Business Developer / Consultant / performance coach

Dana Loftus

Hey, friends — I’m glad you’re here!I’m Dana, and I help people simplify complexity and move forward with clarity.I’ve spent more than 25 years as a multidisciplinary business developer, consultant, and performance coach, building and supporting projects across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. My work has ranged across real estate development, consumer goods, food and beverage, retail, hospitality, product design & development, manufacturing, e-commerce, travel, PR & advertising, media, technology, and urban economic planning.

BUSINESS CONSULTING

I specialize in building startups from the ground up, with a focus on innovation, systems architecture, brand positioning, and problem-solving. I help move ideas from zero to one by designing the systems, frameworks, processes, and infrastructure that allow founders and organizations to launch, adapt, and grow.Practically speaking, I’ve built and led every core function required to run a business: operations, finance, legal, regulatory and compliance, market research, product development, manufacturing, supply chains, logistics, sales, branding, marketing, design, communications, HR, leadership, and the design and buildout of production facilities and points of sale.This range of experience allows me to see the entire business ecosystem clearly and identify strategic changes that will help move your business forward.My approach is grounded in first-principles, Lean Manufacturing, agile development, and Design Theory, to identify where small shifts can reduce friction, unlock potential, and build momentum using what you already have.I’ve spent decades in the trenches, so I understand how personal the work is, how challenging and isolating it can be, and what’s at stake. I also know how valuable it can be to have a clear, steady strategic partner to help you regain perspective, identify opportunities, unlock potential, and move forward with confidence.

Experience

I started my first business at 18, built a seven-figure real estate portfolio by my mid-20s, and have developed leading, first-to-market consumer brands at local, national, and global levels. I’ve also launched and run a successful food-based business in a challenging emerging market (in a language I didn't yet speak), and scaled it during the pandemic. Those years were... character-building.Creatively, I’ve worked as a professional photographer in Chicago, specializing in music, brand, and lifestyle photography for outlets and brands including Billboard, Rolling Stone, Nike, Starbucks, and Budweiser. I’m a professional baker and recently developed and operated one of Mexico’s top two sourdough bread bakeries and gourmet markets. And in 2015, one of my Swiss-based projects received an International Architizer Award for Product Design, selected from a global field of submissions.Currently, I’m developing several new projects through my incubator, Design Theory Lab, ranging from new product development and brand-driven e-commerce to community impact initiatives.

BACKGROUND

My life has been shaped by curiosity, immersion, and adventure — from extended travel and long periods living in remote regions abroad to personal growth and development. I’ve sailed from Panama to Fiji over 7 months, solo-cycled across New Zealand and Australia, aided archeological expeditions in Panama, and practiced spiritual hermitage in India, just to name a few.Doing hard things has rewired my understanding of what’s possible outside of your comfort zone: namely, everything. It’s unlocked my own strength, adaptability, and resilience, while giving me a deeper understanding of our universally shared desire for connection, security, and purpose, which drives everything in business, as in life.More importantly, these experiences have taught me how to adapt quickly to different people, environments, and circumstances, particularly during times of transition or complexity. They’ve taught me how to listen closely, separate signal from noise, and identify the clearest path forward.That ability to think analytically, stay grounded, see the bigger picture, and turn complexity into action is something I bring to every project and team I work with.Currently, I live in a remote, coastal town in Costa Rica with six rescue dogs from three different countries and a host of jungle bugs. I’m available to work across any time zone.

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