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 book Don’t Do Business with Dicks, which provides practical ways leaders can eliminate toxic influences and focus on growth with purpose and intentionality.

From losing over $100 million to rebuilding his life and career, David’s story proves that failure can be the greatest teacher, and gratitude the most powerful tool for success. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build lasting success without losing yourself along the way, this conversation will give you the mindset shift you’ve been waiting for.

Key Takeaways:

• My mantra is happy, I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am worthy.

• The more you give, the more you're given.

• Gratitude is a requirement for a fulfilling life.

• Parenting involves showing unconditional love and support.

• Gratitude evolves through different life stages.

• Gratitude helps find light, love, and lessons in adversity.

• Understanding ego is crucial for personal growth.

• Intentionality in business is essential for success.

• Surround yourself with positive influences.

• Empowering others is a key part of my mission.

Pre-order “Don't Do Business with Dicks” from your favorite retailer and visit DavidMeltzer.com to claim a free bonus book.

📌 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

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 people drives sustainable business growth.

Listeners will hear Chuck’s entrepreneurial journey, from his start in the restaurant industry to becoming President, and the philosophies that guide him: creating intentional culture, empowering decision-making, leading with humility, and finding balance between work and life. He and Mark dive deep into topics every entrepreneur can learn from, including:

• How Dewey’s builds and scales culture across multiple locations

• Why training and systems are key to consistent customer experiences

• The difference between managing and true leadership

• Building accountability without drama in large organizations

• The sacrifices and rewards of executive leadership

• Lessons on resilience, ownership, and personal growth

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply a fan of great pizza, this conversation offers actionable insights on leadership, culture, and growth from one of the Midwest’s most respected restaurant leaders.

📌 Find Out More About Chuck Lipp & Dewey's Pizza:
https://deweyspizza.com/
https://www.instagram.com/deweyspizza/
https://www.youtube.com/@DeweysPizzaRestaurant
https://www.facebook.com/DeweysPizza
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-lipp-6730377/

📌 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

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 technology falls short, especially when human empathy and life experiences are irreplaceable. This conversation dives into leadership, scaling across continents, building resilient teams, and why technology should amplify, not replace, the human touch.

If you want to understand the future of customer experience, global outsourcing, and leadership in a rapidly changing business world, this episode is a must-listen.

📌 Find Out More About Mario Baddour & InteLogix:
https://intelogix.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/intelogix/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariobaddour/

📌 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

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 frameworks, field cold calling, and how to become an apex performer in 2025 and beyond.

🔥 Learn why human-to-human selling is making a comeback
📞 Discover why empty pipelines are killing your business
🤖 Understand how to leverage AI to become more human, not less
🚪 Reclaim the power of face-to-face cold calling and field sales
🧠 Build emotional discipline and self-awareness to unlock your potential
📚 Get the story behind Fanatical Prospecting and how it became the “Harry Potter of sales books”
💡 Find out how Jeb stays grounded, productive, and balanced, even with 300+ days a year on the road

This is not theory. It’s practical, boots-on-the-ground wisdom from one of the most respected voices in modern sales.

📌 Find Out More About Jeb Blount & Sales Gravy:
https://jebblount.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jebblount/
https://salesgravy.com/
https://www.salesgravy.university/
https://www.instagram.com/salesgravy/
https://www.facebook.com/SalesGravy/
https://x.com/salesgravy
https://www.youtube.com/@salesgravy
https://www.tiktok.com/@salesgravy

📌 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

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 development, not capital, was the most important ingredient in his success. He shares his thoughts on working with family, building culture, what young entrepreneurs often get wrong, and how manifestation, discipline, and full ownership of your life can shape your future.

If you've ever wanted to create something out of nothing or wondered how far pure belief and action can take you, this conversation is your blueprint.

📌 Find Out More About Cody Grandadam:
https://www.instagram.com/codygrandadam
https://www.tiktok.com/@therealflashlightguy
https://www.youtube.com/@flashlightguy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-grandadam-1992b984/
https://litezall.com/
https://www.instagram.com/litezall/

📌 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

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. Tansel breaks down how memory mastery can help entrepreneurs organize their thoughts, make better decisions, and perform at their highest level.

About Tansel Ali: Tansel Ali is a world-renowned memory expert, author, and four-time Australian Memory Champion. He has spoken on TEDx stages, appeared in major media, and helped leaders, athletes, and creatives achieve breakthroughs in focus and performance.

📌 Connect With Tansel Ali:
https://tanselali.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tansel.a.l.i/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanselali/
https://www.facebook.com/tanselali
https://x.com/TanselAli
https://www.tiktok.com/@tanselali58
https://www.youtube.com/@TanselAliMemory

Purchase The Yellow Elephant & How to Learn Almost Anything inf 48 Hours: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tansel+ali

📌 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