Hardware Podcasts

148: Why Your Manufacturing Business Should Be Boring with Marc Bowers, Executive Director of St. Louis Makes

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 8 Aug 2023 · 52m

What this episode covers

Marc Bowers, Executive Director of St. Louis Makes, explains why manufacturing businesses should be boring, advocating for predictable cash flow and deep operational knowledge over high-tech hype. He details the process of acquiring or taking over small-to-mid-sized manufacturers (under $30M revenue), emphasizing a 100-day period to understand financials and shop floor realities before pursuing adjacent growth opportunities. Bowers also discusses the resurgence of old-school entrepreneurship in St. Louis, the importance of trade education, and his personal philosophy of living an interesting life through global travel and gap years.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
St. Louis Makes, Cortex Center for Emerging Technologies, Colgate Palmolive, Toro Company, Metal Durables
Also
O'Connell's Pub

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