Dustin is a proptech founder and real estate innovator building Archie—a platform transforming home equity into instant, flexible liquidity. He’s passionate about removing friction from real estate transactions, with a focus on speed, value, and smarter asset access. A CrossFit and biohacking enthusiast, Dustin brings energy, curiosity, and a killer dad-joke game to the startup world.
The Anti-Conference
For Scaling Founders
The Anti-Conference For Scaling Founders
- Upstate New York
- June 9-12, 2025
- Upstate New York
- June 9-12, 2025
As Featured In...
Welcome to the underground haven for founders & CEO’s! This community unites visionaries across industries, offering exclusive events and a deeper, annual membership for nurturing long-term professional and personal growth.
If you are in the pivotal 5-25 million grow & scale phase, if you’ve transitioned from the initial hustle of entrepreneurship to that of strategic leadership, if you want to have good times with other founders, cut lightyears off your learning curve, and grow financially…
Then join us in the pristine Finger Lakes for a luxury lakefront resort takeover. Get ready for five-star dining that’ll make your taste buds dance, exciting boat cruises, endless lake activities, mesmerizing live music performances, soothing barrel saunas, massages, wellness offerings, and drinks that flow like Niagara Falls (unlimited, of course).
“I’m the guy that hates masterminds…I swore them off as not my scene, and didn’t like the vibe & being constantly pitched. I was really resistant to coming here...but this is hands down the best event of any kind that I’ve ever been to. The food, the people, the content…my head is about to explode with all the ideas I have. I’m a convert.”
One of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of functional medicine and ancestral health
“I was worried before I came to this conference that it would be a bro-fest, but I have been so pleasantly surprised. Not only at the sheer number of women, but at the quality of those women. Every single one that I have met is a badass in her own right. So many people who are amazing at what they do and who are also totally willing to say what they’re not good at - and that is so refreshing.”
Attorney & Entrepreneur
CEO of San Francisco Crossfit
THE FLAGSHIP
YOUR PORTAL TO NEXT LEVEL GROWTH
Over the past ten years, our social scientists at Baby Bathwater have developed a proprietary formula for quantum wave manipulation and ultimate ‘good times’.
Minimizing the ‘bathwater’ and maximizing the ‘baby’ to the best of our abilities, always improving, and never settling…
Our flagship events are a chance to break out of your shell, supercharge your network, hit that pressure release valve, and return home recharged with actionable takeaways from 18+ content sessions and countless life-altering convos. Our lakeside campus will be home to ~120 carefully curated guests, including our welcoming Members who drive the culture and newcomers who have been selected for this event.
You’ll be surrounded by:
- Like-minded peers who genuinely understand your journey
- Content & conversations that will cut lightyears off of your business growth
- Support & energy to carry out your lofty ambitions
But space is extremely limited:
We launched this event exclusively to our Members in November ‘23, and are thrilled to report that over half of the available tickets have already been snatched up.
The remaining spots have now been opened to the Non-Members. Demand is high, with over half of the tickets already spoken for and the remaining spots are going fast. We STRONGLY suggest you take action to avoid a most severe case of FOMO.
"I had high expectations and they've been blown out of the water. If you’re lucky enough to get asked or invited…give them your money before they figure out you probably shouldn’t be there, because that’s how I feel. So if you have the chance, get the application form done, show up, ask lots of questions, be a good person and things will happen.
“Never could I have ever imagined that doing business with people could be THIS fun. Yes, you'll get tremendous value professionally, but the people you meet - that's the gold."
THE PEER GROUP YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR
A glimpse into the peer group you will meet – real folks on their own version of a similar path.
The reason we attend social gatherings is to hang out with friends and make new connections. To ease your curiosity, here’s a sneak peek of a few of the confirmed attendees you will meet in New York. They come from various walks of life and industries, but have common threads. Collectively, they have seen it all, and they’re ready to share their knowledge with you!
Juliet Starrett
CEO, The Ready State
Juliet is an entrepreneur, attorney, author, and athlete dedicated to helping people move better. She is the co-founder and CEO of The Ready State, a leader in musculoskeletal self-care, and co-founded San Francisco CrossFit, one of the first 50 affiliates. A New York Times bestselling author, Juliet also co-hosts the Ready State Podcast and is a three-time world champion whitewater paddler.
Ezra Firestone
Founder, Smart Marketer Inc.
