Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.43

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
September 18, 2000 ("Effective Date") between INSYNQ, INC, a Delaware
corporation with its principal offices located at 1101 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma,
Washington 98402 (the "Company"), and Stephen C. Smith, a resident of Carlsbad,
California (the "Employee").

     In consideration of the promises and the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Position. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will employ
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the Employee, and the Employee will serve the Company in the capacity of Chief
Financial Officer.  The Employee will report directly to John P. Gorst, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.

     2.   Duties. The Employee will perform duties described in Exhibit "A,"
          ------
attached to this Agreement and incorporated by this reference, together with
such additional reasonably related duties assigned by the Chief Executive
Officer or Board of Directors, none of which may include relocation from his
current residence in San Diego County, California.

     3.   Exclusive Service. Except with respect to the matters specified below,
          -----------------
Employee will devote substantially all his working time and efforts to the
business and affairs of the Company.  The foregoing shall not, however, preclude
the Employee:  (a) from engaging in appropriate civic, charitable or religious
activities; (b) from serving on the boards of directors of other entities, with
the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(c) from providing incidental assistance to family members on matters of family
business, so long as the foregoing activities and service do not conflict with
the Employee's responsibilities to the Company; (d) complete, manage and
supervise Employee's personal business affairs including, but not limited to,
two real estate projects/syndications common known as the "Tennessee land
development" and the "Riverside airport hangar project".  (e) complete open and
pending matters with Employee's former employer, Tradeway Securities Group, Inc.
("Tradeway") including, but not limited to, KMS Energy, Inc.; and, (f)
consulting to Alternative Logistic Technologies, Inc., an entity in which
Employee has a significant equity position and financial interest.  Company
further acknowledges that Employee is a "licensed person" with the NASD and that
Employee's U-4 is currently lodged with Tradeway where it will remain unless
changed by Employee.  Company agrees to allow Employee to keep his securities
licenses active with Tradeway or another NASD member broker-dealer during the
term hereof.

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     4.   Term of Agreement.
          -----------------

          4.1  Initial Term. The Company agrees to continue the Employee's
               ------------
employment, and the Employee agrees to remain in the employ of the Company,
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for a period of Fifteen Weeks (15) after
the Effective Date, unless the Employee's employment is earlier terminated
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

          4.2  Renewal. The term of this Agreement shall be extended
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automatically, without further action of either party, as of fifteen weeks (15)
after the Effective Date and on each succeeding Friday, for terms of one (1)
year.  Any such renewal shall be upon such terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Employee.
The notice of non-renewal by either party shall in no way constitute a breach of
this Agreement.

     5.   Compensation and Benefits.
          -------------------------

          5.1  Base Salary. The Employee's initial base weekly salary will be
               -----------
no less than ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) per week for the first fifteen weeks
of his employment with the Company plus a signing bonus in consideration of
Employee's agreement to accept employment with the Company in the form of TWO
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($2,500.00) signing bonus and an Incentive Stock
Option for 60,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of
THIRTY CENTS (.30) PER SHARE as of the effective date of this Agreement and
deemed to be earned at FIVE THOUSAND SHARES PER week and subject to the terms
and conditions of the 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan.  The Employee's base salary
will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Board of Directors at
least quarterly.  Employee's salary will be payable as earned in accordance with
the Company's customary payroll practice.

          5.2  Additional Benefits. The Employee will be eligible to participate
               -------------------
in the Company's employee benefit plans of general application, including
without limitation pension and profit-sharing plans, stock option, incentive or
other bonus plans, life, disability, accident and other programs as they become
available, paid vacations and sabbatical leave plans, and similar plans or
programs, in accordance with the rules established for individual participation
in any such plan. The Employee will also be entitled to reasonable holidays and
illness days with full pay in accordance with the Company's policy from time to
time in effect. The Employee will be entitled to the same benefits extended to
members of the senior management staff of the Company, including but not limited
to vacation accrual.

          5.3  Expenses. The Company will reimburse (monthly) the Employee for
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all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Employee in connection
with the Company's business, including cell phone, entertainment, airfare,
automobile, hotel and miscellaneous expenses incurred by Employee, including
travel to the Company's offices in Tacoma, Washington.

