In this episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, host Emily Joann Wilkins sits down with Phil Miller, owner of Star Machine, a precision CNC job shop built at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and Amish craftsmanship.

Phil shares how trust, integrity, and self-awareness shape the way he leads his team, serves his customers, and makes decisions for the long term.

From running a high-tech machine shop rooted in traditional values to embracing visibility, storytelling, and intentional branding, this conversation explores what happens when you stop trying to be everything to everyone—and instead build a shop aligned with who you truly are.

We talk about faith, family, employee development, and the responsibility that comes with stewardship—along with why building trust, choosing the right customers, and creating a human-first manufacturing culture are becoming real competitive advantages in today’s industry.

Whether you’re running a precision CNC shop, navigating leadership growth, or trying to build a manufacturing business with purpose—not just profit—this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it means to build something that lasts.

Thanks to our friends at Creston Industrial Sales who've backed our mission since day one. We were able to kick things off live at the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Need help telling your story?

Start with The Setup:
https://www.marketingmetal.com/how-it-works

Stay connected:
Explore more at https://www.marketingmetal.com

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to The Radical Job Shop Show00:35 – Meet Phil Miller of Star Machine01:28 – Star Machine’s origin story and Amish roots02:55 – What makes Star Machine “radical”03:30 – Trust as a competitive advantage in manufacturing04:10 – Visibility, storytelling, and building human connection05:10 – Amish craftsmanship meets advanced CNC machining06:40 – Branding around what makes your shop different07:20 – Attracting ideal customers—and letting others walk away08:00 – Showing up on LinkedIn with authenticity09:15 – Self-awareness as a leader and shop owner10:20 – Navigating challenges, setbacks, and growth11:40 – Faith, reflection, and leadership development12:45 – Gratitude, presence, and caring for your team13:35 – Expansion plans and long-term vision15:00 – Stewardship, sustainability, and legacy over profit16:20 – Training young talent and mentoring the next generation17:10 – Exposing kids to manufacturing18:15 – Staying grounded outside the shop19:40 – Family, unplugging, and building a life alongside the business20:20 – Closing thoughts and gratitude

In this episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, Emily Joann Wilkins sits down with Ted Wilcome, Co-Founder of Innov8 Manufacturing, a shop that’s grown from one CNC in a tiny room to more than 16 machines in just five years.Ted is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who got tired of begging shops for quotes and reasonable lead times — so he built the machining partner he always wished he could find. Today, Innov8 has a 98.5% quote rate, a hands-on apprenticeship program, and a customer experience built entirely around one core value: responsiveness.We dig into:– Why responsiveness is the next competitive advantage in U.S. manufacturing– How Innov8 cut wasted time from quoting and production– What engineers really want from their suppliers– Building a company culture where people can grow at their own pace– The leadership challenges (and rewards) of scaling fastWhether you’re struggling to keep up with RFQs, trying to improve turnaround times, or gearing up to scale your shop — this conversation is packed with insight.Thanks to our friends at Creston Industrial Sales who've backed our mission since day one. We were able to kick things off live at the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.🚀 Want a brand that attracts better-fit customers?Start with The Setup: https://www.marketingmetal.com/the-setupExplore more of our work with Radical job shops:https://www.marketingmetal.comTimestamps00:00 – Intro: Meet Ted Wilcome of Innov8 Manufacturing00:34 – From engineer to machine shop founder02:00 – The frustration that sparked Innov803:00 – Why responsiveness beats low pricing04:00 – Growing from 1 CNC to 16 machines in 5 years05:00 – Bringing engineering + manufacturing together06:00 – 98.5% quote rate and solution-first thinking07:00 – Innov8’s apprenticeship model08:00 – Building talent pipelines and “talent escalators”09:00 – What really motivates Ted10:00 – Why great candidates keep choosing Innov811:00 – Clean, modern environment and variety of work11:40 – The secret sauce: customer service12:00 – Leadership challenge: letting go and delegating13:00 – Reducing quoting times from days to hours14:00 – Cutting waste out of U.S. manufacturing15:00 – Competing with overseas suppliers through speed15:40 – Closing thoughts & gratitude

In this episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, Emily Joann Wilkins sits down with Paul Hendricks, president of Creston Industrial Sales and co-founder of the Advanced Manufacturing Expo (AME).

