The Art of Manufacturing

$9 billion and a million miles away: we get a special behind-the-scenes tour of NASA's most ambitious and risky project ever. The James Webb Space Telescope will let us to look billions of years back in time and look at exoplanets in other galaxies. It's pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible. When you think of manufacturing, you probably imagine mass production, but this project is one-of-a-kind. And because it's headed a million miles away into orbit past the moon, if something breaks, it can't be fixed. As the vice president and program manager of the whole project, Scott Willoughby has one shot at getting it right. I was curious: how can you take risks and innovate when you're working on something so high stakes and under such big scrutiny? So I went to Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, the prime contractor, to find out. We start with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the telescope from systems engineer Krystal Puga. And then, Scott joins us as we talk about the risks and rewards and what's next for the program. We also learn about Scott and Krystal's backgrounds, which will probably surprise you! Links and social handles: The James Webb Space Telescope home page: https://jwst.nasa.gov/ “Seeing Beyond” video (14:02): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=073GwPbyFxE NASA's FAQ: https://jwst.nasa.gov/faq.html#howbig Northrop Grumman's site for the JWST: http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/MediaKits/JWST/Home.aspx The JWST on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webb_Space_Telescope Facebook Instagram: @NASAWebb Twitter: @NASAWebb   Northrop Grumman: Facebook Twitter: @northropgrumman Instagram: @northropgrumman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northrop-grumman-corporation/   #NorthropGrumman #Webb #JWST #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope #nasa   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/jwst. 

An underwater roboticist is determined to map the 70% of our globe covered in water. Everyone's talking about space these days, but the most promising uncharted frontier might be under the sea. And exploring our oceans is much harder than you think.  Preeti Battacharyya is a 30-year-old entrepreneur who fought tradition back in India and moved to the US. She received a PhD from MIT before launching her company, HydroSwarm. They're building a network of autonomous underwater vehicles that can map the oceans and communicate with each other. I was curious what is holding back ocean exploration. What are the challenges of building robots that can work under the sea? It turns out its way harder than rocket science! We learn the difference between ROVs and AUVs, and why they matter. We also learn about Preeti's path from small town girl in Kolkata to an underwater roboticist with experience with particle accelerators and nuclear reactors starting an ambitious venture.   Links and social handles: Website: http://hydroswarm.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/hydroswarm Video of a hydrone: https://youtu.be/EYkz5mRsuqg More on cyberclones: https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/09/virtual-reality-and-a-parallel-universe-of-cyberclones/   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/hydroswarm. 

Comedy isn't always easy: this entrepreneur has learned some tough lessons manufacturing irreverent gifts that don't meet everyone's tastes. This week we're speaking with Jen Bilik, the founder and CEO of Knock Knock. With a name like that, you might guess there is some humor involved—and you'd be right. Knock Knock is known for their funny and often blue gifts and books. But she has to deal with risk-averse retailers and easily offended consumers. Not to mention the pot-smoking hippie manufacturing broker that bilked them out of millions of dollars in their early years. And crying employees. Jen started out as a “reluctant businesswoman” and she's very candid about her mistakes. She shares some useful lessons about growing a company and bringing a little humor into your business.   Links and social handles: Website for all three companies (Who's There Group): http://thewhostheregroup.com/ This is [NOT] L.A. book: http://ThisIsNotLA.com/ Knock Knock on Instagram and Twitter: @knockknock Also, follow Jen on Instagram @jenbilik (mostly pictures of her dog, Paco), on Twitter @JenBilik (to which she never posts), and on Facebook.   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/knockknock  

Packaging should be your secret weapon, and this serial entrepreneur will show you how. Some of you might remember our episode a year ago, with Jesse Genet from Lumi. They recently raised $9M, so we're checking in with Jesse to get an update. We talk about how they've evolved their strategy and what she learned raising venture capital. We also get tips for finding suppliers, and the advantages of offering a platform that gives customers unprecedented control to tinker with their packaging. We're starting with the original interview. If you want to skip ahead to our more recent conversation, it starts at 1:07:30. At age 15, Jesse started her first business printing t-shirts in Detroit. Over the next year she followed her curiosity, tracked down an obscure invention, and next thing she knew her new company Inkodye ended up on Shark Tank and participated in the prestigious incubator Y-Combinator. Through becoming a manufacturing entrepreneur, she learned how easy it was on the digital side to start a business, but on the physical side it was the complete opposite. That's when their big idea hit: why don't they create a whole platform for startups to handle packaging and fulfillment? And Lumi was born. Jesse tells horror stories and practical advice about packaging and logistics. She gives insights into new ecommerce trends like direct-to-consumer retail and Vertical Commerce Brands that make your packaging more important than ever before. And she also shares her real-life experiences and perspectives on being an entrepreneur. (Her stories about stalking the original owner of the Inkodye technology, turning down Mark Cuban, and what happened as she was about to walk onto the set of Shark Tank are pretty hilarious.) She's energetic, nerdy, and unapologetically quirky, and she has some great advice you won't want to miss.   Links and social handles: (note if the embedded hyperlinks don't work, scroll down for explicit ones) Lumi Home Page Lumi Twitter Lumi Instagram Lumi Facebook Jesse's Twitter Jesse's Instagram Lumi on Fast Company Jesse Genet's MAKE IT talk on YouTube “Digitally-Native Vertical Commerce Brands,” by Andy Dunn Marshall Goldsmith: What Got You Here Won't Get You There on Audible Marshall Goldsmith: What Got You Here Won't Get You There on Amazon    For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/lumi. 

