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

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AI tools being used in not-for-profits

December 01, 20241 min read

AI tools are rapidly transforming the not-for-profit sector, with recent surveys showing that 69% of Australian NFPs are either using or planning to use AI tools within the next year[12]. Here are the most widely adopted AI solutions:

Communication Tools

ChatGPT and Large Language Models

Nearly one-third of Australian not-for-profits use ChatGPT, making it the most popular AI system in the sector[1]. Other major platforms include:

- Google's Gemini

- Anthropic's Claude

- Microsoft Copilot[9]

Donor Management

Dataro

This Australian-developed platform has shown remarkable success in donor targeting. Greenpeace Australia's implementation resulted in a 5x ROI and helped retain 64 supporters who were likely to lapse[2].

Administrative Solutions

Meeting Assistants

- Zoom AI Companion: Provides automated responses and meeting summaries

- Otter.ai: Offers real-time transcription and note-taking capabilities[3]

Data Analysis

Zia by Zoho

Specialises in predictive analysis and data interpretation, helping organisations make data-driven decisions[4].

Social Media Management

Hootsuite with OwlyWriter AI

Generates social media content and manages posting schedules, with its AI capabilities specifically tailored for not-for-profit communications[3].

Fundraising Tools

DonorSearch Ai

Recognised as the most advanced machine learning tool for fundraising, it helps organisations identify and segment top prospects[5].

Impact Assessment

The Institute of Community Directors Australia reports that not-for-profits are primarily using AI for:

- Data-driven decision making (21%)

- Grant application writing (20%)

- Data analysis (15%)

- Customer engagement (9%)[1]

Implementation Trends

One in four not-for-profit and charity organisations are already using AI, with two-thirds expected to adopt these technologies within the year[12]. This rapid adoption reflects the sector's recognition of AI's potential to enhance operational efficiency while managing limited resources.

Citations:

[1] https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/articles/not-for-profits-getting-smart-about-artificial-intelligence-our-survey

[2] https://eastsidepeople.org/insight/5-ai-tools-for-charities/

[3] https://www.connectingup.org/blog/guide-implementing-ai-tools-not-profit-operations-benefits-and-best-practices

[4] https://www.edzola.com/post/8-game-changing-ai-tools-and-usecases-for-nonprofits-chatgpt-polymath-ai-and-more

[5] https://www.donorsearch.net/resources/ai-tools-for-nonprofits/

[6] https://www.sap.com/resources/how-nonprofits-use-ai-to-find-and-keep-good-donors

[7] https://www.grassrootsit.com.au/blog/how-ai-and-rpa-can-transform-non-profit-operations/

[8] https://www.classy.org/blog/ai-tools-nonprofits/

[9] https://www.nptechforgood.com/2024/06/21/the-best-ai-fundraising-productivity-tools-for-nonprofits/

[10] https://www.funraise.org/blog/best-ai-tools-for-nonprofits

[11] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/case-studies-showcasing-how-nonprofits-utilizing-ai-enhance-phillips

[12] https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/articles/not-for-profits-embracing-ai-reportoxchange-ai-report

[13] https://digitaldefynd.com/IQ/ways-non-profit-organizations-are-using-ai/

[14] https://www.ccsfundraising.com/insights/revolutionizing-fundraising-part-ii-5-nonprofit-sector-ai-application-examples/

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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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