Jay Clouse

Co-Founder

Columbus, Ohio, United States15 yrs 3 mos experience
Most Likely To Switch

Key Highlights

  • Generated over $2.8 million as a creator since 2017
  • Built a successful YouTube channel with 138,000 subscribers
  • Named 'Content Entrepreneur of the Year' in 2023
Stackforce AI infers this person is a SaaS entrepreneur focused on community-driven growth and creator economy investments.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

EntrepreneurshipCommunity BuildingContent CreationFreelancingCommunity Management

Other Skills

Social Media MarketingWritingMarketing StrategyPublic SpeakingMarketingBusiness DevelopmentPodcastingMedia ProductionEvent PlanningDigital MarketingResearchPublic RelationsNewslettersBloggingEditing

About

Learn the strategies I used to: • earn $2.8 million+ as a creator since 2017 • build a 138,000 subscriber YouTube channel • achieve 2.25 million podcast downloads • attract 58,000 followers on LinkedIn If you're struggling to find traction as a creator—or if you're struggling monetize the attention you ARE receiving, I can help. 🧪 CLIENT WINS FROM THE LAB "One month after joining the lab, I pulled in $21,000. So I know that sounds too good to be true. That's probably not what I'm going to do next month, because I did do something a little special. But I can say from my one month alone joining The Lab, it has been absolutely be worth it." — Claire Bartholic, The Planted Runner "I'm building out a little SaaS project, and Jay had some great additions for the design and also for how to how to sell it. So I implemented one of or both of those both of those additions. One of them brought me $3,000 in about a week, which was awesome." — Jake Thomas, Creator Hooks "So I have been in The Lan for about 45 days at this point, and while it did take me seven months to make the decision to join, I can honestly say that at this point of me being there, I have already made my money back." — Gannon Meyer, ManyChat expert ________ 👋 Hey, I’m Jay! Eight years ago, I left the startup world to build something of my own. I didn’t believe I was creative, so I started writing a newsletter just to prove myself wrong. Fast forward to today, and that newsletter has become Creator Science, a multi-million dollar business and one of the most trusted voices in the creator economy. Creator Science teaches creators a reliable path to growth through observation, experimentation, and iteration. My work spans a newsletter, podcast, membership, and YouTube channel, helping thousands of creators build sustainable businesses. In 2023, I was named “Content Entrepreneur of the Year” by The Tilt, and the Creator Science podcast earned a 2022 Signal Award. I’ve personally invested in 10+ startups—including Kit, RightMessage, Maven, Carry, Kick, Gumroad, and Beast Industries. Through the Creator Science Syndicate, I invite my audience to invest alongside me, supporting platforms that help creators succeed (and giving them a share in the upside). Before Creator Science, I built and sold a community, Unreal Collective, to Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income, where I designed their membership and community programs. 🚀 Growing your creator business? I can help. creatorscience.com creatorscience.com/podcast creatorscience.com/youtube creatorscience.com/lab

Experience

Kick

Investor

Aug 2024Present · 1 yr 7 mos

  • Self-driving bookkeeping.

Rightmessage

Investor

Apr 2024Present · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Helping make automated segmentation and website personalization accessible to any online business.

Kit (formerly convertkit)

Investor

Oct 2023Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • Kit (formerly ConvertKit) helps 600k+ creators work smarter – not harder – with email, automation, and monetization tools that work together to drive continuous growth.

Creator science syndicate

Founder + GP

Sep 2023Present · 2 yrs 6 mos · Remote

  • The Creator Science Syndicate is a community of creators, investors, and subject matter experts investing in the best companies in the creator economy.
  • For this syndicate, I've partnered with John Gannon of Venture5 Media, one of the original creators focused on the VC space, and an active angel investor. He also cofounded GoingVC, a leading VC education program with 500+ alumni around the globe. I read John's blog for years before he became both a member of The Lab and a personal friend.
  • We have investment experience as well as a unique perspective on creators, their needs, and which companies are actually addressing them.
  • In short, we're investing in companies who are building products WE want to use in our own creator businesses. Companies we believe are serving the creators who lead the creator economy.
  • Join here 👇

Intros ai

Investor

Jun 2023Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • AI-powered community-led growth.

Carry

Investor

May 2023Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

  • Carry is an all-in-one platform for tax-advantaged accounts, investments, and strategies for business owners and high earners.

Figure

Investor

Apr 2023Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Figure is an AI Robotics company developing a general-purpose humanoid. Their Humanoid is designed for corporate tasks targeting labor shortages and jobs that are undesirable or unsafe.

Tribevest

Investor

Jul 2022Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

  • A platform for Investor Groups. Form & fund your multi-member micro-business in hours.

Gifthealth

Investor

May 2022Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

  • Gifthealth streamlines your Rx experience with proprietary technology and a national network of pharmacy partners.

