ZattatatThe nuts and bolts of all things manufacturing, shared in stories designed to help small businesses scale up for success:
Age: 35
Background: Biotech
Current Gig: Mold-Making
Zattatude: Seeks to geek out with the top tech she knows best
Only in her 30s, Princess Capybara is already a serial entrepreneur! Her first business really boomed when the biotech startup she launched scored the proof of concept, patents, and corporate buyout that let her cash in on her dreams. With this newfound financial freedom on her side, the still-young and ambitious Princess is looking to build her next empire in the world of concrete coasters, silly wine glasses, and more!
Age: 44
Background: Accounting
Current Gig: Baking
Zattatude: Lives to figure out how everything in life adds up
Gary may take comfort in doing things by the numbers, but he also likes to mix things up from time to time. Though his accounting degree has granted him steady work and financial security, at the end of the day he’s happy to slip out of his suit and tie and into a chef’s apron. Now he’s cooking up a plan to turn his passion for baking into a mail-order cookie business he can jump into full-time. Gary looks forward to the day when the only hot deadline comes when the timer rings on the tasty new job he’ll take long before he burns out on his current one.
Age: Timeless
Background: Manufacturing
Current Gig: Helping People
Zattatude: Loves to teach others how to scale up their businesses
Process Cat started his career by using his knack for big-picture thinking to excel as a Manufacturing Engineer for a multinational corporation. But while his talent for designing and operating manufacturing systems produced big results and profits, he’s always been more interested in solving problems for people than corporations. Now he’s sharing the lessons he learned from big business to help keep smaller companies humming happily along.
Age: 53
Background: Nursing
Current Gig: Woodworking
Zattatude: Celebrates ditching her bureaucratic hospital job for her hands-on craft business
Rhonda has the kind of head and heart that made her a standout nurse in the OR. But when the hospital offered her early retirement, she decided the day to take her final shift had come. She treated herself to a bit of travel before coming home to take a few classes at the college in town. She really got into a groove with woodworking and now sells her hand-tooled creations at craft fairs and online. And though Rhonda’s happy with her small-scale business, she’s as interested as she’s always been in learning all she can about operational efficiency.
Yes, it’s 2025 – and while in-person meetings are back in full force, virtual meetings clearly aren’t going anywhere either. But have you thought strategically about which format to use in which situation? Rhonda hadn’t thought much about virtual meetings at first… Just kidding. Rhonda hadn’t thought much about... Read More...
Everyone knows that collecting and analyzing data can help you make more informed decisions. But did you also know that your data presentation can mean the difference between winning and losing in many business situations? This was news to Gary.... Read more...
You care about both quality and efficiency on your manufacturing line (or your production floor or your workshop or whatever you call it!) But did you know that these two aims are not always at odds? Many small business owners... Read more...
Distribution Channel Disruptions Ok, the above image is using a bit of hyperbole. Hopefully, YOUR distribution channels won’t be disrupted by an actual comet crashing into the earth. But, there are definitely things that can disrupt your distribution channels! If... Read more...
You’ve thought of an idea for a new product. You’ve come up with several designs. You’ve prototyped and tested your top few ideas. Now what? Iterating Yes, the “last” step is iterating. (You’ll know why “last” is in quotes by... Read more...
Yes, you do need to put some thought into your manufacturing schedule! Because small changes can make a big difference in your line’s productivity. But you don’t need to stress about it. We got you 😉 Princess Capybara didn’t realize... Read more...
If you’re making all of your own product, you probably work from an informal set of notes on paper or on a tablet/laptop/smart phone. Or maybe you just remember how to make your products and don’t rely on written instructions... Read more...
You as a small business owner (or manufacturer or entrepreneur or skilled craftsperson or whatever you call yourself) know that your equipment needs maintenance. But have you heard of Predictive Maintenance? That’s right, there’s now equipment that can tell you... Read more...
You understand the basics of process controls, and you’re ready to start applying them in your own business! (If not? Skip back to the first article in this series and you’ll be up to speed in no time.) Anyway, your... Read more...
Yes, you’ll be much happier if you prevent ergonomics problems BEFORE they bring down your manufacturing line! See, manufacturing ergonomics can be tricky. For common activities like desk work, ergonomics has been widely studied. But the ergonomics of manufacturing processes... Read more...
Yes, it’s 2025 – and while in-person meetings are back in full force, virtual meetings clearly aren’t going anywhere either. But have you thought strategically about which format to use in which situation? Rhonda hadn’t thought much about virtual meetings... Read more...
Want the easy way to choose the right material for your product? Now there’s another way to get the instant insight you need without a material science degree. This fast, fun, and informative guide can start you on the path to finding the particular plastic that meets your project’s needs.
