Darren Mass

Brand Built

Where Founders Become Brand & Business Champions

This isn’t just another community, it’s a full-time commitment to elevating entrepreneurs from contenders to champions.

Most communities run as a side hustle. Not us.
At Brand Built, scaling businesses and building brands is an everyday pursuit, from the first round to the final bell. We’re in the ring with our members, equipping them with the strategies, coaching, and resources needed to win in today’s fast-paced business arena.

A No-Nonsense Community for Serious Founders

Co-founded by two seasoned entrepreneurs, Brand Built was created for those who want more than surface-level advice.
✅ Expand your brand.
✅ Build a powerful network.
✅ Earn unbreakable trust with clients and customers.

Our members don’t just walk away with ideas, they gain a support system that has their back every step of the way.

What You Get with Brand Built:

💡 Elite coaching from experienced founders.
🤝 A high-level network of business owners and visionaries.
📈 Resources and strategies designed for real, scalable growth.

This Isn’t for Everyone.

No shortcuts. No weekend hacks. Just real work, bold risks, and next-level thinking.

If you’re ready to step into the ring with a community that’s all-in, welcome to Brand Built.

🔗 Join us today: https://joinbrandbuilt.com

Co-Founder

PEF Community

What’s Next Starts Here

The Post-Exit Founders Community is a space for entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their businesses and are now focused on what’s next, whether it’s new ventures, investing, or redefining their purpose.

✅ Built on shared experiences – Connect with those who’ve walked the same path.
✅ High-level networking – Gain access to a trusted circle of elite founders.
✅ Real conversations – Navigate the opportunities and challenges that come after an exit.

More than just a network, this is a community of builders, investors, and visionaries committed to supporting each other’s next big moves.

Member

Business Therapy Group

Navigating the Emotional Side of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is tough, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Business Therapy Group was born from my passion to help small business owners overcome the intense, often overlooked emotional struggles that come with leadership. I’ve seen firsthand how challenges can strain relationships with partners, employees, and even yourself. My mission is to help you break through these roadblocks, move beyond setbacks, and regain a sense of purpose and control.

Addressing the Emotional Hurdles That Impact Success

💬 Tough conversations that bring awareness to underlying issues.
🎯 Accountability structures to keep you grounded and focused.
⚡ Fear, doubt, and frustration, tackled head-on.

Once the emotional roadblocks are cleared, we shift to practical, results-driven strategies to mitigate risks, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth.

More Than Guidance, A Space for Transformation

✅ Empathy & understanding to help you navigate personal and business challenges.
✅ Actionable plans that propel you forward with clarity.
✅ Stronger accountability and goal-setting that align with your vision.

At Business Therapy Group, we focus not just on your business’s success, but on cultivating resilience and confidence in every leader.

If you’re ready to improve performance, address business risks, and create streamlined processes, we’re here to support you.

Founder - Business Therapy Group

YousicPlay

Empowering the Next Generation of Musicians with YousicPlay

As a Board Advisor for YousicPlay, I’m honored to support an innovative platform that’s redefining music education by connecting aspiring musicians with world-renowned artists.

Bridging the Gap Between Passion and Mastery

🎵 Direct access to techniques and strategies from top musicians.
🎸 World-class mentorship for aspiring artists at all levels.
📚 A revolutionary approach to learning and mastering music.

My Role: Shaping the Future of Music Education

✅ Guiding strategic decisions to drive sustainable growth.
✅ Advising on partnerships that expand our reach and impact.
✅ Enhancing the learning experience to make education inspiring and accessible.

At YousicPlay, we go beyond teaching technical skills, we cultivate a deep, lasting connection to the art of music. I’m proud to help shape a platform where every musician has the tools to grow, improve, and reach new heights.

💡 The mission is simple: Empower musicians everywhere to learn from the best and discover the artist within.

Board Member

Retail Advisory Board

Helping Local Businesses to Thrive

After exiting a successful company, I co-founded the Retail Advisory Board with one goal in mind: to give back to the small business community that supported my journey.

Our Mission: Strengthening Small Business Retailers

🚀 Free, volunteer-driven advice to help businesses grow and succeed.
💡 Expert guidance in retail sales, financial modeling, marketing, IT, and more.
📈 Actionable strategies to navigate market challenges and drive sustainable growth.

