Most machine shops think marketing is fluff — that the work should speak for itself.

But here's the truth: in 2025, if you're not telling your story, you don't exist.

At CARR Machine & Tool, we built a marketing engine inside a machine shop — and it changed everything.

From our website and brand standards to storytelling, SEO, and social, every piece of the marketing pie matters. It's not decoration — it's discipline.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why every manufacturer needs to start thinking like a media company, how much of your revenue should fuel marketing, and what happens when you make the whole system work together.

It's been five years since COVID flipped manufacturing on its head. Back then, it was all about survival — keeping the doors open and the machines running.

Today, labor's tight, rates are high, and margins are thin. But the shops that made it? They're smarter, leaner, and tougher than ever.

In this episode, I'm breaking down how far we've come — from shutdowns and supply chain chaos to a new era of discipline, data, and leadership.

In 2018, we implemented TRACTION for the first time — and like most small teams, we were figuring it out as we went. Fast forward to today, and CARR Machine has evolved into a focused, disciplined organization led by four seasoned managers driving finance, technology, operations, and quality.

This episode dives into what happens when experience meets structure — how re-committing to TRACTION brought clarity, accountability, and renewed energy to our culture.