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.
Episodes
20 episodes
From CFP to CEO Rachel Erickson on Using Her Financial Knowledge to Bet on Herself & Build Barrel Room Media From the Gr
In episode 20 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Rachel Erickson, founder of Barrel Room Media, as she explains why culture, character, and values matter more than money or impressive résumés—and why she refuses to take ...
From Survival to Strength Shaun Shubert on Growing Up Hard, Getting Out & Building the Reforged Method for Dads Who've L
In episode 19 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Shaun Shubert, a martial artist, chef, gym owner, coach, and entrepreneur from Boston, Massachusetts, to unpack the setbacks, sacrifices, mindset shifts, and life lessons that sh...
Hands Off, Hands Down the Best Scott Dinan on Managing -1M+ Luxury Vacation Assets Across Manatee, Sarasota & Pinellas
In episode 18 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Scott Dinan, founder of Trust First Management, as he shares how this leadership shift helped create a culture where team members began taking initiative—including one employee w...
Your Wealth Starts With One Honest Conversation Laura Costa on 12+ Years of GTA Real Estate & the Communication That Changes
In episode 17 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Laura Costa, an Ontario real estate professional who has built her career around connection, adaptability, communication, and helping clients achieve meaningful goals. Fro...
Build a Business Worth Buying Brandon Smith of New Vision Projects on Trade-Up Coaching & What Contractors Need to Know
In episode 16 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Brandon Smith, Co-Founder of New Vision Projects, as he explains that having the best product or service means little if you can't communicate its value, solve a customer'...
The Naples Advisor Who Builds Yasmin Saad on Luxury Real Estate, West of 41 & Creating Opportunities Beyond the Deal
In episode 15 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Yasmin Saad, Florida real estate professional, entrepreneur, and longtime industry leader, as she explains why saying “no” in the short term can be necessary to create the...
Healthy Homes & Hard Laughs Michael Mok of El Centro Builders on the Real, Raw & Rewarding Side of General Contracting
In episode 14 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Michael Mok, founder of El Centro Builders, as they dive into building high-performing teams, earning client trust, creating scalable business systems, embracing change, a...
No Wasted Years How Dalton Sykes Turned a Decade of Discipline Into Ironworx Excavating's Rise Across Toronto & the GTA
In episode 13 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Dalton Sykes from IronWorkX Excavating, as he shares how a simple decision in his early 20s changed the trajectory of his life—from flipping pickup trucks and selling hand...
- Old World Service, New World Tech Dennis Costa of Avas Automation on Bringing Smart Home Technology to Life
In episode 12 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Dennis Costa from AVAS and Concepts, as he reveals how a childhood obsession with speakers and audio systems evolved into a thriving business serving homeowners with custo...
Stephen Ward - Short Term Rentals, Long Term Thinking Stephen Ward on Building Business Savvy in the STR Game
In episode 11 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Stephen Ward, a former problem-solver in corporate America who transformed his life and career by launching one of the fastest-growing short-term rental companies in the c...
Luke Potter - Kill the Busywork Luke Potter of Ceramic Labs on Using AI & Automation to Help Small Businesses Grow Smarter
In episode 10 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Luke Potter, a seasoned leader who transformed his career from corporate stability to entrepreneurial success by taking bold action. Luke shares how he uses process automa...
Nathan Lewis - The Long Game Nathan Lewis of Nonpareil Roofing on a Career Forged in the Trades & a Business Built to Last
In episode 9 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Nathan Lewis, founder of Nonpareil Roofing, as he shares his compelling journey from project manager—overworked and underpaid—to thriving roofing business owner serving all of Sou...
Scale Smarter, Not Harder Alisha Esmail of Latch AI on Using Artificial Intelligence to Grow Your Business
In episode 8 of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak interviews Alisha Esmail, Founder of Latch AI, as she shares how she navigated business pivots, overcame setbacks—including losing vital support and enduring rocky partnerships—and found new...
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...
How Matthew Mak Built Success Without Waiting for Permission
In this first-ever episode of Built Without Permission, Matthew Mak, co-founder of J & J Equipment Rental, discusses his transition into architecture and his commitment to building a life and career without waiting for the perfect mo...