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     6.   Termination.
          -----------

          6.1  Events of Termination. The Employee's employment with the Company
               ---------------------
shall terminate upon any one of the following:

          (a)  Five (5) days after the date of a written notice sent to the
Employee stating the Company's determination made in good faith that it is
terminating the Employee for "Cause" as defined under Section 6.2 below
("Termination for Cause"); or

          (b)  Five (5) days after the date of a written notice sent to the
Employee stating the Company's determination made in good faith that, due to a
mental or physical incapacity, the Employee has been unable to perform his
duties under this Agreement for a period of not less than five (5) consecutive
months ("Termination for Disability"); or

          (c)  Upon the Employee's death ("Termination Upon Death"); or

          (d)  Upon the date of a written notice sent to the Company stating the
Employee's determination made in good faith of "Constructive Termination" by the
Company, as defined under Section 6.3 below ("Constructive Termination"); or

          (e)  Five (5) days after the date of a notice sent to the Employee
stating that the Company is terminating his employment, without Cause, which
notice can only be given by the Company at any time after the Effective Date at
the Company's sole discretion, for any reason or for no reason ("Termination
Without Cause"); or

          (f)  The date of a notice sent to the Company from the Employee
stating that the Employee is electing to terminate his employment with the
Company ("Voluntary Termination").

          6.2  "Cause" Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" for the
               ---------------
Employee's termination will exist at any time after the occurrence of one or
more of the following events:

          (a)  Any willful act or acts of dishonesty undertaken by the Employee
intended to result in substantial gain or personal enrichment of the Employee at
the expense of the Company; or

          (b)  Any willful act of gross misconduct which is materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company.  No act, or failure to act, by the
Employee shall be considered "willful" if done, or omitted to be done, by him in
good faith and in the reasonable belief that his act or omission was in the best
interest of the Company and/or required by applicable law.

          6.3  "Constructive Termination" Defined.  "Constructive Termination"
               ----------------------------------
shall mean:

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          (a)  A material reduction in the Employee's salary or benefits not
agreed to by the Employee;

          (b)  A material change in the Employee's responsibilities not agreed
to by the Employee;

          (c)  The Company's breach or failure to comply in any material respect
with any material term of this Agreement after five (5) days written notice of
the Employee's claim of such failure;

          (d)  A requirement that the Employee relocate to an office that would
increase the Employee's one-way commute distance by more than thirty (30) miles
from his home in Carlsbad, California; or

          (e)  The failure of the Company to obtain the unconditional assumption
of the Company's obligations to Employee under this Agreement by any successor
entity or acquirer in any sale, reorganization or merger transaction.

          6.4  "Termination Without Cause" shall mean:
               ---------------------------

          (a)  Termination of the Employee's employment with the Company for any
reason other than Cause; or

          (b)  Termination of the Employee's employment with the Company for any
reason following a Change in Control. "Change in Control" shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events:  (i) a merger or consolidation
involving the Company in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior
to such merger or consolidation own less that fifty percent (50%) of the voting
power of the surviving corporation; (ii) the sale of all, or substantially all,
of the assets of the Company; (iii) any "person" or "group" (as defined in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) becoming the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or
indirectly of securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the
voting power of the Company then outstanding; or (iv) less than a majority of
the Board of Directors are persons who were either nominated for election by the
Board of Directors or were elected by the Board of Directors.

     7.   Effect of Termination.
          ---------------------

          7.1  Termination for Cause or Voluntary Termination.  In the event of
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any termination of the Employee's employment pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or
Section 6.1(f), the Company shall immediately pay to the Employee the
compensation and benefits accrued and otherwise payable to the Employee under
Section 5 through the date of termination. The Employee's rights under the
Company's benefit plans of general application shall be determined under the
provisions of those plans.

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          7.2  Termination for Disability. In the event of termination of
               --------------------------
employment pursuant to Section 6.1(b):

          (a)  The Company shall immediately pay to the Employee the
compensation and benefits accrued and otherwise payable to the Employee under
Section 5 through the date of termination;

          (b)  For five (5) days after the termination of the Employee's
employment, the Company shall pay the Employee:  (i) his salary under Section
5.1 above at the Employee's then-current salary, less applicable withholding
taxes, payable on the Company's normal payroll dates during that period; (ii)
healthcare premium for a period of three months;

          (c)  The Employee shall receive other benefit payments as provided in
the Company's standard benefit plans, and

          (d)  The Employee shall become fully and immediately vested in 100% of
the shares issuable under the Initial Option.

          7.3  Termination Upon Death.  In the event of termination of
               ----------------------
employment pursuant to Section 6.1(c), all obligations of the Company and the
Employee shall cease, except the Company shall immediately pay to the Employee
(or to the Employee's estate) the compensation and benefits accrued and
otherwise payable to the Employee under Section 5 through the date of
termination, and the Employee shall become fully and immediately vested in 100%
of the shares issuable under the Initial Option.

