What if entrepreneurship is simply about getting on the right train, and staying on long enough to reach the next opportunity?

On this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Skye Blanks, COO of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), for a global conversation about small business, leadership, and what he calls the "Opportunity Train."

Operating in more than 80 countries, ICSB connects policymakers, educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to strengthen small businesses worldwide. Skye shares how his entrepreneurial mindset, fueled by curiosity and pattern recognition, led him to international leadership, the cannabis industry, and front-row exposure to how entrepreneurs operate across cultures.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What the "Opportunity Train" really means for entrepreneurs
How global markets view risk, failure, and innovation differently
Why small businesses are the backbone of economic development worldwide
How ICSB funds and sustains a global, mission-driven organization
Lessons from the cannabis industry and navigating regulatory complexity
Growth strategies rooted in reinvestment, collaboration, and long-term thinking
Why consistency and authenticity define strong leadership
How AI is reshaping small business strategy and competitive advantage

Skye makes it clear: opportunities don't always look obvious when they arrive. The key is positioning yourself, building community, and staying consistent long enough to capitalize when the train pulls into the station.

For founders, small business owners, operators, and growth-minded entrepreneurs who want a broader perspective beyond their local market, this conversation delivers global insight with practical application. 📌 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 Skye Blanks:https://www.instagram.com/skyeblanks/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/skye.blanks/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks/ https://www.skyeblanks.com/biography/ International Council for Small Business: https://icsb.org Premo Cannabis: https://premocannabis.co https://hermantodd.com/index

#181 - The Opportunity Train: Skye Blanks on Global Entrepreneurship, Small Business Growth & AI