Doug Adlam is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, speaker, and strategic advisor in Canada's mortgage and financial industries. With a career spanning over 17 years, Doug has co-founded and exited multiple ventures, including an industry disrupting mortgage technology that was acquired in 2020.Doug began his journey by growing his family's mortgage brokerage 40X. Later he went on to serve as Director of Strategic Growth for a national brokerage, and played a pivotal role in scaling it into a national powerhouse-quadrupling its operations in just two and a half years and helping lead it to billions in annual originations. He also co-founded a successful wealth management startup focused on corporate financial planning, which he exited in 2023.A former professor at the University of Guelph, Doug taught marketing, consumer behaviour, and information management for six years and founded the university's Entrepreneurship 4100 course. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management and a post-graduate degree in Marketing and Consumer Studies, following an early academic start in Computer Systems Engineering.Today, Doug is the founder of Adlam Innovations, a strategic platform focused on helping leaders scale businesses that operate-and eventually exit-without them. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, podcast guest, and advisor to founders, executives, and high-growth teams.
Forever a consummate professional who wears his heart on his sleeve. Having known Doug for nearly a dozen years now, he is not just an industry colleague, but has become a close friend. His ability to truly connect with people on a personal level has translated into forging lasting friendships and solid industry partnerships. Fitting that we hit it off at our first introduction, in a Mortgage Mastermind Group together, the topic of discussion: 'The Entrepreneur's Journey'. Fast forward to today, Doug is providing guidance from real world experience with the stripes and scars earned along the way. -Scott H. Bentley Doug is the kind of leader our industry needs more of, visionary, grounded, and generous with his knowledge. He brings that lived experience with such clarity and honesty. His ability to turn complex challenges into actionable strategies makes him a trusted voice, not just in mortgages but in business. This book reflects his rare ability to inspire while offering practical, proven strategies. -Michelle Campbell Doug distills the essence of mortgage brokering and shows how to build a thriving business within a complex ecosystem, delivered in a clear, easy-to-read style. A must-read for anyone exploring a career in mortgage brokering, and a valuable checkpoint for established brokers and owners to assess whether they truly own a business or are simply trading time for money. -Dan Putnam As a successful brokerage owner who has had the pleasure of collaborating on many topics over the years with Doug, I can confidently say that this book on Building a Mortgage Business offers great insights for anyone looking to venture into this space. -Kerri Reed Doug's The Business of Brokering is a game-changer for mortgage professionals, offering clear, battle-tested strategies forged from his years of building a thriving mortgage business and investing in fintech. As a long-time colleague and close friend, I've witnessed his sharp insight and relentless drive firsthand. This book captures that brilliance, delivering practical wisdom for creating lasting success. This Blueprint is an essential read for anyone serious about elevating their game in the industry. -Tom Gasparec I've known Doug Adlam as a colleague and close friend for years and have always been impressed by his incredible insight into the mortgage industry. With The Business of Brokering, he has distilled his decades of experience-from founding an award-winning brokerage to co-founding a groundbreaking fintech company-into a truly invaluable guide. This book isn't just about the mechanics of the job; it's a strategic roadmap for building a business that creates lasting value. It's a must-read for any mortgage professional ready to take their career to the next level. -Rob Cagnin The journey of a mortgage professional can feel like a solo journey - but it doesn't have to be. Doug has created a lighthouse in this book: a guide lit by real stories, raw truths, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from walking the walk. Whether you are just starting out or wondering what comes next, this book offers the clarity, courage, and heart we all need to keep going and keep growing as mortgage professionals. -Frances Hinojosa Doug has put together a combination of very insightful and key factors to consider in all aspects of building and maintaining a successful mortgage brokerage, and how to be ready to exit at any time whilst leaving a successful legacy. There is no book out there like it as Doug reveals an extraordinary level of guidance, from firsthand knowledge, that will go a long way for new brokers to experienced brokers to lender partners. -Livia Pellegrino