     7.4  Constructive Termination or Termination Without Cause.  In the event
          -----------------------------------------------------
of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(d) or Section
6.1(e):

          (a)  The Company shall immediately pay to the Employee the
compensation and benefits accrued and otherwise payable to the Employee under
Section 5 through the date of termination;

          (b)  For five (5) days after the termination of the Employee's
employment, the Company shall pay the Employee:  (i) his salary under Section
5.1 above at the Employee's then-current salary, less applicable withholding
taxes, payable on the Company's normal payroll dates during that period; (ii)
healthcare premium for a period of three months.

          (c)  If the termination occurs within the first (15) fifteen weeks
following the Effective Date, in addition to the First Option, the Employee
shall be vested in such number of shares of the Initial Option provided in
Section 5.3 equal to the product of 60,000 multiplied by the result of dividing
the number of weeks the Employee has provided services to the Company by
fifteen; provided, however, in no event shall the vested amount of the Initial
Option be less than 15,00 shares.

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          (d)  If the termination occurs for any reason after a Change in
Control, then in addition to the foregoing benefits, the remainder of the
Initial Option shall, as of the date of employment termination, be immediately
100% vested and shall remain exercisable for the periods specified in Section
5.3; provided, that if the total amount of the benefits available to the
Employee under this Section 7.4, either alone or together with other payments
which the Employee has the right to receive from the Company, would constitute a
"parachute payment" as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code"), then the Employee will receive whichever provides him with the greater
economic benefit:  (i) the total amount of such benefits; or (ii) the largest
amount that would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. The determination of which of
the foregoing would provide the greatest economic benefit to the Employee shall
be made by an independent accounting firm the fees for which determination shall
be paid by the Company.

     8.   Nondisclosure. The Employee acknowledges that during the course of his
          -------------
employment by the Company, the Company will provide, and the Employee will
acquire, knowledge of special and unique value with respect to the Company's
business operations, including, by way of illustration, the Company's existing
and contemplated product line, trade secrets, compilations, business and
financial methods or practices, plans, hardware and software technology
products, systems, programs, projects and know-how, pricing, cost of providing
service and equipment, operating and maintenance costs, marketing and selling
techniques and information, customer data, customer names and addresses,
customer service requirements, supplier lists, and confidential information
relating to the Company's policies, employees, and/or business strategy (all of
such information herein referenced to as the "Confidential Information").  The
Employee recognizes that the business of the Company is dependent upon
Confidential Information and that the protection of the Confidential Information
against unauthorized disclosure or use is of critical importance to the Company.
The Employee agrees that, without prior written authorization of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, the Employee will not, during his employment,
divulge to any person, directly or indirectly, except to the Company or its
officers and agents or as reasonably required in connection with the Employee's
duties on behalf of the Company, or make any independent use of, except on
behalf of the Company, any of the Company's Confidential Information, whether
acquired by the Employee during his employment or not.  The Employee further
agrees that the Employee will not, at any time after his employment has ended,
use or divulge to any person directly or indirectly any Confidential
Information, or use any Confidential Information in subsequent employment of any
nature.  If the Employee is subpoenaed, or is otherwise required by law to
testify concerning Confidential Information, the Employee agrees to notify the
Company upon receipt of a subpoena, or upon belief that such testimony shall be
required.  This nondisclosure provision shall survive the termination of this
Agreement for any reason.  The Employee acknowledges that the Company would not
employ the Employee but for his covenants and promises contained in this Section
8.

     9.   Return of Documents. The Employee agrees that if the Employee's
          -------------------
relationship with the Company is terminated (for whatever reason), the Employee
shall not remove or take with the Employee, but will leave with the Company or
return to Company, all Confidential Information, records, files, data,
memoranda, reports, customer lists, customer information,

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product information, price lists, documents and other information, in whatever
form (including on computer disk), and any and all copies thereof, or if such
items are not on the premises of the Company, the Employee agrees to return such
items immediately upon the Employee's termination or the request of the Company.
The Employee acknowledges that all such items are and remain the property of the
Company.

     10.  No Interference or Solicitation. The Employee agrees that during his
          -------------------------------
employment, and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of his
employment (for whatever reason), that neither he nor any individual,
partner(s), limited partnership, corporation or other entity or business with
which he is in any way affiliated, including, without limitation, any partner,
limited partner, director, officer, shareholder, employee, or agent of any such
entity or business, will:  (i) request, induce or attempt to influence, directly
or indirectly, any employee of the Company to terminate their employment with
the Company; or  (ii) employ any person who as of the date of this Agreement
was, or after such date is or was, an employee of the Company.  The Employee
further agrees that during the period beginning with the commencement of the
Employee's engagement with the Company and ending six (6) months after the
termination of the Employee's employment with the Company (for whatever reason),
he shall not, directly or indirectly, as an employee, agent, consultant,
stockholder, director, partner or in any other individual or representative
capacity of the Company or of any other person, entity or business, solicit or
encourage any present or future customer, supplier, contractor, partner or
investor of the Company to terminate or otherwise alter his, his or its
relationship with the Company.  This provision shall survive the termination of
this Agreement for any reason.

