Serial Entrepreneur Marc Smookler: Building Clearstem and Growth Strategies
A Journey of Serial Entrepreneurship and Innovation
In this edition of the BizStack Entrepreneur Spotlight, we are thrilled to introduce Marc Smookler, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a passion for bringing products and services to market. Marc’s impressive track record includes founding multiple successful companies, with three notable exits.
Currently, he is working on Phoenix, his family office, and Clearstem, a luxury skincare brand focused on clean acne treatment and anti-aging products.
Let’s dive into Marc’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey, the strategies that have propelled him forward, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
From Zero to Exit: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Marc: “I consider myself a serial entrepreneur — a ‘zero to X’ guy. I’ve built companies from scratch and successfully exited three of them. My largest success so far is Fonality, a cloud and open-source PBX company that competed with Avaya and Cisco. After being acquired by NetFortis in 2017, I’ve continued to focus on building and scaling new ventures.”
Marc’s other ventures include SakeSocial, a Japanese sake online retailer, which received funding from the Japanese Government’s Trade Association.
He currently serves as the COO of Clearstem, a rapidly growing luxury skincare brand based in Los Angeles, where he drives operations and growth while balancing multiple other ventures through Phoenix.
Building Clearstem: A Skincare Brand with a Purpose
Cagri: Tell us more about Clearstem. How did you get involved, and what’s your role?
Marc: “Clearstem was founded by two amazing women — Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina. Danielle, our CEO, leads product development, and Kayleigh, our CMO, leads marketing. As COO, I handle the operational side of things, ensuring the business scales effectively while staying true to our mission of providing clean skincare solutions that target both acne and anti-aging.”
Clearstem stands out in the skincare industry by offering products that are not only effective but also free of harmful chemicals. The company’s commitment to clean beauty has resonated with a wide audience, helping it grow rapidly in the competitive beauty market.
Website: Clearstem Skincare
Follow Clearstem: Instagram | TikTok
A Typical Week in Marc’s Life
Cagri: Marc, what does a typical week in your life as an entrepreneur look like?
Marc: “A typical week is a blend of structured focus and dynamic flexibility. My core focus is on my role as COO at Clearstem, where I oversee operations and align our strategies with growth targets. Outside of Clearstem, I manage multiple projects through Phoenix, providing hands-on guidance and strategic planning to help them find product-market fit. And, of course, I make time for my two boys, ensuring that I’m present for their schoolwork and activities. Balance is key for me — whether it’s guiding startups or spending quality time with my family, I strive to stay grounded and focused on what matters most.”
The Tools That Power Marc’s Success
Cagri: What tools and technologies do you rely on to manage your businesses?
- Communication: Google Meet and Slack help me stay connected with my team and projects, especially in a remote work environment.
- Project Management: I use Asana to keep track of tasks and ensure accountability across all teams.
- Creative Tools: For mockups and creative work, I lean on Adobe, Canva, and Figma.
- Idea Formation: ChatGPT is a great tool for brainstorming and shaping ideas quickly and efficiently.
Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Failure
Cagri: Every entrepreneur faces challenges. What has been your greatest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
Marc: “Failure is inevitable in entrepreneurship. The hardest part has been not letting setbacks drag me down. Over the years, I’ve developed a resilient mindset — understanding that failures are just part of the process. Breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable goals and celebrating the small wins has helped me stay motivated. My support network has been invaluable, too. Surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship has been crucial. Ultimately, spending time with my family also keeps me grounded and reminds me of my larger purpose.”
Key Strategies for Growing a Business
Cagri: What strategies have you found most effective in growing your online business?
Marc: “I focus on performance and growth marketing, leveraging paid platforms to target key personas. Maximizing lifetime value (LTV) through retention tools like Klaviyo, Retention, and affiliate programs such as GRIN and GoAffPro has been a big part of our strategy at Clearstem.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Cagri: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an entrepreneur?
Related:Is Skillshare Worth It? A Complete and Honest Review
Marc: “Here are a few pieces of advice I’d give:
- Embrace Resilience: Failure is part of the process. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward.
- Focus on Strengths: Hone your core skills and leverage them to build something unique.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly seek input from customers, mentors, and peers to iterate and improve.
- Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with like-minded people who can offer support and advice.
- Maintain Balance: Work hard, but don’t neglect your personal life. Balance will keep you energized.
- Keep Learning: The business landscape is constantly evolving. Stay curious and adapt.
What’s Next for Marc Smookler?
Marc continues to drive growth at Clearstem while mentoring startups and investing in exciting new ventures through Phoenix. His entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to take the leap into business. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Marc’s story shows that resilience, focus, and adaptability are key to long-term success.
Marc Smookler’s Lightning Round
In this lightning round, I asked Marc Smookler to answer 12 rapid-fire questions:
What’s something that’s in your pocket right now, besides your phone?
Beat headphones for listening to audiobooks.
Artificial intelligence: hope or dread?
Hope
Your favorite place to think big?
My office
If you were out of business tomorrow, what job would you pursue?
Scifi writer
One object from your childhood you could never throw away?
Some artwork I made that looks awful but reminds me to be humble.
One feature you wish your phone had?
Better games
Your favorite mobile app?
The book that most influenced you?
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Messy desk or clean desk?
Clean
One thing you always have in your fridge?
Baked chicken breast
Your favorite time-saving hack?
Riding bike around downtown Austin, TX
Best movie ever?
Braveheart
Connect with Marc
Marc’s parting recommendation for readers: Check out Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win for valuable leadership lessons applicable to both business and life.
Ready to elevate your business? Join the BizStack Community and get free weekly insights, exclusive offers, and tools tailored to your entrepreneurial journey. Subscribe to the BizStack Newsletter today!
The post Serial Entrepreneur Marc Smookler: Building Clearstem and Growth Strategies appeared first on BizStack — Entrepreneur’s Business Stack.
Disclosure: We might receive commission on purchases made through links on this page. Learn more.
