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I work as a senior digital adviser and strategic sounding board for founders and entrepreneurs building online.My role isn’t to provide formulas, playbooks, or constant direction. Instead, I help people think more clearly about ideas, business models, and decisions — drawing on perspective shaped over decades of working across multiple internet cycles, from early email and web, through mobile, marketplaces, performance marketing, and now AI.Alongside this work, I write and research the business game — an ongoing exploration of how business actually works in practice: incentives, timing, leverage, and why many people lose by copying what looks successful without understanding the rules underneath.Some of this thinking is tested in public through a small working lab called Strategy with Danny, where founders pressure-test one clear offer and learn what actually converts before they scale systems, teams, or platforms.I’m not a coach or a traditional consultant, and I’m not embedded in execution. This work is best suited to independent founders who want a calm, experienced perspective to pressure-test ideas, spot risks early, and avoid scaling the wrong thing at the wrong time.Most of my value comes from pattern recognition, context, and judgment — helping reduce noise, fragility, and unnecessary complexity in how businesses are built.

Danny Mallinder

Very few people choose the business game.
They just start playing.

Most think they are struggling with execution.
They are not.

They are struggling with something earlier.
They never chose the rules they are living under.

Pulled in by confident voices.
Podcasts. Threads. Timelines.
Revenue goals and hustle norms borrowed from others.

Every business rewards something different.
Some reward speed.
Some reward depth.
Some demand constant presence.
Others reward quiet consistency over years.

None of these are wrong.
But they are not interchangeable.

Here is the pattern I keep seeing:
- depth thinkers stuck in speed games
- freedom seekers trapped by visibility
- misalignment blamed on tactics
- builders exhausted by volume

Most business problems are downstream.
They start before pricing or marketing.

I wrote a short essay on this idea.
Choosing the game before you optimise it.

Read it here:
https://lnkd.in/eKePpQBw

Are you playing a game you actually chose?

#businessdesign
#foundermindset
#longtermthinking

I used to be a lawyer, but I got better.

Today, I thrive at the intersection of AI and marketing, empowering entrepreneurs, franchise businesses, and children's brands to rapidly grow and adapt to the fast-changing digital landscape. As a seasoned startup founder, I've developed a holistic, entrepreneurial mindset that transcends traditional marketing boundaries, equipping my clients and teams to leverage the latest AI and automation technologies effectively.

My passion lies in helping non-technical entrepreneurs and marketers navigate AI-driven opportunities, transforming complex technology into clear, actionable strategies. With extensive experience building franchise brands, connecting authentically with parents, and driving scalable growth, I understand the unique dynamics and challenges of businesses that thrive on community, engagement, and trust.

Having bootstrapped my own startups, I bring grit, creativity, and relentless problem-solving abilities to every project. My holistic approach ensures that every marketing challenge is met with strategic insight and actionable innovation, enabling clients to achieve sustained success.

If you're ready to harness AI and creative marketing strategies to scale your brand, let's connect!

Dan Flatt

I'm coming back to the Canadian startup ecosystem. This time, as the new Senior Director of Marketing at Toronto Business Development Centre.

Being a founder is one of the hardest paths anyone can choose. I've walked that path a few times now. I built a VR company, a community marketplace, and a marketing agency. I learned to deal with sleepless nights and embrace the beautiful chaos. I made a ton of mistakes along the way and learned some of my most important lessons.

Even as I shifted away from the startup ecosystem over the last couple of years, I kept having conversations with early-stage founders who reached out to me. Helping them avoid the landmines I stepped on. Sharing the hard-won lessons so they don't have to learn them the expensive way.

During my founder journey, I went through several Canadian accelerators and incubators. It was... a mixed bag. I often joke that most of these programs main purpose seems to be to promote Google and Azure's startup cloud credits to founders. 😏

So when I got a call from Toronto Business Development Centre  I did my research. This isn't another pop-up accelerator. It's a 35-year institution of Canada's startup economy. 9,000+ founders supported. Two unicorns. And they take zero equity.

I joined TBDC at the beginning of this year to lead marketing and brand with a clear mission: tell the world that Canada is one of the best places on earth to build a startup and launch into the North American market. We're the landing pad for the world's most ambitious founders ready to scale.

I'll also be leading brand strategy for the BHive driving economic resilience and entrepreneurship in Brampton's thriving innovation district.

Two brands. One mission: Build engines for founders, not gatekeepers.

If you're an international founder thinking about North American market entry — let's talk.

One last thing: I'm hiring. I'm leading a team of dedicated, high performers and we're looking for someone hungry to grow, with 4-5 years of experience in social media, community management, and email marketing. If that's you, reach out.

I'm back. Let's reconnect. 

It's time to build. 🚀

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The Battle

Danny Mallinder

Dan Flatt

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taplio

The Battle

Danny Mallinder

Dan Flatt

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Danny Mallinder's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreDan Flatt's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreDanny Mallinder's LinkedIn Performance