Episodes

On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur with Mark Perkins, we welcome a dynamic group of creatives and entrepreneurs: actor and filmmaker Denzel Whitaker, musician and actor Maestro Harrell, and writer Jesse Janari discussing their new feature film Brand New; Jack Cook, founder of Illusion Islands Studio; and Jacob Gibbs (DJ Smooth), Cincinnati realtor and on-air personality for WIZF The WIZ, the city’s #1 Hip Hop and R&B station. Together, they dive into entrepreneurship, creativity, per...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Geoffrey A. Moore, renowned author of Crossing the Chasm and a leading authority on technology adoption and market innovation. Geoffrey shares his insights on how entrepreneurs can identify the right problems to solve, scale disruptive innovations, and strategically navigate the “chasm” between early adopters and mainstream customers. Throughout the conversation, Geoffrey emphasizes the importance of problem-focused...

What does it take to lead digital transformation at a billion-dollar scale, and how can entrepreneurs apply those same principles to grow their own businesses? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Tony Saldanha, former VP of IT and Global Business Services at Procter & Gamble, co-founder of Transformant, and bestselling author of Why Digital Transformations Fail and Revolutionizing Business Operations. Recognized as one of the world’s top digital trans...

What does it take to rebuild your life and business after losing everything? On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with David Meltzer, renowned motivational speaker, bestselling author, business coach, entrepreneur, and former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment. David shares his journey of resilience, the lessons he learned from his late mother, and how gratitude became the foundation of his life. He also talks about his mission to empower over a ...

Pat Flynn is one of the most recognized voices in online business, podcasting, and community building. In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur with host Mark Perkins, Pat shares his journey from architect turned entrepreneur to becoming the founder of Smart Passive Income (SPI), a platform that has inspired millions to build businesses that serve others. Pat also dives into his brand-new book, Lean Learning, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to escape “just-in-case learning” and instead ...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Chuck Lipp, President of Dewey’s Pizza, to talk about leadership, scaling culture, and building a beloved restaurant brand across the Midwest. Chuck shares the inside story of how Dewey’s grew from one location into a 27-store, 1,400-employee company, all while maintaining its famous scratch-made pizzas, open kitchens, and people-first culture. From team hospitality systems that ensure every guest feels cared for, t...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Mario Baddour, CEO and President of Intelogix (formerly GC Services), one of North America’s largest privately held BPO and customer experience providers. Mario shares how he rebranded and transformed Intelogix into a global leader at the intersection of technology, human connection, and customer experience. From embracing AI, digital twins, and automation to embedding ESG practices into everyday business, Mario pro...

What’s the #1 reason salespeople fail? Jeb Blount, legendary sales strategist and author of Fanatical Prospecting and The AI Edge, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur to deliver an unfiltered masterclass on what it takes to thrive in today’s hyper-competitive sales landscape. Jeb unpacks how emotional intelligence, consistency, and human connection remain your greatest assets, even in a world being reshaped by AI. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, sales leader, or just starti...

From broke at 24 to building a multimillion-dollar flashlight empire on the shelves of Walmart and Target, Cody Grandadam's story is one of grit, mindset, and relentless drive. In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down in-studio with the man known as The Flashlight Guy to uncover how a small-town hustler from Illinois created jobs for hundreds, revitalized a massive abandoned clock factory, and turned a side hustle into a national brand, all without outside investors ...

In this conversation, Tansel Ali, a four-time Australian memory champion, shares his insights on memory techniques and their application in personal and professional growth. He emphasizes that memory is a skill that can be developed through visualization, storytelling, and resilience. Tansel discusses the importance of continuous learning and curiosity, as well as the impact of memory on decision-making and stress management. He also highlights the need for individuals to take action and apply t...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with email marketing powerhouse Jay Schwedelson to unpack the mindset and strategies behind today’s most effective marketing. Jay shares why your email database is your company’s most valuable asset, how to craft subject lines that demand attention, and why perfectionism kills momentum in business. He dives into the psychology driving consumer behavior and explains how authenticity and consistency build lasting relationships ...

