In the third part of the Founders Scholarship Fund series on Stories from the River, host Manny Rodrigues welcomes Mark Deulley. Their discussion centered around resilience, determination, and strategic leadership. Mark shares insights from his educational journey, highlighting his favorite MBA class, an auto manufacturing simulation that ignited his passion for strategic planning. He details his unexpected win of a founder scholarship, fueled by encouragement from Laura Spencer and support from his family and girlfriend, Ashley. Mark's diverse interests, including financial planning and giving back through a not-for-profit coffee shop for entrepreneurs, further illustrate his commitment to creating supportive networks. He also emphasizes his objectives of "encouraging entrepreneurs," a network to aid entrepreneurs without commercial pressure, and discusses his vision for scalable and systematic connections.

Mark's career journey, from working in banking to furniture management and starting his own business, showcases his resilience and adaptability. Recognized as a Retail MVP, he shares his experiences with launching a successful retail team called Cobra Kai, underpinned by strategic systems and planning. Manny praises Mark's achievements, reinforcing the significance of perseverance despite challenges. The conversation rounds off with practical advice for scholarship applicants and those returning to school, encouraging them to focus on giving back and overcoming self-doubt.

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