# 258: Mentorship, Mid-Career Entrepreneurship, and Inspiring Women in Manufacturing with Patti Nowak, Owner of Control+M Solutions

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-10-21
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Patti Nowak, owner of Control+M Solutions, discusses her journey from cost accountant to mid-career entrepreneur and her firm's specialized focus on the Plex ERP system by Rockwell Automation. She explains how she de-risked her business by terminating a major client relationship, which triggered explosive growth, and details her strategy of building trust through community engagement like the Plexapalooza conference and free YouTube content. Nowak also shares extensive advice on mentoring women in manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of visibility, salary negotiation, and creating flexible work environments to attract and retain talent.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=0) Introduction and Career Origins
- [7:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=465) Mid-Career Entrepreneurship and Business Structure
- [16:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=988) De-risking the Business and Community Growth
- [21:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=1297) Mentoring Women and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- [28:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=1685) Tactical Advice for Women in Manufacturing
- [46:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=2786) ERP Misconceptions and Operational Excellence
- [49:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing#t=2991) Empowering Teams and Change Management

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Control+M Solutions (company)
- Plex (product)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Plexapalooza (product)
- SAP (product)
- Oracle (product)
- Automation Fair (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Growing Women Leaders in Manufacturing w/ Allison Grealis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Starting Young: The Next Generation of Manufacturing & Engineering Talent w/ Meaghan Ziemba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-10-26-starting-young-the-next-generation-of-manufacturing-engineering-talent-w-meaghan) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [How Being Strategic During A Career Transition Can Yield The Best Opportunities](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-06-11-how-being-strategic-during-a-career-transition-can-yield-the-best-opportunities) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-31-inside-conexus-indiana-the-industry-network-driving-manufacturing-tech-and-talen) (Lights Out)
- [Advocating for Women in Manufacturing w/ Alicia Gilpin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-05-09-advocating-for-women-in-manufacturing-w-alicia-gilpin) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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