Stop Losing Money in January: New Year Business Strategy | Ep 232
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Don’t give away the first month of the year! In this kickoff episode for 2026, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters dive into why January is the "bridge month" that determines your success for the entire year. Many businesses lose momentum after the Q4 grind, but we’re discussing why taking your foot off the gas now is the most dangerous mistake you can make for your annual goals. We break down the "January Reputation"—the myth that customers aren't buying and that it's okay to ramp up slowly. The reality is that your competitors aren't resting, and every day you spend "catching your breath"...
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Don’t Start 2026 Without Doing This First (Business Reflection) | Ep 231
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
2025 is a wrap! Before we rush into 2026 chasing new numbers and new growth, it is crucial to pause and take a true "inventory of success." In this final episode of the year on Talkin' Shop, Brandon and Nick revisit the highs and lows of 2025. Success isn't just about where you end up on December 31st; it's about what you endured, what you learned, and how you choose to move forward. We discuss why challenges—like pricing struggles, employee retention, and market shifts—are actually proof you are "in the game," not failing. Plus, we cover some hard lessons learned (including a historic...
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Why Financing CNC Equipment Wins Now | Ep 230
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
If you own a CNC shop and are unsure about financing new equipment because of changing interest rates, this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre is for you. Hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters explain why now is a smart time to finance your next CNC machine, thanks to recent Federal Reserve rate cuts that make lending more favorable for business growth. Find out how low interest rates can make equipment financing a smart way to grow your business instead of a burden. Brandon and Nick clear up common misunderstandings, showing that a 0.25% rate change usually means only about $6 more per...
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In-House Manufacturing = Better Customer Service | Ep 229
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Welcome to Talkin’ Shop Episode 229 with Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peterson! Today we’re diving deep into the #1 thing that matters more than marketing, automation, or even price: Customer Service – and why manufacturing in-house (instead of outsourcing or importing) gives your customers a dramatically better experience. Most shop owners think customer service starts when the phone rings. Wrong. It actually starts the moment you decide WHO builds your product. In this episode we break down: How in-house manufacturing gives you total control over quality, lead times, and accountability...
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Finding Comfort in Chaos: Business Growth Secrets | Ep 228
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or straight-up uncomfortable in your shop right now? That’s not a problem — that’s your sign you’re growing. In Episode 228 of Talkin’ Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon and Nick get real about why business growth feels so damn uncomfortable for small and medium-sized manufacturers — and why leaning into that discomfort is the fastest way to level up your shop, your team, and your profits. We break down the paradox every CNC shop owner faces: you want more orders, but when the workload finally explodes it creates chaos, burnout, and fear. The truth?...
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USA-Made CNC: Quality & Support for Shop Growth | Ep 227
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Is buying an American-made CNC router just about patriotism, or is it a smarter move for your bottom line? In this episode of Talkin Shop, Brandon and Nick break down why domestic machinery is the superior choice for small and medium-sized shops focused on long-term profitability and growth. We dive past the slogan to discuss the real-world impact of quality control, parts availability, and reliable support on your business's success. The guys also tackle a rapid-fire Q&A session covering essential topics for shop owners. They discuss the best software workflows for designing MDF doors,...
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Paralysis by Analysis: Stop Overthinking & Grow Your Business | Ep 226
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Paralysis by Analysis: It’s the silent killer of progress and the reason good ideas never take shape in your business. In today's world of endless information and decision fatigue, overthinking is one of the biggest threats to your company's growth. Join hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters for Episode 226 of Talkin Shop as we dive deep into what "analysis paralysis" is, why it happens, and—most importantly—how to break the cycle. Learn the practical steps to make faster, more informed decisions, stay competitive, and build unstoppable momentum for your business. We cover how to...
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Navigating Uncertainty for CNC Shop Success | Ep 225
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
With the economy in 2025 being so unpredictable, learn how to keep your shop moving forward even when things get tough. Stay productive, confident, and proactive by using proven strategies from ShopSabre's Talkin' Shop podcast. Hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters discuss real-world challenges such as supply chain issues, rising costs, and labor shortages, and show how you can turn these problems into growth opportunities through automation and smart choices. This episode explores how uncertainty is a normal part of running a shop, especially in manufacturing and CNC work. Find out why...
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Busy vs. Productive – How to Work Smarter and Grow Faster | Ep 224
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
Discover the key difference between being busy and being truly productive in your manufacturing or shop business—essential for entrepreneurs aiming to scale efficiently. In this episode of Talkin' Shop, host Brandon Bombardo and guest Nick Peters dive deep into why wearing "busy" as a badge of honor often hinders real progress, and how shifting to focused, measurable efforts can transform your operations. We break down real-world examples from shops struggling with constant firefighting, redundant tasks, and inefficiencies like manual cutting that lead to recuts and wasted time. Learn how...
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Financing vs. Cash: A Shop's Growth Guide | Ep 223
Talkin Shop with ShopSabre
In this episode of Talkin' Shop, Brandon and Nick tackle a critical decision for shop growth: financing new CNC equipment versus paying with cash. Discover why using cash reserves might be slowing you down and how strategic leveraging can protect your cash flow and scale your business faster in 2025 and beyond. Brandon argues that financing a productive asset, like a CNC machine, should be viewed as a growth tool, not just debt. He compares it to hiring an employee—you wouldn't pay their entire year's salary upfront, so why deplete your capital on a machine that generates revenue?. The...
info_outlineToday on Talkin’ Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.
Today’s episode we're joined by Nic Frost of Frost CNC Tooling
Episode Chapters:
(0:00) Intro
(0:23) Open
Customer Questions / Comments:
(2:14) 1. When considering speeds and feeds, why are you not programming at maximum every time?
(4:56) 2. Does a cheap tool out of China really cut any worse than a Vortex or Frost tool?
(12:21) 3. When selecting a tool, how do I determine the right length of bit?
(16:30) Who is Nic Frost of Frost CNC Tooling?
(23:30) Main Topic: The Right Tooling for the Job
(60:39) Motivational Quote of the Week
(62:20) Outro
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