Fast 15: Josh Clemence

John Lennon famously said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

That lesson came early for Josh Clemence, who, shortly after graduating from the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in 2009, was laid off from his job of 2 ½ years as an intern architect.

Wasting no time on self-pity, Clemence took that as an opportunity to create a life built on his passions for entrepreneurship and helping others succeed.

After doing some freelance graphic design, Clemence now works as interactive marketing director for Acumen Holdings, a Fayetteville-based e-commerce tech company that received $5 million in December from a venture capital firm in Atlanta.

But Clemence has several irons of his own in the tech startup fire. These include a social media site called Crav (pronounced crave), and a fashion website called styleby.me.

Seeing other young entrepreneurs struggling to get their businesses off the ground, he was inspired to start the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance last fall. As a registered student organization with the UA, the alliance works closely with students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Through bi-weekly meetings, think-tank sessions and one-on-one appointments, Clemence and the group of about 75 members strive to “not only help build an idea or company, but help build an entrepreneur,” he said.

Clemence also serves on the entrepreneur subgroup of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District.

His own mentor for the last year and a half has been one of his bosses, Acumen CEO John James.

“He’s the first person to challenge me on everything, but he’s also the biggest supporter I’ve ever had,” Clemence said.

With such a full life, he has made room for one other important thing. The Mountain Home native is getting married in October.

As for his next big career move, Clemence said, “I don’t predetermine any of that. I’m working the hardest I can every day. If you don’t do that, you’re doing a disservice to the people you’re with.

“Plus I’m doing what I love all the time.”