{"$schema":"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jsonresume/resume-schema/v1.0.0/schema.json","basics":{"name":"Daniel Askew","label":"Founder & CEO, Icon Business Advisors","image":"https://saywise-production-profilepicturestoragebucket-kbfooccc.s3.amazonaws.com/profile-pictures/25a09339-36e5-41e4-87d3-dd46d21dcd32/linkedin-1791233784404.jpg","summary":"Greetings from Nashville! I'm Daniel, a passionate entrepreneur and business advocate dedicated to empowering fellow founders on their path to lasting success. As a third-generation real estate and finance professional, I kicked off my career with rapid momentum, serving over 500 families and closing $125 million in residential sales in just four years. That foundation opened doors to Five Doors Network, where we acquired and scaled real estate businesses nationwide, landing on the INC 500 list as the #118 fastest-growing private company in America. With the arrival of my kids, priorities evolved toward building our family holding company, Owen Capital. We launched and integrated ventures like Living TN (serving 2,400+ families with $450M+ in sales), Hassle Free Lending for mortgages, title services, and Turf Clips for home maintenance—creating a seamless ecosystem while balancing family life. After some burnout, boredom and reflection, I realized what truly lights me up: being the trusted ally I always wished for as an operator. CEOs need friends too! I decided to leave good to chase great. That's how Icon Business Advisors was born in 2023—a founder-first firm where our team's hard-won expertise, networks, and scrappy lessons fuel entrepreneurs in real estate, healthcare, tech, and beyond. We're the \"Jerry Maguire\" for business leaders, blending empathy, innovation, and execution to scale companies, navigate M&A, raise capital, and craft legacies that create jobs and strengthen communities. When not diving into deals, I'm adventuring in Forest Hills with my wife Rachel, sons Charlie and Peyton, and our pup Delilah—or soaking up the sun with friends on Center Hill Lake. Thrilled to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and fellow business enthusiasts. Whether eyeing growth, M&A, or just swapping stories, let's rap!","location":{"city":"Nashville, TN, United States"},"profiles":[{"network":"LinkedIn","username":"danielaskew","url":"https://linkedin.com/in/danielaskew"}]},"meta":{"canonical":"https://saywise.com/member9556","version":"v1.0.0","lastModified":"2026-10-05T20:56:26.080Z"},"x_saywise":{"handle":"member9556","pronouns":null,"availability":null,"oneLiner":"Greetings from Nashville! I'm Daniel, a passionate entrepreneur and business advocate dedicated to empowering fellow founders on their path to lasting success. As a third-generation real estate and finance professional, I kicked off my career with rapid momentum, serving over 500 families and closing $125 million in residential sales in just four years. That foundation opened doors to Five Doors Network, where we acquired and scaled real estate businesses nationwide, landing on the INC 500 list as the #118 fastest-growing private company in America. With the arrival of my kids, priorities evolved toward building our family holding company, Owen Capital. We launched and integrated ventures like Living TN (serving 2,400+ families with $450M+ in sales), Hassle Free Lending for mortgages, title services, and Turf Clips for home maintenance—creating a seamless ecosystem while balancing family life. After some burnout, boredom and reflection, I realized what truly lights me up: being the trusted ally I always wished for as an operator. CEOs need friends too! I decided to leave good to chase great. That's how Icon Business Advisors was born in 2023—a founder-first firm where our team's hard-won expertise, networks, and scrappy lessons fuel entrepreneurs in real estate, healthcare, tech, and beyond. We're the \"Jerry Maguire\" for business leaders, blending empathy, innovation, and execution to scale companies, navigate M&A, raise capital, and craft legacies that create jobs and strengthen communities. When not diving into deals, I'm adventuring in Forest Hills with my wife Rachel, sons Charlie and Peyton, and our pup Delilah—or soaking up the sun with friends on Center Hill Lake. Thrilled to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and fellow business enthusiasts. Whether eyeing growth, M&A, or just swapping stories, let's rap!","profileUrl":"https://saywise.com/member9556","markdownUrl":"https://saywise.com/member9556/profile.md","pdfUrl":"https://saywise.com/member9556/resume.pdf","archetype":{"code":"RB-DG","name":"Horizon Navigator","url":"https://saywise.com/sca/824a8facf90d","rarity":"One of the first Horizon Navigators on Saywise"}},"work":[{"name":"ASD.me","position":"Advisory Board Member","url":"https://asd.me","startDate":"2026-03-01","summary":"ASD.me is a telehealth platform focused on autism diagnostics, making credentialed assessment accessible to families regardless of geography or waitlist timelines. Serving as an advisory board member on business strategy and capital formation."},{"name":"OTTOYARD","position":"Co-Founder & COO","location":"Nashville, Tennessee","url":"https://ottoyard.com","startDate":"2025-10-01","summary":"Ottoyard is building the physical infrastructure that EV and autonomous vehicle fleets need to operate at scale — secure, tech-enabled depot facilities engineered for the next generation of commercial transportation. As Co-Founder and COO, I lead operations, capital strategy, and business development. We are currently raising our pre-seed round to build our first pilot depot in Nashville. The opportunity is straightforward: there are 3.5M commercial vehicles in the US today. The transition to electric and autonomous is not optional — it's a regulatory and economic inevitability. Ottoyard is positioning to own a critical piece of that infrastructure. → ottoyard.com"},{"name":"Margaritaville Fun Fund","position":"General Partner","location":"Nashville, Tennessee","startDate":"2025-06-01","summary":"Margaritaville Fun Fund is a hospitality-focused private equity fund targeting select-service and boutique hotel properties in high-traffic leisure markets across the Sun Belt and Southeast. As General Partner, I lead investor relations, acquisition strategy, and fund operations. The thesis: leisure travel is resilient, brand-driven hospitality outperforms independent properties, and the right operator can generate strong risk-adjusted returns in the $5M-$30M deal size. Actively seeking LP investors and acquisition targets."