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 billion people to make money, help others, and have fun, and offers insights from his upcoming book Don’t Do Business with Dicks, which provides practical ways leaders can eliminate toxic influences and focus on growth with purpose and intentionality.

From losing over $100 million to rebuilding his life and career, David’s story proves that failure can be the greatest teacher, and gratitude the most powerful tool for success. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build lasting success without losing yourself along the way, this conversation will give you the mindset shift you’ve been waiting for.

Key Takeaways:

• My mantra is happy, I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am worthy.

• The more you give, the more you're given.

• Gratitude is a requirement for a fulfilling life.

• Parenting involves showing unconditional love and support.

• Gratitude evolves through different life stages.

• Gratitude helps find light, love, and lessons in adversity.

• Understanding ego is crucial for personal growth.

• Intentionality in business is essential for success.

• Surround yourself with positive influences.

• Empowering others is a key part of my mission.

Pre-order “Don't Do Business with Dicks” from your favorite retailer and visit DavidMeltzer.com to claim a free bonus book.

📌 Connect With Us:
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xhGUE1yzy2N0AemUOlJPx?si=d1c5c316af404f15
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/the-necessary-entrepreneur/id1547181167

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, to the leadership lessons of balancing accountability with kindness, Chuck reveals how focusing on people drives sustainable business growth.

Listeners will hear Chuck’s entrepreneurial journey, from his start in the restaurant industry to becoming President, and the philosophies that guide him: creating intentional culture, empowering decision-making, leading with humility, and finding balance between work and life. He and Mark dive deep into topics every entrepreneur can learn from, including:

• How Dewey’s builds and scales culture across multiple locations

• Why training and systems are key to consistent customer experiences

• The difference between managing and true leadership

• Building accountability without drama in large organizations

• The sacrifices and rewards of executive leadership

• Lessons on resilience, ownership, and personal growth

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply a fan of great pizza, this conversation offers actionable insights on leadership, culture, and growth from one of the Midwest’s most respected restaurant leaders.

📌 Find Out More About Chuck Lipp & Dewey's Pizza:
https://deweyspizza.com/
https://www.instagram.com/deweyspizza/
https://www.youtube.com/@DeweysPizzaRestaurant
https://www.facebook.com/DeweysPizza
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-lipp-6730377/

📌 Connect With Us:
Website: https://www.thenecessaryentrepreneur.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenecessaryentrepreneur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenecessaryentrepreneur/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNecessaryEntrepreneurPod
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/MPerkinsTNE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnepod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tneclips
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xhGUE1yzy2N0AemUOlJPx?si=d1c5c316af404f15
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/the-necessary-entrepreneur/id1547181167