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The Necessary Entrepreneur

The Necessary Entrepreneur

By: Mark Perkins
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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. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • #190 - Reinventing Product Discovery: Al Schuster on Building SampleFinder and the Future of Consumer Engagement

    #190 - Reinventing Product Discovery: Al Schuster on Building SampleFinder and the Future of Consumer Engagement
    Apr 9 2026

    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 data-driven insights are becoming critical for growth.

    This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, startup growth, and what it takes to build a company that bridges the gap between brands and consumers. Al also breaks down the importance of feedback loops, understanding your customer, and creating meaningful touchpoints that actually drive conversions.

    If you are an entrepreneur, brand builder, or marketer looking to stand out and create real connections with your audience, this episode will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why traditional product discovery is failing brands
    • How sampling can drive customer acquisition and loyalty
    • The role of data in modern marketing strategies
    • How to build stronger connections between brands and consumers
    • The fundamentals of scaling a startup in a competitive space
    • Why feedback loops are critical for growth

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Product sampling and consumer engagement
    • Startup growth and entrepreneurship
    • Customer acquisition strategies
    • Data-driven marketing
    • Brand positioning and differentiation
    • Experiential marketing
    • Building scalable platforms

    Actionable Takeaways:

    • Rethink how customers discover your product
    • Use sampling as a strategic growth lever
    • Build feedback loops to understand your audience
    • Focus on meaningful engagement over impressions
    • Leverage data to refine your marketing strategy

    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 Al Schuster & SampleFinder:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/aschuster4379/
    https://samplefinder.com/
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    52 mins
  • #189 - The Hidden Billion-Dollar Opportunity in Mining | Beau Turner Explains

    #189 - The Hidden Billion-Dollar Opportunity in Mining | Beau Turner Explains
    Apr 6 2026
    What does it take to build real, lasting wealth in industries most people don't understand? In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Beau Turner, Co-Founder and CEO of Abundant Mines, to explore how entrepreneurs can think differently about opportunity, risk, and long-term value creation. Beau breaks down the realities of the mining industry, one of the most misunderstood sectors in business, and explains how strategic thinking, patience, and disciplined execution can unlock massive opportunities. He shares lessons from building in a capital-intensive, high-risk environment and how those principles translate to entrepreneurship across any industry. This conversation dives into what it really means to play the long game, how to identify overlooked opportunities, and why resilience and conviction are essential for building something meaningful. Beau also discusses leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and how to navigate industries where timing and strategy matter more than hype. If you are an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader looking to expand your thinking beyond traditional paths and build long-term wealth, this episode will challenge and sharpen your perspective. What You'll Learn: How to identify opportunities in overlooked or misunderstood industriesThe fundamentals of building in capital-intensive businessesWhy long-term thinking separates great entrepreneurs from average onesHow to manage risk and uncertainty in high-stakes environmentsThe mindset required to build sustainable wealthLessons from the mining industry that apply to any business Key Topics Covered: Mining and natural resource entrepreneurshipLong-term investing and wealth creationRisk management and capital allocationLeadership in complex industriesStrategic decision-making under uncertaintyBuilding businesses in unconventional marketsEntrepreneurial mindset and resilience Actionable Takeaways: Look where others are not paying attention for opportunityFocus on long-term value instead of short-term winsBuild conviction through research and experienceDevelop the discipline to operate in uncertain environmentsPrioritize strategy over hype when making decisions 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 Beau Turner & Abundant MinesWebsite: https://abundantmines.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beau-turner-445732251/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/abundant-mines/ X: https://x.com/Beau_Turner21 https://x.com/AbundantMines Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantmines# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantmines/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbundantMines/
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    45 mins
  • #188 - Mastering Business Communication: Joshua Altman on PR, AI, and Authenticity

    #188 - Mastering Business Communication: Joshua Altman on PR, AI, and Authenticity
    Apr 2 2026

    What if the biggest growth lever in your business isn't sales, marketing, or operations but communication?

    In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Joshua Altman, Managing Director of Beltway Media, to break down how entrepreneurs can use strategic communication to build trust, shape perception, and accelerate growth.

    Joshua explains why communication is not a support function. It is a core business function. He expands the definition of PR beyond media coverage to include every stakeholder interaction. From navigating today's rapid news cycle to preparing for high stakes media appearances, this conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs at every stage.

    You will also learn how to use modern tools like AI, including platforms from OpenAI, without losing the human element. Joshua makes a strong case that authenticity and transparency are now major competitive advantages.

    Whether you are building a startup, scaling a brand, or refining your personal message, this episode will help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why communication is a foundational pillar of every successful business
    • A modern, expanded definition of PR and stakeholder engagement
    • How to craft messaging that resonates in a fast moving digital world
    • The importance of preparation for media interviews and on camera appearances
    • How AI is transforming communication, research, and creativity
    • Why authenticity and transparency are critical for long term brand trust

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Strategic communication for entrepreneurs
    • Media relations and public perception
    • Crisis communication and business pivots
    • The evolution of the 24 hour news cycle
    • Media training and storytelling
    • AI in communication and content strategy
    • Authentic branding and trust building

    Actionable Takeaways:

    • Start building your communication strategy early
    • Practice and refine your media presence
    • Use AI tools to enhance, not replace, your thinking
    • Prioritize authenticity in every message you put out
    • Create feedback loops to continuously improve your communication

    📌 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 Joshau Altman & beltway.media
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaialtman/
     https://beltway.media/
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    52 mins
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