Gumroad

Investor

Jul 2021Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

  • Gumroad is a powerful, but simple, e-commerce platform. We make it easy to earn your first dollar online by selling digital products, memberships and more.
  • I participated in their Crowd SAFE on Republic alongside co-investors like First Round Capital.

Calm company fund

Investor

Jun 2021Present · 4 yrs 9 mos

  • Built for Builders. Supporting Calm Companies through Capital, Mentorship, and Community.

Backstage capital

Investor

Feb 2021Present · 5 yrs 1 mo

  • Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund investing in the best startups led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.

Maven

Investor

Jan 2021Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

  • Maven empowers the world’s experts to offer cohort-based courses directly to their audience. I was an early Instructor on the platform and participated in their Crowd SAFE on Republic.
  • Funded by First Round Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, along with angels like Naval Ravikant, Sahil Lavingia, Li Jin, Arlan Hamilton and co-founders from Lambda School, Outschool, and Superhuman.

Spi media

Community Experience Director

Dec 2020Dec 2021 · 1 yr · Columbus, Ohio, United States

  • In December 2020, Unreal Collective was acquired by Smart Passive Income.
  • I lead our efforts to create and implement exceptional experiences for the SPI community. We believe in the power of community for personal, organization, and societal change, and we want to be a leading participant in the conversation of how community can positively impact entrepreneurial loneliness and isolation.
  • SPI Media exists to elevate online entrepreneurs to within reach of their dreams. The company is powered by the Smart Passive Income (SPI) brand created by Pat Flynn. Our learning and development ecosystem comprises in-depth guides, popular podcasts, best-in-class courses, insightful publications, and more. Our content, trainings, and experiences focus on the needs and problems facing entrepreneurs in the startup phase of their new ventures—whether it be a freelance career, agency business, tech startup, side hustle project, or personal brand. We're grateful for our community of over 200,000 people and tens of thousands of students.
  • Read about the acquisition:
  • https://jayclouse.com/unreal-collective-acquired-smart-passive-income/
  • Learn more about SPI Pro:
  • https://smartpassiveincome.com/pro
PodcastingMedia ProductionContent Creation

Commsor

Advisor

Oct 2020Present · 5 yrs 5 mos

  • Commsor integrates with all the tools you already use, tying your community together and enabling you to unlock insights, measure impact, and build a Community-Led company.

Indie.vc

Venture Scout

Sep 2020Mar 2021 · 6 mos

  • I act as a scout for Indie.vc and can help make an introduction if you feel they're funding model is a fit for your company.
  • Indie.vc is a program designed to fund and support founders on a path to profitability.
  • They believe deeply that there are hundreds, even thousands, of businesses that could be thriving, at scale, if they focused on revenue growth over raising another round of funding. On average, the companies Indie.vc has backed have increased revenues over 100% in the first 12 months of the program and around 300% after 24 months post-investment.
  • They aim to be the last investment our founders need to take.
  • Learn more at indie.vc
Community BuildingEvent PlanningCommunity Management

Creator science

Founder

Mar 2020Present · 6 yrs

  • Creating has never been easier – but breaking through the noise has never been harder.
  • Creator Science teaches creators to build sturdy businesses through observation, experimentation, and iteration.
  • Luck and virality are unreliable. The creators you admire don’t leave success to chance – they observe trends, experiment, and iterate based on the data.
  • Everything you publish is an experiment that you can learn from. By developing an experimentality (an experimentation mentality), you can uncover what works for you and build lasting success.
  • We believe:
  • Trust is the currency of successful creator businesses.
  • A sustainable approach beats the burnout of hustle culture.
  • Growth comes from experimentation and iteration – not from copying others or chasing trends.
  • Study businesses are built on signature products designed specifically for your audience.
  • Tomorrow’s creators will succeed by focusing on creating community, not just building an audience.
  • Over the years, Creator Science has become one of the most trusted voices helping creators turn their content into profitable, scalable businesses.
  • Join nearly 60,000 creators getting smarter in just 10 minutes per week:
Community BuildingEntrepreneurshipSocial Media MarketingWritingMarketing Strategy

Freelancing school

Creator

Jul 2019Dec 2023 · 4 yrs 5 mos

  • Most people find themselves drawn to freelancing for one reason: control.
  • Successful freelancers:
  • → Make their own schedules
  • → Live and work wherever they want
  • → Choose who they work with
  • → Have plenty of time to themselves
  • → Earn more money than they did at a job
  • → LOVE. THEIR. LIFE.
  • It's an incredible way to earn a living if you're doing it well.
  • But so many people quickly find themselves in the same vicious cycle of going project to project.
  • If you don't get comfortable marketing yourself, selling projects, and running a business, you'll find yourself strapped for both time and cash.
  • It doesn't have to be that way!
  • Freelancing School will help you succeed as a freelancer.
  • After years of freelancing (several of which were a struggle) I've broken the coveted 6-figure mark working with clients like Atlassian, Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income, The Ohio State University, and LinkedIn.
  • I've created systems that make the business stuff easy, while also understanding how to market and sell yourself as the best choice.
  • You can have the freelance business of your dreams. I can show you how.
  • Visit → freelancing.school or click the link below 👇
WritingPublic SpeakingContent Creation

