Jay and Andrew talk about the Remarkable tablet and effective idea dumping. Then they both describe their morning meetings and talk about how you inspire people with your company culture ... without reducing it to a bunch of corporate gobbledegook. Books discussed: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. The Design of Everyday Things by …

In Episode 88, Sofia interviews Melody Lauer. Lauer is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of self-defense and personal protection. She is a seasoned expert in self-defense and personal protection. She has over fourteen years of experience and a slew of certifications—including Rangemaster Certified Advanced Handgun Instructor and Deadly Force…

"When I lay in bed at night as a young, hungry, naive entrepreneur, I could barely contain my joy at the thought of filing sales tax forms with a dozen states every month."—Andrew on the joy of state taxes, one of a few subjects he and Jay cover in this week's episode. Mostly, they talk about design. Good, intuitive design that takes into account t…

In Episode 87, Sofia interviews Jill Sharp. Jill is a registered nurse at Boyce VA Medical Center, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a passionate advocate for personal safety, especially for healthcare workers. Jill shares her journey from nursing school to becoming a certified instructor for the VA in preventive and management of disruptiv…

Andrew and Jay talk about whether they would ever purchase housing for out-of-town workers or clients, why most problems are math problems, how to inculcate company culture in remote workers, why you shouldn't hire too quickly, slips vs mistakes, design that you shouldn't notice, "Swiss cheese problems", and thoughtless outsourcing. In other words,…

In Episode 86, Sofia interviews Jill Sharp. Jill is a registered nurse at Boyce VA Medical Center, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a passionate advocate for personal safety, especially for healthcare workers. Jill shares her journey from nursing school to becoming a certified instructor for the VA in preventive and management of disruptiv…

Andrew and Jay continue to explore the challenges they're facing, including website woes, and brainstorming solutions for keeping customers in the loop about new projects and product releases.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 84, Sofia interviews Hunter Constantine! Both marksman and a dedicated instructor, Constantine has left a mark on the firearms community, showcasing not only his exceptional skill on the range but also his unwavering commitment to improving the capabilities of shooters across all levels. From local matches to national competitions, Hunte…

Jay and Andrew talk the eclipse, the joys of 3d printing, and the thought process behind what machines they own.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 84, Sofia interviews Hunter Constantine! Both marksman and a dedicated instructor, Constantine has left a mark on the firearms community, showcasing not only his exceptional skill on the range but also his unwavering commitment to improving the capabilities of shooters across all levels. From local matches to national competitions, Hunte…

In Episode 83, Sofia interviews Jocelyn Castillo! Jocelyn is the epitome of strength and smarts; she's not only an engineer specializing in her company's fixed asset integrity program but also a dedicated practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With over 11 years on the mats, she's earned the respected rank of Brown Belt and hasn't stopped there. Joce…

This episode starts on a somber note as Jay and Andrew both had deaths of people they loved. This leads to a discussion of legacy and what they want to leave behind as shop owners and men. They also discuss Andrew's new idea of dedicated "improvement time", hiring and onboarding remote workers, and Jay's idea for a Gordon Ramsey like show about imp…

In Episode 82, Sofia interviews Jon and Sarah Hauptman (rebooted)! The Hauptman’s are two pioneering figures in the holster industry and passionate advocates for concealed carry education. With years of dedication, experimentation, and expertise, Jon and Sarah have reshaped the landscape of concealment solutions. Sarah Hauptman, often referred to a…

How do you avoid decision fatigue? How many good decisions can you make in one day? How can you make your decisions ahead of time? How can you brainstorm effectively? These are a few of the important issues Jay and Andrew tackle in this episode of "Lean Built."By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 81, Sofia interviews Gregory Wong! Starting his adventure in 2006-2007, Gregory delved into the world of Airsoft and YouTube content creation. His initial strides led him to Airsoft Extreme in Santa Clara, where he embraced the CA M15A4 CQB as his inaugural Automatic Electric Gun. In 2008, Gregory embarked on a new chapter by enlisting i…

From discussing the merits of expanding quickly versus gradually to exploring the pivotal role of the shop floor in fostering career development, Andrew and Jay have a lot to talk about in this episode. They tackle the idea that anything repetitive should be automatable and ponder what it takes to build a company where employees aspire to retire fr…

In Episode 80, Sofia interviews Tyler Tharp! Hailing from the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Tyler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. As the lead instructor at Synergy Training Group, Tyler's background as a competitive shooter speaks volumes. With successes in 2-gun, USPSA, and IDPA, including A class in USPSA and Master in…

