The Necessary Entrepreneur

Experience Earned. Execution Required. The Necessary Entrepreneur brings together people who are actively creating, not constantly consuming. Hosted by entrepreneur and operator Mark Perkins, the show assembles founders, operators, and investors doing the work. They share direct conversations about execution, leadership, and the realities of creating something that endures. The show rejects theory as a standalone and focuses on the discipline, decisions, and resilience required to stay in the game every day.

The Necessary Entrepreneur is a business podcast hosted by Mark Perkins, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Mark Perkins hosts The Necessary Entrepreneur, a business show with 100 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #214

  #214 - It's Not a Midlife Crisis. It's a Midlife Opportunity | Kim Keating

  Aug 17, 202659 min

  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/

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  Episode #213

  #213 - Matt Dalio: Why America's Future Depends on Raising Builders, Not Consumers

  Aug 10, 20261h 10m

  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 again How AI is changing the future of education and employment The difference between ability and capability Why curiosity is the foundation of lifelong learning What entrepreneurs should teach the next generation How emerging markets are driving some of today's greatest innovations Why passion is discovered through building, not waiting The debate between growth and cash flow for founders Practical ways to prepare yourself and your family for the future of work Why 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

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  Episode #212

  #212 - How Kay Woo is Challenging Uber with Zero Commission Ride-Sharing and Blockchain

  Aug 3, 20261h 8m

  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 model The entrepreneurial challenges of disrupting established industries Building trust and community among drivers at scale How blockchain technology powers modern mobility platforms Why drivers should be treated as customers, not commodities The 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 incumbents Why 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/

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  Episode #211

  #211 - What Buyers REALLY Look For When Acquiring a Business | Muriel Touati | The Necessary Entrepreneur

  Jul 27, 202653 min

  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

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  Episode #210

  #210 - Why Luxury Clients Pay More Than $10,000 for Trust, Not Just Clothing | Albert Lukonga

  Jul 20, 202650 min

  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/

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