My career started in the trades. I worked asan electrician's apprentice. Then, I decided to open my own electricalcontracting business. That was 15 years ago. The first few years were tough. Iwas doing everything: answering phones, ordering supplies, managing the crews.I learned a lot about cash flow. I think the biggest lesson was the importanceof building relationships with suppliers. They can really help you out whenyou’re starting. Now, we've got 20 employees and a steady stream of projects.It's been a rewarding journey, to say the least.
Key insights:
🔹 Start small and focus on buildingrelationships.
🔹 Manage cash flow carefully,especially in the early years.
🔹 Learn every aspect of the business.
🔹 Build a good team and empower them.
🔹 Be persistent, even when times aretough.
Looking back, I'm proud of what we've built.Thanks to MacRAE’S and the host for providing a platform to share myexperiences.
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how farwe've come. When we started, we were just a few people with a big idea. Theearly days were all about learning fast and being resourceful. We had to figureout everything ourselves, from building our first product to finding our firstcustomers. It was tough, but we learned so much by doing. I’m proud of the teamwe've built, a group of people who are passionate, dedicated, and alwayspushing us to be better. Seeing our company grow and adapt to the changingmarket has been incredibly rewarding. What keeps me going is the constantchallenge, the opportunity to innovate, and the chance to make a realdifference. We're not just selling a product; we're building something thathelps people every day. That’s what matters most.
Key insights:
🔹 Start with a clear vision and beadaptable.
🔹 Embrace challenges as opportunitiesfor growth.
🔹 Focus on building a strong,dedicated team.
🔹 Prioritize customer needs andsatisfaction.
🔹 Continuously innovate to stayrelevant.
It's been a privilege sharing my story andthese insights with MacRAE’S. I appreciate the chance to reflect on thisjourney.
It all started with a simple observation:there was a gap in the market for a specialized service. I realized thatbusinesses needed help connecting with each other, and I wanted to be the oneto provide it. My journey began with a lot of research, talking to people, andunderstanding the real needs of various industries.
The first few years were all about building asolid foundation. We focused on creating a service that was reliable and easyto use. We wanted to be known for our commitment to quality. It took time,patience, and a lot of hard work. But, seeing the positive impact on ourclients kept me going.
Key insights:
🔹 Start with thorough market researchto identify a real need.
🔹 Prioritize the core values ofreliability and ease of use.
🔹 Invest in building strongrelationships with clients.
🔹 Focus on quality and be patient.
🔹 Embrace challenges as learningopportunities.
Reflecting on how far we've come, I'mincredibly grateful to MacRAE’S and the host for providing a platform to sharethis journey. It's rewarding to see how a simple idea can evolve into somethingimpactful.
It's been quite a journey building ourcompany, and I've learned so much along the way. We started with a simple idea,a desire to create something new in the market. I knew from the beginning thatwe needed a strong team. Finding the right people, those who shared our vision,was critical. We had to be flexible, ready to adapt to market changes. Therewere times when we had to completely rethink our approach. It was tough, butthat willingness to change kept us going.
We focused on the customer. Understandingtheir needs and responding quickly was key. We also invested heavily intechnology. It wasn't always easy, but it gave us an edge. We learned thatevery challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Perseverance is vital.
Key insights:
🔹 Build a strong team aligned withyour vision.
🔹 Adapt quickly to market changes.
🔹 Prioritize understanding andresponding to customer needs.
🔹 Invest in technology to gain anadvantage.
🔹 Embrace challenges as learningopportunities.
🔹 Persevere through difficulties.
I'm incredibly grateful to MacRAE’S for thechance to share my story with your audience. I appreciate the platform and theinsights shared by the host.
I've always believed in the power of buildingstrong relationships in business. My journey started with a simple idea, andthrough dedication and perseverance, I've seen it evolve into somethingsignificant. It's been a ride filled with challenges, certainly, but alsoincredible opportunities for growth.
One of the most valuable lessons I've learnedis the importance of adaptability. The market is always changing, and you haveto be ready to pivot. Another key has been assembling a team that shares yourvision and is passionate about what they do. I've also learned the value ofcelebrating small wins. It's important to acknowledge progress along the way.
Key insights:
🔹 Build strong relationships.
🔹 Adapt to market changes.
🔹 Assemble a passionate team.
🔹 Celebrate small wins.
🔹 Stay focused on your vision.
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for theexperience and the opportunity to share my story. Thank you to MacRAE'S and thehost for providing this platform.
The journey to founding and leading asuccessful company has been a fascinating one, full of unexpected turns andvaluable lessons. From the initial spark of an idea to the daily realities ofbuilding and managing a team, it's a constant learning process. I've alwaysbelieved in the power of adaptability and the importance of staying true toyour core values, even when faced with challenges. One of the most rewardingaspects has been seeing the positive impact our work has on our clients and theindustry.
