• #208 - The One Leadership Trait Every Founder Underrates (Until It's Too Late) | Sam Eitzen
    2026/07/06

    Most entrepreneurs think success comes from having the perfect idea. Sam Eitzen believes it comes from something far less glamorous: learning to adapt before you have to.

    In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Sam Eitzen, Co-Founder and CEO of Snapbar, to discuss how a simple photo booth business evolved into an AI-powered experiential marketing platform serving more than 10,000 brands, including Microsoft, Google, and Toyota.

    Sam shares the unfiltered story of building a bootstrapped company for more than a decade, surviving the collapse of the live events industry during COVID-19, making difficult pivots that nearly cost the company everything, and ultimately betting on artificial intelligence to build the next chapter of Snapbar.

    Along the way, Mark and Sam explore why trust has become one of the most valuable currencies in business, how curiosity creates better leaders, what founders consistently get wrong about AI, and why the companies that embrace change will outperform those trying to preserve the past.

    If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, founder, or leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation offers practical lessons on resilience, innovation, leadership, and building a company that's prepared for whatever comes next.

    In this episode:

    • Why Snapbar pivoted from photo booths to AI-powered experiences

    • The brutal leadership lessons learned during COVID

    • Why trust is your greatest competitive advantage

    • How curiosity leads to better entrepreneurs

    • The biggest misconceptions about artificial intelligence

    • How to build a company culture that embraces change

    • Why adaptability beats certainty in today's business landscape

    • What non-tech companies need to understand about AI

    • Leadership lessons from fourteen years of entrepreneurship

    • Why playing the long game almost always wins

    👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses.

    📌 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

    📌 Find Out More About Sam Eitzen & Snapbar:
    www.snapbar.com
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-eitzen/

    続きを読む 一部表示
    57 分
  • #209 - Most Investors Ask the Wrong Questions. Here's What the Smart Ones Ask. | Jacob Vanderslice
    2026/07/13

    Most people think successful investors spend their time chasing the next big opportunity. Jacob Vanderslice believes the best investors do the exact opposite; they spend more time thinking about what could go wrong.

    In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Jacob Vanderslice, Principal and Co-Founder of VanWest Partners, to discuss the mindset, discipline, and decision-making behind successful real estate investing and long-term wealth creation.

    Jacob shares how his career evolved from residential fix-and-flips to commercial real estate investing, why profitability always matters more than growth, and the framework his team uses to evaluate risk before investing millions of dollars.

    The conversation explores everything from downside protection and responsible leverage to raising capital, market cycles, commercial real estate, AI-powered deal analysis, and the questions every investor should ask before writing a check.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, real estate investor, or someone looking to build wealth over time, this episode offers practical lessons on protecting capital, evaluating opportunities, and making smarter financial decisions.

    In this episode:

    • Why profitability beats growth every time

    • The biggest mistakes investors make during good markets

    • How professional investors evaluate risk before returns

    • The transition from fix-and-flips to commercial real estate

    • Why storage facilities became an attractive investment class

    • Responsible leverage and debt management

    • Cash flow versus IRR, and which matters more

    • How AI is changing commercial real estate underwriting

    • Why market cycles create opportunity for disciplined investors

    • Building long-term wealth through conservative investing

    If you're serious about entrepreneurship, investing, financial freedom, and building lasting wealth, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

    👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses.

    📌 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

    📌 Find Out More About Jacob Vanderslice & VanWest Partners:
    https://www.vanwestpartners.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-vanderslice-02905b16b/

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 8 分
  • #210 - Why Luxury Clients Pay More Than $10,000 for Trust, Not Just Clothing | Albert Lukonga
    2026/07/20

    Albert Lukonga arrived in the United States as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo with little more than ambition, resilience, and a willingness to learn. Today, he is the founder of ALBERT COUTURE, Kentucky's first luxury fashion house, creating bespoke garments and handcrafted footwear for executives, professional athletes, entertainers, and public officials across the country.

    In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Albert sits down with Mark Perkins to share the mindset that transformed his life and business. He explains why fear and self-doubt rob entrepreneurs of opportunity, how learning to understand his own value changed everything, and why luxury has far more to do with trust and experience than expensive products.