Adventur.es

Scout

Jun 2019Sep 2020 · 1 yr 3 mos

  • I facilitate connections between great business owners looking towards retirement and/or expansion with adventur.es, a family of companies that acquires family-owned businesses.
  • Please send an email or direct message if you'd like to learn more.
Community BuildingEntrepreneurshipCommunity Management

Create columbus commission

3 roles

Commissioner

Dec 2018Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 1 mo · Columbus, Ohio Area

Vice Chair

Dec 2017Dec 2018 · 1 yr · Columbus, Ohio Area

  • The Create Columbus Commission (CCC) is a board of young professionals (YP), appointed and funded by the Mayor and City Council President to serve as the community’s foremost thought leader on young professional interests, experiences, and priorities. Through strategic community building efforts and a targeted YP grants program, the CCC strives to make Columbus the next great American city and the nation’s number one place for YPs to live, work, and play.
  • The CCC believes that the City of Columbus will be better positioned to attract and retain talent if there are YPs at the decision making table co-creating a forward-thinking city with a vibrant, accessible, and integrated urban environment that is a magnet for talent.

Commissioner, Forum Lead

Oct 2015Dec 2017 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Columbus, Ohio Area

Upside.fm

Co-host and Producer

May 2018Jan 2023 · 4 yrs 8 mos

  • upside // the first podcast dedicated to startups outside of silicon valley
  • The Up Company is a media production company. Our flagship podcast, upside, was named a Top Business podcast by Fortune Magazine and was called "Almost as Good as Getting an MBA" by Business Insider.
  • With over 100 episodes, we interview founders, investors, and community builders in startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley.
  • In 2019, we produced our first full-length documentary, "Test City, USA," about the growing startup ecosystem of Columbus, Ohio. The film premiered at the Film Festival of Columbus, where it won Best Ohio Feature. It was also accepted into the 2020 Columbus International Film Festival.
  • https://upside.fm
MarketingBusiness DevelopmentFreelancing

Linkedin

Author for Linkedin Learning / Lynda.com

Jan 2018Present · 8 yrs 2 mos · Santa Barbara, California Area

  • I write and appear in training videos for Linkedin Learning and Lynda.com. My courses focus on freelancing, small business, raising capital, and product management.

Smart columbus

Entrepreneur In Residence

Jan 2018Jul 2018 · 6 mos · Columbus, Ohio

  • As the sole winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Smart Cities Challenge, Columbus was awarded more than funding and designation as America’s Smart City; but more importantly the coveted job of a global teacher for cities around the world on how to “become Smart” by embracing the reinvention of transportation to accelerate human progress. Columbus received a total of $50 million in the form of two grants, $40 million from USDOT and $10 million from Vulcan, Inc., a Paul Allen company. These dollars provide the seed funding for Smart Columbus, a region-wide Smart City initiative co-led by the City of Columbus and Columbus Partnership. The City of Columbus, under the leadership of Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, is the lead recipient of the $50 million and will administer the deployment of these funds for the duration of the grant period, which concludes at the end of 2020.
  • The Columbus Partnership, representing the Columbus Region’s private sector, is the lead implementation partner for the grant program and is responsible for the initiative’s Acceleration Fund, which is credited as a significant factor in Columbus’ winning of the challenge. The Acceleration Fund, which started out as $90 million now totals more than $360 million and is composed of coordinated and aligned investments by the private and public sector to compliment, scale, and sustain Smart Columbus projects and programs.
  • I get to help startups engage with Smart Columbus and create programs, like the Smart City Hackathon, to engage our entrepreneur community and get startups involved with local smart city innovation.

Unreal collective

Founder

Apr 2017Dec 2020 · 3 yrs 8 mos

  • (Acquired in Dec. 2020 by Smart Passive Income)
  • Unreal Collective is a community of creators.
  • The Unreal Collective Accelerator creates a place for founders, freelancers, and creators to help each other move faster. The accelerator is intentionally light on "curriculum" and heavy on structure.
  • It's all about clarity and action. No added "work" -- just helping you organize, prioritize, and take action on what matters.
  • Together, we create a three-month roadmap and meet weekly to help you see it through.
  • That may be:
  • Starting your project
  • Validating your business idea
  • Building your MVP
  • Finding your first customer
  • Opening your online store
  • Writing a book
  • Launching your podcast
  • ...and more
  • Learn more or apply at unrealcollective.com

