mask shared thisIn this week’s episode of Conquer the Chaos, I sat down with the brilliant Jennifer Orechwa 🚀, founder of Salt Marketing and a master of sales automation. We talked about how health and wellness practitioners can use smart, automated systems to create personalized client experiences at scale. Imagine freeing yourself from repetitive tasks to focus on helping people live better lives! [03:53] Jennifer shares why selling the transformation you offer is so much more powerful than just listing services [08:50]. Plus, I share a personal story about how a single automated text brought me back to a service five years later! [15:46] If you’ve ever felt like sales are unpredictable—or like you’re constantly chasing the next deal—this conversation is going to be a game-changer. Jennifer shares how to: ✅ Build a sales process that’s systematic and repeatable ✅ Use automation to create consistency without losing the personal touch ✅ Free yourself from the “hustle cycle” and finally scale with confidence This isn’t theory—it’s practical, actionable advice you can start applying today. 👉 Listen to this powerful conversation with Jennifer Orechwa (don't forget to subscribe!) now https://lnkd.in/gAejg_g2How to Build a Marketing Machine That Works While You Sleep, with Jennifer Orechwa | S2 E3How to Build a Marketing Machine That Works While You Sleep, with Jennifer Orechwa | S2 E3
Clate Mask replied to a comment
1w
Josue Romero Thanks! As you know, what we're doing at PHX FWD is all part of building Silicon Oasis as the AZ Tech Hub for startups across all tech industries. Let's build!
Clate Mask replied to a comment
1w
Patricia Rubio thanks! You can:
1. Join the PHX FWD community at www.phxfwd.org
2. Attend an upcoming event (see our website)
3. Become a partner (see our website)
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Conquer The Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy
Wiley
The majority of new entrepreneurs (and even those with a little more experience) are finding themselves trapped, controlled, and consumed by their own businesses. They are struggling just to keep their businesses running, let alone actually growing their companies and experiencing the success they anticipated.
Conquer the Chaos speaks to you as a small business owner by making sense of the overwhelming demands on your business and providing a twenty-first century recipe for success with…The majority of new entrepreneurs (and even those with a little more experience) are finding themselves trapped, controlled, and consumed by their own businesses. They are struggling just to keep their businesses running, let alone actually growing their companies and experiencing the success they anticipated.
Conquer the Chaos speaks to you as a small business owner by making sense of the overwhelming demands on your business and providing a twenty-first century recipe for success with sanity. With engaging stories, quotes, and examples, Conquer the Chaos leads you through the six strategies you can incorporate to bring order to your business today. Find the money, time, and freedom in entrepreneurship that inspired you in the first place.Other authors -
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