Q4 Updates on DC Black Community (7 & 8 Figure Founders)

Today, we’d like to invite those of you running 7 & 8 figure businesses to consider joining DC Black, a community and mastermind for DCers running larger businesses.

Our application window is open, and will remain so until November 12th.

If you’ve been waiting to apply, or would like to explore if you’d be a good fit for the group, you can apply here.

Our first in-person meeting on a luxury boat in Bangkok. Over 30 members attended.

The Backstory

Late last year, it became clear to us that DCers wanted, well, more DC. We heard a lot of feedback: “it’s great that you guys are helping DC businesses hire talent, but what about more DC style events, masterminds, and programs?”

Larger businesses in the DC started requesting: Can you help me meet other high-growth DC companies? Can I attend smaller, more focused events? Can I be in a mastermind with founders who’ve experienced a similar level of scale?

Meanwhile, an increasing number of those members had been joining higher-level communities elsewhere only to come back and say:

“We’d like something like that, but filled with DCers.”

So we set out to build it. And DC Black is the result.

We opened our doors in late May this year. We received 110 applications, and accepted 60 founders.

We were so impressed by who we met. Some long standing DCers, as well as many founders we had yet to hear from at DC events or in the forum.

From our first 60 companies, here’s some data points:

Avg revenue: $4,900,000

Avg years in business: 8

12 of our members have teams of 5 or less!

13 have over 20+ employees

We have 2 founders who’ve recently exited for life-changing sums.

20 members run agencies.

10 members run Ecommerce or D2C brands

10 members run SaaS companies

Other businesses include funds, marketplaces, traditional services, and online publishers.

Most DC Black members are optimistic about their 12 month projections.

DC Black members live all around the world. With about ⅓ of members in each key region - Americas, Europe/Africa/Middle East, and Asia/Australia.

One key element of DC Black is our monthly facilitated masterminds (with either Ian or Clare guiding each call). There are currently 12 active DC Black Masterminds.

After each session, our members have a chance to rate the quality of the calls. Our current cumulative rating is: 4.5 out of 5.

Version 1 of our DC Connective Conversation Cards

We’re seeking to improve on masterminds in 2024. We cover topics that range from problems of growth and management, to personal challenges affecting the business. We’re seeking not only to drive bottom line results, but to connect with one another and build lasting relationships. Behind the scenes, we often say what sets our people apart is not their drive to compete (a given in their marketplaces), but a willingness to cooperate.

We have also been hosting monthly calls where members share learnings from their businesses, or where Clare discusses processes designed to improve your operation. We’re continuing to build those sessions out in 2024.

Snapshot from our first in-person meeting at DCBKK on the luxury boat.

DC Black member Frankie Thorogood sharing his incredible progress at DCBKK 2023

We are thrilled that over 30 DC Black members attended DCBKK, many making contributions from stage and as sponsors.

At the event, we were able to find some time to get to know each other better. On Thursday, on a private boat tour Chao Phraya river. And on Friday in a private mastermind setting.

Our plan going forward is for DC Black members to have some sort of unique access at all core DC events.

In December, we’re hosting our first event limited to DC Black members. NYC is amazing in the winter. We’re looking forward to hanging out with members as we enjoy a Brooklyn Nets game from a private suite, tour the Morgan Library, dine with a private chef, and officially share our 2024 objectives with each other (some work must be done!).

If you can’t make it to NYC, we’ve got three official DC Black events in the works for next yeah, including Europe this summer, and TBD locations in Asia/USA as well.

DC Black Features

The DC Black community is just like the DC, but has a few extra elements:

Connections to peers running 7 and 8-figure businesses. We'll be publishing our membership directory inside the forum.

Hand-picked monthly mastermind to put your blind spots to the test. Every month, you'll meet with a small group of members (5-7, facilitated by an executive coach). Masterminds are optional and are reset every 6 months.

DC Black Specific Events. Our first event is in December in NYC (there’s 5 spots left), we’ll be hosting events next year in USA, Europe, and Asia. All DC Black members will receive special tracks at our core DCMEX and DCBKK events. We’ve also been hosting member skill-sharing calls as well as operations training group calls.

Private forum (here in the DC) and WhatsApp.

Monthly Operational and Skill-share sessions. Every month, one of our executive coaches or members will share some key ideas with the rest of the group.

Direct access to our team. Need a quick coaching call? Book a 1:1 call anytime directly with our professional facilitators.

1:1 Onboarding. Clare and Ian will take the time to get to know you and your business during our onboarding. The information we collect about you and your business will help us to connect you with other members. We’ll also have visibility on what you are working towards in 2024. You’ll be onboarded and welcomed to the community by December 8th.

Requirements:

Our requirements are a key feature of the DC Black community. In addition to proof of income, all members must complete an interview. Our requirements are not merely financial, we are seeking founders who are a good fit for what we’re building. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to apply and discuss it with our team.

You must be the founder or majority owner of a company that has done one of the following:

Revenues of $1,000,000+ in past 12 months.

SDE of $350,000+ in past 12 months.

Exit of $1,000,000+ in past 24 months.

Complete an interview.

How to apply:

Please fill out this form before November 10th at the latest. We’re processing applications as soon as they come in, so start as early as you can. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete.

When you complete the form, you’ll be directed to a link to book an interview with Ian or Clare.

We’ll conduct all interviews before November 21st. If DC Black is a good fit for your business, you’ll be invited to a 1:1 onboarding session, to be completed by December 8th. Our goal is to get everyone in the community by mid-December before the holiday break.

Let’s have one of your best years in business yet. That’s it for now!

Thanks for following along, and here’s to a great 2024,

Dan, Ian, Clare and the whole DC Team