imagine the possibilities

Dreamore is:
- a purpose-driven recruiting and advisory firm
- 10 acres of land in coastal California where we live, work, create, and support community
- a word that reminds us to aim towards a higher purpose and inspire others

previously Apex Direct Search, #53 on Forbes “America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms”

we are a female and diversity-led company

if you are a purpose-driven founder, investor, business leader, or creator - let’s connect!

Representative Placements since 1997

SVP Engineering, global consumer web services * CTO, seed-funded media technology platform * Sr Manager Software Engineering, AI & embedded audio electronics startup * CTO, predictive data analytics/AI startup * Director DevOps, DTC e-commerce startup * Lead Engineer, innovation labs, global music technology * VP Technology, hardware distribution company * CTO, seed-funded global technology startup

SVP Engineering, global consumer web services * CTO, seed-funded media technology platform * Sr Manager Software Engineering, AI & embedded audio electronics startup * CTO, predictive data analytics/AI startup * Director DevOps, DTC e-commerce startup * Lead Engineer, innovation labs, global music technology * VP Technology, hardware distribution company * CTO, seed-funded global technology startup

Head of Content * SVP Product Management, SaaS healthtech * VP Product, rapid growth education tech startup * Principal Product Manager, B2C e-commerce * Chief Product Officer, fintech platform

Head of Content * SVP Product Management, SaaS healthtech * VP Product, rapid growth education tech startup * Principal Product Manager, B2C e-commerce * Chief Product Officer, fintech platform

GTM Strategist * VP Product Marketing, SaaS fintech startup * Director Marketing, traditional DTC company launching an online division * Director User Experience, smart device/AI/embedded rapid growth startup * Art Director, fashion e-commerce startup * Creative Director of Technology, platform-as-a-service startup * Retention Marketing Manager, B2C e-commerce startup *

GTM Strategist * VP Product Marketing, SaaS fintech startup * Director Marketing, traditional DTC company launching an online division * Director User Experience, smart device/AI/embedded rapid growth startup * Art Director, fashion e-commerce startup * Creative Director of Technology, platform-as-a-service startup * Retention Marketing Manager, B2C e-commerce startup *

Recruiting Services

For purpose-driven companies across any industry sector, hiring in any functional area, experienced and leadership levels.

As a search firm, we leverage deep trusted relationships and strategic sourcing with a personalized approach that yields TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE RESULTS.

We are your ethical representative to an audience that usually does not respond to job postings or generic emails/texts/calls.

Our fees are flexible (retainer, contingency, or contract/equity) based on your stage of growth, budget, and hiring plan.

Recruiting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

We’ve helped thousands of companies hire impactful people, maintain a positive culture, and achieve their business goals.

Are you our next client? We’re glad to help.

Fractional Support & Advisory

For founders and startup leaders looking for clear guidance in scaling your business with people/partners/AI/tools.

We’ve advised over 1,000 startups from angel/seed/pre-revenue stage all the way to acquisition, IPO, or unicorn status.

As “people people” we offer the benefit of decades of success and learnings on topics such as:

  • hiring trends: what’s different these days, what will never change, how this informs your hiring plans and budgets

  • salaried vs. contractors vs. fractional: the why’s and why-not’s of hiring different pay structures at various stages of growth

  • culture: how to build it, maintain it, repair it, and adapt as the organization shifts over time

  • interviewing: effective screening and communication techniques to properly assess candidates and reduce risk in hiring

  • leadership: creating a purposeful environment will attract, retain, and elevate your talent far beyond the job description

  • AI and other technology: how this will impact who/how/why/when you hire

We offer a “founder friendly” $500 deep dive coaching session to get you better mindset and clarity, plus actionable goals and KPIs.

Our minimum monthly rate is $1,000/90 days which includes access to our trusted partners in finance, marketing, legal, operations, and MORE.

Dreamore is a company, AND it’s a location, and way of being.

We are developing 10 acres of coastal land in the Santa Monica mountains.

This is where we live, work, entertain, co-create, sustainably garden, and imagine the possibilities.

Physical space and community has been an essential part of our purpose, since we launched in Manhattan Beach ‘97.

We host a monthly Dreamore Hike & Picnic to bring together founders, investors, business leaders, and creators.

Want to be included?

Our team includes…

Annemarie Penny

Lydia Thompson

Davina Kaonohi

Lindsey Todd

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

We’re breaking ground on our land in 2024! 

This is a very exciting milestone that has taken five years of purposeful effort, after the Woolsey fire took our other location in 2018.

if you are a real estate or business investor and would like to discuss the opportunity to partner in the development of this property, maximizing the land’s value and overall purpose…click the link for an overview and let’s talk SOON.

What does it mean to be purpose-driven?

A purpose-driven company embodies something bigger than the product or service it offers.

A purpose-driven culture is motivational and inspirational, encouraging greater collaboration, engagement, and productivity among employees.

Purpose is our “why”.

Purpose is a strategic business decision beyond just the inspirational qualities.

Purpose helps you attract and retain employees and customers, drives innovation, elevates culture and collaboration, and can improve the bottom line.

We love to represent companies focused on wellness and the climate, or helping underserved communities - but that does not limit our client base strictly to those topics. 

If you are purposeful even in the way you treat people, and you always look for ways to pay it forward, we want to work with you!

  • Honest, transparent, and direct. If you're hiring, or job-hunting, and you need someone who will not only respond to your need but finesse it, and elevate it: this is the team you trust. The founder is one of those “dream” recruiters you hear about.

    Gene, Chief Marketing Officer

  • Truth in advertising. That's what you feel when working with Dreamore. For starters, they spread joy wherever they go. I quickly learned how well they understand the technology industry. Amazing talent for helping you determine how you want to represent yourself.

    Norm, Engineering Leader

  • Skilled business person with a track record of success. What I appreciate most is that they have provided support, insights and advice over the years independent of a financial interest. I highly recommend as business professionals that invest in their client’s success.

    Sunil, Chief Innovation Officer

  • Advisor, connector, and sanity-bringer to me and to many other tech leaders in Southern California. Constantly grounds me, and reminds me to help myself by helping others. Adds clarity into any business discussion, saving me years of wasted effort, and a vast network that has been an asset many times.

    Marc, Management Consultant

  • They care about the clients AND the candidates. Keeping an exclusive list of clients that they work with, is what gives them unprecedented ability to hone in on the right candidates for the role – making them exceptional firm. Furthermore, they are incredibly great in keeping in touch.

    Aleks, Product Management Executive

  • With deep experience in high growth, successful and innovative technology businesses coupled with extensive understanding of team building and organizational development, they've been a trusted advisor, helping to guide me through tough challenges and make smart decisions. Truly a cut above!

    Heather, CEO & Founder

  • Impressed with every aspect from our first meeting, to the high-quality candidates. Takes the time to understand the needs, culture, and goals of your company. Amazing business instinct, very familiar and close with the start-up community. Communicated clearly, amazing energy and warmth, making me feel more like a friend than a client.

    Melanie, Founder & Co-CEO

  • They go beyond getting the job done. They know the market, place talent excellently but even more than that: take time and put care in the work they do. Gave me actionable, honest feedback and recommendations on my career path and in navigating my industry, ultimately setting me up for success.

    Nina, Marketing Executive