What’s Keeping You Up at Night? An Update from Matthew and Casey
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Release Date: 07/30/2024
Preparing for a Merger: Hard Decisions to Preserve Legacy in the Fab Shop | Part 1
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this episode of MakingSparks, we dive what went into a first-of-its-kind merger between two 5th generation Metal Fabrication shops: NIX® Industrial and Huncilman Sheet Metal. Hosts Casey and Matthew sit down with Parker Huncilman to unpack the strategic, emotional, and operational decisions that made this merger a win for both sides. From growth limitations to risk mitigation, and from legacy ownership to forward-thinking leadership, this is a real-world case study in smart, respectful consolidation. Episode Highlights: [02:35] – Parker shares Huncilman’s 100+ year history...
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How To Turn Influence into Metal Fabrication Sales
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Jake LeGrand joins us to talk about the grind, the grit, and the growth — both in the shop and online. By day, he’s an architectural engineer. By night, he’s building a brand with a welding torch and a sketchpad. With over 19,000 followers and clients finding him through Instagram DMs, Jake is living proof that showing your work can turn into real sales — even in metal fabrication. This episode dives into how he picked up fabrication without shop class, how social media turned into a pipeline, and what it really takes to build a following while holding down a full-time job. Episode...
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The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Most small manufacturers don’t realize they’re being quietly supported by one of the most impactful public-private partnerships in the country. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has long been the hidden backbone behind training programs, grant facilitation, process improvements, and critical tech upgrades for shops across the U.S. But recent Federal decisions to defund these programs—without clear communication or reasoning—have sparked confusion and alarm among industry insiders. In this episode, a passionate roundtable of manufacturers and advocates reveals just how...
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How to Reach the Next Generation in Trades
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Nush Ahmed, better known as 'Miss Swiss' joins us to discuss her journey in the machining world, her massive growth through social media, and how she is encouraging the next generation to give the Manufacturing Industry a shot. From massive growth on LinkedIn to creating a community where hundreds of women in trades interact & encourage each other, Nush is reaching the next generation. You don't want to miss out on how you can be apart of it! Episode Highlights: 05:30 - Introduction to MakingSparks + Nush 07:31 - Nush's Background & How She Got into Manufacturing 12:32 -...
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What Fuels the World's Largest Metal Fabrication Projects
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with John King, owner of JK Welding, whose story of grit, perseverance, and passion for the trade embodies the spirit of metal fabrication. From starting as a janitor in a welding shop to running a thriving Texas-based business known for tackling massive, unique projects—like the world’s largest wind chime and a pirate ship for a Royal Caribbean cruise line in the Bahamas—John shares the culture and mindset that have fueled his success. We dive into the challenges of building and sustaining a team in today’s workforce, the importance of...
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How to Fix Your Quoting Process Before it Kills Your Shop
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Most fabrication shops struggle with quoting—whether it’s using outdated spreadsheets, clunky ERP systems, or just not having the time to do it right. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Ray, CEO and co-founder of Paperless Parts, to talk about how modern software can make quoting faster, more accurate, and actually help your shop make more money. Jason breaks down why so many shops have ERP trauma, how to fix broken quoting workflows, and why AI isn’t the magic bullet everyone thinks it is. He also shares insights on the massive reshoring wave happening in US manufacturing and what...
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How Weld.com is Bringing Welding Education Online
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this episode, Casey and Matthew sit down with Beau Wigington from Weld.com to explore how digital content is reshaping welding education and career growth. Beau shares his journey from being a musician to becoming a full-time content creator in the welding industry. They dive into the impact of social media, YouTube, and online learning in making welding knowledge more accessible than ever. Episode Highlights: [00:00:47] Beau’s Journey to Weld.com – From a career in music to discovering welding during the pandemic and competing in a welding competition that changed everything....
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How to Streamline Metal Sales
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this episode, Matthew and Casey sit down with Lee from Bryzos to dive into how the company is reshaping the steel pricing landscape and offering innovative solutions to fabricators. They dive into the word of instant pricing and streamlined procurement in the metal industry. Episode Highlights: [00:00:07] Lee explains how Bryzos is transforming the way fabricators buy and sell material with real-time pricing that challenges the traditional metal quoting process. [00:03:10] A deep dive into Bryzo's journey from it's creation to current desktop app [00:07:06]...
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How to Leverage Conferences and Tradeshows to Grow Your Fabrication Business
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this special FABTECH edition of Making Sparks, Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix sit down with Nick Goellner and Mike Payne to explore the value of conferences like FABTECH for driving business growth, building relationships, and planning for the future of metal fabrication. 🎙 Episode Highlights: [0:28] Why building relationships at FABTECH is more than just networking—it's planting seeds for long-term success. [6:10] The importance of stepping away from the grind and focusing on working on your business instead of in it. [12:40] How having the right team allows leaders to grow their...
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Crafting Metal and Breaking Barriers with Barbie the Welder and Sarah Stork
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
In this special FABTECH edition of Making Sparks, Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix sit down with two incredible guests, Barbie the Welder and Sarah Stotk, to dive into the artistry, resilience, and transformative power of welding. 🎙 Episode Highlights: 🔹 [2:00] Meet Barbie and Sarah, two trailblazing welding artists turning raw metal into breathtaking sculptures. 🔹 [5:30] Sarah shares her inspiring journey of turning a sexist comment into a masterpiece. 🔹 [10:45] Barbie reflects on the challenges of launching her career and the doubters who fueled her success. 🔹 [18:20] A...
info_outlineWhat’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness.
So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and I sit down to discuss the challenges we’re facing and exciting changes happening in our businesses. We also share why we don’t let worry consume us and instead, practice gratitude.
– Matthew Nix
Segments
- [2:39] What’s keeping Matthew up at night?
- [3:28] How ProFab Alliance can help you
- [4:11] Issue #1: Safety concerns in the shop
- [5:37] Issue #2: On-time delivery and customer service
- [7:24] Why you can’t let worry consume you
- [10:31] Using ProShop ERP to manage cutting tools
- [11:45] Strategic planning for Captivated Content
- [14:14] Practicing gratitude at all times
- [15:32] What’s happening at NIX Industrial
- [19:26] Launching a franchising business
Have questions? Want to be a guest? Reach out to us on LinkedIn! We’d love to hear from you.