Ezra is a serial entrepreneur, educator, and eCommerce innovator who has built multiple successful businesses, including BoomBeauty, Smart Marketer, and Zipify Apps. Starting from scratch in 2007, he has grown his ventures to generate $60M+ in annual revenue. Passionate about scaling businesses with integrity, Ezra shares insights on eCommerce, marketing, and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. His philosophy? consistency, not intensity, is the key to long-term success.
Blake Kingsbury
Co-Founder, Vela Boatworks
Blake Co-Founded Tusk Partners, an M&A advisory firm in the corporate dental space, One Dental Match, a dental hiring platform, and Vela Boatworks, which he is currently running. At Vela they are striving to use ongoing advances in technology to create fully sustainable, recyclable seafaring vessels that use 100% renewable energy.
Gretchen Leslie
Founder, The Wolf and Company
Gretchen is Founder of The Wolf and Company, a business dedicated to taking away the day-to-day concerns of running a company so that CEOs can focus on the things that really matter… with zero distractions.
Seth Conger
COO, Freedom Practice Coaching & Vibility
Seth is a business leader and innovator in Functional Medicine, with a track record of scaling and exiting successful ventures. He led a seven-figure practice, co-founded the first venture-funded startup in the Alzheimer’s space, and was published for his work in reversing cognitive decline. Now, he serves as COO of Freedom Practice Coaching and Vibility, driving innovation in healthcare and business coaching.
Melanie Merkling
Founder & CEO, Bonfire Ventures
From scaling consumer brands at Walmart and Sam’s Club to launching global adventures with her twins, Melanie embodies the adventurous spirit and business acumen that drive today’s dynamic markets. Her unique perspective on balancing life’s adventures with entrepreneurial ventures will both inspire and challenge you.
Joe Kensett
Co-Founder, SV Marketing
Mike Mathweg
Speaker & Consultant, Relentless Consulting
Mike is a business strategist and insurance industry veteran who built and sold a successful agency before launching Relentless Consulting, where he helps insurance agents and agencies structure, scale, and sell on their own terms. After exiting his agency and briefly exploring the employee route, he realized his true passion: helping others build lasting success in the industry.
Niraj Shah
Founder, DKZ Equity
Niraj is an entrepreneur, investor, and board advisor with a focus on Real Estate and Health & Wellness. After surviving a serious stroke at 30, he reshaped his approach to business and life. Over the past 12 years, he has founded or co-founded six companies and advised 50+ business owners across Europe and North America. Passionate about mental performance, wellness tech, and personal growth, Niraj shares his insights at nirajs.com.
Joe Tuson
Engineering Manager, Uber
Joe is an engineering leader with over a decade of experience building high-performance teams in startups and big tech. Combining a deep understanding of technology with a passion for coaching, Joe creates environments where people thrive. He specializes in training and developing managers, fostering growth and excellence within dynamic, fast-paced organizations.
Samm Hunter
Founder, sammhunter.com
Samm is a high-performance coach, specializing in mindset and relationships. She has been a guiding force for executives, athletes, and celebrities, helping them break free from self-imposed barriers to live their best lives. With a lifetime of “over-certifying” to combat imposter syndrome, Samm’s transformative journey shifted her from a state of successful misery to one of genuine fulfillment.
Mac Lackey
Founder, Exit DNA
Mac is the Founder of Exit DNA and an expert in efficiently building wealth. He has successfully started, scaled, and sold six companies, with multiple eight-figure exits. With a proven system, he shares valuable insights on preparing for exits while scaling for personal freedom and success. Since founding his company, he has assisted hundreds of other business owners in maximizing their exit outcome.
Lars Lofgren
Co-Founder, Stone Press
Melanie Balke
Founder & CEO, The Email Marketers
Melanie began her career in marketing consulting for industries like automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare. She later discovered her passion for fast-paced startups, eventually joining Apt2B, one of the first furniture e-commerce brands. After gaining in-house and agency experience, Melanie founded her own successful email marketing agency.
Dustin Parker
Co-Founder, Archie
Elliot Roe
Founder, Primed Mind
Elliot is a world-renowned Mindset and Performance Coach, helping elite professionals unlock peak performance. His clients include athletes, Olympians, UFC champions, Hollywood actors, Wall Street traders, and entrepreneurs. Using hypnotherapy, mindset training, and high-performance strategies, he helps individuals eliminate mental roadblocks. Elliot is also the host of The A-Game Advantage Podcast and Cp-founder of the Primed Mind coaching app.
THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Our guestlist is a highly-curated melting pot of brands, services, investors, mentors, thought leaders and up-and-comers. This special stew will catalyze growth and leave you filled to the brim with the energy, support, and relationships needed to carry out your lofty ambitions.
