I'm Dante.

I help business owners, solopreneurs and organisations do better with today's technology and ways of doing things.

I promised to never allow myself to be reliant upon a single, vulnerable income source ever again.

After spending thirteen and a half years working in a national radio network as a presenter, writer, online developer, content creator and manager, I was promptly told that I could either resign and take a payout - or the company would make life hell for me until they had time to invent an excuse to fire me.

After all that time, I was out of practice at learning new things and was convinced that I was unemployable and too old at forty to start a new career. I was very wrong.

I started my own web and social media agency on the Gold Coast in 2017, took a job in Darwin selling television ads, moved my life up north for the fourth time since 2003, put my tail between my legs and tried my luck.

The move paid off.

I grew my digital creative agency in to a client list that I sold for enough to clear my debts in 2022.

I kept the name and converted it to a digital skills training business that has contracts with two of Australia's biggest companies, three state/territory governments and the biggest social media company in the world.

Then I split out a public speaking training business from it in late 2022.

I bought a failing cafe in North Queensland in 2020 during the pandemic for $18,000 that now makes $1.7 million a year.

I bought another North Queensland cafe in 2021, and another in 2022.

The cafe group is on track to bring in over $3 million in 2025.

I just bought into a NSW country menswear store group that I am reinventing into community destinations and hubs for people to meet, talk and collaborate.

By the end of 2026, it will be grossing $3.5 million.

I have been the Chair of a 450-member business network.

I am the Chair of Darwin City Retailers Association.

I am one of just five trainers contracted by Meta (Facebook) Australia & New Zealand.

I was awarded Top Voice status on LinkedIn in 2024.

I contract to Darwin Innovation Hub supporting startups and growing a thriving entrepreneurship community.

I am a trainer for the Public Sector Network across Australia and New Zealand.

Breaking away from the dangers of full-time-employment has given me a life that I could not have imagined.

I'm not filthy rich and I don't really want to be.

But I have freedom to choose, move and act.

The freedom to work the hours I want for the people I want on the things I want and in the places I want.

It's not a life that everyone wants. But it's the life I want.

And that's what I want to help others to do.

Because only business can save the world. But first, business needs to start, grow and sustain itself.

And that's what I'm here to help with.

Latest from The Saturday Sprint

Hope and optimism

Launching Your Venture: A Guide for International Students Starting a Business in Darwin

Latest from Dante
April 23, 2025•5 min read
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Sources cited

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Dante St James

Dante is the Director of Australian Digital Education & Retail Group and Founder of Clickstarter, Speakstarter and Dante St James Consulting.

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