The Necessary Entrepreneur

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Patrick Rogers, Partner at Elkridge Advisors, for an in-depth conversation on wealth management for entrepreneurs, financial decision-making, and building long-term financial clarity as a business owner. Patrick advises founders, executives, and high-earning entrepreneurs on financial planning, investing, and capital strategy, especially during periods of growth, liquidity events, and business transitions. In this episode, he breaks down the most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make, why complexity often creates more risk than value, and how incentives quietly shape long-term outcomes. Mark and Patrick explore what financial independence really means for entrepreneurs, how mindset influences money decisions, and why many successful founders still feel uncertainty around wealth despite strong income or exits. The conversation focuses on practical thinking around money, not shortcuts, hype, or financial guru tactics. This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs who want their business success and personal finances aligned, whether they're scaling, preparing for an exit, or building a sustainable long-term plan. Topics covered include: Wealth management strategies for entrepreneurs and founders Common financial planning mistakes business owners make How to think about investing as income grows The role of mindset in financial decision-making Aligning personal wealth goals with business strategy 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Patrick Rogers & ElkridgeAdvisors:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickvrogers/ https://elkridgeadvisors.com/

What does it really take to build a scalable company in an unglamorous, operationally intense industry? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Tyler Dunagin, Founder and CEO of Turnserv, to unpack what it actually looks like to build a high-growth business in the vacation rental and hospitality space, where execution, reliability, and trust matter more than hype. Tyler shares the real story behind founding Turnserv, a platform built to solve one of the biggest pain points in short-term rentals: coordinating cleanings, inspections, and turnovers at scale. The conversation goes far beyond software, diving into what Tyler learned about leadership, hiring, cash flow, customer trust, and staying resilient while building in a demanding, operations-heavy business. Mark and Tyler explore the emotional and practical realities of entrepreneurship, including how to keep going when growth isn't linear, why founders must get close to the work early on, and how systems, not hustle, create durable companies. In this episode, you'll learn: How Turnserv was built to solve real operational problems in vacation rentals Why unsexy businesses often produce the strongest companies What founders misunderstand about scaling service-based and ops-heavy businesses How to earn and protect trust with customers in high-stakes environments The role of discipline, patience, and execution in sustainable growth Why founders must balance optimism with realism as companies mature This episode is essential listening for founders, operators, and leaders building businesses where execution matters, margins are earned, and growth depends on getting the details right, every single time. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Tyler Dunagin & Turnserv:https://turnserv.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerdunagin/

What does it really take to bring order to chaos inside a growing business? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Val Coin, Founder and CEO of VIA Technology, to unpack how systems, process, and operational clarity become the hidden advantage for scaling companies, especially in manufacturing and complex organizations. Born in Italy and now based in Australia, Val shares his unconventional entrepreneurial journey, from early exposure to disciplined European manufacturing to building a global ERP and technology consultancy that helps companies regain control of their operations. This is a candid conversation about why most businesses struggle not because of strategy, but because of execution, data, and disconnected systems. Mark and Val dig into why founders often resist structure, how chaos creeps in as companies grow, and what leaders must do to design businesses that actually work without burning out the people inside them. In this episode, you'll learn: Why operational chaos is often self-inflicted by founders The real role of ERP systems in scaling manufacturing and operations How process discipline creates freedom, not bureaucracy Common mistakes companies make when implementing technology Why clarity, ownership, and data visibility matter more than hustle How leaders can think like system designers, not firefighters If you're an entrepreneur, operator, or executive struggling with growth pains, broken processes, or decision-making without clean data, this episode will change how you think about scaling your business. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Val Coin & Via Technologyhttps://www.viatechnology.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/viatechnologyau/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-coin/ https://www.instagram.com/viatechnologyau/ https://www.youtube.com/@ViaTechnologyAu

How do you build a people-first business that actually scales, without bloated bureaucracy, misaligned incentives, or empty culture talk? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with William Spengler, founder and principal of Frederick Fox, a high-growth, equity-driven recruiting firm redefining how staffing agencies operate. William shares the real-world lessons he's learned scaling Frederick Fox to nearly $10 million in revenue, growing a national team of recruiters, and building a model centered on ownership, accountability, and operational discipline. William explains why small companies win by having a clear and confident vision, how incentives directly drive performance, and why "revenue cures all" is one of the most dangerous myths in business. Drawing from his background in accounting, finance, and sales, he breaks down what entrepreneurs often misunderstand about cash flow, leadership development, and the hidden operational complexity of growing a service-based business. This conversation also explores: Why incentive structures determine culture and outcomes The difference between revenue growth and healthy scale How accountability unlocks performance in teams Why leadership and learning were his most underestimated challenges The role of recruiting in building bench strength and execution How small companies attract top talent without competing on size This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, founders, operators, and executives building service businesses, scaling teams, or navigating the transition from individual contributor to true business leader. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 William Spengler & Frederick Fox:https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/ https://frederickfox.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederick-fox/ https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/

