Built Without Permission

Matthew Mak

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

  1. 17h ago

    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 entrepreneurial leap: betting on himself and building companies that reflect his personal vision and values. Tune in to learn from elite performers who don’t just talk about it—they execute, they mentor, and they redefine what’s possible when you take control of your own exit blueprint. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:00] Building Without Permission: Host and Guest Introductions [00:03:56] David Hori’s Journey: From Corporate to Serial Startup Exits [00:05:19] Making the Leap: Risk, Fear, and Family Considerations [00:08:15] The Value of Mentorship, Books, and Peer Relationships [00:10:35] What It Really Takes to Start and Scale a Business [00:13:38] Learning from Failure and Turning Regret into Growth [00:17:40] Strategic Acquisitions: Sectors, Criteria, and Processes [00:23:49] Buy and Hold vs. Flipping: Long-Term Vision [00:26:07] Building the Right Team: Hiring EAs, Admin, and Key Roles [00:29:28] Leveraging AI and Systems for Business Scale [00:32:18] Built Without Permission: Action, Ownership, and Execution [00:34:40] Where to Connect with David Hori QUOTES "The only reason we look behind us is to learn from—we win, or we learn." – David Hori"We are going to win because we move faster than everybody else. When they think in terms of weeks and months, we're thinking in terms of minutes and hours." – David Hori"If you're waiting for permission, you're already behind. The life you're building starts with the decisions you make today." – Matthew Mak SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Matthew Mak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmak.builds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.ozoriomak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mak-715bb825/  J and J Equipment Rental Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandjequipmentrental/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JJ-Equipment-Rental/ LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/j-j-equipment-rental  David Hori Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedavidhori/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavidhori/

    35 min
  2. Jun 9

    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 powerful successes often happen behind the scenes. Tune in to learn how to turn every challenge into a stepping stone, nurture your team, and start making your own blueprint—no permission required.  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:05] Introducing Mauricio Perez’s story and background [00:02:07] The sacrifices entrepreneurs make and the challenges of leadership [00:04:58] Success behind the scenes, social media vs. reality [00:07:12] Expanding outside Ontario: Edmonton, Calgary, and beyond [00:12:34] Biggest early lessons and growing pains [00:16:02] The moment Mauricio chose entrepreneurship [00:18:18] How Northside Contracting was born [00:25:06] Company culture and redefining team relationships [00:27:28] “Built Without Permission” and making your own rules  QUOTES "I feel like all of my lessons, the reasons I've gotten to where I've gotten today, are because of expensive mistakes and not giving up when things got tough." – Mauricio Perez"It's all part of the journey; there’s no handbook to do this. You have to do it your own way." – Mauricio Perez"The life you're building starts with the decisions you make today. So stop thinking and start moving." – Matthew Mac SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Matthew Mak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmak.builds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.ozoriomak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mak-715bb825/  J and J Equipment Rental Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandjequipmentrental/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JJ-Equipment-Rental/ LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/j-j-equipment-rental  Mauricio Perez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricio-perez-495a3b17b/  Northside Contracting Corporation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northsidecontracting_/  Website: http://northsidecontracting.ca/testimonials/

    30 min
  3. Jun 2

    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 expansion—while constantly improving relationships, communication, and accountability with both employees and clients.  Tune in to learn how to lead with integrity, master your craft, push through uncertainty, and start building your business—no blueprint required!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:05] From side hustles to blueprints—Matthew’s intro & Antone’s backstory [00:04:13] The breaking point: Why Antone took the leap and started his business [00:05:53] Scaling fast: Hitting six figures, leading a 15-person team, and executing under pressure [00:13:12] Leadership lessons: Treating employees like family and building long-term relationships [00:20:04] Marketing mishaps, sales strategies, and learning from business setbacks [00:27:19] The value of mentorship, masterminds, and networking in business [00:30:30] Actionable advice for new entrepreneurs—passion, planning, and execution [00:33:13] Built without permission: Defining your journey regardless of what others say  QUOTES "Be a hundred percent in and passionate about what you're gonna do. Master it, learn, fail. Don't be afraid to fail and go for it." – Antone Harb"When people are telling you you're crazy, it means that you're doing something right." – Matthew Mak"Once you find out your passion and you have a plan, it's easy. Everything else just falls into place because you know what you're doing." – Antone Harb SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Matthew Mak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmak.builds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.ozoriomak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mak-715bb825/  J and J Equipment Rental Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandjequipmentrental/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JJ-Equipment-Rental/ LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/j-j-equipment-rental  Antone Harb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonesreno/?hl=en

    40 min
  4. May 26

    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 from hand-woven art to industry-level manufacturing with a 3-meter-wide, fully digital Jacquard loom (worth millions).  Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, innovation, and taking bold steps toward your business goals!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:05] From folding suits to building businesses: Matthew Mac’s journey [00:01:20] The politics of permits and breaking ground on a textile vision [00:02:13] Machinery obsession: acquiring spinning mills and Jacquard looms [00:06:31] The hands-on process: from sheep to finished yarn [00:08:53] Navigating manufacturing setbacks and industry shifts [00:10:42] Merging art, craft, and production: leadership in action [00:12:02] Building teams, hiring, and valuing people [00:19:38] Rebuilding Canadian wool: purpose and legacy [00:21:04] Embodied knowledge, mentorship, and tech innovation [00:23:13] Execution over excuses: the discipline to take action  QUOTES "I want to change how we valorize and how we value wool and the wool chain in Canada." – Liz Pead"That's what defines the difference between people like yourself and...the rest of the world, is that you do it. You execute it. You don't wait for anyone." – Matthew Mak"I'm doing everything very scientifically. The thing I'm most excited about is that I can now quantify and speak intelligently about fibers and communicate that to the industry." – Liz Pead SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Matthew Mak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmak.builds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.ozoriomak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mak-715bb825/  J and J Equipment Rental Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandjequipmentrental/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JJ-Equipment-Rental/ LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/j-j-equipment-rental  Liz Pead Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizpead/

    34 min

About

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.