NO PITCHING ALLOWED!
This event is your safe, pitch-free place to grow. No one’s gonna ask you to sign up or buy anything. The person you sit next to at lunch won’t try to recruit you or give you the hard sell.
Along with never being pitched and never being asked to open your wallet… this also means that all your other inhabitants are more comfortable kicking back and getting real here than anywhere else.
“It saves you like TEN YEARS of networking being a part of this thing."
Went from Health Blogger to 8-Figure Skin Care Business
“Full of dangerous animals who are at the top of their game. Intimidating at times, profoundly helpful, and refreshingly weird. I came away from the last member’s event with a simple tactic that boosted our monthly revenue and transformed the experience of our users. Not bad for a whiskey fueled weekend!”
Acclaimed Documentary Filmmaker & first person to monetize without using traditional distribution channels
"It’s the most direct way to get where I want to go. I can keep going to these traditional conferences and try to learn specific stuff or I can just go directly to Baby Bathwater and be with people that have done what I want to do and connect with them and learn directly from them. Just ask them ‘hey this is where I'm at, I want to do this, how do I do that’ and they'll tell me in like three seconds."
Featured Content: Peer-to-Peer Education
Our education is tailored to you, featuring real founders sharing raw, relevant insights you won’t find on YouTube. We DO NOT use paid speakers or allow any sales kickbacks – just pure, raw, unbiased sessions from the school of hard knocks leaving you armed with an arsenal of ideas and action steps proven to be effective in the real world.
Here’s a peek at just a few of the 18+ content sessions we will have in New York:
Actionable Strategies—How to Build a Kick Ass Brand
w/ Kevin Dahlstrom, Founder, Camp 4 Ventures
Branding isn’t just logos and taglines—it’s how you connect with people on a deeper level. Kevin will break down strategies to create a brand that stands out, engages audiences, and drives sales, using a real-world case study. Walk away with actionable tips to make your brand unforgettable in today’s cluttered world.
The Future of Community—Trends, Wins, and AI
w/ Gina Bianchini, Founder, Mighty Networks
From AI to advanced digital tools, the way we engage with communities is evolving fast. Gina will share insights on the future of community building, how to harness AI for deeper connections, and practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to maximize the networks they’re part of.
How to Retarget Your Leads Across Every Major Platform
w/ Aleric Heck, Founder, AdOutreach
Many marketers overlook the hidden potential of their retargeting list, leaving valuable leads untapped. In this session, Aleric Heck will show you how to supercharge your conversions and boost your return on ad spend (ROAS) with his Omnipresent Retargeting Strategy.
"We can't afford NOT to be a part of it. We've never been part of a business community where people go out of their way to help for no reason at all...and our business has skyrocketed as a result of this group. Key hires, marketing, partnerships, brand vision...it's an invaluable wealth of knowledge and support."
“You literally have a direct line to figuring out exactly the steps you need to take to reach the goals that you're trying to create in your business.”
"As an entrepreneur it's tough to find your tribe. I feel strongly this whole community espouses my beliefs around entrepreneurship, creating value, authentic convos...it’s a catch-all for me. When it comes to pushing the edge inside of your industry it can be difficult to find people that want to pioneer and develop new concepts...at bbw this is what happens.”
2nd Degree BJJ Black Belt & US Army veteran
THE PEOPLE
EVERYONE HERE HAS SOMETHING TO TEACH, AND SOMETHING TO LEARN
There are zero invisible dividing lines at Baby Bathwater happenings. Everyone here is personally invited. Everyone pays to attend. And everyone shares incredible value.
Hang out, ask questions, and have a drink with your fellow attendees (drinks are on us).
We don’t have paid “guru” speakers. We have generous content providers who are here to learn as much as they are here to teach. Who knows — we just might call on you to be on a panel or share your content after you successfully interview with us.
You’ll leave this event armed with an arsenal of ideas and action steps proven to be effective in the real world.
Cheers to making new connections that last a lifetime…
“BBW was easily the best mastermind and networking event that we have ever attended. The fact that everyone in attendance was so heavily vetted and verified by the BBW curators made the event far more productive and enjoyable. We didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to sell us on something, or waste our time with self-serving agendas. The collective brain power and creativity of the attendees allowed us to learn some great things, and most importantly, make incredible connections that have already taken our business to the next level. BBW is a home run both personally and professionally.”
“It's gold wrapped in gold, wrapped in humor, wrapped in gold. This is so fun and so valuable.”