Why do some leaders consistently build high-performing teams while others struggle despite strong strategy and experience? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Thais Saenz, founder and CEO of Saenz Global, a leadership and organizational development firm that helps companies scale through stronger culture, clarity, and execution. Thais brings a global perspective on leadership, performance, and human behavior, drawing from years of experience working with executives, founders, and teams navigating growth, change, and complexity. She explains why leadership problems are rarely about skill alone, and why mindset, communication, and cultural alignment ultimately determine results. In this conversation, Mark and Thais discuss: Why leadership breaks down as companies scale The hidden gaps between strategy and execution How leaders unintentionally limit team performance The role of self-awareness in effective leadership Why culture is built through behavior, not slogans How entrepreneurs can lead with clarity during uncertainty Thais also shares practical insights on how leaders can move beyond reactive management and create environments where people take ownership, perform at a high level, and grow alongside the business. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, executives, and people leaders who want to build strong teams, lead with intention, and scale without losing alignment or momentum. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Thais & Saenz Globalhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thaissaenz2019/ https://www.saenzglobal.com/ https://www.facebook.com/saenzglobal https://www.instagram.com/saenzglobal/ https://www.tiktok.com/@saenzglobal https://www.linkedin.com/company/saenz-global/

Why do smart, capable people still feel stuck, despite working hard and doing "all the right things"? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with John Mitchell, founder of TheMissingSecret.org, to explore the unseen forces that shape success, fulfillment, and decision-making for entrepreneurs and business leaders. John challenges the idea that success is simply about effort, strategy, or motivation. Instead, he introduces the concept of the "missing secret", the internal patterns, beliefs, and mental frameworks that quietly determine how people show up in business and life. Through practical examples and deep insight, John explains why most people repeat the same cycles, even when they know better, and how real change begins at the identity level. In this conversation, Mark and John discuss: Why logic and willpower alone don't create lasting change The hidden mental patterns that keep entrepreneurs stuck How subconscious beliefs shape performance and outcomes Why awareness is the first step to personal and professional breakthroughs The difference between surface-level improvement and real transformation How leaders can operate with greater clarity, confidence, and alignment John also shares how entrepreneurs can recognize when they're operating on autopilot, and what it takes to break free from internal limits that no longer serve them. This episode is a powerful listen for founders, executives, and business owners who want clarity, self-mastery, and sustainable success, not hustle culture or empty motivation. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 John Mitchell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mitchell-76483654/ https://themissingsecret.org/ https://thinkitbeit.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@Think.It.Be.It. https://www.instagram.com/thinkit.beit/

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Ben Lytle, serial entrepreneur, futurist, former CEO of Anthem, and author of The Potentialist, to explore how business leaders can thrive in the fastest period of change in human history. Ben explains why fear-based leadership leads to bad decisions, why resilience alone is no longer enough, and why the future belongs to those who focus on preparedness, constant learning, and wisdom. Drawing from decades of experience building companies and studying human potential, Ben shares how AI and intelligent automation will reshape work, and why human creativity, judgment, and moral reasoning matter more than ever. This conversation covers: Leadership in times of massive technological and economic change How entrepreneurs can integrate AI without losing their humanity Why belief in yourself is the ultimate competitive advantage How to identify unmet needs and build meaningful businesses Redefining success beyond money, status, and titles If you're an entrepreneur, executive, or business leader navigating uncertainty, this episode delivers long-term perspective, clarity, and practical insight for the future ahead. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Ben Lytle:https://potentialistfuture.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lytle-a6a0b914/ https://www.facebook.com/PotentialistFuture https://www.youtube.com/@ben.lytle.potentialist 📘 Order The Potentialist Series Books HERE https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ben-Lytle/author/B09YKFDDZD?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5ac758c7-1e67-4622-8859-2ddee6818980

