Business

January 29, 2026

Since we first met Daniel Hakim in 2024, his Club of United Business has continued to grow and evolve. Now in its 11th year, it’s a national success story, helping thousands of business owners find their tribe.

By Business View

Would meeting scores of fellow entrepreneurs help propel your business forward?

Daniel Hakim certainly thought it would – and that belief became the foundation of Club of United Business (CUB).

Founded in 2015, CUB has grown into a national networking powerhouse, connecting 28,000 business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide. It now boasts thriving upmarket clubhouses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Parramatta, alongside a three-floor flagship facility in the prestigious Louis Vuitton building in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. New premises in Adelaide and the Gold Coast are set to open in 2027.

Part of Daniel’s success lies in his refusal to stand still. While CUB remains firmly focused on delivering premium networking for established entrepreneurs, the past two years have seen Daniel and his 30-strong team expand its ecosystem through the launch of the Early Stage Business Community (ESBC). This separate community was created to support earlier-stage founders who were not yet eligble for CUB, allowing the business to serve a broader demographic of business owner. With more than 1,000 sign-ups since launch, ESBC has become the fastest growing arm of the group, helping ambitious founders build the network they need to reach the next level.

Where it began

The idea for CUB came from personal need, according to Daniel.

When he returned to Australia 11 years ago after studying and working in Europe, he was keen to start his own venture, and even keener to meet up with others doing the same thing. But finding and connecting with aspiring entrepreneurs and businesspeople proved a hurdle for the then 23-year-old.

“When I got back, I didn’t know that many people and I wanted to grow my network,” he explains.

“Where I’d been living, there were lots of members clubs, especially in London. So I looked up members clubs in Australia for businesspeople, but the only ones I could find were very traditional and that just wasn’t what I wanted.

“I could see there was space for a community that represented the modern and diverse face of Australian business and the new generation of leadership.”

Daniel lost no time filling that space. In October 2015, CUB opened the doors of its first club in Sydney’s Potts Point and began marketing to potential members.

Building a nationwide network

CUB’s original entry criteria – designed for established businesses – set the bar high, with a $9,900 membership fee and a minimum annual revenue requirement of $1 million. The demand, however, was immediate, with sign-ups coming swiftly.  

“I knew straight away it had legs,” Daniel says. “I wanted it myself – to be part of a community. And when I would tell other people what I was trying to build, they wanted it as well.”

Making it easy – and enjoyable – for time poor businesspeople to build genuine personal and business bonds is CUB’s chief value proposition. Personal relationship managers ascertain the types of businesses new members would benefit from connecting with and introduce them to at least 30 compatible owners and entrepreneurs every year. A continuous series of digital and in-person events provide ample opportunities for meeting and mingling, and members have access to clubhouse boardrooms and meeting spaces.

Fast tracking small business growth

But Daniel didn’t stop there. While established businesses were CUB’s original focus, start-ups and smaller players – those with turnover between $200,000 and $1 million – are now firmly in its sights. For $5,500 a year – around half the cost of full membership – these members receive limited clubhouse access and entry to a dedicated calendar of ESBC events, designed to bring founders together with peers at the same stage, alongside selected industry leaders and major players from the broader CUB network.

“We had a lot of enquiries from business owners who wanted to join CUB but weren’t eligible,” Daniel explains. “So, we replicated our CUB model as best we could to appeal to this segment of the market. ESBC members don’t receive the same personalised experience as full members, but they’re given just as many opportunities to meet fellow business owners who are at the same stage of their business journey.”

The expansion has been an unqualified success. So too has CUB’s micro-business offering. Designed for founders with less cash to spare, the company’s Born of Ambition (BOA) app provides low- or no-cost access to powerful networking and advisory sessions, connecting businesses with a national community of business owners. Subscriptions range from $0 to $2,400 a year and have proven especially popular with young female entrepreneurs since the app’s 2023 launch, Daniel says.

Finding their tribe

CUB’s formula has found favour with a who’s who of Australian success stories. Members include Showpo founder and Shark Tank judge Jane Lu, WINK Models founder Taryn Williams and Splend founder Chris King. Celebrity businessman Mark Bouris is also a fan – so much so that he bought a share in the company in 2020.

Whatever their business or profile, Daniel is firm in the belief that being a CUB member can help accelerate personal and business growth. Over the years, he’s seen members sell products, services and businesses to one another, join one another’s boards and, most importantly, forge supportive bonds with peers who understand the trials, tribulations and triumphs of running your own show.

“The best thing any business owner can do is surround themselves with the right people,” Daniel says.

“It doesn’t matter what stage your business is at, networking increases your chances of success dramatically and it makes the journey more enjoyable and fulfilling too.”

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