How We Make an Impact

✔️ One-on-one consultations to tackle unique business challenges.
✔️ Workshops and training sessions to refine operations and customer engagement.
✔️ A collaborative approach that fosters resilience and long-term success.

As co-founder and board member, I’m deeply committed to helping small businesses stay competitive and create a thriving local marketplace. Every success story reaffirms why we started this journey to uplift, empower, and drive real impact.

💙 Stronger retailers mean a stronger community, and we’re here to make that happen.

Board Member / Co-founder & Member Chair

I Took a Hike

Business, Leadership & Life Off the Beaten Path

Where the best conversations happen outside the boardroom.

“I Took a Hike” began as a way to blend my love for the outdoors with my fascination for the stories behind successful business leaders. Each episode, we step off the beaten path, literally and figuratively, heading into the wilderness to talk candidly about the stumbles, setbacks, and triumphs that have shaped my guests’ journeys.

Why the Trail?

🏔️ Raw, real conversations away from the daily hustle.
🌿 Candid insights you won’t hear in a traditional interview.
🛤️ Lessons in resilience, creativity, and leadership, told where the journey itself becomes part of the story.

There’s something about being on the trail that brings out a new side of people. As we trek through the wilderness, my guests open up in ways you won’t find in a boardroom, revealing the unexpected moments that shaped their success.

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday!
Listen on Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts or visit itookahike.com 🌄 to join us on this adventure.

See you on the trail!

Host & Part-time Wilderness Philosopher

Windstream Enterprise

Driving Growth & Innovation

As President of Windstream Enterprise, following the acquisition of MASS Communications, I led a dynamic transformation across several business units, driving substantial growth and innovation. My focus was on:

✅ Defining and executing Windstream’s vision for the Enterprise division.
✅ Strengthening distribution channels and launching new partnership programs.
✅ Developing and empowering top talent within the organization.

Unifying Teams & Scaling Success

🔹 Integrated teams & cultures from MASS Communications, Windstream, and other acquisitions.
🔹 Scaled our channel strategy to expand market reach and enhance collaboration.
🔹 Launched innovative programs that accelerated revenue and strengthened our market presence.

Surpassing Revenue Targets & Expanding Market Reach

📈 Secured major Resale partnerships, driving over 100% revenue growth in the segment.
🚀 Expanded Windstream Enterprise’s footprint in the Resale market, unlocking new opportunities.
🌐 Delivered client-centered network solutions that redefined our industry impact.

At Windstream Enterprise, our mission extends beyond connectivity, we empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. As a $6 billion telecommunications leader, we provide scalable, cloud-driven solutions that drive growth, efficiency, and resilience in a rapidly evolving world.

President

MASS Communications (Acquired by Windstream Enterprise)

Building a Vision from the Ground Up - A Decade of Growth & Innovation

In 2008, I co-founded a company with a bold goal: to reshape the telecommunications industry. Fueled by passion and an entrepreneurial spirit, I was involved in every aspect:

💡 Funding & strategic sales
📢 Marketing & business development
⚡ 24/7 client support & service innovation

Our commitment to custom-engineered solutions and unmatched client service transformed us from a startup into an industry leader, generating $30M+ in revenue within a decade.

Cultivating a Team of Champions

🏆 Built a workforce driven by shared vision & excellence
🏢 Created a culture recognized as a “100 Best Places to Work in NYC” (Crain’s NY, 3 years running)
🔹 Fostered a family-like atmosphere that fueled our rapid growth

Achievements & Industry Recognition

🚀 Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies – 5 consecutive years
📈 1,000+ loyal customers across diverse industries
🔑 98% staff retention rate through the company’s sale

A Strategic & Rewarding Exit

In 2018, we achieved a major milestone, successfully selling the company to Windstream Holdings Inc. This marked not just the culmination of our growth, but a validation of the enduring value we built.

A Legacy of Impact

Reflecting on this journey, I take immense pride in what we created, a thriving business, a top-tier team, and an industry-altering success story.

💡 My story is proof that vision, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence can transform industries.