},{"name":"Brook Commerical","position":"Founder","location":"Nashville, Tennessee","startDate":"2023-09-01","summary":"Brook Commercial is building a neobank purpose-built for contractors, tradespeople, and construction business owners — the most underbanked segment of the US small business economy. The platform goes beyond banking to deliver cash flow tools, project-based financial management, and a Founder Level Club revenue-sharing program that rewards business growth. As Co-Founder, I provide strategic direction, investor introductions, and advisory support as the team builds toward launch."},{"name":"Icon Business Advisors","position":"Founder & CEO","location":"Nashville Metropolitan Area","url":"https://iconbusinessadvisors.com","startDate":"2023-01-01","summary":"Icon Business Advisors is a tech-enabled M&A and capital advisory firm serving lower middle-market business owners across the country — from our base in Nashville, Tennessee. We advise on sell-side M&A, capital raises, buy-side acquisitions, and operating partnerships for companies between $3M and $50M in revenue. Our edge is operator credibility — we've built, bought, and sold businesses ourselves. When we advise a client, we're not reading from a playbook. We're drawing from experience. Service lines include Icon Exit (sell-side M&A), Icon Capital (equity + debt raises), Icon Deal Flow (buy-side sourcing), Icon Partner (operating equity partnerships), and the Operator Command Center (our 72-hour consulting sprint product). → iconbusinessadvisors.com"},{"name":"Compass","position":"Commercial Real Estate Advisor | Real Equity Group","location":"Nashville, Tennessee — Green Hills Office","url":"https://compass.com","startDate":"2022-01-01","summary":"Licensed real estate advisor affiliated with the Real Equity Group at Compass – serving Nashville and Franklin. Focused on commercial and investment properties, 1031 exchanges, and real estate as a wealth-building tool for business owner clients."},{"name":"Foundation Title & Escrow Series, LLC","position":"Investor / Chief Sales Officer","location":"Nashville Metropolitan Area","startDate":"2019-08-01","endDate":"2020-10-01","summary":"We process Residential and Commercial Real Estate transactions by making the often complicated aspect of those transactions as painless and seamless as possible for everyone involved, while creating a positive and memorable experience for buyers and sellers. We recognize that we have the unique opportunity to play a vital role in making dreams come true; and that for most, this is a once maybe twice in a lifetime experience. Our desire is to disrupt and challenge the status quo because we believe that everyone deserves to have their interest protected, while receiving white glove service."},{"name":"Five Doors Network","position":"Partner","location":"Greater Nashville Area, TN","url":"https://fivedoors.com","startDate":"2017-06-01","endDate":"2020-08-01","summary":"In 2019, Five Doors Network ranked as the #6 team in the industry moving up 4 spots with over 1,800 families served. Last year ranked as the #10 team Wall Street Journal's Real Trends industry wide across all brokerages for closed transaction units in addition to #113 in Inc Magazines Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America. Five Doors busted on the scene with an Inman Most Innovative Team Award in 2017 which helped it gains its national powerhouse status after only 4 years since its creation. Our goal is to be the catalyst for change in real estate by revolutionizing the way the industry does business. Five Doors Network is different by design. Our work is much more than real estate. Our work is your life, your dreams, and building your legacy. We believe that integrity, teamwork, passion, accountability, and a learning mind set are the key tenets of real success. By adhering to these values, we will achieve our mission of building Generational Wealth through real estate. Daniel built the Southeast Region for Five Doors which grew to 5 locations in TN and GA with over 65 top real estate professionals in addition to hiring and training over 150 Realtors."},{"name":"Living TN","position":"Founder","location":"Nashville, TN","startDate":"2013-01-01","summary":"Living TN, now partnered with Compass, was originally built as a different kind of real estate agency, offering exceptional customer service from locals, innovative technologies, the best Realtors® in Nashville, and seriously good coffee. Our team approach philosophy leverages aspects of the transaction process to specialists with the goal of making every transaction for our clients a pleasurable experience by having increased accessibility and expertise. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, no one knows the intricacies of transitioning and beginning a new chapter than Daniel Askew. To provide an all inclusive real estate experience the Living TN team provides the most cutting edge home search site in town, LivingTN.com. With the knowledge but more importantly a firsthand knowledge of what it takes, Daniel and his team will make your next move not only smooth, but rewarding! A full-sized firm that’s big enough to offer comprehensive resources yet small enough to provide personal attention to take the time to fully understand your goals. We have a staff of 30 high quality individuals who love helping others. Our company has now grown with a renewed focus on promotion of local businesses. We are a community brand and love leveraging our network to help everyone grow. Lets us know if you are interested in us spotlighting you!"