# Theater, MMA, and Starting a Manufacturing Web Series with Eddie Saunders Jr. Of Flex Machine Tools

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2022-02-15
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Eddie Saunders Jr., Creative Director at Flex Machine Tools, explains how his background in theater and MMA influenced the creation of his web series, Flex & Friends, to humanize the manufacturing industry. He details the strategic decision to interview industry leaders rather than focus on self-promotion, aiming to elevate their stories and build brand relevance through authentic connection. Saunders shares actionable advice for manufacturers starting content, emphasizing the importance of defining intent, reverse-engineering successful models, and overcoming insecurity to achieve a return on effort. He highlights that while ROI is hard to quantify, the show generates tangible business opportunities by creating instant relevancy with prospects who recognize the content.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=0) Introduction: Eddie Saunders Jr. and Flex Machine Tools
- [5:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=300) From Theater to Manufacturing: Eddie's Background
- [11:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=673) The Strategy Behind Flex & Friends Web Series
- [14:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=893) Actionable Advice for Starting Manufacturing Content
- [17:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=1057) Measuring Traction and Results from the Show
- [24:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=1446) Business Impact and Prospects from the Series
- [27:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=1625) Lessons from Running an MMA Gym and Sport
- [31:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl#t=1907) Final Advice: Authenticity and Being Yourself

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Flex Machine Tools (company)
- Flex & Friends (product)
- Great Lakes Brewing Company (company)
- Bush Light (product)
- Machine Visions (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 263: Making as Therapy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-06-05-episode-263-making-as-therapy) (Making It)
- [Episode 040: How does content creation change you?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-10-09-episode-040-how-does-content-creation-change-you) (Making It)
- [Episode 052: Looking back, Looking ahead (again)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-01-episode-052-looking-back-looking-ahead-again) (Making It)
- [Episode 147: You never know, you never know…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-12-08-episode-147-you-never-know-you-never-know) (Making It)
- [Episode 177: A lot of hats that you shouldn’t wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-08-03-episode-177-a-lot-of-hats-that-you-shouldnt-wear) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-15-theater-mma-and-starting-a-manufacturing-web-series-with-eddie-saunders-jr-of-fl. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Manufacturing Happy Hour.