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 for success, how leaders can foster accountability and ownership within their teams, and how AI is transforming the way modern companies operate.

This conversation is packed with practical strategies for entrepreneurs looking to scale smarter, improve operational efficiency, and build resilient, high-performing organizations in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

What You'll Learn:

• Why ownership is the foundation of successful businesses
• How to implement an AI-driven operating system in your company
• The role of leadership in building accountability and culture
• Why long-term thinking creates sustainable growth
• How to streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies
• The connection between personal growth and business success

Key Topics Covered:

• Entrepreneurship and leadership
• AI in business operations
• Scaling and operational excellence
• Ownership mentality in teams
• Long-term strategy and vision
• Building modern business systems

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflect on your personal growth as a leader
• Implement AI tools to improve efficiency and decision-making
• Build systems that create clarity and consistency
• Foster a culture of ownership within your organization
• Focus on long-term outcomes instead of short-term wins

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 Damon Flowers & Modern Operators:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonflowers/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernoperators/
modernoperators.com
https://go.modernoperators.com/companyos

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/

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/

What 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/ronrubin/
https://www.republicoftea.com/
https://www.instagram.com/republicoftea/
https://www.facebook.com/RepublicofTea
https://goldinyourbackyard.com/

What does it actually mean to build a business that lasts?

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Jonathan Bates, founder of Patriot Growth Capital, to break down the principles behind building durable value, leading with purpose, and creating long-term impact through entrepreneurship.

Jonathan brings a unique perspective shaped by military experience, capital markets, and hands-on work with veteran entrepreneurs. This conversation goes beyond tactics and into the deeper drivers of success. Purpose, identity, discipline, and long-term thinking all play a role in building something meaningful that lasts.

If you are focused on real growth, not short-term wins, this episode will challenge how you think about business and leadership.

• What "durable value" actually means and how to build it
• Why defining your purpose changes how you make decisions
• The role of dreams in driving long-term success
• How to transition identity and leadership through different stages of life
• The three core constraints every entrepreneur must solve: mindset, money, and experience
• How mentorship and accountability accelerate growth

• Define your purpose to guide your decisions
• Dreams create direction and possibility
• Action is the solution for overcoming fear

Many entrepreneurs focus on speed, growth hacks, and short-term gains. Jonathan takes a different approach. He focuses on building businesses that create lasting value while developing the people behind them.

Through Patriot Growth Capital, he is helping veteran families transition into entrepreneurship with structure, education, and real opportunity.

This episode is about building something that matters and making it 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 Jonathan Bates & Patriot Growth Capital:
www.patriotgrowthcapital.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bates-invest/

What if the most valuable asset in your business isn't your product, your network, or your strategy… but your story?

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Bill Blankschaen, founder of StoryBuilders and author of Your Story Advantage, to break down how entrepreneurs can turn their lived experiences into a powerful leadership and business tool.

Bill shares why most entrepreneurs are sitting on untapped influence, how to overcome the internal barriers that keep you from telling your story, and the exact framework for crafting a message that resonates, converts, and scales.

This isn't about becoming a better storyteller. It's about becoming a more effective leader, communicator, and entrepreneur.

• Why your story is your greatest competitive advantage in business

• The 3 biggest "story traps" (and how they silently hold entrepreneurs back)

• How to turn "ordinary" experiences into extraordinary influence

• The 5-part storytelling framework to clarify your message

• What a "story ecosystem" is, and how it can grow your brand and revenue

• How to use storytelling to build trust, authority, and connection at scale

• The role of authenticity in leadership and why it's non-negotiable

• How books, speaking, and content can multiply your message

• Entrepreneurs struggling to clearly communicate what they do

• Founders looking to build a stronger personal brand

• Leaders who want to inspire, not just instruct

• Anyone who feels like their story "isn't that special"

"Your breakthrough begins when you start with your story."

If you've ever struggled to explain your value, connect with your audience, or stand out in a crowded market. This episode will show you how to leverage the one thing no one else can replicate: your story.

Bill Blankschaen is the founder and Chief Story Architect at StoryBuilders, where he helps entrepreneurs and leadership teams clarify, craft, and communicate their message through intentional storytelling. He is the author of Your Story Advantage, a guide to turning your experiences into impact.

📌 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 Bill Blankschaen:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billblankschaen/
https://mystorybuilders.com/
https://www.instagram.com/my_storybuilders/

Order A Copy of Your Story Advantage HERE