On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with James Orsini, President of Startup Operations at VaynerX, longtime partner to Gary Vaynerchuk, former public company CEO, and one of the most respected operators in modern marketing, leadership, and business growth. With over 40 years in corporate America and more than a decade inside the high-speed entrepreneurial engine of Vayner, James shares hard-earned insights most founders never hear. From helping scale VaynerX from 400 to 2,000+ employees to launching vYve, a transformational program for Fortune 500 executives and entrepreneurs, James breaks down what it truly takes to build profitable, enduring companies today. In this deep, wide-ranging conversation, Mark and James unpack: Why "perfection is the death of creativity" and how it cripples entrepreneurs The difference between an entrepreneur and an intrapreneur How Vayner scales rapidly while staying grounded in fundamentals The real state of AI in business and why growth planning is being ignored Why so many companies stall at $5M–$10M and how to break through What leaders misunderstand about brand, marketing, and company culture The unexpected power of humor, animation, and mascots in modern advertising How to attract top-tier executive talent, even as a small business The mindset shift founders need to avoid burnout and lead sustainably Why AI-driven workforce disruption will create more entrepreneurs What James means when he says: "Right is right. Doing the right thing is always the right thing." James also offers rare behind-the-scenes insight into the Vayner ecosystem, today's fast-changing business landscape, and how leaders can innovate without abandoning core fundamentals. Whether you're a solo founder, a growing CEO, or navigating the crossroads between corporate and entrepreneurial life, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom you can use immediately. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 📌 More About James Orsini, VaynerX & vYve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-orsini-4b1aaa7/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesorsini/ https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmythepencil https://x.com/JimmyThePencil https://www.threads.com/@jamesorsini https://vaynerx.com/ https://vyve.vaynerx.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/vyvebyvayner/

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:fcb1ce90-a7b1-4fa3-9b32-e53c36eec703-8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-18" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> What separates companies that plateau from those that scale with clarity and momentum? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Amy Gregory Weber, founder of VETTA Sales Consulting, former sales leader at Microsoft, Twilio, and Cisco, and a seasoned advisor who helps entrepreneurs create high-performing, people-aligned sales organizations. After three decades leading global sales teams, Amy discovered a powerful truth: you can't scale a business if the wrong people are in the wrong roles. Today, she helps growth-stage companies build the systems, data-driven processes, and people alignment required to scale without chaos. Amy and Mark unpack how founders can eliminate misalignment, develop accountable teams, and create sustainable revenue systems. From psychometric analysis to rebuilding team structure, to cultivating real relationships with clients, Amy shares the exact frameworks that transform sales organizations from scattered to strategic. She also dives into the personal side of her journey: grit, reinvention, leadership shadowing, and why climbing mountains mirrors the entrepreneurial path more than anything else. In This Episode, You'll Learn: • Why people—not strategy—determine whether a business scales • How founders can build teams that actually want the roles they're in • The psychometric tools Amy uses to align talent with business goals • How to replace chaotic sales activity with systems and accountability • Why listening (not pitching) is the real competitive advantage • How relationship-driven selling built one client from $0 to 95% Cisco adoption • Why your growth journey will never be a straight uphill climb • How physical challenge and mountain-climbing shape Amy's leadership philosophy • The habits of elite sales leaders who create long-term client loyalty Whether you're a founder building your first sales process or a seasoned entrepreneur leading a growing team, Amy's perspective will challenge how you think about people, performance, and growth. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Amy & Vetta Sales Consultingwww.vettasalesconsulting.com www.linkedin.com/in/amygregoryweber

Unlocking Financial Clarity: How Natalia Zacharin Built a Multimillion-Dollar Firm by Mastering Numbers, Strategy & Courage In this high-impact episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Natalia Zacharin, CEO of Zacharin Consulting and one of the most respected financial strategists advising today's business owners. Despite beginning with zero accounting experience, Natalia transformed a small side gig into a multimillion-dollar firm, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000, by helping entrepreneurs turn confusing financial data into confident, strategic decision-making. Natalia opens up about hitting rock bottom in her late 40s as a struggling single mom, and the bold decision to quit her job, bet on herself, and rebuild her life by helping founders understand the numbers that truly drive growth. Today, she's a go-to advisor on cash flow, profitability, hiring strategy, margins, and building a financially healthy, scalable company. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ The most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make ✔️ How to interpret your books like a CEO, not a bookkeeper ✔️ Revenue metrics that actually matter in any business ✔️ Why different industries require different financial strategies ✔️ How to build a sellable business (even if you never plan to sell) ✔️ When to hire, who to hire, and the power of "hiring for today" ✔️ The mindset shift that helped Natalia triple her client base in 90 days ✔️ Why 95% of new clients have messy books, and how to fix yours fast ✔️ How to stop struggling and finally build a profitable, thriving business If you want a clearer, smarter, more confident relationship with your finances, this episode gives you the tools and perspective to finally take control. 🎙️ The Necessary Entrepreneur, hosted by Mark Perkins, features real conversations with founders and leaders who've built businesses worth studying. 📌 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 Natalia & Zacharin Consulting:https://www.linkedin.com/in/growyourbottomline/ https://www.facebook.com/zacharinconsulting/ https://www.instagram.com/growyourbottomline/ https://zacharinconsulting.com