
Dowan Kim
Startup founder advisor for corporate professionals moving into entrepreneurship
| Hourly rate range | $115 to $175 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Founders and business owners and Professionals |
| Also coaches | Executive coach |
| Credentials | AI Certified; Completed Level 1 of Leland's AI Builder Program |
Dowan Kim is a startup founder advisor who helps corporate professionals build a business and leave their jobs. He spent 13 years at Goldman Sachs, Google, and TikTok before becoming full-time CEO of Kimtan Labs, an 8-figure FMCG business. He built that company while holding a full-time salary. He coaches side hustle growth, the financial metrics needed to quit safely, and the shift from solo founder to multi-brand CEO.
What Dowan helps with
Dowan works with people who run a side business while holding a demanding job. He helps them grow it and decide when to leave.
- Scaling a side hustle to 7 figures without losing your job
- Knowing the financial and operational metrics needed to quit safely
- Moving from solo founder to CEO of a multi-brand business
- Go-to-market strategy
- Market research
- Building an investor-ready fundraising deck
- Moving from a corporate career into entrepreneurship
Who Dowan works with
Dowan coaches high-performers in corporate roles who are building a side business. They often hold high-pressure leadership jobs. Some are ready to quit and some are still building the base. He also works with founders who need help with go-to-market plans and fundraising decks.
How Dowan works
Dowan teaches a three-part path he calls the transition. The Build covers scaling a side hustle to 7 figures while employed. The Break covers the exact financial and operational metrics needed to quit safely. The Scale covers moving from solo founder to CEO of a multi-national, multi-brand business. His view is to build a solid base before you jump.
Background and qualifications
Dowan spent 13 years working at Goldman Sachs, Google, and TikTok. He then moved into full-time entrepreneurship as CEO of Kimtan Labs, a profitable 8-figure FMCG business. He built the foundation of that company while earning a full-time salary. He has worked with more than 10 startup founder clients. He is AI Certified and has completed Level 1 of Leland's AI Builder Program.
Dowan Kim pricing
Programs and services
- Corporate career to entrepreneurship coaching, 1 hour
- Investor-ready fundraising deck program, 10 hours or more
- Custom hourly coaching for go-to-market strategy and market research
Dowan Kim reviews
Dowan Kim has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
He built an 8-figure FMCG business while still working a full-time corporate job, and now coaches others through the same move.
Best for corporate professionals who run a side business and want a safe plan to leave their job and scale.
Common questions
How much does Dowan Kim charge?
Coaching with Dowan runs $115 to $175 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Dowan Kim help with?
Dowan Kim helps with scaling a side hustle to 7 figures without losing your job, knowing the financial and operational metrics needed to quit safely, moving from solo founder to CEO of a multi-brand business and go-to-market strategy.
Does Dowan Kim have reviews?
Dowan Kim has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Dowan Kim certified?
Dowan Kim lists: AI Certified; Completed Level 1 of Leland's AI Builder Program.
Can Dowan help me decide when to quit my job?
Yes. He teaches the financial and operational metrics you need to hit before you quit safely.
How do I contact Dowan Kim?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Dowan and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.