Wellness: Perform at Your Best
We believe in supporting your overall well-being to help you perform at your best. Guests will enjoy a range of wellness activities and amenities designed to put your body and mind in the best possible position to succeed. Burnout be gone!
Barrel Saunas
Fitness Center
Cold Therapy
Yoga
Qi Gong
Access to Luxury Spa
Massages
Breathwork
Activities: Choose Your Own Adventure
At our events, we’re all about giving you options galore! Want some action? Hop on our pontoon and speed boats, try wakesurfing, or paddle around on stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or waterbikes. If relaxation is more your vibe, take a dip in our heated lakefront pool or kick back in the hot tub. Plus, we’ve got yard games for a little extra fun. It’s all about doing your thing and making memories your way.
Unlike other events, we do not have a strict schedule you must follow. This is YOUR entrepreneurial adventure.
Pontoon Boats
Speed Boats
Heated Lakefront Pool & Hot Tub
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Wakesurfing
Hydro Bikes
Kayaks
Yard Games
The Entertainment:
A Shot of Soul
Life is way too short for just learning stuff… It’s time to come out of costume. There is not the business you and the you—there is only the you!
Connect with your peers, hang out by the fire, and dance under the stars to live music across various genres. We’re not talking about your average musicians either; we’ve handpicked the absolute best. These headliners, known for rocking legendary venues like Red Rocks and Madison Square Garden, are here exclusively for us, bringing their talent to our intimate gatherings every night.
No need to stand in lines; just sip on unlimited beverages and enjoy the all-inclusive experience with your new friends for life – Who knows, you might even stay up all night to watch the sun rise over the lake…and remember why you started your business in the first place.
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:
- Participation In The Event
- Lakefront Accomodations
- Incredible Food
- Unlimited Beverages
- World Renowned Musical Entertainment
- Stimulating Content
- Access To All Activities and Wellness Offerings
Apply Now
“Paleovalley has nearly quintupled in revenue since the first BBW I attended. Most of that is directly related to the relationships I made there.”
“It is hands down the most valuable three days I have ever spent in my career"
Former CEO of $800 Million-Dollar Health & Wellness Company
“This is where I take my business to the next level. It’s an environment where there are people who are committed to your success and helping you get where you need to go and are willing to share their resources… I know that whatever I need, somebody knows somebody and they’re willing to share. It’s worth its weight in gold!”
“I feel like 10 years from now I'm going to look back at where I am, both personally and financially, and be able to draw a straight line from the day I joined BBW to where I am then.”
Answers to All Your Questions Right Here
Before the event, all attendees will receive access to the Baby Bathwater event app, which includes the full event schedule and all important details.
Here’s a quick overview to help you plan your time with us in New York:
Day 1: Arrival in New York
Please plan to arrive at the venue by 5PM on Monday, June 9th. We will provide a Ride Share Doc to help you coordinate rides with other attendees and a Lyft discount code to help you get to the venue. Things officially kick off at 2PM. Please note that you will not be allowed to check in to your room before 3PM local time, but we will have drinks and snacks available in the meantime.
Days 2 & 3: Let The Good Times Roll
Each day is jam packed with activities! We’ll have morning wellness, a full day of engaging content sessions, and water recreation activities throughout the day. You’ll have time to unwind by the pool or at the Sand Bar in between sessions and meals, and we’ll end each day with dinner, live music, and good times.
Day 4: Departure Day
On our final day, brunch will be available throughout the morning/afternoon, and shuttles to the airport will run at 6AM, 8AM, 10AM, 12PM, and 2PM. The event officially concludes at 2PM on Thursday, June 12th.
We recommend flying into either Rochester International Airport (ROC) or Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) as they are the closest airports to the venue.
Your registration includes:
- Participation in the event
- Shared lakefront accommodations
- Incredible food
- Alcohol (No bar tabs!)
- World renowned musical entertainment
- Stimulating content
- Access to all activities and wellness offerings
- High-speed internet
- Spacious in-room Waterworks rain showers
- In-room Nespresso machine
- Filtered water throughout the property
- Luxury spa
- Lakeside barrel saunas
- Cold therapy
- Fitness center (Free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, Peloton Bike, and more)
- Lush private garden
- Crystal clear lakefront
- Multiple bars & restaurants
- Heated lakefront pool
- Private daybeds
- Hot tub
- Boat Cruises (Speed boats, Pontoon Boats, Wakesurf Boats)
- Watersports (Wake Surfing, Kayak, Paddleboard, Canoe, Water Bike)
Click HERE to review our event cancellation policy.