Here’s to inspiring others to dream big, take bold risks, and build with heart.

Chief Executive Officer

PAETEC COMMUNICATIONS

A Career Built on Experience & Growth

Learning from the Ground Up

My journey began as an intern, where I quickly realized that hands-on experience and a willingness to learn were the keys to growth.
🔹 Started as a technician & engineer – mastering the technical foundations.
🔹 Faced real-world challenges – troubleshooting, problem-solving, and late nights refining my skills.
🔹 Gained insights beyond the classroom – understanding the core of the industry from the inside out.

Mastering Operations & Efficiency

Transitioning into operations roles taught me that success isn’t just about technology, it’s about precision and collaboration.
⚙️ Managed workflows & optimized efficiency across teams.
📊 Developed problem-solving strategies beyond technical fixes.
🤝 Built high-performance teams by fostering collaboration and setting high standards.

Stepping into Leadership

With each management role, my perspective expanded.
✅ Led diverse teams – empowering individuals to excel.
✅ Set a clear vision – driving results through shared goals.
✅ Honed executive leadership skills – mastering strategic planning & decision-making.

The Path to MASS Communications

Armed with deep expertise in both technology and leadership, I was ready to build something bigger. MASS Communications was born with a mission of:

🚀 Innovation – pushing boundaries in telecommunications.
🤝 Teamwork – creating a strong, people-first culture.
🎯 Client success – delivering exceptional, custom-engineered solutions.

Lessons That Shape Future Leaders

Every role, every challenge, every success was a stepping stone. My journey proves that growth comes from experience, adaptability, and a relentless drive to learn.

💡 No role is too small, every step forward is a lesson that shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

Early Career

Exited Founder, Now I Build Personal Brands That Make Founders Unf★ckingforgettable → Own Your Brand. → Grow Your Business. → Lead the Conversation. Get Your Brand Built.

I built my company from the ground up and successfully exited it.

The hard way. No shortcuts. No overnight wins. Just grit, clarity, and execution.

It took years, failures, pivots, and an unshakable belief in the vision.

Since that exit, one thing has become crystal clear:
Your personal brand is your most valuable business asset.

Not your logo.
Not your tagline.
You.

Your name, your story, your presence.

It’s what gets you in rooms, earns trust, and opens doors before a word is spoken.
And it’s especially true for founders.

We’re so often heads-down building the thing…
That we forget we are part of the product.

Today, I help other founders, particularly post-exit, growth-stage, or quietly crushing it, build personal brands that reflect who they really are. Brands that stand up, stand out, and do business at scale.

LinkedIn is the space where that brand lives.
It’s not just a platform; it’s where visibility, credibility, and opportunity converge.

I’m not here to make people “look good online.”

I’m here to help founders own their story, lead with clarity, and show up like they already belong at the top of the category.

Because when your personal brand hits, it doesn’t just change how people see you.
It changes what you attract.

★

Get Your Brand Built 🥊

🔗 Join the Brand Built Community @ https://joinbrandbuilt.com
🔗 Or meet with me to become seen @ https://darrenmass.com/connect-with-darren

Co-Founder of a business and social community centered around growing your brand, building your network, scaling your business, and establishing trust for your customers and clients.

500 likes. 100 comments. 1M views.
Cool.

Now show me the part where that grew your business.
Oh wait... it didn’t.

You’re chasing applause from strangers while your pipeline’s empty.

Your content’s going viral, but your brand is invisible where it actually counts.

→ No clarity
→ No positioning
→ No damn conversions

Vanity metrics are dopamine hits for people with no plan.

And the algorithm will feed your ego right into obscurity.

I’ve seen too many smart founders become content clowns.

All gas, no traction.

Truth is: 

Real brands don’t flex. 
They attract.

They build trust. 

They create demand. 

They print leverage.

So yeah, keep chasing views, while someone with half your reach builds a business that outlasts your likes.

Likes are loud. 
Legacy is quiet. 

Choose wisely.

★ 

Be honest: are you building a business or feeding your ego?

Darren  Mass

Exited Founder | Building Personal Brands That Make Founders Unf★ckingforgettable → Own Your Brand → Grow Your Business → Lead the Conversation → Get Your Brand Built

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