In this episode of Lean Built, Andrew and Jay dive into the world of machining mishaps and shop space dreams. Andrew recounts the story of a wild thing that happened during vacuum workholding, which leads to some tips for safe vacuum hold-down machining—plus a discussion of other downright scary machine malfunctions. Plus Jay and Andrew begin to de…

In Episode 79, Sofia interviews Andrew Henry of Henry Holsters! Andrew Henry is the owner of Henry Holsters, a cutting-edge holster company in Spencer, Indiana. Originally a trained luthier with college degrees in Viola Performance and Violinmaking, Andrew has brought his handcrafting skills to the world of kydex. Since 2008, Andrew has been meticu…

First up, Jay and Andrew dive into the art of effectively documenting workflows. How do you avoid the pitfall of keeping everything in your head? Next, they explore the world of AI and how it can be used to address frequently asked customer queries. Then Jay shares a story of transitioning a process from digital to analog, prompting a discussion on…

In Episode 78, Sofia interviews Andrew Henry of Henry Holsters! Andrew Henry is the owner of Henry Holsters, a cutting-edge holster company in Spencer, Indiana. Originally a trained luthier with college degrees in Viola Performance and Violinmaking, Andrew has brought his handcrafting skills to the world of kydex. Since 2008, Andrew has been meticu…

Jay and Andrew talk about the power of deletion and the joy of 3D printing. They discuss the importance of embracing the development process, even when it includes ideas that don't work out. They offer insights on how to effectively engage with influencer marketing (there's a way to do it and a way not to do it). Plus Andrew reveals his trade show …

In Episode 77, Sofia interviews Caleb Giddings. Hailing from the sun-soaked shores of California and currently residing in the heartland of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Caleb's journey is a whirlwind of adventure and expertise. With a career rooted in the firearms industry and a past life as a sharp-witted insurance agent, Caleb's story is as diverse…

Andrew and Jay talk about keeping the right amount of inventory without causing a bottleneck, the awesomeness of vertical lift modules (and just generally turning square feet into cubic feet), avoiding monuments in the shop, and how kanban is not just cards ... it's a system for exposing weaknesses. Book discussed: New Manufacturing Challenge: Tech…

In Episode 76 of She Shield Podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Matthew Little—a US Army Special Forces combat veteran with extensive law enforcement experience. Matthew's martial arts journey began in his youth and has shaped his approach to life, both in training firearms and honing his body and mind. With a background as a national…

Andrew and Jay delve into the depths of lean maturity (or the absence of it), discussing how small companies can avoid reinventing the wheel, skillfully use redundancy, adhere to fundamental lean principles, and deliver answers right where the questions are most likely to be asked.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 75, Sofia and Lisa discuss what you can get for your Valentine this season of love. From self-defense classes to heart jewelry, the duo covers it all! Tune in for some advice and laughs and see the gift guide below for your reference. Follow the pod on Instagram for more episode updates @sheshieldpod. Thank you all for your encouragement…

Andrew's just got a new lathe and we talk about it in this episode. There are plenty of challenges, including moving the shop layout. We also talk about how new employees help you find problems, and Rock Fuel University.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 74, Sofia interviews Mike Hughes, the Founder of SIRT and NextLevel Training. Mike is a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of achievements and experiences, from being a contestant on the History Channel's Top Shot Season Three, to founding and presiding over Next Level Training in Ferndale, Washington. Mike's journey began at t…

Jay and Andrew talk about rigging, how money eases the way, making our environment serve us, relationships vs profit, establishing value through the right comparison, and much more. Books mentioned: Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense by Rory Sutherland. The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy an…

In Episode 73 Sofia interviews Chuck Haggard of Agile Training and Consulting. Chuck Haggard is a seasoned veteran in the realm of personal defense, with over 28 years of dedicated service in the Topeka Police Department. His career within the department saw him rise through various crucial roles, including Field Training Officer, SWAT squad leader…

Andrew and Jay talk about building in margin, feeding your interest and curiosity, doing life-giving things, why you might not want to tie up funds in overstock, why technology should never be the bottleneck, and more. Book mentioned: New Manufacturing Challenge: Techniques for Continuous Improvement by Kiyoshi Suzaki.…

Jay and Andrew talk leadership development, hiring when you don't need people, utility players vs bench players, where KPIs (key performance indicators) are useful and where they aren't, why the best expeditor is no expeditor, where to place a lathe, and more. Books mentioned: The New Manager's Handbook: 24 Lessons for Mastering Your New Role by Mo…

In Episode 72, Sofia interviews Matt Larsen. Matt Larsen is a distinguished martial artist and military veteran. Enlisting in the US Marine Corps in 1984, he excelled in various disciplines, earning black belts and competing internationally. Transitioning to the Army, Matt founded the Army Combatives Program, becoming the subject matter expert and …