    Albert pulls back the curtain on what it takes to serve elite clients, from researching every detail before a fitting to creating highly personalized wardrobe experiences that build lifelong relationships. He also shares lessons on premium pricing, branding, confidence, preparation, and the importance of treating every client like they're your only client.

    Whether you're building a luxury brand, growing a service business, or simply looking for inspiration to pursue bigger goals, Albert's entrepreneurial journey offers powerful lessons on resilience, value creation, and betting on yourself.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • How Albert built Kentucky's first luxury fashion house
    • Why understanding your value changes the trajectory of your business
    • The difference between luxury and simply being expensive
    • How to build trust with high-end clients and create unforgettable experiences
    • Why preparation is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business
    • The mindset shifts that helped Albert overcome fear and pursue extraordinary opportunities
    • What entrepreneurs can learn from serving the world's most discerning clients
    • Why resilience remains one of the most valuable entrepreneurial skills

    Albert's story is a reminder that where you start doesn't determine where you'll finish.

    👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses.

    📌 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

    📌 Find Out More About Albert Lukonga & Albert Couture:
    https://albertcouture.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/albert_couture/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-lukonga-1609b1bb/
    https://www.instagram.com/albert_lukonga/

    続きを読む 一部表示
    50 分
  • #211 - What Buyers REALLY Look For When Acquiring a Business | Muriel Touati | The Necessary Entrepreneur
    2026/07/27
    In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Muriel Touati, Founder and CEO of Exit 3D Studio, to uncover what actually makes a business valuable when it's time to sell. While many founders believe profitability automatically translates to value, buyers are looking for something much different, transferability, operational health, recurring revenue, and systems that can thrive without the founder. Drawing from her experience evaluating businesses for acquisition, Muriel shares why so many businesses never make it to the closing table, the red flags buyers immediately look for during due diligence, and how founders can dramatically increase their company's valuation before an exit. She breaks down the acquisition process from NDAs and Letters of Intent to SBA financing, business brokers, and the financial metrics that matter most when buying or selling a company. Muriel also explains why digital presence has become an increasingly important component of business valuation, how AI and automation can improve operational efficiency, and why founder dependency continues to destroy value in founder-led businesses. Whether you're planning to sell your company in the next few years, acquire your first business, or simply build a more transferable and valuable company, this conversation provides a roadmap for creating a business that can succeed beyond its founder. You'll learn: • What buyers really look for when acquiring a business • Why 70-80% of businesses never successfully sell • The biggest valuation killers founders overlook • How customer concentration impacts business value • Why recurring revenue commands higher valuations • How AI and automation can increase operational efficiency • The role digital marketing and lead generation play in business valuation • How SBA loans work for business acquisitions • What founders should do years before planning an exit • Why transferability may be the most valuable asset your business owns Muriel is the Founder and CEO of Exit 3D Studio, where she helps founder-led service businesses increase their valuation and prepare for successful exits. Her upcoming book, The Valuation Gap, explores the hidden issues sellers miss that can significantly impact what buyers are willing to pay. If you're an entrepreneur building for the long term, planning an exit, or considering acquiring a business, this episode is packed with actionable insights that could save, or make, you millions. 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. 📌 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 📌 Find Out More About Muriel Touati & Exit 3D Studio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murieltouati/ https://www.exit3dstudio.com https://www.exit3dstudio.com/the-valuation-gap https://www.exit3dstudio.com/scorecard
    続きを読む 一部表示
    53 分
  • #212 - How Kay Woo is Challenging Uber with Zero Commission Ride-Sharing and Blockchain
    2026/08/03
    What if ride-sharing companies stopped taking a cut of every ride? What if drivers owned more of the value they create? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Kay Woo, Founder and CEO of Throo and TADA, to discuss how he's challenging the traditional ride-sharing model with a zero-commission platform built around driver ownership, blockchain infrastructure, and the future of mobility. Kay shares the entrepreneurial journey behind building one of the world's first zero-commission ride-hailing platforms and explains why defining drivers as the primary customer changes everything. From creating trust-based driver communities to navigating global expansion and regulatory challenges, Kay offers a fascinating look at what it takes to disrupt an industry dominated by some of the world's largest technology companies. The conversation also explores where transportation is headed over the next decade. Kay discusses how AI, blockchain technology, and autonomous vehicles could fundamentally change the way we think about ownership, mobility, and