Olive

3 roles

Head of Connect Network Products

Promoted

Jan 2017Apr 2017 · 3 mos

  • CrossChx is on a mission to build an identity layer for healthcare so people can connect and share information about their health.
  • Our Connect Network Products suite includes Connect for Practices, Connect for Hospitals, and our mobile app, Connect for Patients.
  • www.crosschx.com

Head of Connect for Practices

Dec 2016Jan 2017 · 1 mo

  • CrossChx is on a mission to build an identity later for healthcare so people can connect and share information about their health.
  • Connect digitizes the patient intake process to provide instant, up-to-date information on your patients in real-time without the need for paper forms.
  • www.crosschx.com/practices

Director of Strategic Growth

Jun 2016Dec 2016 · 6 mos

  • CrossChx is building the first global identity layer for better, smarter healthcare through innovative, data-driven products that create operational efficiencies and advance the patient experience. Our proprietary identity resolution system instantly verifies a patient’s identity and links them to their medical benefits to ensure the right person receives the right care. CrossChx prevents medical identity fraud, eliminates duplicate medical records, combats prescription drug abuse, and improves health outcomes.
  • Connect gives you a direct link to your patient's health info, so you always have the most up-to-date information and they never have to fill out another form. www.crosschx.com/practices

Tixers

Chief Operating Officer

Apr 2014Jun 2016 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • (Acquired by OneUp Sports April, 2015)
  • Innovative solutions focused on saving time, minimizing risk, reducing waste, and providing more value for all ticket holders
  • Tixers allows customers to trade tickets that would otherwise go into waste or need to be resold into the site in exchange for immediate value in the form of credits on the site. We also facilitate traditional ticket brokerage paired with flexibility for customers to request they seats the like at the price they want.
  • Tixers was a member of the second class of the UpTech Accelerator based in Covington, Kentucky right across the river from downtown Cincinnati.

Fundable

Business Development

Jan 2014Apr 2014 · 3 mos · Powell, Ohio

  • Wrote a definitive guide for predominantly first-time entrepreneurs who are beginning a startup. The guide covers ideation, finding validation, gaining traction, the art of selling, necessary pitch assets, marketing, and a whole host of tools and resources.
  • Perform diligence in researching potential Fundable clients

Business builders club

2 roles

President

Mar 2013Mar 2014 · 1 yr · The Ohio State University

  • The Business Builders Club connects current and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentors, and funding to build successful businesses and social ventures. As President, it is my responsibility to coordinate meetings, events, fundraise for the club and its functions, as well as further the club's mission by being an ambassador within the community.

VP of Public Relations

Apr 2012Mar 2013 · 11 mos · The Ohio State University

  • I handle writing press releases and emails for the club. I maintain relationships with sponsors and partners, as well keep the members and other students in the know by handling the mailing list. Co-coordinator for the first annual IdeaBox competition and coordinator for Seeds for Social Change. I have also presented in the Spring IdeaPitch competition.

Marketosu llc

Founder

Aug 2012Jan 2015 · 2 yrs 5 mos · Columbus, Ohio

  • Ohio State's largest student-only marketplace for buying and selling used textbooks, sport and event tickets, and more.

Fundable

Marketing & PR Intern

May 2012Aug 2012 · 3 mos · Powell, Ohio

  • I handled grassroots marketing efforts as well as some social marketing, seeding conversations within forums, social sharing sites, and Twitter. I also did a lot of content creation for projects, such as press releases and pitch emails. I contributed to outreach efforts, reaching out to media contacts and secured several media placements.

The ohio state university

2 roles

College of Exploration Honors Ambassador

Apr 2012Aug 2013 · 1 yr 4 mos · Columbus, Ohio Area

  • I spoke with potential and incoming freshman on behalf of the Ohio State University Exploration Program.

Communications Intern - The Michael E. Mortiz College of Law

Oct 2011Jun 2012 · 8 mos · Columbus, Ohio Area

  • I helped create content for all of Moritz's publications by interviewing students, faculty and staff. I also spoke to several keynote speakers. I interviewed nearly three dozen alumni for the Moritz Book Project and did some work maintaining the website.

The daily standard

Reporter

Jun 2011Sep 2011 · 3 mos · Celina, OH

  • Paid intern at The Daily Standard newspaper. Large readership stretching across the Grand Lake area, including Auglaize and Mercer counties.

The lantern

Reporter

Jan 2011Dec 2011 · 11 mos · Columbus, Ohio Area

  • Sports reporter for the Ohio State University's student newspaper, The Lantern, covering football, men's soccer and wrestling teams.

Education

The Ohio State University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) — Marketing

altMBA

Jan 2017Jan 2017

The Marketing Seminar

Jan 2017Jan 2018

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