There are a few sides of me. 

VP of Sales for an organization called Skye & Co-Founder of SaaSBros. and have most recently launched a LinkedIn & Social Selling Cohort ran monthly.

You will see me pivot from one to the other with content, just stay with me! 

At Skye - my job is to evangelize our business and build community around learning, development and coaching. 

At SaaSBros - my job is to evangelize our business and build community around helping non-traditional talent break into tech sales.

For the Cohorts - my job is to empower people to use their voices and change their lives by coaching around linkedin and social sellling.

The stuff that matters is below :)

Father | Husband | Son | Brother 

Personal Mission Statement - 

To build, encourage, support and love my family and all others we encounter.

Show kindness
Show empathy
Show gratitude
Show grit
Show respect

And most importantly

Believe.

Darren McKee

I partner with talent & organizational development leaders to build global executive coaching programs AND I coach individuals and teams how to build on Linkedin and master the art Social Selling (Side Hustle)

Founder of Darren McKee Co. & 531 Social (New Company)

As of August 2025, I’ve coached over 2000 individuals where I helped them build their brands and master social selling strategies. From founders, to account execs, to photographers, to cs leaders, to coaches to landscapers. No one is exempt from building a brand and social selling, it is 2025.

1:1 Coaching
Team Trainings 
Monthly Cohorts
Speaking Engagements

The stuff that matters is below :)

Father | Husband | Son | Brother 

Personal Mission Statement - 

To build, encourage, support and love my family and all others we encounter.

Show kindness
Show empathy
Show gratitude
Show grit
Show respect

And most importantly

Believe.

Fulfillment Policy:

For LinkedIn & Social Selling Trainings - You can reach me at darren@darrenmckee.co - Your payment is non-refundable as it reserves a spot in the training for you and  is not refunded due to your lack of participation. Once your payment processes, you will be added to your specific group and sent calendar invites prior to launch day. We do not guarantee a specific outcome from our programs and, by submitting your payment, you agree to indemnify Darren McKee from any claims arising from your actions or inactions during and after your participation in the program. By executing the stripe payment, you agree to the above.


For 1:1 & Team Social Selling and LinkedIn Trainings - You can reach me at darren@darrenmckee.co - Your payment is non-refundable for any reason. Further,  decisions you make via the insights and trainings I share during the sessions are your responsibility to implement. You agree to indemnify Darren McKee and take responsibility for any impact to yourself or your business. By executing the stripe payment, you agreeing to the above.

Co-Founder

Around 466K people have viewed my LinkedIn profile since early 2022, you might want to save this post because I am going to tell you why this deeply matters and how to possibly achieve this yourself. And no, nothing is gated - you just get it here by reading.

When you get someone to your profile:

they can binge content (learn) 
they can read recommendations (trust)
they can go to your website (tracking & revenue)
they can confirm authenticity (more trust)
they can see where you engage (new people to learn from)
they can see common connections (more trust)
they can read about you (curiosity) 

How to do it:

1 - Comment often on other's content because this puts your name in rooms you have never been in before. Not just little comments because you feel like you have to but deep and interesting thought filled engagement. And for the LOVE OF ALL THINGS LINKEDIN - please stop engaging solely with your 1st degree connections. Aim for 15 comments per day to new people.

2 - Create content from 4 pillars, you can't look the same daily. The 4 pillars are here in this post via a visual (https://lnkd.in/ekkgGrgs)

3 - Follow 5 people daily, many of you expect followers but never follow anyone.

4 - Connect with humans you actually want to engage with, it is wildly important to actually take a look at someone's profile before you add them into your sphere. Do they post? Do they engage? Can you learn from them? Do you have common connections? Are they kind? Do they add value to you? Can you add value to them?

5 - Recognize people when they actually visit your page. Closed my largest deal of the year with a CMO of a massive org by simply saying, "Mark! Thanks for stopping by, appreciate you." Went on to coach his entire revenue org out west. 

6 - Don't be afraid to click the repost (don't add thoughts) when you see good content in your feed, I am tracking this data hard right now and my profile views deeply spike when I do this - gets you into another sphere of talented humans.

7 - DM's are everything. New connections, dm them. Old connections, dm them. Introduce people to people in DMs (did you know you can send group dms to folks? yea that is a game changer)

8 - Be sure your profile is complete. Headline easy to read, like 5th grade level. About section filled out. Featured section done. Banner photo complete. Recommendations down below. The list goes on but you have to have get your house in order here if you want people to come visit. 

Ok.

