Makers and Movers

Joining the Makers & Movers podcast is James Ponting, co-founder and CEO of Craft Coast Canning LTD, a company that provides mobile canning services, manufactures its own beverage brands, and distributes ingredients to craft breweries. James shares his entrepreneurial origin story of leveraging his background in chemical engineering and passion for homebrewing to fill a need in the growing craft beer scene. He takes us through pivots and reinventions along the way, from riding the wave of explosive growth during COVID to navigating market shifts and oversupply issues post-pandemic. James also discusses the importance of intentional hiring focused on cultural fit, detailing Beverage Innovators' core values and emphasis on innovation, helping others, and leaning into challenges. With sights set on U.S. expansion, he talks about what's next for the business and describes qualities that would make someone successful on his team. Tune in for an inside look at the rapid scaling journey of a scrappy beverage business.

Kathy Tsai joins the show to talk all things pets! Petique, Inc. is a women-owned business that provides safe and high-quality pet supplies. Kathy also shares her journey and what it takes to be an entrepreneur in an ever evolving world, you won't want to miss this episode!

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Marielou Greaney, an accomplished Account Executive at aha! Talent Experts. Drawing from her rich sales background, Marielou shares how her experience gives her a unique edge in identifying top-tier sales professionals for our clients. We delve into the pivotal role of an executive recruiter in the hiring process and explore the distinctive qualities that set aha! Talent Experts apart in the talent acquisition landscape. Tune in to discover how our blend of AI and personal expertise can elevate your hiring strategy. Contact Marielou through Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marielou-greaney-84136a77/

What You'll Learn: - The Hiring Headache: Why the traditional hiring process leaves you overwhelmed and how a lack of clarity is often the root cause.   - The aha! Moment - Clarity: Uncover the importance of internal and organizational discovery to clearly articulate your needs and identify the right fit for your roles.   - The Game Changer - AI: How AI can help you define your organizational culture and skillset needs before you even post a job opening. Plus, why AI should be an integral part of your hiring strategy.   - Crafting Interview Questions with AI: Learn how to use AI to develop tailored interview questions that dig deep into a candidate's suitability for the role. By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with practical insights and actionable steps to revolutionize your hiring process. Ready to turn hiring from a chore into a strategic advantage? This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and hiring leaders committed to building dream teams. **Listen now to redefine hiring, gain clarity, and build a winning team.** Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with your network if it brings you value. Together, let's revolutionize hiring!Want the prompts and other goodies?  Visit https://aha-dream-team-community.circle.so/c/hiring-with-ai/ai_defines_behavior-3d4511cd-a9fc-46d8-95e0-f812b48a210b

In this episode, Andrea spoke with pricing expert Adrienne Gordon about strategic pricing approaches for manufacturing companies. Adrienne shares insights from her 25+ year career working with large and small manufacturers on optimizing their pricing. She outlines typical steps in a pricing project, common challenges companies face, and the importance of empowering teams through pricing strategies. Key topics covered include: Adrienne's background and how she built her expertise in pricing for manufacturers Walkthrough of her process for a pricing engagement with a manufacturing client Common pricing issues faced by small and mid-sized manufacturers Adrienne's motivation for launching Price Space to make pricing guidance more accessible The people side of pricing - how it ties to culture, mindsets, and empowering teams Most rewarding aspects of working in strategic pricing Key lesson on pricing strategies from Adrienne's extensive experience To learn more about Adrienne and her work, visit www.pricingempowered.com and www.pricespace.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Scott shares his nontraditional path starting in teaching before pivoting into business and leading at major brands like Frigidaire. He was constantly given tough assignments spanning strategy, operations, sales, and service. Scott discusses innovating at Frigidaire by partnering for service calls and later as CEO of his own company focusing on ecommerce and speed. His stories illustrate how to succeed through constant learning, avoiding bias, and creative problem-solving. With decades of experience driving growth through transformations, Scott provides powerful insights on leadership in manufacturing.

In this enlightening episode of "Makers & Movers: Leadership in Manufacturing," we sit down with David, an industry veteran with a wealth of experience in international leadership and large-scale project management. David offers invaluable insights into how cultural differences can shape leadership styles and strategies for bridging these gaps. He also dives into the intricacies of managing large projects, sharing personal anecdotes and practical advice on keeping the team and the project on track. As a special treat, David gives us a sneak peek into what’s next for him, sharing his vision for the future and offering advice for aspiring leaders in manufacturing. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable wisdom and forward-thinking ideas.

RyLee was working as a school teacher when she decided to take a leap of faith and launch her own business making skincare products for calluses. Operating out of a barn converted into her home and workspace, RyLee built the company through sheer passion and grit. Now, just a couple years in, the business is booming beyond her wildest dreams. In this episode, we chat with RyLee about walking away from the reliability of a teaching career to pursue entrepreneurship, how she funded and manages her business solo, and the challenges of scaling up operations to match rising sales. RyLee shares what fueled her to turn her side passion into a full-time business, how she handled the risks and unknowns of starting her own company, and the systems she's putting in place to expand. Tune in to hear RyLee's inspirational story of bootstrapping a thriving business from scratch, why she chose to focus on callus care, how she grew mainly through word-of-mouth and social media, and her insights for anyone seeking to turn a hobby into a successful brand. RyLee talks candidly about the difficulties of rapid growth, the need to let go of control and delegate as a solopreneur, and her vision to build an amazing team centered around shared values. Follow along her journey from teacher to maker to mompreneur, to trailblazing beauty boss. RyLee Reid, CEO SandBar www.sandbarhandcare.com

In this episode, Andrea speaks with Antonio, a passionate entrepreneur with a fascinating story deeply rooted in family tradition, hard work, and unyielding commitment to quality. Antonio takes us on a journey, from his humble beginnings learning the art of pasta-making with his mom at 11 years old to becoming the proud owner of a thriving manufacturing business in Boston. Throughout the conversation, Antonio shares the key ingredients that have made his company successful. From the importance of fostering meaningful relationships to the challenges and rewards of leading a team during a distressed labor market, he provides invaluable insights for any business owner. Antonio's visionary approach to business, his relentless focus on continuous learning and growth, and his belief in the importance of people over technology truly set him apart. His story will inspire, motivate and provide invaluable nuggets of wisdom for anyone seeking to make their own mark in the entrepreneurial world. Join us as we dive into the world of pasta manufacturing, explore the power of impactful leadership, and discover the magic of an 'aha moment' that can transform an organization. Tune in to be inspired by Antonio's journey and to learn how he's using his passion for pasta to make a significant difference in the food industry.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Yujin Anderson, a successful entrepreneur who helped expand her family's industrial equipment manufacturing business, Steamericas, from South Korea to California. Yujin opens up about her journey stepping into the family business, delegating leadership amid a family health crisis, and valuable lessons learned about hiring and developing teams along the way. Tune in to hear how Yujin aims to shake up industry norms by building a diverse sales team. She'll share her perspective as a female leader in a male-dominated industry and the importance of flexibility and balance in sales roles today.We'll also dive into the unique rewards and challenges of working with family, how Yujin's leadership skills have evolved over time, and her insights on what attracts top sales talent.  Yujin brings an open and honest perspective on entrepreneurship, fostering diversity, and personal growth through unexpected challenges.Join us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at building a global manufacturing business as we discuss purpose-driven leadership and empowering others to succeed. Website: https://www.steamericas.com/