     11.  Non-Competition. In consideration of the numerous mutual promises
          ---------------
contained in the Agreement between the Company and the Employee, including,
without limitation, those involving Confidential Information, and in order to
protect the Company's Confidential Information and to reduce the likelihood of
irreparable damage which would occur in the event such information is provided
to or used by a competitor of the Company, the Employee agrees that during his
employment and for an additional period of six (6) months immediately following
the termination by the Company of his employment for Cause or by Employee
voluntarily terminating his employment, (the "Non-Competition Term"), not to,
directly or indirectly, either through any form of ownership or as a director,
officer, principal, agent, employee, employer, adviser, consultant, shareholder,
partner, or in any individual or representative capacity whatsoever, without the
prior written consent of the Company (which consent may be withheld in its sole
discretion):  (i) compete for or solicit business related to "Application
Service Provider Services," then presently being offered by the Company to, for
or on behalf of any person or business entity with a place of business in the
United States or Canada; (ii) own, operate, participate in, undertake any
employment with or have any interest in any entity with a place of business in
the United States or Canada in the business of marketing and selling of
Application Service Provider Services to persons or business entities, except
owning publicly traded stock for investment purposes only in which the Employee
owns less than 5%; (iii) compete for or solicit application service provider
services business from any customer of the Company (or its successors by
merger); or (iv) use in any competition, solicitation, or marketing effort any
Confidential Information, any proprietary list, any information concerning
customers of the Company.  "Application Service Provided Services" shall mean
providing a combination of

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software applications, Web hosting and access and telecommunication integration
through the Company's server based computing model.

     If, during any period within the Non-Competition Term, the Employee is not
in compliance with the terms of this Section 11, the Company shall be entitled
to, among other remedies, compliance by the Employee with the terms of this
Section 11 for an additional period equal to the period of such noncompliance.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Non-Competition Term" shall also
include this additional period.  The Employee hereby acknowledges that the
geographic boundaries, scope of prohibited activities and the time duration of
the provisions of this Section 11 are reasonable and are no broader than are
necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company.

     This non-competition provision shall survive the termination of the
Employee's employment and can only be revoked or modified by a writing signed by
the parties which specifically states an intent to revoke or modify this
provision.  The Employee acknowledges that the Company would not employ him but
for his covenants or promises contained in this Section 11.

     12.  Reformation of Section 11. The Company and the Employee agree and
          -------------------------
stipulate that the agreements and covenants not to compete contained in Section
11 hereof are fair and reasonable in light of all of the facts and circumstances
of the relationship between the Employee and the Company; however, the Employee
and the Company are aware that in certain circumstances courts have refused to
enforce certain agreements not to compete.  Therefore, in furtherance of, and
not in derogation of the provisions of Section 11, the Company and the Employee
agree that in the event a court should decline to enforce the provisions of
Section 11, that Section 11 shall be deemed to be modified or reformed to
restrict the Employee's competition with the Company or its affiliates to the
maximum extent, as to time, geography and business scope, which the court shall
find enforceable; provided, however, in no event shall the provisions of Section
11 be deemed to be more restrictive to the Employee than those contained herein.

     13.  Injunctive Relief. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the
          -----------------
agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement are essential to protect
the Confidential Information, business, and goodwill of the Company.  The
Employee further acknowledges that the breach of any of the agreements contained
herein, including, without limitation, the confidentiality covenants specified
in Section 8, the non-solicitation covenants specified in Section 10, and the
non-competition covenants contained in Section 11, will give rise to irreparable
injury to the Company, inadequately compensable in damages.  Accordingly, the
Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent or cure breaches or
threatened breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specific
performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent
jurisdiction, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies which may be
available.  The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that in the event of
the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company, whether voluntary
or involuntary, that the enforcement of a remedy hereunder by way of injunction
shall not prevent the Employee from

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earning a reasonable livelihood. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees
that the covenants contained herein are necessary for the protection of the
Company's legitimate business interests and are reasonable in scope and content.

     14.  Miscellaneous
          -------------

          14.1  Indemnification and Errors and Omissions Insurance. The Company
                --------------------------------------------------
agrees to indemnify and defend the Employee to the full extent provided by
Delaware law, and on terms no less favorable than any indemnification agreement
the Company has at any time during the term of this Agreement with an executive
or officer of the Company.  The Company agrees to reimburse Employee upon demand
for any costs incurred in requesting or obtaining indemnification under this
paragraph.