Key insights:
🔹 Start with a clear vision andmission statement.
🔹 Build a strong, supportive teamaround you.
🔹 Embrace change and be willing topivot when necessary.
🔹 Prioritize customer satisfactionabove all else.
🔹 Never stop learning and seeking newopportunities.
Reflecting on this experience, I'm immenselygrateful for the opportunity to share my story. Thanks to MacRAE’S forproviding this platform to connect and learn together with the host.
As a young professional, I found myself drawn tothe world of construction. I quickly realized that the industry was filled withopportunity, but also challenges. I decided to make it my mission to learn theins and outs of the business, and grow with it. My early career was marked by asteep learning curve. Every project presented a new set of problems to solve,and I had to quickly adapt to changing situations. Over time, I developed aknack for problem-solving, and I began to take on more complex projects.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was theimportance of collaboration. Construction is a team effort, and you need towork with everyone, from the architects to the subcontractors, to get the jobdone right. I also learned the value of staying organized and managing yourtime well. There are so many moving parts, so you need to be able to keep trackof everything and meet deadlines. It's a challenging industry, but it's alsoincredibly rewarding.
Key insights:
🔹 Embrace the steep learning curve of anew industry.
🔹 Adapt quickly to changing situationsand unexpected problems.
🔹 Collaborate effectively with architectsand subcontractors.
🔹 Prioritize organization and timemanagement to meet deadlines.
I'm grateful to MacRAE’S and the host for providingthis opportunity to reflect on my career journey and share what I've learnedalong the way.
It started with a simple idea: to make construction projects run smoother. I'm talking about simplifying the way wesource materials and connect with suppliers. The challenges were clear from thestart. We knew we needed a platform that was easy to use, offered accuratedata, and, most importantly, saved time and money.
It wasn’t always easy. There were times when wehad to rethink our approach. We learned to listen closely to our customers,understand their needs, and adapt our services accordingly.
Key insights:
🔹 Start with a clear understanding of theproblem you want to solve.
🔹 Prioritize user-friendly design in yourproduct.
🔹 Always listen to customer feedback.
🔹 Adapt to changing market needs.
🔹 Focus on saving time and money for yourusers.
Reflecting on the journey, I'm grateful for thesupport and the opportunity to share our story with MacRAE’S. Thanks to thehost for the great conversation.
AT Sensors learned an expensive lesson about digital marketing: great design doesn't guarantee results. After investing in a complete website redesign with stunning visuals and excellent content, traffic still disappointed. The problem? Findability. As Gretchen Alper shared on the MacRAE'S Growth Challenge Podcast, what worked for SEO years ago no longer applies when customers search through ChatGPT instead of Google. The company recently launched a new initiative to optimize for AI-powered search engines, partnering with experts to shift from keyword thinking to prompt-based strategies. The early findings have already surprised them.
ow did Obvi scale from online startup to 20,000 retail doors in just 2.5 years? In this episode of MacRAE'S Growth Challenge Podcast, Director of Sales Operations Raj Shah reveals their secret weapon: a 120,000-member Facebook community that drives product development and retail launches. Learn how they're making supplements fun again while targeting 40,000 more doors across Whole Foods, Kroger, and Wegmans. Don't miss these actionable growth strategies—listen to the full episode!
On the latest MacRAE'S Growth Challenge Podcast, RJ Lincoln from Icon Fixtures shared a truth many B2B leaders face: "Technology is moving so fast."
From AI-powered tools to interactive retail displays, traditional businesses must evolve or risk falling behind. But here's the key—it's not about abandoning what works. It's about combining proven relationship-building with new capabilities.
RJ's advice? "Stay positive, be open-minded to new technologies, and try new things. Don't be afraid."
Listen to the full episode for insights on navigating digital transformation in manufacturing.
What does it take for a mature manufacturer to stay competitive? On MacRAE'S Growth Challenge Podcast, CharterWire's Brad Davis breaks down the "efficiency paradox"—how becoming too good at one thing makes growth difficult. The steel industry veteran shares hard-won lessons about strategic discipline, why most companies work on too much of the wrong things, and how tariffs are reshaping domestic manufacturing. Davis offers a practical three-part framework: nail your differentiation strategy, position your team's strengths right, then support everything with data-driven processes and technology.
Thrilled to feature manucan on the MacRAE’S Client Spotlight podcast!Our conversation with CEO Richard Fernandes highlighted an incredible growth story — from starting with zero presence to competing with major job boards in just a few months. With 857,000 manufacturing job seekers in the market, manucan identified a clear gap and filled it with purpose.Through strategic digital marketing, analytics-driven insights, and consistent brand positioning, MacRAE’S helped manucan establish itself as a trusted name in manufacturing careers.🎧 Tune in to the full episode to hear how data, strategy, and collaboration fueled manucan’s rapid rise!