Meet the 3D printing company that might totally change how we manufacture, design, and even develop products. When you hear the words 3D printing, what do you imagine? Do you think about those cheesy, plastic parts? Desktop Metal has raised $270M to change all that. Unlike other metal 3D printers, which are ridiculously expensive, incredibly dangerous, and slow, their first product is a machine that will print metal parts on the desktop. And they're about to launch a new production-level machine that will pump out parts as fast as using traditional manufacturing processes like casting and machining. The CEO Ric Fulop is an old buddy of mine from my days at MIT, so when I was visiting Boston a few weeks ago, I went to go visit and get a tour. And I sat down with Ric and two of his executives, Chief Technology Officer Jonah Meyerberg and Senior Software Engineer Andy Roberts, to learn more. We nerd out on their technology and what it means for the future of manufacturing. But what I was especially curious about is how metal 3D printing will change the game around what we make, and the way we design and innovate in the future. If you've been skeptical about additive manufacturing until now, this episode will change your mind. Links and social handles: Website: http://desktopmetal.com On Twitter: @DesktopMetal, @ricfulop Video of Live Parts growth example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38yW6D4MtFg   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/desktopmetal. 

Amazon is eating the world! A wellness entrepreneur shares her secrets to launching a consumer product in today's complex retail environment. This week we're going to the vault to play one of our favorite past episodes. We're speaking with Courtney Nichols Gould, the co-founder and CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. She had a really successful career in tech before launching a consumer packaged goods company. Before this venture, she was the Chief Operating Officer of a very complex business called Clear, the first fast pass for airport security. I was curious what her path has been like, from tech entrepreneur to a maker of things, and what we can learn from the process. What surprised me most was the importance of getting the product launch process right, and how hard it is to succeed in today's complex retail environment. But they're kicking butt, and she has tons of war stories and tips for the rest of us. Everything from protecting IP to picking your manufacturing partners, cultivating your first customers to thriving on Amazon, negotiating with brick and mortar to being pioneers in the early wellness industry. She's mission-driven but doesn't flaunt it. At one point, she goes deep about her awkward early years, before she finally discovered her identity as a successful CEO, and we broach the touchy subject of starting a business and then falling in love with your co-founder. We hear about that and a whole lot more on this week's episode of the Art of Manufacturing. A year ago, when I spoke with Courtney, I was really curious how they could be so successful launching their products in a time when Amazon seemed to be eating the world. And the episode is as relevant as ever. Since the episode first dropped, Amazon acquired Whole Foods, nine massive retailers disappeared in the “great retail meltdown of 2017,” and they now have a foothold in every corner of your home, too, with Echo Dot and Ring. There's no doubt Amazon is a bigger force than ever to be reckoned with. Earlier this year, I wrote a Forbes column that the biggest tech trend of the year wasn't going to be a technology per se, but it was Amazon as a company. They'll have a vast impact on so many other aspects of how we live, and how we work and collaborate, and even how our cities might be designed in the future. This goes beyond their more obvious impacts on the retail industry. Just the new expectation of on-demand has transformed business models across the board. With their 100,000+ industrial robots, they are pioneering new leadership approaches in an environment where humans must collaborate with robots. The purpose of shopping malls is getting totally reimagined, and in an age of on-demand delivery, warehouses are playing a more integral role in our cities. Yet I wondered when on-demand delivery would turn to custom, on-demand, local manufacturing. But I digress. Whether your entrepreneurial dreams start with launching on Amazon or end on brick and mortar retail shelves, listen to this episode first.   Links and social handles: Website: http://smartypantsvitamins.com Forbes article on Amazon: https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisztinaholly/2018/01/26/tech-trends-2018-amazon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartypants/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/smartyhealth   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/smartypants.  

