Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada; Dougie began his musical journey as a DJ, organizing intimate parties around the city during the early 2000s. In 2005, he invited Steve Aoki to perform at one of these events, sparking a bond that would last nearly two decades. This association eventually led Dougie to a significant role in both Aoki's management team and as a Partner at YMU Group. Drawn to the vibrant world of live performances and artist interactions, Dougie relocated to Toronto in 2008. There, he collaborated with the renowned music attorney and executive, Chris Taylor, and Taylor’s legendary Last Gang umbrella of entertainment companies. During this Toronto phase, Dougie worked with iconic Canadian talents such as MSTRKRFT, Crystal Castles, Metric, and Nelly Furtado, before his extensive collaboration with Aoki.