          14.2  Arbitration. The Employee and the Company shall submit to
                -----------
mandatory binding arbitration to held in Pierce County, Washington, in any
controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or any
breach hereof.  Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association in effect
at that time, and judgment upon the determination or award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The
arbitrator is hereby authorized to award to the prevailing party the costs
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) of any such arbitration.

          14.3  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be found
                ------------
by any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unenforceable, then the parties hereby waive such provision to the extent that
it is found to be invalid or unenforceable and to the extent that to do so would
not deprive one of the parties of the substantial benefit of its bargain. Such
provision shall, to the extent allowable by law and the preceding sentence, be
modified by such arbitrator or court so that it becomes enforceable and, as
modified, shall be enforced as any other provision hereof, all the other
provisions continuing in full force and effect.

          14.4  No Waiver. The failure by either party at any time to require
                ---------
performance or compliance by the other of any of its obligations or agreements
shall in no way affect the right to require such performance or compliance at
any time thereafter.  The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision
hereof shall not be taken or held to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding
breach of such provision or as a waiver of the provision itself.  No waiver of
any kind shall be effective or binding, unless it is in writing and is signed by
the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

          14.5  Assignment. This Agreement and all rights hereunder are personal
                ----------
to the Employee and may not be transferred or assigned by the Employee at any
time.  The Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations
hereunder, to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor, or in connection
with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its
business and assets, provided, however, that any such assignee assumes the
Company's obligations hereunder.

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          14.6  Withholding. All sums payable to the Employee hereunder shall be
                -----------
reduced by all federal, state, local and other withholding and similar taxes and
payments required by applicable law.

          14.7  Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire and only
                ----------------
agreement between the parties relating to employment of the Employee with the
Company, and this Agreement supersedes and cancels any and all previous
contracts, arrangements or understandings with respect thereto.

          14.8  Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded,
                ---------
cancelled, renewed or extended only by an agreement in writing executed by both
parties hereto.

          14.9  Notices. All notices and other communications required or
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permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and hand delivered, sent by
telecopier, sent by registered first class mail, postage pre-paid, or sent by
nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other
communications shall be effective upon receipt if hand delivered or sent by
telecopier, five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail, and one (l) day after
dispatch if sent by express courier, to the following addresses, or such other
addresses as any party shall notify the other parties:

          If to the Company:

                INSYNQ, INC.
                Attn:  John P. Gorst
                1101 Broadway Plaza
                Tacoma, Washington 98402

          If to the Employee:
                Stephen C. Smith
                8004  Paseo Aliso
                Carslbad, California  92009

          14.10 Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure
                --------------
to the benefit of, the successors and personal representatives of the respective
parties hereto.

          14.11 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
                --------
reference purposes only and shall in no way affect the meaning or interpretation
of this Agreement. In this Agreement, the singular includes the plural, the
plural included the singular, the masculine gender includes both male and female
referents, and the word "or" is used in the inclusive sense.

          14.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
                ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which,
taken together, constitute one and the same agreement.

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          14.13  Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
                 -------------
the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Washington, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws.

          14.14  Attorneys' Fees. In the event of any claim, demand or suit
                 ---------------
arising out of or with respect to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to reasonable costs and attorneys' fees, including any such costs and
fees upon appeal.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

"THE COMPANY"                                "EMPLOYEE"

INSYNQ, INC.

By: /s/ John P. Gorst                        /s/ Stephen C. Smith
    -------------------------------          ----------------------------------

John P. Gorst                                Stephen C. Smith
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman

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                                  EXHIBIT "A"
                                      TO
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                              DUTIES OF EMPLOYEE
                              ------------------

     Coordinate and manage the Financial affairs of the Company .

     Coordinate analysts regarding the Company financial condition including the
Company's activities and 10K, 10Q, etc.

     Consult, advise, and assist the Chairman's activities as requested with
particular emphasis financial management.

     Assist the Chairman as directed in matters that benefit the Company's
future and market presence.

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<PAGE>

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Effective October 23, 2000, the Agreement entered into as of September 18, 2000
between Insynq, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Stephen C. Smith, a resident of
Carlsbad, California (the "Employee) shall be amended in its entirety as to
Section 5.1 "Base Salary" and shall be as follows:

5.1  Base Salary.  The Employee's initial base weekly salary will be no less
than $2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars)  The employee's weekly salary
shall be deemed earned for any calendar week that employee is located at the
Tacoma WA headquarters.  The employee's base salary will be reviewed by the
Chief Executive Officer and/or Board of directors at least quarterly.
Employee's salary will be payable as earned in accordance with the Company's
customary payroll practice.

Dated:  December 1, 2000

EMPLOYEE                                INSYNQ, INC.

