DBCo Member Spotlight - Jon Smith of Solar Inbound
At DBCo, we’re proud to showcase the entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals that make up our community. Each month, we highlight a member who is making waves in their industry.
This month, we’re featuring Jon Smith, founder of Solar Inbound, a company helping solar businesses scale through cutting-edge technology solutions.
Jon’s journey is one of entrepreneurial vision, problem-solving, and sustainability, making him a perfect fit for the DBCo community. Let’s dive into how Solar Inbound is transforming the solar industry, the challenges Jon has overcome, and why he chose Workhub at DBCo as his business home.
The solar industry is rapidly expanding, but with that growth comes complex operational challenges—from managing customer relationships to optimizing internal workflows. That’s where Solar Inbound comes in.
Jon’s company provides solar CRM and ERP solutions, helping businesses streamline their operations, automate processes, and improve efficiency. His team ensures that solar installers, startups, and large-scale providers can scale successfully without getting buried in administrative chaos.
His mission is simple: “Put more sustainable renewable energy on the planet.”
Jon didn’t initially plan on entering the solar technology sector. After selling a reputation management company, he started working with a local solar installer in Cary, NC.
It wasn’t long before he noticed a major gap in the industry—solar businesses were struggling with outdated, inefficient software that couldn’t keep up with their rapid growth.
Recognizing this pain point, Jon took action. His expertise in business technology and automation positioned him perfectly to develop tailored solutions for the solar industry.
Before long, HubSpot, a leader in CRM technology, invited him to become a solar-specific HubSpot partner. This partnership validated the need for his services and launched Solar Inbound into the renewable energy space.
Since then, Jon has worked with startups and enterprise-level solar providers to align their technology and operations with long-term growth and success.
One of Solar Inbound’s biggest achievements to date? Helping the largest solar franchise in the U.S. secure a $271 million project funding deal from the Department of Energy.
Securing funding at this level requires meticulous documentation, efficient systems, and strategic planning—all of which Solar Inbound provided. By aligning their client’s operations, software, and reporting processes, Jon’s team made it easier for the company to demonstrate its scalability and readiness for investment.
This milestone isn’t just a win for Solar Inbound—it’s a win for the renewable energy sector. Large-scale funding like this accelerates the transition to clean energy, benefiting both businesses and the planet.
Despite its success, running Solar Inbound hasn’t been without challenges.
“The biggest challenge,” Jon explains, “has been continuously optimizing the tech stack to keep up with software providers.”
Because Solar Inbound operates as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), it doesn’t develop its own software—it works with platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and solar-specific CRMs.
As a result, Jon and his team must stay ahead of constant software updates, feature rollouts, and integration changes—all while ensuring their clients’ operations run smoothly.
Instead of seeing this as a limitation, Jon sees it as an opportunity. His company has fostered stronger partnerships with software providers and developed custom solutions that give solar companies a competitive edge in an evolving industry.
Like many entrepreneurs, Jon started out working from home. But as Solar Inbound grew, he realized he needed a dedicated workspace that provided:
✔️ Separation from home – A place to focus and maintain work-life balance.
✔️ A professional yet relaxed atmosphere – A space that fosters productivity without the stiffness of a corporate office.
✔️ Convenient location – Easy access to restaurants and amenities.
That’s when he found DBCo.
“I was looking for a workspace that gave me separation from home, had a great atmosphere, and was within walking distance of restaurants,” Jon shares.
The Workhub turned out to be the perfect solution—offering a modern coworking space that balances privacy, professionalism, and community.
As one of the earliest tenants, Jon has seen the space evolve and grow, which has made him even more committed to staying.
For Jon, DBCo provides an ideal balance of focus and flexibility.
Unlike traditional coworking spaces that can be noisy and distracting, Workhub offers a quiet, professional environment while still giving him opportunities to connect with other professionals.
His top perks?
☕ The Bar @ DBCo – The go-to spot for his daily coffee fix (or two!)
🍽 Krill Restaurant – An easy, convenient lunch option just steps away.
🌿 A relaxed yet professional vibe – A workspace designed for both heads-down work and casual networking.
Jon Smith and Solar Inbound embody the entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving approach, and commitment to innovation that make Workhub such a special place to work.
His work in helping solar businesses scale efficiently isn’t just about growing his own company—it’s about accelerating the global shift toward clean, sustainable energy.
We’re honored to have Jon as part of the DBCo community, and we can’t wait to see how Solar Inbound continues to grow and shape the solar industry.
Be sure to connect with Jon Smith and Solar Inbound on LinkedIn and check them out at www.solarinbound.com
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