That is enough now, go do some of this stuff and watch what happens over the next 15 months. Your mind will be blown by the opportunities that fall into your lap after 450 days of consistency!!

darrenmckee.co 
531social.com

I simplify LinkedIn & Social Selling - Founder of Darren McKee Co & CEO of 531 Social

Malcolm Peace

Assistant Men's Tennis Coach

Tsetserra Growth Partners

My efforts at Tsetserra Growth Partners depend on driving value, growth, and sustainability. I recognized that traditional acquisitions and private equity firms can be indifferent toward preserving a business owner’s legacy. As a result, family businesses that have served our Texas communities for years diverge from the history that took them significant time to build.

At Tsetserra, I purchase long-standing, profitable Texas-based companies in stable industries. I help small business owners continue on to their next chapter with confidence by structuring win-win acquisition terms, facilitating a smooth transition, and honoring the legacy that makes each company unique.

President

Email Gaze

Advisor

Idea Labs Consulting

Having partnered with small business owners for years, Idea Labs Consulting aligned directly with my core competencies. By taking a custom-tailored approach to each business, I help decision-makers identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and execute new strategies with confidence. 

I engage with small businesses owners across every industry, taking a holistic approach to business growth and sustainability by empowering them with the knowledge and confidence in their capabilities as leaders. Additionally, I specialize in structuring and developing business models, leading to leaner and more effective organizations. Throughout the process, analyzing finances is key, leveraging my background in financial modeling and screening to identify points for improvement. To balance the quantitative elements of my work, I provide qualitative support such as team building, personnel development, and operational method development. I also offer key marketing insight, KPI tracking, modelling, and business valuation assessments to provide holistic support for clients in every stage of their business. By starting with each business owner’s unique goals, I create flexible and actionable solutions.

Lead Business Coach and Consultant

Camp Hideaway

Golden Home Management

Founders Firm, LLC

As Vice President at Founders Firm, I help business owners and founders preserve their unique legacy within the Hospitality and Food and Beverage industries. By investing in Texas-based businesses, we empower companies to grow while generating consistent value within their niche. 

During my tenure, I led the charge for the development of our proprietary CRM system, entrusted with engaging nearly 160 potential and current Limited Partners. Additionally, I routinely help portfolio companies manage the cash flow of $3M+ budgets. To date, the investor presentations, decks, and landing pages that I developed have generated over $1.5M in funding. 

My day-to-day work is as quantitative as it is qualitative. As part of my efforts, I identify key traits, characteristics, and cultural considerations to identify and fill prospective CEO gaps for current and future acquisitions. Every step of the way, people come first.

Vice President - Strategy and Operations

Benchmark International

At Benchmark International, I collaborated on cross-departmental teams to provide financial models, company valuation analysis, and presentations. By aligning strategic goals with potential investment opportunities, I aided company leaders make more informed decisions. 

Throughout my time, I screened and valued 240 unique investment opportunities on a national scale, assessed the financials of 17 companies of all sizes, and sought to achieve strategic objectives every step of the way.

Winter M&A Analyst Intern – M&A Advisory and Due Diligence

Hard Yards Capital

Hard Yards Capital is a private investment growth firm based out of Washington DC. They are committed to superior and enduring results, serving privately-held technology services businesses that partner with national security and defense organizations. There, I leveraged leading screening techniques to identify 6 platform-based and 37 “tuck in” companies as new investment opportunities as part of the investment thesis. 

Overall, I gained in-depth experience screening companies, performing valuations, identifying talent, and conducting financial models. I sought to build a holistic view of investment opportunities before each acquisition.

Senior Private Equity Associate - Valuation

Distinct Capital Group

Distinct Capital Group afforded me the opportunity to learn directly from company leaders while conducting analysis, executing acquisitions, and identifying growth opportunities. My efforts included utilizing and design the implementation of an ERP integration software to improve the firm’s manufacturing portfolio company.

Through the opportunity, I gained exposure to the top 4 buy-side acquisition platforms and the direct capabilities of leveraging ERP integration software to improve quality control insight for 11 LOBs.

Summer Private Equity Associate

University of Virginia

At the University of Virginia, I served as the Director of Tennis Operations. To facilitate the team’s efforts, I led a $450,000 fundraising effort by adding 21 new tier-1 relationships that greater resourced the team’s success. I also self-started an operational improvement model spanning 12 internal and external teams that saved 16% of our annual budget and an average of 10 hours per week. During my tenure, I fundraised over $65,000 in 2 weeks, executing the first USTA Pro Circuit event ever held at UVA’s tennis facilities. As part of my supervisory efforts, my ability to execute under pressure while exceeding operational, planning, recruiting, and logistics expectations did not go without notice. 

