Jay MacDougall

Jay MacDougall

Jay MacDougall is the founder of Built-In Growth, a consulting practice focused on helping business owners break through growth plateaus by reconnecting strategy, customers, and execution. His work centers on customer-led growth, clear positioning, and practical decision-making, helping leaders move from being busy in their business to building one that truly works.

In addition to his consulting work, Jay is a Business Advisor with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED), where he supports aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs across Nova Scotia. With more than 23 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, media, and leadership, Jay brings a grounded, real-world perspective to entrepreneurship and community development.

His career includes roles as a newsroom editor, morning radio host, radio sales manager, and marketing agency owner. These experiences shaped his belief that growth is rarely about doing more—it’s about doing the right things, with clarity and intention. Jay speaks candidly about lessons learned from failure as well as success, offering audiences insight that is both credible and immediately applicable.

A professional broadcaster and published author, Jay is known for making complex ideas accessible, engaging, and actionable. His keynote talks blend storytelling, practical frameworks, and audience reflection, making them particularly effective for entrepreneurs, leadership teams, and community organizations.

Jay lives in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, with his husband Ricky and their dogs, Diva and Duke.