},{"name":"Keller Williams Realty, Inc.","position":"Affiliate Broker","location":"Nashville, TN","url":"https://kw.com","startDate":"2012-07-01","endDate":"2020-07-01","summary":"Keller Williams Realty is committed to a better future for all. That’s why so many of our 170,000 - plus associates throughout the U.S. and Canada work hard every day to help educate and empower their customers to make more informed decisions about the health, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability of their homes and communities. Nashville Real Estate Services, LLC strategically operates as an affiliate of Keller Williams. Focusing on its core values - God, Family and Business, Keller Williams has grown to the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in the United States. Our Nashville office has the most market share of any brokerage in Middle Tennessee with over 1.2 billion dollars in sales for 2013. Yes, that is a lot of families served!"},{"name":"Weichert, Realtors","position":"Realtor","location":"Nashville, TN","url":"https://weichert.com","startDate":"2010-12-01","endDate":"2012-07-01","summary":"• Full-time, full-service realtor available 24/7 to assist clients in their home buying and selling needs. • With 10 years of mortgage and financial expertise, I help clients at all levels in their careers determine a path to home ownership by identifying target properties in their budget and strategies to accomplish their goals. • Acquisition agent for investors seeking foreclosures, distressed properties and short sale opportunities. • Well-connected native Nashvillian with a large network of buyers and properties resulted in these 2010 achievements: Average Days on Market (date listed until contract signed) for new listings of under 15 days, Weichert Realtors Rookie of the Year Southeast Region (7 states), The Andrews Group Rookie of the Year, Executive Club Member for achieving over $2 million in sales, Million Dollar Sales Club. • Attention to detail, ability to negotiate and communicate effectively with the many parties involved in effective real estate transactions has resulted in 100% customer satisfaction. Access to strategic partnerships, Village's local network and technology further complement my expertise."},{"name":"Regions Bank","position":"Mortgage Banker","location":"Nashville, TN","startDate":"2008-04-01","endDate":"2009-10-01","summary":"• Trusted financial adviser in the complex home loan industry, responsible for coordinating insurance, title work, appraisal, processing, underwriting, closing, and post-closing for conventional and government products. • As project manager, required to multi-task, balancing client needs with business development activities. Success resulted from networking, building relationships and superior customer service. • $8 million of production in the first year. Nominated for Mortgage Rookie of the Year and Better Life Award for community leadership. • Developed and implemented program to support families experiencing divorce. New program expected to increase deposits by 20% in the first year. Created training materials used by 600 loan officers in 16 states. • As Divorce this House Mortgage Expert, trained 50+ agents in divorce real estate and was featured on Nashville’s Channel 2 News."},{"name":"Bank of America","position":"Mortgage Banker","location":"Nashville, TN","url":"https://bankofamerica.com","startDate":"2006-11-01","endDate":"2008-03-01","summary":"• Planned and coordinated conventional, government and complex construction loans nationwide. Assisted in recruiting both bank officers and mortgage bankers. • Grew customer database to 600+ people. Personal production: 12 million. • Developed preferred lender agreements with $40 million volume potential."},{"name":"Home Mortgage, Inc.","position":"Mortgage Broker / Consultant","location":"Franklin, TN","startDate":"2006-03-01","endDate":"2006-10-01","summary":"• Successfully operated on a referral-only basis, managed 400+ potential clients and generated over $7 million in production volume in 7 months. • As mortgage expert for The Tennessean, authored Mortgage Matters, a Q&A editorial in Homes Galore that discussed real estate issues. • Authored weekly Market Update newsletter that educated over 350 clients about mortgage rates and trends."},{"name":"Capital Mortgage Funding, LLC","position":"Mortgage Broker / Consultant","location":"Franklin, TN","startDate":"2004-07-01","endDate":"2006-03-01","summary":"Grew company to $3 million in production volume in 3 months while staffing, training and managing 8 loan officers. Personal production exceeded $500,000 a month in loan volume."}],"education":[{"institution":"University of Tennessee, Knoxville","studyType":"Finance","startDate":"1999-01-01","endDate":"2003-01-01"},{"institution":"David Lipscomb High School","startDate":"1996-01-01","endDate":"1999-01-01"}],"skills":[{"name":"Due Diligence"},{"name":"Financial Modeling"},{"name":"Team Leadership"},{"name":"Investor Relations"},{"name":"Deal Structuring"},{"name":"Entrepreneurship"},{"name":"Business Strategy"},{"name":"Private Equity"},{"name":"Exit Planning"},{"name":"Business Valuation"},{"name":"Capital Raising"},{"name":"Strategic Planning"},{"name":"Commercial Real Estate Development"},{"name":"Commercial Leasing"},{"name":"Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)"},{"name":"Investment Banking"},{"name":"Brokering"},{"name":"Business Development"},{"name":"Leadership Development"},{"name":"Business Brokerage"}]}