#146 - Tony Saldanha: Why 70% of Digital Transformations Fail (and How to Succeed)
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 transformation leaders, Tony shares hard-earned lessons from leading massive global change...
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#145 - Power of Gratitude in Business & Life | David Meltzer on The Necessary Entrepreneur
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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...
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#144 - Pat Flynn: From Smart Passive Income to Lean Learning and Deep Pocket Monster
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 focus on the powerful practice of “just-in-time learning.” This conversation explores how...
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#143 - Leading Dewey’s Pizza w/ Chuck Lipp | Scaling Culture, People-First Leadership & Building a Beloved Brand
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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...
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#142 - Mario Baddour on Balancing AI, Empathy, and Global Growth at InteLogix
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 proves that growth and responsibility can go hand in hand. He also opens up about the moments where...
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#141 - Jeb Blount on Fanatical Prospecting, Emotional Discipline & Selling in the Age of AI
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 starting your journey, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights on prospecting, sales...
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#140 - Cody Grandadam - The Flashlight Guy Who Lit Up Big Box Retail
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 or a roadmap. Cody opens up about what it really takes to get into big box retail, and why personal...
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#139 - Unlocking the Power of Memory with Tansel Ali
The Necessary Entrepreneur
How do you memorize an entire phone book or learn a completely new skill in 48 hours? In this episode, Mark sits down with Tansel Ali, four-time Australian Memory Champion and bestselling author of "The Yellow Elephant: Improve Your Memory and Learn More, Faster, Better" and "How to Learn Almost Anything in 48 Hours". Tansel shares how he began to master the art of memory and teaching high performers around the world to sharpen their focus, retain critical knowledge, and unlock their creative potential. This conversation goes beyond party tricks and into the mindset of a true mental athlete....
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#138 - The Psychology of Marketing and Why Your Email List Is Gold with Jay Schwedelson
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 with your audience. From adapting to constantly changing platforms to leveraging AI in marketing,...
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#137 - The Hero's Journey: Living With Intention featuring Jon Giganti
The Necessary Entrepreneur
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 radically change your personal and professional outcomes. From navigating mental health challenges to...
info_outlineIn 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 priorities, and enjoy the process — without burning out.
🧠 Topics Covered:
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80% proficiency with 2 year commitment
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The secret to prioritizing by importance, not urgency
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How to simplify your path to success by focusing on the next hour
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Developing mindfulness as a business advantage
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Taking advantage of unexpected opportunities
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Building a life and business you actually enjoy
Whether you're building a business, writing your first book, or just trying to get unstuck, this conversation will change how you approach time, goals, and growth.
📌Find Out More About Danny Lehr:
https://dannylehr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/danny.lehr.9
https://www.instagram.com/
https://shop.caffeineandkilos.
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@
📚 Danny’s new book, Win the Next Hour, is out now.
🛒 Get it here: Win Your Next Hour
📈 Perfect for entrepreneurs, founders, creatives, and high-performers.
📌 Connect With Us:
Website: https://www.thenecessaryentrepreneur.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenecessaryentrepreneur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenecessaryentrepreneur/
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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