Proud to feature Canadian Shade on the MacRAE’S Client Spotlight podcast!Running a growing business while trying to handle marketing solo can be overwhelming — and that’s exactly what their story shows. As a business owner with a marketing background, they thought managing digital marketing internally was possible. But between operations, customer service, and daily challenges, marketing often fell behind — and growth stalled.Partnering with MacRAE’S changed everything. By providing a full marketing department for less than the cost of one hire, we helped Canadian Shade boost leads, reduce ad spend, and refocus on what mattered most — running the business.Their biggest takeaway? Success doesn’t always mean doing it all yourself. Sometimes the smartest move is asking for help from the right partners.🎧 Hear the full story on the MacRAE’S Client Spotlight podcast!
We were thrilled to feature Comptus on our latest MacRAE’S podcast—what an incredible success story! Their international revenue skyrocketed from just 7% to over 50%, and the driving force behind that growth? A simple mindset shift: realizing that “our shingle is really a digital shingle today.”
By partnering with MacRAE’S, Comptus built a stronger online foundation, backed by analytics and content strategies that aligned with how their global customers search and buy. Together, we turned data into direction—shaping a web platform that connects with audiences across borders.
For B2B leaders wondering if digital marketing truly delivers results—the answer is yes. But it only works when it’s more than a vendor relationship. It’s a partnership rooted in strategy, trust, and measurable growth.
🎧 Catch the full podcast episode to hear how Comptus made digital their most powerful grow
Canada Metal president Tom Hall recently sat down with MacRAE'S podcast to discuss how we're blending 140+ years of expertise with digital innovation. From radiation shielding protecting doctors and patients to marine anodes and 1,000+ specialized products, we manufacture 100% Canadian-made solutions. Our partnership with MacRAE'S ensures customers find us when they need lead solutions. Proud of our skilled union workforce and excited about what's next. Listen to learn how legacy meets innovation.
We were thrilled to host another insightful episode on the Growth Challenges for Manufacturers podcast, featuring Joyce Padilla, CEO of Assett Authority.
In this conversation, Joyce shared how her team is transforming brands for female founders through the Assett Authority Growth System—a structured approach that blends strategy, creativity, and visibility to help women entrepreneurs build lasting business value.
We discussed:
✅ Why a strong online presence is non-negotiable in today’s business landscape
✅ How strategic branding drives credibility and consistent client acquisition
✅ The role of first impressions in attracting high-paying clients and investor attention
One powerful takeaway from Joyce: “If you’re not online, you’re missing opportunities.”
Tune in to hear how proper brand positioning not only sets you apart from competitors but also helps you build the authority your business deserves.
🎧 Listen now on the Growth Challenges for Manufacturers podcast by MacRAE’S!
We had an incredible conversation on the Growth Challenges for Manufacturers podcast with Triad Electronic Technologies, diving into the evolving landscape of electronics manufacturing and how the company is tackling today’s toughest challenges head-on.
From supply chain disruptions and cybersecurity to Design for Manufacturability, the discussion highlighted how Triad’s commitment to communication and transparency is driving long-term success. What truly stood out was their family-oriented culture and technology-driven approach, which enable them to move seamlessly from rapid prototyping for defense to building large-scale UAV systems.
At MacRAE’S, we’re always inspired by manufacturers who balance innovation with integrity—and Triad Electronic Technologies is a perfect example of that.
🎧 Tune in to the full episode to hear how they’re shaping the future of electronics manufacturing with collaboration, agility, and purpose.
We recently sat down with Ville Lehtonen, VP of Product at Realtime Robotics, on the Growth Challenges for Manufacturers podcast to tackle one of the toughest barriers in automation—robot programming costs.
Traditional robot programming can take up to 70 engineering hours per robot, making automation too costly for many manufacturers. Ville shared how Real-Time Robotics is rewriting that equation—cutting deployment time from months to overnight and reducing programming costs by two orders of magnitude.
It’s a fascinating look at how hardware is starting to behave like software, allowing manufacturers to adapt production lines rapidly and stay competitive in today’s fast-changing landscape.
At MacRAE’S, we love bringing forward these kinds of innovations that are reshaping what’s possible in modern manufacturing.
Listen to the full episode to hear how Realtime Robotics is Democratizing Industrial Automation Robotics is making automation faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever.
VP Martin Engster didn't hold back on the Growth Challenges for Manufacturers podcast.
He tackled the tough topics: workforce shortages, 3D printing disruption, and why small manufacturers shouldn't have to "play bank" for 60+ days while serving billion-dollar clients.
But he also shared what makes Centerline different—how we turn urgent orders around in days, maintain near-perfect quality, and treat the team like family.
Hear Martin's insights :