In this powerful episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Jon Giganti, keynote speaker, executive coach, and USA Today bestselling author of With Intention, for a deep, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation on intentional living, leadership, mental health, and resilience. Jon shares his journey from corporate leadership to personal transformation, emphasizing how starting your day with intention, embracing struggle, and leading with a service mindset can radicall...

In this high-impact conversation, Scaling Up author and Entrepreneurs’ Organization founder Verne Harnish sits down with Mark Perkins to unpack the real mechanics behind scaling a business that lasts. Verne shares powerful insights on why sustainable growth requires more than just execution—it demands the right mindset, strategy, people, and purpose. From unlocking bottlenecks to leveraging advisory boards, Verne reveals the most overlooked growth levers and explains why understanding the soul ...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with dynamic keynote speaker, coach, and leadership strategist Dr. Karim R. Ellis to unpack what true success really looks like. Together, they dive deep into the power of mentorship, the role of character development, and the value of serving others on the path to purpose. Dr. Ellis shares powerful personal stories and hard-earned wisdom about rising through adversity, mastering your message, and building influence through s...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur , bestselling author Craig Johnson joins host Mark Perkins to discuss the creation and evolution of the Longmire series—one of the most iconic modern Western literary franchises. Craig shares the real-life inspiration behind Sheriff Walt Longmire, the role of Wyoming's rugged landscape in shaping his storytelling, and how life experiences continue to fuel his creativity. The conversation dives into the entrepreneurial side of being a full-time a...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur , Amanda Goetz joins Mark Perkins for a candid conversation about ambition, self-worth, and the evolving definition of success. Amanda unpacks the concept of "toxic grit" —the relentless pursuit of achievement without intention—and why it's time to replace blind hustle with aligned, purpose-driven action. They explore Amanda’s transition from chasing titles and ego to building meaningful, mission-led ventures. She shares lessons learned through ...

In this powerful episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, bestselling author and mindset coach Tommy Breedlove joins Mark Perkins to explore what it truly means to live and lead with intention. Tommy unpacks the journey from pain to purpose, sharing how self-awareness, vulnerability, and clarity are the keys to becoming the kind of leader others want to follow. They dive into the real cost of success, the dangers of ego, and why intentional living beats chasing wealth every time. Tommy shares har...

In this conversation, Tim Castle shares his insights on negotiation, self-regulation, and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and the power of negotiation as a meta skill that can influence various aspects of life, including leadership and communication. Tim recounts his journey of overcoming challenges and the pivotal moments that shaped his belief in the possibility of success. The discussion also touches on the role of effective communication in negotiations ...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur , Mark Perkins welcomes Danny Lehr — co-founder of Caffeine & Kilos, gym owner, and now author of the powerful new book, Win the Next Hour . Danny shares real-world insights on what it takes to do the hard things , make meaningful progress, and build momentum through consistent, mindful execution. Drawing from years of entrepreneurial experience, he breaks down the exact mental frameworks that have helped him grow multiple businesses, balance ...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, former Navy SEAL Commander and best-selling author Rich Diviney joins host Mark Perkins to talk about the mental edge required to lead, perform, and thrive when the stakes are high and the path isn’t...

In this high-impact episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark sits down with world-renowned performance coach and bestselling author Todd Herman—the mind behind The 90 Day Year and The Alter Ego Effect. Todd has helped Olympic athletes, Fortune...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, we sit down with John Hussey, longtime NFL referee turned CEO of CUDDLY, the leading fundraising platform for animal rescues. John shares his journey from the high-pressure world of professional sports to...

What does it take to leave the corporate world behind and build a thriving business from the ground up? On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, we sit down with Dylan Jahraus—entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist—to talk about her...

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, we sit down with Bill Canady, a serial entrepreneur, business leader, and expert in leadership and acquisitions, to break down the key principles of business growth, high-stakes decision-making, and...