/s/ Stephen C. Smith                    /s/ John P. Gorst
-----------------------------           --------------------------
Stephen C. Smith                        John P. Gorst
                                        Chief Executive Officer<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.44

                  NON-EXCLUSIVE FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 15 day of June, 2000,
("Effective Date") between Xcel Mgmt, (the "Company") and SUNSTATE EQUITY
TRADING, INC., a Florida corporation, (the "Financial Advisor").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :
                             - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, the Financial Advisor is an investment banker and registered NASD
broker-dealer and has experience in providing financial and business advice to
public and private companies; and

     WHEREAS, the Company is seeking and the Financial Advisor is willing to
furnish, on a non-exclusive basis, business and financial related advice and
         ------------------------
services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of, and for the mutual promises and
covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Purpose. the Company hereby engages the Financial Advisor for the term
          -------
specified in this Agreement to render financial advisory consulting advice on a
non-exclusive basis to the Company as an investment banker relating to
-------------
financial, market acceptance and similar matters upon the terms and conditions
set forth herein.

<PAGE>

     2.   Representations of the Financial Advisor and the Company. The
          --------------------------------------------------------
Financial Advisor represents and warrants to the Company that (i) it is a member
in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") and that it is engaged in the securities brokerage business; (ii) in
addition to its securities brokerage business, the Financial Advisor provides
consulting advisory services; and (iii) it is free to enter into this Agreement
and the services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement are not in conflict
with any other contractual or other obligation to which the Financial Advisor is
bound. The Company acknowledges that the Financial Advisor is in the business of
providing financial and public market services and consulting advice (of the
type contemplated by this Agreement) to others and that nothing herein contained
shall be construed to limit or restrict the Financial Advisor in conducting such
business with respect to others, or rendering such advice to others, nor shall
Company be restricted from seeking such, or related services, from other
sources, including other investment banking firms.

     3.   Duties of the Financial Advisor. During the term of this Agreement,
          -------------------------------
the Financial Advisor will provide the Company with consulting advice as
specified below, provided that the Financial Advisor shall not be required to
undertake duties not reasonable within the scope of the consulting advisory
service in which the Financial Advisor is engaged generally. In performance of
these duties, the Financial Advisor shall provide the Company with the benefits
of its best judgment and efforts. It is understood and acknowledged by the
parties that the value of the Financial Advisor's advice is not measurable in
any quantitative manner, and that the amount of time spent rendering such
consulting advice shall be determined according to the Financial Advisor's
discretion.

     The Financial Advisor's duties may include, but will not necessarily be
limited to:

     (1)  Advice relating to corporate financing activities and related market
acceptance of Company's business and securities;

     (2)  Recommendations relating to specific business operations and
investments;

     (3)  Advice relating to financial planning;

     (4)  Advice regarding future finances involving securities of the Company
or any subsidiary; and

     4.   Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date
          -----
and terminate on 6-13-01; provided, however, that this Agreement may be renewed
or extended upon such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the
parties hereto. 30 day notice will enable either party out of the agreement.

     5.   Compensation. The Company shall compensate the Financial Advisor as
          -------------
follows:

                                       2

<PAGE>

     6.   Expenses. In addition to the compensation payable hereunder, the
          --------
Company shall reimburse the Financial Advisor, within five (5) business days of
its request, for any and all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
the services performed by the Financial Advisor and its counsel pursuant to this
Agreement, including hotel, food and associated expenses, all charges for
travel, long-distance telephone calls and other expenses spent or incurred on
the Company's behalf, such expenses shall not exceed $125,000 Restricted Shares
                                                      -------
per week without pre-approval of Company. All such expenses in excess of
$125,000 Restricted Shares shall be pre-approved by the Company.
 -------

     7.   Use of Advice by the Company; Public Market for the Company's
          -------------------------------------------------------------
Securities. The Company acknowledges that all opinions and advice (written or
----------
oral) given by the Financial Advisor to the Company in connection with the
engagement of the Financial Advisor are intended solely for the benefit and use
of the Company in considering the transaction to which they relate, and the
Company agrees that no person or entity other than the Company shall be entitled
to make use of or rely upon the advice of the Financial Advisor to be given
hereunder, and no such opinion or advice shall be used for any other purpose or
reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time, in any manner or
for any purpose, nor may the Company make any public references to the Financial
Advisor, or use of the Financial Advisor's name in any annual reports or any
other reports or releases of the Company other than as required by rule or law
without the prior written consent of the Financial Advisor.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     The Company acknowledges that the Financial Advisor makes no commitment
whatsoever as to guaranteeing the making of a public trading market in the
Company's securities or to recommending or advising its clients to purchase the
Company's securities; however, nothing  contained herein shall preclude such
actions at Financial Advisor's sole discretion and responsibility.  Research
reports, corporate finance or like reports that may be prepared by the Financial
Advisor or its contractors or suppliers will, when and if prepared, be done
solely on the merits or judgment of analysis of the Financial Advisor or any
senior corporate finance personnel of the Financial Advisor.

