Dan embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 19 as a franchisee, of a prominent ice cream bicycle venture in Canada. The profits he garnered from this initial venture financed his university education at Sir Wilfred Laurier University. Following a series of successful entrepreneurial ventures, he authored a national best-selling book, "Why Not Me?" at the age of 27.
Driven by his accomplishments, Dan founded WSI, which, over the subsequent 27 years, evolved into the world's largest digital marketing franchise organization. WSI's recent publication, "Digital Minds," has ascended swiftly to best-seller status, with its third edition now available in four languages.
In 2006, Dan diversified his portfolio by establishing Clear Summit Group (CSG), a private equity firm with a strategic focus on investing in high-growth, early-stage franchise and technology companies. Dan continues to play a pivotal role at WSI while overseeing CSG's portfolio, which comprises industry leaders such as Tutor Doctor, Qualicare, Recruiting In Motion, College Pro, and Code Wiz. Currently, CSG's portfolio of companies expands across the globe, with over 1000 franchise locations.
An acclaimed authority on the future of technology, AI, and franchising, Dan is a sought-after speaker. His most recent e-book, "Unlocking the Potential of ChatGPT," has been downloaded thousands of times within the franchise community (www.franchisegpt.com) and is now in its 2nd edition. Passionate about education, Dan frequently guest lectures on franchising at prestigious institutions such as Cornell and Georgetown.
Dan is a member of the IFA Board of Directors and Chairs the IFA Foundation. He is also the founder of "Make Child Poverty History", a global outreach initiative operated collaboratively with World Vision
Tony Valle is a vision & purpose-driven entrepreneurial leader and has honed his executive expertise in rapidly changing, regulated and complex business environments. He has consistently built business value by connecting sound long-term strategy to organizational design, operational health, talent growth, and trust-based performance culture. His roles have enabled him to become a leading North American practitioner in developing and scaling results-oriented entrepreneurs and leaders.
Tony is the Managing Partner at Clear Summit Group (CSG), a portfolio company with 7 dynamic emerging & growth brands, and also serves as the CEO of College Pro. He plays different roles in CSG and each brand and spearheads the Clear Summit Academy.
His business career began as a 19-year-old running a College Pro (CP) franchise, a system he would eventually run as its CEO. He purchased the company in 2019 with CSG. His previous executive positions spanned 3 decades, much of which was with FirstService Brands, a respected $3 billion multi-brand, home service franchising platform.
He holds an MBA from Ivey Business School, is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), and has earned his directors’ designation, ICD.D at the Rotman School of Business. In addition to being an outside independent director and advisor, he is the IFA Foundation Past Chair and Chair of the IFA Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp program. He is a member and Past Chair of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) in Toronto and has held leadership roles throughout his tenure.
Tony is a lifelong learner, musician, cyclist, hockey player, community volunteer, travel enthusiast and burgeoning philanthropist. He lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife, an artist, and since Covid, two young adult children would rather be somewhere else.
Have you ever met someone who in minutes makes you feel so comfortable that you feel like they are a trusted confidante?
Genuine, intuitive, and approachable; Beginning in 2015, Dale Curd hosted three seasons of the acclaimed CBC documentary television show Hello Goodbye, where he engaged strangers in conversations as they prepared to greet or see off loved ones at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
“The show is so deeply rooted in common experience that it is truly, persuasively poignant, but immensely uplifting, too. Much of that has to do with Curd’s natural ability to draw closely-held stories and unexpressed feelings out of people.”, John Doyle,
Globe and Mail television critic.
A compelling and compassionate host, public speaker and Executive Coach with over
twenty years of experience in private practice, Curd’s other media pursuits include:
• In December 2019, Dale and his wife, Kimberly Alexander, published their first
book with Harper Collins titled Living Lightly, Bring Happiness And Calm To Your
Everyday.
• In June 2019, Dale launched themenslist.com, thechildtherapylist.com and thewomenslist.com three online directories of mental health and wellness professionals who offer services to people seeking counselling and support in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.
• In 2017, Dale began presenting his Keynote, The Mastery and Science of
Empathetic Listening, to healthcare organizations across North America
• Currently and since 2008, Dale is retained as an expert catalyst helping global corporations speak to and market services and products to men including TD Bank, Bacardi, Labatt, Proctor & Gamble, and British Airways.
• In 2013, Curd was co-creator and co-host of Life Story Project on OWN, a reality show where strangers confided in him on themes of love, family, loss, pain and joy.
• In 2011 and 2012, Curd was the regular “Go-to guy on men” on CBC TV’s national daytime hit Steven and Chris.
• In 2011, Curd created, produced and hosted Guy Talk, a weekly national call-in program on NEWSTALK 1010 which aired until 2013.
• In 2009-2013, Curd created, and wrote a weekly national advice columnist for the news tabloid, 24 Hours and the online site Beer.com
Dale lives on his farm, Muskoka Canada, with his wife and daughter, and son. He also
connects with artists and sneakerheads in his passion project Pop’s Sneakers
