We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeff Thon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Finding those key vendors can often be make or break for a brand. Can you talk to us about how you found your key vendors?

Finding the right vendors has been one of the most defining parts of building Clear Skies Capital. In our industry, everything revolves around trust, security, and efficiency, so choosing the right partners was never something we took lightly.

When it came to selecting API vendors, our goal was to integrate our CRM directly with our funding partners to streamline the approval process. We went through several demos, testing each platform for compatibility, speed, and reliability. In the beginning, I was focused on finding a fast and affordable solution. Over time, I realized that in finance, security and scalability always outweigh cost. The right vendor is not necessarily the cheapest, but the one that protects your data, integrates cleanly, and grows with your company. That lesson has stayed with me ever since.

Working with our 30+ funding partners has been another critical part of our success. Those relationships required a strong foundation of compliance, transparency, and consistency. We had to prove ourselves through reliable operations and a commitment to doing things the right way. Looking back, I believe what made those funders choose to work with us was our honesty and professionalism. We were not trying to be the biggest player; we focused on being the most dependable. That reputation helped us expand our product offerings to include business loans and revolving lines of credit, giving our clients access to solutions that traditional banks often cannot provide.

On the operations side, implementing Zoho as our CRM and marketing platform was one of our best decisions. It allowed us to automate email and SMS communication, track leads, and manage deals in one place. The key was customizing it around our client experience from the very beginning. That thoughtful setup helped us maintain a personal touch even as we scaled.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey started back in 2004, just six months after graduating college. I began my career with a large firm called Five Point Capital, which many now know as National Funding in San Diego. I started from the ground up as an account executive, spending my days making hundreds of cold calls and learning the ins and outs of small business financing. It wasn’t easy, but that early experience taught me resilience and discipline, and before long, I became one of the top producers in the company.

After nearly six years there, I transitioned into a smaller firm where I took on a leadership role as VP of Sales. That position gave me hands-on experience in every aspect of the business including funding relationships, underwriting, marketing, and operations. It was a crash course in what it really takes to run a company, and it sparked my passion for entrepreneurship.

In 2014, I decided to take a leap of faith and launch my own company, Clear Skies Capital. At first, it was just me, but over time I grew a small, dedicated team that shares the same commitment to helping small businesses succeed.

At Clear Skies Capital, we focus on providing fast, flexible funding for small business owners, especially those who might not fit traditional bank criteria. We offer a range of solutions like term loans, lines of credit, SBA 7(a) loans, and equipment financing. What makes us different is our approach to underwriting. Instead of relying solely on credit scores, we take a full-picture view of each business, looking at performance, cash flow, and overall financial health.

Our clients appreciate that we combine technology with a human touch. While our process is streamlined and efficient, we never lose sight of the personal side of business. We take the time to understand each client’s goals and challenges, which helps us build lasting relationships and offer continued support as they grow.

What I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve had on business owners who may have felt overlooked or underserved. Seeing our clients use funding to expand, hire, or simply stay afloat through tough times is incredibly rewarding. Clear Skies Capital was built on integrity, transparency, and genuine care for our clients’ success, and that’s what I want people to know most about who we are and what we do.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been combining automation with personalization. We use automated email and SMS campaigns to stay connected with both prospects and clients, but every message is crafted to feel authentic and relevant.

Automation helps us maintain consistent communication, while personalization ensures every client feels seen and valued. It is not just about sending messages; it is about timing, tone, and purpose. We make sure our outreach speaks to a client’s specific needs and industry. That balance of efficiency and sincerity has been key. It allows us to nurture relationships at scale without losing the human element that defines Clear Skies Capital.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our best source of new clients has come from local partnerships. Building relationships with community banks, local government officials, and other referral partners has created a strong network of trust and opportunity.

By staying active throughout the Southern California business community, attending local events, connecting through LinkedIn, and meeting partners face-to-face, we have positioned Clear Skies Capital as a trusted resource rather than just a lender. These partnerships allow us to help small business owners who may not meet the strict lending criteria of traditional banks but still have the potential to grow.

Rodrigo Tolentino and I lead this effort through our partnership division, and we have seen how genuine relationships open more doors than any cold call ever could. Showing up, staying visible, and following through consistently have been the driving forces behind our continued growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clearskiescapital.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearskiescapital/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearskiescapital
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clear-skies-capital
• Twitter: https://x.com/clearskiescap
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clearskiescapitalinc1293
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-thon/

Image Credits

Rodrigo Tolentino