Mark McNally: How Do You Build a Thriving Business From Scratch?

Mark McNally, co-founded FiltersDirectUSA and co-owner of FSI Mechanical, is an entrepreneur with a relentless drive and an inspiring journey from Belfast to the U.S., where he built multiple successful businesses from the ground up. We spoke about the leap of faith that brought him and his family across the Atlantic, the unexpected interview that landed him his first job, and how a simple pizza box prototype sparked a business that now serves 33 states.Mark’s story is one of grit, ingenuity, and sheer determination. From climbing ladders in a field he knew nothing about to co-owning a thriving mechanical company and launching a game-changing product, he proves that success isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about learning fast and taking action."You can't push a rope, but you can pull it. And I was definitely one of those people that pulled the rope, and people kind of joined me along the way."This episode uncovers:✔ The reality of starting over in a new country—with no job, no credit, and just $500 left in the bank.✔ How chance meetings at diners shaped his entrepreneurial path and why breaking bread can be the best way to land an opportunity.✔ Turning a problem into a product—how he went from cutting prototypes out of a pizza box to manufacturing a market-changing innovation.✔ Why "set it and forget it" is the ultimate business model and how automation builds both convenience and customer loyalty.Mark also shares the mindset shift that transformed his approach to work:"I thought it was just hard work and hustle. But looking back, I was always an entrepreneur—I just didn’t realize it at the time."His journey is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money—it’s about reclaiming your time, solving real problems, and building something that lasts.Tune in to hear how Mark navigated uncertainty, scaled his businesses without investors, and why he believes that sometimes the slow, steady path is the most rewarding.

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