Ultimately, my efforts led to the first consecutive NCAA National Titles in the program’s history

Director of Tennis Operations

Run a small business in Texas? We'll buy it

Reshaping legacies, one acquisition at a time. 🤝

↓Building Texas-based businesses that are not dependent on me ↓ 

I am a deal guy, who happens to know how to operate. 

Our approach involves implementing cutting-edge software and refining operations, ensuring a seamless transition to businesses we believe have been neglected. We want to take the next phase of success.

▷ Born and raised in Austin, I take pride in helping family-owned small businesses sustain a lasting legacy. We become that succession plan solution by taking the baton from family-owned businesses and leading the charge through building businesses instead of tearing out people. 

↓ Elevating businesses, preserving roots. ↓

▷ As a long-term buyer, I commit to maintaining existing teams and honoring the legacy of previous owners. I see each acquisition as an opportunity to merge tradition with innovation, propelling businesses forward and leaving an enduring impact on the Texan business landscape.

▷ Hyper-focused, I identify profitable small businesses with revenues from $3M to $12M in stable industries that have endured the test of time. More here: 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚.𝐜𝐨𝐦

▷ Driven by a passion for sustainable growth and small business empowerment, I've had the privilege of sharing our insights and learnings from the frontlines of M&A on various podcast shows, 🔗 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛.𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤/𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭_𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. Each acquisition isn't just a transaction; it's a story of resilience, adaptation, and growth. Join me as we journey to reshape the Texan business landscape, one acquisition at a time.

🔉Join Tsetserra for a transformative acquisition experience with our General Vice President Program,🔗 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛.𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤/𝐆𝐕𝐏𝐏_𝐋𝐁. With dedicated mentorship and a focus on implementing our game plan, you can unleash your business leadership potential.

Having partnered with small business owners for years, Idea Labs Consulting aligned directly with my core competencies. By taking a custom-tailored approach to each business, I help decision-makers identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and execute new strategies with confidence. 

I engage with small businesses owners across every industry, taking a holistic approach to business growth and sustainability by empowering them with the knowledge and confidence in their capabilities as leaders. Additionally, I specialize in structuring and developing business models, leading to leaner and more effective organizations. Throughout the process, analyzing finances is key, leveraging my background in financial modeling and screening to identify points for improvement. To balance the quantitative elements of my work, I provide qualitative support such as team building, personnel development, and operational method development. I also offer key marketing insight, KPI tracking, modelling, and business valuation assessments to provide holistic support for clients in every stage of their business. By starting with each business owner’s unique goals, I create flexible and actionable solutions. 

Ever been duped? I sure have.

There was this one deal, looked like a gold mine.
Owner boasted they had about 50-60% profit margins.

Sounded too good to be true? Should’ve trusted my gut.

When we peel back the layers, we found the real margin was 15%.

Learned the hard way, these are my go-to tips for anyone thinking about buying a business:

- Don't just look at the surface-level numbers. Always check consistent profit margins, revenue trends, and cash flow. Dive into the nitty-gritty. Look for steady profits, not just high ones. 

- Assess the team's capability and the strength of customer relationships. A great team and a loyal customer base can make a huge difference in the success of a business.

- Watch out for financial volatility. If the business's finances are up and down like a rollercoaster, it's a red flag.

Next time you're considering buying a business, remember: don't be fooled by what glitters.

Do your homework and dig deep.

Real leaders don’t hide the struggle — they lead through it.

24 hours.

It comes and goes quickly, so it's essential to...

Use time wisely, as it's the only currency you can't save or borrow.

You are given 24 hours each day, and it's up to you to make the most of them.

When you wake up in the morning, do you have your vision crystal clear? 

Do you know what you want and how you will achieve it? 

One of the largest barriers to achieving your goals is procrastination. 

You put things off until tomorrow, next week, or even next year. 

The problem is tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

You only have today and need to make the most of it.

Using every 24 hours to the best of your ability, you can accomplish more in a day than you ever thought possible. 

This approach helps you achieve your goals faster and gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going.

So, don't waste a single day. 

Make a plan for your day, prioritize your tasks, and focus on what's important. 

Remember, time is a precious commodity, and we can't afford to waste it.

As a leader, it's easy to fall into a routine and get complacent with how things have always been done. 

But growth as a leader requires a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace new ideas and strategies.

Whether it's learning new leadership skills, adopting new technologies, or exploring new markets, embracing change is essential to continued growth and success.

As we move forward in a rapidly changing world, it's more important than ever for leaders to be adaptable, innovative, and forward-thinking.

So don't be scared to take risks and try unexplored growth areas. 

Be open to feedback and learning opportunities. 

And most importantly, be willing to lead by example and inspire those around you to embrace new growth opportunities as well.

