#187 - The Long Game: Ron Rubin on Building Culture, Compounding Wisdom, and Finding Gold in Your Backyard
Release Date: 03/30/2026
#199 - How to Evaluate Franchise Opportunities, Build Wealth & Escape Corporate Burnout | Scott Jones of FranChoice
The Necessary Entrepreneur
On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with franchise consultant Scott Jones of FranChoice to explore the realities of franchising, entrepreneurship, and building a life with intentionality. With more than 30 years of experience as a franchisee, franchisor, CEO, and business advisor, Scott shares what separates successful franchise owners from those who struggle, how to evaluate franchise opportunities, and why leadership, grit, systems, and execution matter more than hype. Mark and Scott also discuss corporate burnout, financial freedom, wealth building,...
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#198 - From Corporate Jobs to a National Wellness Brand: The Oakwell Beer Spa Story
The Necessary Entrepreneur
In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins talks with Damien Zouaoui and Jessica Zouaoui, founders of Oakwell Beer Spa, a fast growing brand redefining hospitality and wellness. After leaving corporate careers in New York City, they sold everything and traveled to 25 countries searching for the right business idea. That journey led to a unique concept that combines craft beer, spa treatments, and high level service into one experience. Since launching in 2021, Oakwell Beer Spa has operated at full capacity, expanded to multiple locations, and is now franchising...
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#197 - The $100K Trap: Why You’re Stuck (And How to Break Out) | Daniel Linares
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Daniel Linares, founder of DLE Event Group, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur to share how he built a premium event production company and what it takes to scale a business beyond the “six-figure hamster wheel.” In this episode, Daniel breaks down the mindset shifts required to move from operator to owner, how to build a high-performance team, and why systems and delegation are the foundation for real business freedom. He also shares how his company pivoted during COVID-19 into virtual events, producing experiences for audiences across more than 60 countries. What you’ll...
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#196 - The Investor DNA Blueprint: Find Your Perfect Passive Income Stream | Joey Mure
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Joey Mure, co-founder of Wealth Without Wall Street, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur to break down how entrepreneurs can build passive income and achieve financial freedom outside traditional Wall Street investing. In this episode, Joey explains why many high-income professionals remain financially stuck and how the “hamster wheel” keeps entrepreneurs trading time for money. He introduces the concept of Investor DNA, a framework that helps you identify which passive income strategies align with your personality, goals, and risk tolerance. They also dive into practical ways...
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#195 - A Warrior’s Mindset for Entrepreneurs | Sean Patton on Leadership, Discipline, and Performance
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Sean Patton, executive coach at Novus Global, entrepreneur, author of A Warrior’s Mindset: The 6 Keys to Greatness, and host of the No Limit Leadership podcast, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur for a focused conversation on leadership, mental performance, and what it actually takes to operate at a high level in business. Sean brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience as a founder and now as a coach working with high-performing leaders. In this episode, he breaks down the difference between surface-level motivation and true mindset development. He explains why most...
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#194 - Logistics Is NOT a Cost Center | Randy Vlasic Explains Why Most Businesses Get This Wrong
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Randy Vlasic, founder and CEO of LIWMI Logistics, joins Mark Perkins on The Necessary Entrepreneur to break down why logistics is one of the most misunderstood advantages in business. Most companies treat it as a cost to minimize. Randy explains why it is actually a core driver of customer experience and long-term growth. Randy shares his unconventional path into entrepreneurship, from early setbacks to building a disciplined and high-performing logistics company. His approach is simple but uncommon. Work only with clients who understand the strategic value of logistics, focus on execution,...
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#193 - Hiring Is Broken: How to Attract Top Talent in 2026 | Ryan Hogan
The Necessary Entrepreneur
Hiring is broken, and most companies do not realize how much it is costing them. In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Ryan Hogan, founder and CEO of Talent Harbor, to unpack what is really happening inside today’s hiring market and why traditional recruiting methods are failing both companies and candidates. Ryan brings a clear, operator-level perspective on talent acquisition, sharing how businesses can compete for top talent in a market defined by noise, inefficiency, and misalignment. From outdated hiring processes to the disconnect between employers...
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#192 - When AI Lies: The Hidden Risk No One Is Talking About | Arthur Miller
The Necessary Entrepreneur
What happens when the future of cybersecurity collides with the reality of financial risk? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Arthur Miller to unpack one of the most urgent and misunderstood shifts in modern business: quantum encryption and the coming wave of post-quantum cybersecurity threats. As quantum computing accelerates, the encryption systems that protect today’s financial institutions are rapidly approaching obsolescence. Arthur explains what that actually means without the hype and delivers a practical roadmap for leaders who cannot afford to...
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#191 - From Chaos to Clarity: Damon Flowers on Ownership, AI, and Scaling Modern Businesses
The Necessary Entrepreneur
What separates businesses that scale from those that stall? According to Damon Flowers, it comes down to ownership, clarity, and the systems you build behind the scenes. In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Damon, founder of Modern Operators, to break down how entrepreneurs can move from chaos to clarity by building better operating systems, leveraging AI, and developing a true ownership mindset. Damon shares how business is not just a vehicle for profit, but a vehicle for personal growth. He explains why adopting a long-term perspective is critical...
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#190 - Reinventing Product Discovery: Al Schuster on Building SampleFinder and the Future of Consumer Engagement
The Necessary Entrepreneur
What if the way customers discover products is completely broken? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Al Schuster, Co-Founder of SampleFinder, to unpack how brands can rethink product discovery, customer acquisition, and engagement in today’s crowded marketplace. Al shares the story behind building SampleFinder and how the company is helping brands connect directly with consumers through smarter sampling strategies. He explains why traditional marketing channels are losing effectiveness and how experiential marketing, targeted sampling, and...
info_outlineWhat does it look like to build a business and a life over decades with real intention?
In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Ron Rubin, CEO of The Republic of Tea, entrepreneur, educator, and author of Gold in Your Backyard.
Ron has spent more than 40 years studying, building, and refining what actually works in business. He has read over 1,500 business books and, more importantly, applied those lessons in the real world. This conversation is not about theory. It is about execution, discipline, and playing the long game.
Ron also shares the story behind River Road Family Vineyards & Winery, a lifelong goal that came together through patience, persistence, and clarity of vision.
This episode focuses on what most entrepreneurs overlook. The small decisions. The daily habits. The culture you build when no one is watching.
You will hear how Ron thinks about leadership, brand experience, and why the greatest opportunities are often already sitting right in front of you.
Key Takeaways:
- Why consistent learning compounds over time
- How to apply ideas from books into real business decisions
- The importance of culture and attention to detail
- Why patience and long-term thinking win
- How to recognize and act on the “gold in your backyard”
Who this is for:
Entrepreneurs and leaders who want to build something meaningful, sustainable, and built to last.
📌 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 Ron Rubin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/
https://www.republicoftea.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://goldinyourbackyard.