     8.   Company Information; Confidentially. The Company recognizes and
          -----------------------------------
confirms that, in advising the Company and in fulfilling its engagement
hereunder, the Financial Advisor will use and rely on data, material and other
information furnished to the Financial Advisor by the Company. The Company
acknowledges and agrees that in performing its services under this engagement,
the Financial Advisor may rely upon the data, material and other information
supplied by the Company without independently verifying the accuracy,
completeness or veracity of same.  In addition, in the performance of its
services, the Financial Advisor may look to such others for such factual
information, economic advice and/or research upon which to base its advice to
the Company hereunder as the Financial Advisor shall in good faith deem
appropriate.

     Except as contemplated by the terms hereof or as required by applicable
law, the Financial Advisor shall keep confidential all non-public information
provided to it by the

                                       4
<PAGE>

Company, and shall not disclose such information to any third party without the
Company's prior written consent, other than such of its employees and advisors
as the Financial Advisor determines to have a need to know.

     9. Indemnification and Contribution.
        --------------------------------

        (a)    The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Financial
     Advisor against any and all liabilities, claims, lawsuits, including any
     and all awards and/or judgments to which it may become subject under the
     Securities Act of 1933, (the "Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     as amended (the "1934 Act") or any other federal or state statute, at
     common law or otherwise, insofar as said liabilities, claims and lawsuits
     (including costs, expenses, awards and/or judgments) arise out of or are in
     connection with the services rendered by the Financial Advisor or any
     transactions in connection with the services rendered by the Financial
     Advisor or any transactions in connection with this Agreement, except for
     any liabilities, claims and lawsuits (including awards and/or judgments),
     arising out of willful acts or willful omissions or negligence of the
     Financial Advisor. In addition, the Company shall also indemnify and hold
     harmless the Financial Advisor against any and all costs and expenses,
     including reasonable counsel fees, incurred relating to the foregoing.

        The Financial Advisor shall give the Company prompt notice of any such
     liability, claim or lawsuit which the Financial Advisor contends is the
     subject matter of the Company's indemnification and the Company thereupon
     shall be granted the

                                       5

<PAGE>

liability, claim or lawsuit which the Company contends is the subject matter of
the Financial Advisor's indemnification and the Financial Advisor thereupon
shall be granted the right to take any and all necessary and proper action, at
its sole cost and expense, with respect to such liability, claim and lawsuit,
including the right to settle, compromise or dispose of such liability, claim or
lawsuit, excepting therefrom any and all proceedings or hearings before any
regulatory bodies and/or authorities.

     (b)  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in any case in
which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this paragraph makes
claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by
the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and
the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that
such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact
that this paragraph provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii)
contribution may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for
which indemnification is provided under this paragraph, then, and in each such
case, the Company and the Financial Advisor shall contribute to the aggregate
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after any
contribution from others) in such proportion taking into consideration the
relative benefits received by each party from the offering covered by the
prospectus or from any other document or agreement with respect to any
transactions in connection with this Agreement (taking into account the portion
of the

                                       6

<PAGE>

proceeds of the transaction realized by each), the parties' relative knowledge
and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim
was assessed, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission
and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances; provided
that, in any such case, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1934 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.

     Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or
its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is
to be made against another party (the "Contributing Party"), notify the
Contributing Party of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify
the Contributing Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have
to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any action,
suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a
Contributing Party or his or its representative of the commencement thereof
within the aforesaid fifteen (15) days, the Contributing Party will be entitled
to participate therein with the notifying party and any other Contributing Party
similarly notified. Any such Contributing Party shall not be liable to any party
seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or
proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without the written
consent of the Contributing Party. The indemnification provisions contained in
this paragraph are in addition to any other rights or remedies which either
party hereto may have with respect to the other or hereunder.

     10.  The Financial Advisor as an Independent Contractor. The Financial
          --------------------------------------------------
Advisor shall perform its services hereunder as an independent contractor and
not as an agent or employee of the Company or an affiliate thereof. It is
expressly understood and agreed to by the parties hereto that the Financial
Advisor shall have no authority to act for, represent or bind the Company or any
affiliate thereof in any manner, except as may be agreed to expressly by the
Company in writing from time to time.

     11.  Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          (a)  This Agreement between the Company and the Financial Advisor
     constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto,
     and supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings, whether
     oral or written, between the parties with respect to the matters set for
     the herein.