Remember, the most successful leaders always grow and evolve. 

So let's commit to continuously expanding our knowledge and skills and embracing new growth opportunities as they arise.

Keeping your word does matter.

Your reputation is not that important.

It’s really up to you to determine how you want to…

Conduct business and everyone else around you needs to get over it if they don’t like it.

Is this how you run your business?

If so, you are in for a rude awakening as this works AGAINST everything needed to find success.

Being a bulldog and plowing over people will not get you to your desired destination. In fact, it will put you on an island all by yourself.

Your character matters.
Being authentic matters.
Your reputation matters.

Be known as a leader by keeping your commitment to your clients or team.

Never compromise who you are today to get an advantage for where you are going tomorrow.

You're the expert.

Smh…just like everyone else claims to be.

The only difference is that you…

Actually think it's true.

When in reality, you've got a long way to go.

If you ever get to a mentality where you think you have arrived at the top,

There is a rude awakening around the corner.

There is always someone more experienced, more intelligent, and more intuitive.

That have more connections, financing, and better tech.

So don't waste energy trying to catch them.

Instead, see if they will help you.
____________

PS - One of the most significant ways to grow as a business owner and leader is to be humble enough to be mentored.

You have to find the right type of mentor to challenge you and hold you accountable.

When you find it, significant breakthroughs happen.

You better embrace this.

Or you'll get left behind.

It's not rocket science, but if you choose to ignore it, your...

Business will struggle.

In one of the legacy businesses my company manages, we faced a massive challenge around technology.

The first hurdle we tackled was the need for a digital system to track our past and upcoming quotes and work in progress.

Previously, our processes relied heavily on manual methods, which hindered our ability to analyze our performance effectively. 

Without digital tracking, we struggled to comprehend how we were truly performing as a business.

We swiftly transitioned to a partially automated process for generating quotes, enabling us to gain better insights and track our opportunities efficiently. 

With the new tools in place, we have witnessed a remarkable improvement in our operations. 

The ability to harness digital solutions has revolutionized our workflow, enabling us to analyze trends, identify growth opportunities, and optimize our processes.

The lesson we've learned is clear: embracing technology is not just a choice; it is an essential step toward unlocking your business's true potential. 

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, staying competitive means leveraging the power of digital tools to streamline operations, gain valuable insights, and adapt to changing market dynamics.

7.4 seconds.

That's all it takes.

When you are looking to make a big...

Find a new position with a new company.

7.4 seconds is the average time it takes for recruiters to evaluate a candidate on paper.

But we all know hiring the right talent as a business owner is crucial to the success of any organization. 

Recently, we embarked on the journey to find our next Production Manager, and I wanted to share some valuable insights from the hiring process.

We identified three qualified candidates after a thorough initial screening and situational interviews over the phone. 

When they came in for in-person interviews, it became even more evident how crucial that initial interaction was.

Our top candidate from the phone screen maintained their strength and exceeded expectations during the in-person interview. 

They asked insightful questions, displayed exceptional skills, and the interview extended to an engaging 3-hour conversation.

On the other hand, the candidate who initially seemed less qualified continued to exhibit a desire for control during the in-person interview, showing they were most concerned about themselves vs. what they could bring to the position.

The lesson here is clear: the initial interview often reveals patterns that persist in subsequent interactions. 

It reinforces the importance of a strong first impression. 

We're hoping to secure our new Production Manager soon and welcome a new team member.

Imagine this: You, sitting at your doorstep, eagerly waiting for your dream to knock. 

Sounds wistful, right? 

But let's face it...

Dreams don't just drop by unannounced. 

We all have aspirations for a fulfilling life, but sitting idle won't make them a reality.

Don't just sit around, wishing, or seeking permission. Get to work and create your own chances.

It's time to make a simple yet kick-ass plan with a clear goal and timeline, and then start hustling.

That's already ahead of the curve, better than what most folks do.

No one else can read your mind or know your purpose on this planet. And guess what? No one will care as much as you do!

If there's a secret to success, it's this: you write your own story, create your own path.

There's no rulebook that says you have to follow the same old routine like everyone else. 

Sure, you might stumble along the way. But that's okay. Opportunities often arise from failure, not before it.

So dust yourself off and try again. Keep building that scaffold from where you are to where you want to be. 

One plan, one step, one day at a time.

Don't wait for the perfect moment – make the moment perfect.

taplio

The Battle

Darren McKee

Malcolm Peace

Followers

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Performance ScoreDarren McKee's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Darren McKee

Malcolm Peace

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Darren McKee's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreMalcolm Peace's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDarren McKee's LinkedIn Performance