Dwayne Kerrigan
Visionary Leader, Proven Entrepreneur
Dwayne Kerrigan is a seasoned entrepreneur and the driving force behind The Business of Doing Business podcast. With over 35 years of experience spanning 30 ventures and 12 industries, Dwayne has mastered the art of building, scaling, and transforming businesses. His diverse portfolio—ranging from Quick Service Restaurants to Real Estate Development and Equestrian Services—demonstrates not only his breadth of expertise but also his relentless pursuit of growth.
Dwayne thrives where others hesitate. His passion is creating value out of challenges, and his ventures reflect his belief that true innovation occurs when comfort zones are left behind. A lifelong learner, Dwayne has studied under industry giants like Stephen Covey, Keith Cunningham, and Tony Robbins, integrating their world-class insights into his own unique approach to entrepreneurship. Today, he leverages this deep reservoir of knowledge to drive success, not only in his ventures but also in his consulting and coaching practice, inspiring others to reach new heights.
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Expertise
Dwayne’s entrepreneurial journey began not with a grand vision but with a lawnmower and a commitment to hard work. At just 13, he laid the foundations of his business philosophy: resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to confront challenges head-on. By the age of 16, he was selling team uniforms to high schools and colleges, learning firsthand the vital importance of cash flow—a lesson that would guide him throughout his career.
When that early venture failed, Dwayne didn’t flinch. He recalibrated, sold cars to settle debts, and funded his own college education. During those formative years, he founded Youth Leadership Camps Canada, a transformative program that operated for over three decades, positively impacting thousands of young lives. It was the first of many ventures where Dwayne combined purpose with profit, demonstrating his commitment to creating meaningful, lasting value.
Passion, Purpose, and an Unwavering Mission
Dwayne’s passion for entrepreneurship is inseparable from his commitment to personal growth. Inspired by his parents, who owned a small business, he grew up witnessing firsthand the power of resilience, accountability, and vision. These values are not just principles; they are the foundations upon which he builds every venture, conversation, and coaching relationship. His mantra, “Attitude is everything; keep yours positive,” reflects a philosophy that has propelled him through every high and every low, enabling him to adapt and thrive.
His mission today is clear: to inspire, to educate, and to empower. Dwayne believes that entrepreneurship should create value beyond the balance sheet—through mentorship, positive community impact, and meaningful contributions to society. He is devoted to guiding the next generation of business leaders, sharing his lessons, his triumphs, and his setbacks to light the path for others. Through his podcast, consulting, and public speaking, Dwayne seeks not just to impart knowledge but to ignite change—to help others see possibility where there is challenge, and to strive for mastery where there is mediocrity.
Mastering Complexity, Delivering Results
Dwayne’s expertise isn’t theoretical; it’s born from the field. He understands the intricacies of scaling businesses because he’s done it—growing a Quick Service Restaurant enterprise from $1.8 million in revenue to over $11 million in just three and a half years, expanding from two to six locations and increasing his workforce from 40 to more than 300 employees. This kind of rapid growth requires more than ambition; it demands strategic insight, operational excellence, and a precise understanding of human capital.
Throughout his career, Dwayne has also consulted on complex partnership agreements, led company turnarounds, and negotiated successful exits. His approach is grounded in the belief that every challenge holds the seed of opportunity—a belief that has consistently transformed setbacks into launching pads for growth. When faced with a financial crisis nearly a decade ago, Dwayne applied his deep understanding of financial statements and leveraged existing assets to turn the business around. This pivotal experience not only strengthened his financial acumen but reinforced his philosophy: adversity is not an obstacle; it is an invitation to innovate.
The Business of Doing Business: Celebrating Real Entrepreneurs
In a world that often glamorizes the superficial aspects of entrepreneurship, Dwayne’s podcast, The Business of Doing Business, aims to celebrate the grit and authenticity of those building impactful ventures away from the media spotlight. Here, real stories replace rehearsed soundbites. Each episode features candid conversations with entrepreneurs whose experiences reveal the unvarnished realities of business—the triumphs, the missteps, and the strategies that make success sustainable.
The podcast has consistently topped the Apple Charts for Business and Entrepreneurship, recently breaking into the Top 50 for Business in the US and the Top 25 in Entrepreneurship. With over 300,000 downloads to date, the show is reaching a steadily growing audience every month.
Dwayne believes that “What you monitor improves.” This principle guides every discussion, offering listeners a lens into the daily disciplines and habits that sustain long-term growth. The podcast isn’t just about success; it’s about substance. It’s about empowering others to confront their own challenges with courage, to learn, adapt, and ultimately thrive.