          (b)  Any notice or communication permitted or required hereunder shall
     be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if hand-delivered or
     sent postage prepaid by certified or registered mail, return receipt
     requested, to the respective parties as set forth below, or to such other
     address as either party may notify the other

                                       7
<PAGE>

in writing:

If to the Company:                    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]                , President
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Xcel Management, Inc.
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                      ------------------------------------------

                                      ------------------------------------------

If the Financial Advisor:             /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]                , President
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Sun State Equity Trading, Inc.
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                      ------------------------------------------

                                      ------------------------------------------

     (c)  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each
of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal representatives and
assigns.

     (d)  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which together shall constitute one and the same original document.

     (e)  No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived,
except in a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

     (f)  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with an governed by
the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to conflict of law
principles. The parties hereby agree that any dispute which may arise between
them arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be adjudicated
before a court located in Hillsborough County, Florida, and they hereby submit
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Florida located in
Hillsborough County, Florida and of the federal courts in the ________________
District of Florida with respect to any action or legal proceeding commenced by
and party, and irrevocably waive any objection they now or hereafter may have
respecting the venue of any such action or proceeding brought in such a court or
respecting the fact that such court is an inconvenient forum, relating to or
arising out of this Agreement, and consent to the service of process in any such
action or legal proceeding by means of registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, in care of the address set forth in paragraph 11(b) hereof.

     (g)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
and on behalf of the Company and the Financial Advisor.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

                                       /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       By: /s/ John P. Gorst
                                           -----------------------------------

                                                              , President

                                       8
<PAGE>

                              AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                  NON-EXCLUSIVE FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO NON-EXCLUSIVE FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this
"Amendment") is effective as of September 22, 2000 by and between Insynq, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Sunstate Equity Trading, Inc., a
Florida corporation (the "Advisor").

                              W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, the parties have executed that certain Non-Exclusive Financial
Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement") as of  June 15, 2000; and

     WHEREAS, the parties have deemed it to be in their mutual best interests to
amend the Agreement to reflect additional consideration of 250,000 shares of its
Company's common stock for additional  services to be provided to the Company;
and

     WHEREAS, the parties have determined that it is in their mutual best
interests for the Advisor to make additional representations and warranties to
the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of the mutual
covenants hereinafter contained, and of other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

A.   Section 1 of the Agreement shall be amended in its entirety to read as
follows:

     "1.  Purpose.  The Company hereby engages the Financial Advisor for the
          -------
term specified in this Agreement to render services, on a non-exclusive basis,
                                                          -------------
including but not limited to, the following:  (i) render financial advisory
consulting advice as an investment banker relating to financial and market
acceptance, (ii) generate market awareness, and (iii) sponsor the Company at
conferences with various investment groups.  These services, among others, are
to be provided upon the terms and conditions set forth herein."

     A new Section 3 shall be inserted into the Agreement, each section
thereafter to be re-numbered accordingly, to read as follows:

     "3.  Representations as to the Accredited Investor Status of the Financial
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor.
-------

     (a)  The Financial Advisor is an "accredited investor" within the meaning
          of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "Securities Act");

     (b)  The Financial Advisor has sufficient knowledge and experience in
          financial and investment matters so   as to be able to evaluate the
          risks and merits of an investment in the shares acquired pursuant to
          this Agreement (the "Shares");

<PAGE>

     (c)  The Financial Advisor is acquiring the Shares for its own account for
          the purpose of investment and not with a view to or for sale in
          connection with any distribution thereof; and

     (d)  The Financial Advisor understands that the Shares have not been
          registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities
          laws, and it understands and agrees that the Shares must be held
          indefinitely unless a subsequent disposition thereof is registered
          under the Securities Act or is exempt from such registration, the
          certificates representing the Shares will bear a legend to that effect
          and the Company will make a notation on its transfer books to such
          effect."

B.   Paragraph 5 is amended in its entirety as follows:

          "5.  Compensation.  The Company shall issue a total of 500,000 shares
               ------------
     of its Common Stock (calculated on a post August 3, 2000, post-split basis)
     to Financial Advisor in consideration for the services rendered hereunder,
     250,000 of which, on a post-split basis, have been previously issued to
     Financial Advisor on or about June 15, 2000."

C.   All other provisions of the Agreement, as amended hereby, shall remain in
force and effect through June 15, 2001.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective as
of the date set forth above.

                               SUNSTATE EQUITY TRADING, INC.

                               By:  /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                  -------------------------------------
                               Name:    [ILLEGIBLE]
                                     ----------------------------------
                               Title:  President
                                      ---------------------------------

                               INSYNQ, INC.

                               By: /s/ John P. Gorst
                                  -------------------------------------
                               Name: John P. Gorst
                                    -----------------------------------
                               Title: CEO Chairman
                                     ----------------------------------

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