When you attend your first Baby Bathwater event it is a first date of sorts… Only after getting to know each other over four or five days can we decide if we’re a good match for each other for the longer term.
Just know that at our events, you will never be pitched and we will never ask you to open your wallet. Period.
After our events we review any new folks that we may want to invite into our core membership community. This includes getting feedback from our members, team, event staff, bartenders, and service staff.
If after the event you feel like you have “finally found your people”, and we believe that you are also “our kind of people”…. then we may invite you to join our year-long membership community.
Any new addition is an integral part of Baby Bathwater Institute’s tradition – Mixing Business With Pleasure like no other group!
You’ll finally have friends who understand you: Let’s be real, being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey. But at Baby Bathwater, you’ll be surrounded by a bunch of other weirdos who get you, and have experience navigating similar issues in business and life.
You’ll get access to brilliant minds: Ever get stuck on a problem for hours, days, or even weeks? With Baby Bathwater, you’ll have access to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and business owners who have already been through it. Just ask a question and they’ll share their wisdom.
You’ll be part of a community that actually cares: No fake smiles or forced conversations here. The Baby Bathwater crew genuinely cares about each other’s success, and they’re not afraid to show it. If you need help with anything, just say the word and they’ll come running.
You’ll have more fun than you ever thought possible: Baby Bathwater isn’t your typical stuffy networking event. With events on an Island, in the mountains, heli-skiing, and river rafting, you’ll have a blast while building valuable relationships. And who knows, you might even meet your future business partner, best friend, or significant other. Anything is possible at The Baby Bathwater Institute.
We understand that being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey, which is why we’ve created a community that emphasizes authentic connections and emotional support. At Baby Bathwater, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your experiences and challenges. Through our events and ongoing membership community, you’ll form friendships and connections that provide the understanding, empathy, and encouragement you need to thrive.
The ideal fit for the Baby Bathwater community is a company founder with a success story built on following their instincts, grit, and creativity. They come from various backgrounds and financial levels of success, and typically have a business ranging from 7 to 9 figures. These individuals didn’t necessarily follow traditional career paths, often facing doubts from others, but have proven their resilience and passion for creating. They value genuine connections and understand that status games don’t lead to happiness. With a thirst for life and a commitment to enjoying the journey, our members embrace the entrepreneurial roller coaster and prioritize support, camaraderie, and good times within the Baby Bathwater community.
“I’ve been in business for over three decades and started six organizations in health and sustainability. We’ve run dozens of events and I’ve participated in hundreds, including some very high end masterminds. I must say that my experience with Baby Bathwater stands at the top: not only do I love the other members, the hosts, the venues and the food, but it rocks my soul, boosts my spirit and teaches me high ROI business processes and methods.”
Founder, U.S. and World Green Building Councils
15 Billion Square Feet of Green Buildings in Over 100 Countries
"It is like nothing I have ever attended or been a part of. An amazing life changing experience. There were over 100 entrepreneurs who gathered to share, learn, have fun and engage. The BBW Crew provided the best food, drink, music and venue. I am so thankful for the friends I met and the knowledge I gained. It is truly special."
“I conservatively think my return on investment so far is no less than 40X. The worry I had was, ‘Damn I'm old. What will I possibly be able to share with these crazy, smart, young people?’ But when I am watching the sunrise on Friday morning with new friends for life I am passionate about, I knew it was the first day of the rest of my life. The people, the food, the resort, the content, the growth, the MUSIC. Damn, I wish I was back there…”
“I could not have imagined how amazing an event could be, and this event far exceeded all of my expectations. The food was amazing, the staff and service were impeccable, the location was gorgeous and everyone was so kind and welcoming! Thank you SO much for welcoming me in with open arms. I truly had a blast!”
“This is the only event I come to on a regular basis. They curate a phenomenal group, and the fact that not everyone is invited back each time is telling. Each time it’s a better and better group. I’ve been proud and happy to be a part of this.”
Took Beach Body from $100 million to $1 billion
“Baby Bathwater, unlike other conferences. It isn’t cheesy. It’s real. It’s straight up. It is what it is. That’s at a very high level and everybody here operates at a high level and BS is sniffed out from miles away.”
Has been featured on numerous media outlets such as Dr. Oz, Bloomberg, WSJ, Entrepreneur, and Women's Health
“This was the best mastermind event I’ve ever been to. The content was great and the people were top notch. This will serve as a model for how conscious business is conducted in the future. All the elements were there to make it an amazing experience.”
