Clarence’s journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start with a business plan or a polished pitch deck; it started with someone seeing potential in him before he saw it in himself. That belief opened doors he never thought he’d walk through and gave him an inside look at a world of business he didn’t grow up around. For years, he soaked up everything — watching how leaders carried themselves, learning the importance of relationships, and seeing how respect for people at every level was the mark of true leadership.

 

Eventually, Clarence knew it was time to build something of his own. In 2015, with no formal startup background and no roadmap, he launched his first company. What he didn’t know about fundraising, he learned in real time — through persistence, resilience, and a willingness to outwork everyone else in the room. He faced 153 investor rejections before getting his first institutional “yes,” a moment that set off a chain of opportunities and fueled his drive to keep going.

 

That persistence paid off. Over the years, Clarence raised more than $30 million, grew his company, and exited in 2023. Since then, Clarence has coached founders to raise over $100M in venture capital, served as an Investor and Executive in Residence at True Ventures, a venture capital firm, with over $4B under management and more than 400 founders in its portfolio. He’s also an angel investor in breakout companies like Liquid Death and Hive, giving him a front-row seat to what drives success at every stage.

 

Along the way, he learned that the real edge in business isn’t just knowing the numbers — it’s being able to tell a story people believe in. It’s showing up consistently, no matter how many times you hear “no,” and treating every opportunity like it could be the one that changes everything.

 

Today, Clarence channels that journey into fueling the success of others. He’s spoken to audiences across the country, from conference stages to intimate founder gatherings, breaking down the realities of raising capital and building a business that lasts. He mentors founders from all walks of life, offering the kind of clarity and encouragement that turns uncertainty into action. Whether he’s delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or mentoring one-on-one, his message is the same — the raw potential is inside you, and the key is knowing how to put it to work.