Paul shares the story behind AME’s origin, his journey from construction to owning a top industrial distribution company, and the leadership philosophy that’s helped him build a thriving business and community.

From rigging in massive machines to saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars with smarter tooling choices—this conversation goes deep on what it really takes to lead in manufacturing today.

Thanks to our friends at Creston Industrial Sales who've backed our mission since day one. We were able to kick things off live at the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Learn more about Marketing Metal’s work with Radical job shops:https://www.marketingmetal.com/how-it...

🚀 Ready to build a brand that attracts better-fit work?Book a call with Emily: https://www.marketingmetal.com/the-setup

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Who is Paul Hendricks?

1:06 – 10 Years of the Advanced Manufacturing Expo

2:47 – “Rigging Day” and Cutting Thor’s Hammers

5:00 – How AME Got Started

8:00 – Building a Local Show with Real ROI

10:42 – Creston’s Origin Story

13:00 – Paul’s Leap into Ownership

14:00 – Learning on the Job + Industry Shifts

16:00 – Saving Clients $280K with Smarter Tooling

18:30 – True Cost vs. Price in Manufacturing

19:45 – Leading with Humility and Building a Team

21:10 – Mentorship, Advisory Boards & Accountability

22:40 – What’s Next: Automation, AI & Smarter Systems

25:00 – Why West Michigan is a Manufacturing Destination

Stay connected:Explore more at https://www.marketingmetal.com

In this episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, we're talking with Johnny Goode, President of MSP Manufacturing—a precision machine shop serving the aerospace and defense sectors.

Johnny's story is anything but ordinary—from law enforcement and the military to leading a shop with legacy programs and cutting-edge tech. We talk about how telling MSP's story helped land high-value customers, why company culture is his biggest flex, and how he's building a family-owned brand that punches way above its weight.

Whether you’re scaling your shop, experimenting with AI, or just trying to attract better-fit customers—this one’s packed with insight.

Thanks to our friends at Creston Industrial Sales who've backed our mission since day one. We were able to kick things off live at the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Want to see the work we did for Johnny and his team?

Check out MSP's website: https://www.msp-manufacturing.com/

📌 Need help telling your story?

Start with The Setup: https://www.marketingmetal.com/how-it-works

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Johnny Goode of MSP Manufacturing

01:10 – MSP’s origin story and legacy work in aerospace & defense

03:45 – Building a pipeline of young talent

05:36 – How MSP is using AI to scale smarter

08:00 – The power of telling your personal story in manufacturing

09:42 – Why MSP will "put boots on the ground" to hit a deadline

11:40 – The shift from faceless website to human-first branding

13:45 – Balancing leadership, parenthood, and a 4:45am workout

18:30 – What it's like leading a shop after five years in law enforcement

19:40 – Real growth since partnering with Marketing Metal

22:00 – Why community, culture, and work-life alignment matter

23:03 – Stretch goals and the path to $10M in revenue

Stay connected:

Explore more at https://www.marketingmetal.com

In this first episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, host Emily Joann Wilkins sits down with Tony Gunn to talk about creativity, vulnerability, and what makes a shop truly radical.

They dig into the evolution of job shops, the role of AI and robotics, generational dynamics, and the soul of the manufacturing industry. Tony also shares raw personal stories—including the moment he decided to show up fully and authentically in the manufacturing world.

Whether you're running a high-tech shop, holding it down on manual machines, or figuring out where you fit in this evolving landscape, this one’s for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to the Radical Job Shop Show

01:20 – What Makes a Shop Truly Radical

03:00 – Creativity, Constraints & the Art of Making

05:30 – Tony’s Wild Career Journey: Machinist, Rapper, Soccer Player

07:00 – Why Vulnerability & Storytelling Matter

08:45 – The Real Impact of AI & Data on Shops

11:15 – Generational Shifts & the Future of Manufacturing

14:00 – Bridging the Gap: Listening, Adapting & Leading with Empathy

Thanks to our friends at Creston Industrial Sales who've backed our mission since day one. We were able to kick things off live at the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Stay connected:

Explore more at https://www.marketingmetal.com