When Dan Khabie speaks, the room listens. It’s not just because of his impressive track record as co-founder of Digitaria, founder and former Global CEO of Mirum (a 2,500-person WPP digital agency operating across 27 countries), and now Co-Founder/Partner of CourtAvenue, one of the fastest-growing digital agencies in the U.S. It’s because he pairs extraordinary business success with humility, curiosity, and a deep humanity that resonates with everyone in the room.
At the October 2025 Big Dogs Network meeting, Dan shared his story, part origin tale, part entrepreneurial playbook, and all entirely authentic. His journey from a 23-year-old founder in San Diego to a global industry leader is rich with lessons on vision, resilience, and the art of building great teams.
A Vision Born from Inspiration and Relentless Curiosity
Dan’s spark came from an early encounter with Razorfish in New York, one of the first digital agencies. “I walked in and I fell in love,” he said. “I thought, I want to build that.” That moment of inspiration became his muse, propelling him to create Digitaria in San Diego when the city barely registered on the national marketing map.
He built Digitaria from the ground up, eventually selling it to WPP, where he went on to build Mirum, a global digital agency created by integrating nine companies across continents into a single unified firm. That experience gave him a global perspective, a deep appreciation for culture, and the desire to shape something lasting.
But even after scaling Mirum into a 2,500-person agency operating in 27 countries, Dan’s curiosity and entrepreneurial energy did not fade. He realized he was ready to take on a new challenge, one that reflected the speed of technology and the changing nature of digital transformation. Leaving WPP, he co-founded CourtAvenue, a company built to combine innovation, consulting, and execution under one roof. For Dan, it was another chance to build something new, guided by the same creative spark that first inspired him in the halls of Razorfish.
Through every chapter, his sense of wonder and curiosity remained intact. “I am relentlessly curious,” he said. “I want to know about people, ideas, everything. That appetite works really well in this business because it is always changing.”
Unyielding Tenacity and the Courage to Reinvent
Dan’s rise was not without struggle. He talked openly about rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt. In order to get WPP interested in Digitaria, he spent summers in New York, waiting outside their offices until he could make his case. That persistence paid off, and the deal that followed changed his career trajectory.
Even after scaling globally, Dan recognized when it was time to reset. “I became too good at being a corporate guy,” he said. “I became a goalkeeper instead of a goal scorer.” When he left WPP, he realized he had to “deinstitutionalize” himself, to unlearn corporate habits and reconnect with the instincts that made him an entrepreneur in the first place.
His next act, founding CourtAvenue in his garage with his Co-Founder (Kenny Tomlin), was about rediscovering those instincts and creating something human-centered once again. “I started the business with a tear in my eye and a pen in my hand,” he recalled. It was the first time his children saw him build a company from scratch.
Five years later, CourtAvenue has grown to more than 200 people, about half of whom are AI engineers. The firm combines expertise in digital transformation, commerce, media, connected experiences, and artificial intelligence. CourtAvenue is growing aggressively, acquiring companies, expanding capabilities, and shaping the future of digital business.
Humility, Humanity, and the Power of Partnership
For all his success, Dan repeatedly brought the focus back to the people around him. “I would not be where I am today without all the talent and amazing people that I have been fortunate to be around,” he said.
He described every thriving business as having three people in the room:
- The visionary or promoter, who dreams big and inspires others.
- The operator, who ensures structure, accountability, and discipline.
- The product leader, who drives the talent and creative excellence that the company sells.
When hiring, Dan said he looks for people who want to grow. He values self-awareness, curiosity, and the willingness to evolve. “If you want to grow and scale, you have to come to terms with what you are,” he explained. “Look in the mirror and say, I am a great product person but a terrible business person. Then go find the people who balance that and trust them.”
Despite leading global organizations, Dan’s personal compass remains grounded: Sunday basketball games, meditation, family, laughter. He spoke about the importance of being truly present, whether at home, on a court, or in a meeting, and about staying connected to what matters most. “Every morning I wake up with self-doubt,” he admitted. “Every day I feel like I could do more. But I remind myself, I am alive, breathing, and I am surrounded by good people. That is what matters.”
Defining Your Version of Growth
Dan also encouraged entrepreneurs to make intentional choices about the kind of business they want to build, using what he called the “red pill or blue pill” analogy. The red pill represents scaling aggressively and building a large, global enterprise. The blue pill represents focusing on a smaller, more controlled model.
He made no value judgment about either path. His message was about clarity: success comes from knowing which path truly fits your goals and your life. “Not everything has to become some big storyline,” he said. “You can build something small and be incredibly successful.”
Networking, Growth, and the Power of Ecosystems
For smaller agencies and entrepreneurs, Dan’s advice was both practical and inspiring. He underscored the importance of ecosystems, building circles of trust, reciprocity, and shared opportunity.
“March with the army, but build your own army,” he said. “Find your people, your micro-network. Invest in relationships that open doors, and open doors for them in return.”
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This article originally appeared on Linkedin.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