ride-sharing. Rather than a future controlled by centralized platforms, he shares his vision of distributed ownership models that could give drivers and communities a greater stake in the networks they help build. Whether you're an entrepreneur building a disruptive company, interested in the future of transportation, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping business models, this episode offers valuable lessons on innovation, leadership, and challenging conventional thinking. In This Episode: Why TADA operates on a zero-commission ride-sharing modelThe entrepreneurial challenges of disrupting established industries Building trust and community among drivers at scaleHow blockchain technology powers modern mobility platformsWhy drivers should be treated as customers, not commoditiesThe future of autonomous vehicles and distributed ownership AI's role in the next generation of ride-hailing services Navigating regulation while expanding globally Lessons learned from building technology businesses that challenge incumbentsWhy entrepreneurship requires rethinking long-held assumptions about value creation If you've ever wondered what comes after Uber and traditional ride-sharing, Kay Woo offers an ambitious and thought-provoking vision for the future. 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. 📌 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 📌 Find Out More About Kay Woo, throo, & TADA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvlkay/ https://x.com/climbingK https://www.facebook.com/kaywooe6/ https://ridethroo.ai/ https://www.instagram.com/ridethroo_official/ https://www.tiktok.com/@tadaamerica_official?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.youtube.com/@TADA-America-2026 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587235988109 https://x.com/throo_official https://tada.global/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tadaglobal/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 8 分
  • #213 - Matt Dalio: Why America's Future Depends on Raising Builders, Not Consumers
    2026/08/10
    While many people know the Dalio name, Matt Dalio has spent his career intentionally building something entirely his own. As the Founder & CEO of Endless Studios, Matt believes the greatest challenge facing America isn't technology, it's whether the next generation will have the skills to create it. In this conversation with Mark Perkins, Matt explains why the future belongs to builders, why AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a threat, and why America's competitive advantage has always been its ability to innovate. Drawing from years spent working throughout emerging markets, Matt introduces the concept of reverse innovation, the idea that some of the world's most valuable breakthroughs come from places forced to solve problems with limited resources. He argues those same lessons may be exactly what America needs today. Mark and Matt also dive into why traditional education is struggling to keep pace with AI, how curiosity creates better learners than memorization ever could, why building things is the greatest form of education, and what entrepreneurs can do to prepare both themselves and their children for a rapidly changing economy. The conversation also explores resilience, founder burnout, cash flow versus growth, developing passion through action, and how individuals can create meaningful change inside their own communities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, parent, educator, or simply wondering what the future of work will look like, this episode offers an optimistic roadmap for developing the skills that matter most in the AI era. In this episode you'll learn: Why America must become a nation of builders againHow AI is changing the future of education and employmentThe difference between ability and capabilityWhy curiosity is the foundation of lifelong learningWhat entrepreneurs should teach the next generationHow emerging markets are driving some of today's greatest innovationsWhy passion is discovered through building, not waitingThe debate between growth and cash flow for founders Practical ways to prepare yourself and your family for the future of workWhy Matt believes "the treasure is in the skills we build." If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, artificial intelligence, education, innovation, or preparing for what's next, this conversation delivers practical insights along with a hopeful vision for the future. 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. 📌 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 📌 Find Out More About Matt Dalio & Endless Studios: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/ https://www.endlessstudios.com/ https://www.instagram.com/endlessstudiosgames/ https://x.com/Endless__Games?s=20 https://www.facebook.com/EndlessStudiosGames/ https://github.com/endlessm
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 10 分
  • #214 - It's Not a Midlife Crisis. It's a Midlife Opportunity | Kim Keating
    2026/08/17