Andrew and Jay discuss some of the lessons from 2023. Topics include the need for lean to be flexible, how lean should align with a company's culture, the importance of intentional lean practices, setting diverse goals for different companies, establishing and executing measurable goals for employees, fostering employee ownership in their respectiv…

Jay and Andrew discusses Andrew's new company truck (which he bought in the least lean environment possible), how buying ahead to appease short-term tax write-offs can be a long-term bad investment, avoiding long term accounts receivable, cash flow vs cash position, trusting employees with their own credit cards, same day shipping and package track…

In Episode 71, Sofia interviews Brittany (@9mmBritt). In the heart of Arizona, dental hygienist Brittany trades her dental tools for a 9mm, documenting her journey on "9mm Britt." Join us as she evolves from a firearm novice to a competitive force in USPSA, IDPA, and the Steel Challenge. What sets Brittany apart? Her commitment to authenticity. Exp…

Jay and Andrew talk about Andrew’s forklift and how he’s applying “digital training wheels,” how robots and automation can lead you astray, seeing how pain and expense add up, using AI to make expertise scalable to a wider audience, and much more.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

How do you handle a backlog with lean? Andrew gives a little masterclass on that, since he just had to do it, thanks to the holidays and employee sickness. Then Jay talks about why he's thinking about getting a space pod (office pod or silence booth). Plus, they talk about why adding Credit Key was good for Jay, making quality of life improvements …

In Episode 70 Sofia interviews Paul Sharp. A true force to be reckoned with, Paul is a 2nd degree black belt under the renowned Chris Haueter and currently serves as the head coach at SBG Idaho. But that's just the beginning—Paul is also a key member of the Shivworks Collective, a distinguished group celebrated for its realistic and data-driven app…

Jay and Andrew talk about Andrew's new forklift, the pros and cons of handling inventory for other shops, tax incentive buys at the end of the year, as-needed budgets, systems vs goals, "use it or lose it" mentality in bigger companies, delaying gratification for wants (but not needs!), and how to avoid being at the mercy of the supply chain.…

In Episode 69, we re-introduce Byron Rodgers of Episode 43. In this Episode, Sofia interviews Byron Rodgers of Bravo Research Group, Executive Protection Lifestyle Podcast, Protector Nation Podcast, and more. Byron has an extensive past in the Marines and in International private security that has made him a valuable leader and teacher in the world…

Andrew and Jay continue to talk about what kind of lathe would Andrew like, as well as false ways of achieving economy, the drawbacks of big sales, seeing where you only partially think of things, the value of high-priced CEO meetings, and more. Books mentioned: How to Sell at Margins Higher Than Your Competitor by Lawrence Steinmetz. Alchemy: The …

In Episode 68, Sofia interviews Jenay DeCaussin. Jenay is a powerhouse athlete who has recently earned the prestigious title of the 2023 Tactical Games National Champion in the Women's Elite Division. Jenay's journey into the world of Tactical Games has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past year and a half, she has dedicated herself to ma…

Jay and Andrew discuss the benefits and dangers of allowing people to buy on a payment plan, nurturing good relationships with vendors, reevaluating the company after the loss of a key employee, job prioritization, custom software, and calculating true cost. Additionally, they pose an important question: Does your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)…

Should Andrew buy a lathe? This is the question of the hour, leading to all sorts of useful discussions, such as ... do you spend money on a crummy machine just to learn? Or buy your good one first? If you have a machine, will the work come? What happens if getting use out of a machine relies on one rockstar employee? How do you play the odds in a …

In Episode 67, Sofia interviews Riley Bowman, a lifelong student of the pistol and a seasoned expert in the world of competitive shooting and self-defense. Riley's journey into the realm of firearms began at the age of 21 when he purchased his first handgun and obtained his CCW permit. However, he quickly realized that carrying a pistol for defense…

Jay and Andrew talk 3D printers, color matching vs color coding, after-market mods, and ponder what it would take to sell their companies and start from scratch with what they know now.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

Andrew is putting off buying a lathe, which leads to a discussion of what to prioritize in buying machines, returns and exchanges, how Amazon makes it easier for people to rip you off, and more.By Henry Holsters and Pierson Workholding

In Episode 66 Sofia interviews Des, @Muthapreppa, on a mission to demystify self-reliance and empower families. She explains that prepping isn't just about the apocalypse; it's about being ready for life's uncertainties, whether it's unemployment, financial hardship, natural disasters, inflation, inclement weather, and more. Discover how Des transf…