Built Without Permission
Built Without Permission is the podcast for entrepreneurs who never waited for someone to hand them the blueprint.
Hosted by Matthew Mak, a former architect turned tow truck operator, landscaper, and equipment rental company owner, this show offers a raw, unfiltered look at what it actually takes to build multiple businesses from the ground up without a roadmap, a safety net, or anyone's approval.
Every episode dives into the real decisions, hard pivots, expensive lessons, and unconventional strategies that separate the people who talk about building something from the ones who actually do it. No theory. No fluff. No permission needed.
Whether you are a tradesperson with an entrepreneurial itch, a business owner navigating your next reinvention, or someone who has been told your path does not make sense, Built Without Permission is proof that the best businesses are rarely built by the book.
This is the show for the ones who break ground before they feel ready.
Built Without Permission
Latest Episodes
The Exit Blueprint David Hori on Navigating the Process of Selling Your Business With Confidence
In episode 7 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews David Hori, an elite business acquirer and coach, as we discover his powerful transformation from a secure, corporate legal and tech career to taking the ultimate entrepren...
The Price of the First Yes- How One Bold Job Unlocked the Start, Scale & Success of Northside Contracting's Franchise Construction Journey
In episode 6 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Mauricio Perez, founder of Northside Contracting Corporation, as they discuss strategies for overcoming self-doubt, the value of hard-won experience, and why the most power...
When the Clock is Ticking- Antone Harb on Executing Under Pressure & Building a Contracting Business That Delivers
In episode 4 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Antone Harb, a powerhouse contractor and entrepreneur, about how he leverages mentorship, networks, and relentless goal-setting to fuel personal transformation and expansio...
The Art of the Jacquard Loom- Liz Pead on Tracking 1,770 Threads & Keeping Traditional Weaving Alive in Canada
In episode 3 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Liz Pead, a Textile artist, jacquard loom lover, and landscape painter, as she shares her approach to goal-setting, learning from setbacks, and scaling her operation—moving...
Building Without a Blueprint: My Journey from Dreams to Reality
In episode 2 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak discusses the importance of commitment and vision, detailing how he crafted a life plan in his teenage years that included milestones such as marriage and becoming a parent.Tune in to...