    Kim Keating, founder and CEO of The Fifty Factor, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur to discuss confidence, experience, entrepreneurship, and creating new opportunities in the second half of your career. What happens when decades of professional experience become an overlooked asset? Kim Keating believes the answer is not stepping back. It is finding new ways to leverage the knowledge, wisdom, relationships, and leadership skills that come with experience. In this episode, Mark and Kim explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing midlife women in business, including women returning to the workforce after career breaks, building confidence and visibility, navigating age and gender bias, and finding meaningful opportunities to reinvent themselves professionally. They also discuss why entrepreneurship can be a powerful second act, how experience can become a competitive advantage, the importance of mentorship and community, and how storytelling can help people rebuild confidence and establish themselves as leaders. Kim and Mark also examine the changing workforce and why businesses need to create better pathways for experienced professionals to re-enter the workplace and contribute at a high level. Whether you are a woman in your 40s, 50s or beyond considering a career change, an entrepreneur looking for your next chapter, a leader thinking about building more inclusive teams, or someone wondering how to turn decades of experience into a new opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on building confidence, creating visibility, and making the most of your second act. Key topics include: midlife entrepreneurship, women in business, career reinvention, workforce reintegration, confidence, leadership, age diversity, career breaks, mentorship, professional visibility, entrepreneurship after 50, and turning experience into opportunity. It is not a midlife crisis. It is a midlife opportunity. 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. 📌 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 📌 Find Out More About Kim Keating & The Fifty Factor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimtkeating/ https://www.facebook.com/kimtkeat https://www.instagram.com/kimkeating24 https://www.50-factor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the50factor/ https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Fifty-Factor-61579775452211/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分
  • #215 - The Brutal Truth About AI, Leadership and Scaling a Manufacturing Company | Darragh de Stonndún
    2026/08/24
    What does it take to build a company that can scale, adapt and keep getting better when the problems never stop? On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Darragh de Stonndún, co-founder and CEO of Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR), a rapidly growing global industrial automation company with operations across the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Darragh has spent decades building and leading businesses in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. Today, he's helping AIR grow through strategic acquisitions while navigating some of the biggest changes the manufacturing industry has ever faced, including the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. Darragh shares why he believes AI should be used to drive productivity and innovation, not become a shortcut, and why human experience, problem-solving and critical thinking become even more important as technology gets more powerful. He also explains how he used AI to build a working iPhone app despite not knowing how to code, giving a firsthand example of how dramatically the barrier to turning an idea into reality has changed. The conversation also dives deep into leadership, resilience, company culture and continuous improvement. Darragh explains his philosophy of confronting the "brutal facts" when something goes wrong, learning from failure quickly and building a culture where it's acceptable to make mistakes but not acceptable to repeat them. As AIR has expanded through multiple acquisitions, Darragh discusses why M&A has been central to the company's growth strategy, how AIR integrates acquired companies, and the systems and processes required to scale engineering talent without creating a company that depends on one person. Darragh also shares some of his most important leadership lessons, including why leaders need to stop doing the work themselves and instead mentor, challenge and enable the people around them to become better problem-solvers. In this episode, Mark and Darragh discuss: How AI is changing manufacturing and entrepreneurshipWhy entrepreneurs shouldn't use AI to take shortcutsHow AI can dramatically reduce the cost and time required to test ideasThe importance of human experience and problem-solving Building resilience into company culture Confronting the "brutal facts" when things go wrongWhy fast failure and rapid recovery matter Continuous improvement and engineering excellenceHow AIR uses M&A to accelerate growth Integrating multiple companies and cultures Building scalable processes and systemsHow leaders transition from doing the work to developing people Creating accountability through daily communicationWhy clarity of objectives can solve many employee performance problemsThe importance of collaboration across teams Darragh's leadership influences and the mentors who shaped himThe future of AI, robotics and advanced manufacturingWhy manufacturing could be one of the most exciting industries for the next generation The episode ultimately comes back to a simple idea: technology can make us dramatically more capable, but the ability to solve problems, learn from failure, build strong teams and keep moving forward is still fundamentally human. If you're interested in AI, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, leadership, entrepreneurship, M&A, business growth, company culture, resilience or the future of work, this conversation with Darragh de Stonndún offers a practical look at where technology and leadership intersect. The Necessary Entrepreneur with Mark Perkins features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders about what it actually takes to build, operate and scale a company. 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and innovators who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. 📌 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 📌 Find Out More About Darragh de Stonndun & AIR: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darraghdestonndun/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrialrobotics/ https://industrialrobotics.com/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分