Mastering the Art of Serial Business Growth

Ever wonder what it really takes to grow multiple businesses at once—and do it exponentially? I’ve been through the highs of multiplying a family business 40 times and the edge-of-the-seat moments just minutes from financial collapse. This keynote pulls back the curtain on what’s behind the scenes of serial entrepreneurship—how to stay focused, spot real growth opportunities, and keep your drive alive without burning out. It’s an honest look at the challenges and the mindset shifts that unlock exponential success. If you’re ready to rethink growth and hustle smarter, this talk will give you plenty to think about.

Lessons from the Ice to the Boardroom

We all face pressure—from split-second decisions on the rink to high-stakes moments in business. I’ve experienced both, and this talk explores how the lessons from intense sports environments translate into building resilience for life and work. With stories of grit and bounce-back moments, I share how to develop mental toughness, stay composed under pressure, and turn setbacks into stepping stones for exponential opportunity. If you want to build your resilience toolkit and find lasting strength in the face of change, this keynote will leave you ready to take on whatever comes next.

What does it take to lead a company through chaos, doubt, and industry disruption—and still come out stronger on the other side?

In this raw, unfiltered keynote, Doug Adlam takes audiences inside the emotional and strategic rollercoaster of building a tech startup from scratch. From standing 22 minutes away from bankruptcy to negotiating acquisition deals with a leading industry player, Doug shares the untold truths of innovation: the crushing lows, the addictive highs, and the personal toll it can take.

With powerful stories drawn from his own experience co-founding and scaling a fintech startup that transformed Canada's mortgage industry, this talk is a masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience. Doug offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really feels like to innovate under pressure, raise money when there’s nothing left in the tank, and carry the emotional weight of other people’s money on your shoulders.

Whether you're an early-stage founder or an innovation leader inside a legacy company, this keynote will challenge you to think differently about risk, recovery, and what it truly takes to survive—and thrive—in the startup world.

In this powerful and practical keynote, Doug Adlam distills the hard-won insights from launching and exiting three successful startups across three different industries. Whether you're building your first business or preparing to sell your third, Doug reveals what truly separates entrepreneurs who create lasting value from those simply trading time for money.

With real-world lessons in leadership, systems, branding, and exit strategy, this talk is a blueprint for designing a business that can thrive without you. Ideal for ambitious founders, leaders, and teams across all sectors ready to scale smarter—and eventually sell with confidence.

Key Learning Objectives

• Understand the mindset shift required to transition from operator to true business owner

• Learn how to design systems and teams that allow your business to scale without burning out

• Explore what creates actual enterprise value (hint: it’s not top-line revenue)

• Gain clarity on when and how to prepare for exit, even if it’s years away

• Avoid common traps that keep founders stuck in the day-to-day with no clear path to freedom