Digitizing the factory isn't always easy. A former counter-intelligence officer and former reality TV star talk about how they hope to bring modern data tools, IoT, and Lean Manufacturing to every factory floor.  Manufacturing technologies have been changing fast. And it's amazing what you can make custom and on-demand, and how you can iterate in the physical world. But transforming a factory to digital manufacturing is not so easy. And that's where this week's guests come in.  Rony Kubat and Erik Mirandette are from Tulip Interfaces, a company spun out of the MIT Media Lab. Through their work with lab sponsors, they realized how hard it was to digitize a factory. And so they set out to change that. A company can get started with no programming experience and as little as $3,500. I was a little skeptical at whether some techies can just waltz in and transform a factory. So I was eager to see how it works and hear about what they learned along the way. We hear their lessons learned about implementing lean manufacturing and removing paper and pen from the factory floor. They also tell stories about riding motorcycles across Africa, surviving civil wars, counter-intelligence missions, and being on reality TV.   Links and social handles: Website: http://tulip.co Social Media: @tulipinterfaces Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tulip-interfaces/   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/tulip. 

A bioengineering startup tries to commercialize a new tool that might totally change the way we identify and treat disease. We have tools to look inside the body without killing the patient, so why should we have to kill cells to understand disease? It's hard to believe that only a hundred years ago, scientists mostly studied disease by dissecting cadavers. Doctors didn't have tools like blood tests, imaging, molecular biology, and other diagnostics to see what was going on inside a body while a person was living. So our knowledge of anatomy and our ability to identify illness was limited to the dead body. That seems incredibly primitive today, but that's what we've been doing at the cellular level until now. David Charlot and his startup Charlot Biosciences is changing that. I was curious to learn more about their technology and what that means for the future of diagnosing and treating disease. Also, since I'm definitely not an expert in the life sciences, I wanted to learn about the existing techniques we hear a lot about, like flow cytometry, PCR, gene sequencing, immunotherapy, and the latest hot thing, CRISPR. It's exciting to see him in action at the cusp of growing the business. We talk about commercializing university research, and he shares his lessons learned, which are transferrable to a broad range of businesses. Links and social handles: Website: http://cbio.io Facebook: @cbiosciences Twitter: @c_biosciences LinkedIn: @cbiosciences   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/davidcharlot. 

A startup builds custom, on-demand 3D printed shoes and gives a glimpse of what innovation might look like in the future. Recently, I took a little road trip to meet some manufacturers. And this week we're visiting Wiivv, a startup shoe factory just north of San Diego that's bringing modern digital manufacturing to the consumer. Imagine taking pictures of your feet with your smartphone, and getting custom-molded sandals delivered to your door within 10 days. While I visited Wiivv's factory in San Diego, I sat down with their co-founder and CEO Shamil Hargovan and their senior engineer Chris Bellamy. I wanted to hear what it's like to start a company delivering custom, on-demand products. I was curious about their production process, which combines digital manufacturing (like 3D printing) with more traditional approaches. We start off the conversation with a story from Chris about how he ended up running the marathon in a pair of their flip-flops! And we get some really interesting insights into how the trend towards digital manufacturing might change the way we live, work, and play. Links: https://wiivv.com/ www.facebook.com/wiivvit/ Instagram: @wiivvit Twitter: @wiivvit https://www.linkedin.com/company/wiivv/ Twitter: @shamilhargovan https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamilhargovan/ Twitter: @CWBellamy Instagram: @c.w.bellamy https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbellamy/ For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/wiivv. 

Roller derby inspires a body-positive athletic fashion brand that's just hitting a tipping point. Though finding a factory that will take her business has gotten easier, the real challenges have just begun! Micki Krimmel is the founder of an emerging apparel brand called Superfit Hero. She has some serious startup chops, but if you had told her she'd have anything to do with athletics, fashion, or business a decade ago she would have laughed. She grew up a drama nerd who never did sports until she discovered roller derby. And then her whole life changed. I've gotten to know Micki's new company, Superfit Hero, since she joined MAKE IT IN LA's Catalyst program, which is building a diverse community of creatives that manufacture in LA. It's so hard to differentiate an apparel brand these days, but she's doing it by being at the forefront of the new body positive movement. It's exciting to watch Superfit Hero hit an inflection point. Her business is just taking off. But… ironically, her challenges are just beginning.   Links: Superfit Hero website: http://superfithero.com Social: @superfithero @mickipedia For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/mickikrimmel.    About Micki Krimmel Micki Krimmel is a serial entreprenuer, athlete, and loud-mouthed feminist. Micki was inspired by her experience as a competitive roller derby player to create Superfit Hero, a body positive, size inclusive fitness brand with a mission to empower women.  Micki has 15 years experience with technology and entertainment startups. Superfit Hero marks her first foray into manufacturing. With no fashion background, Micki was able to deliver a stellar fashion product by following the principles of customer discovery championed by the tech industry. With a tested and approved product sample, Micki funded her initial production with the help of her roller derby community via Kickstarter. Two and a half years later, Superfit Hero has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, SHAPE, and many other publications. Micki's goal is to establish Superfit Hero as the go-to brand for the body positive fitness movement.  In her spare time, Micki enjoys lifting weights and riding motorcycles. Her newest hobby is wrenching on her 2004 KTM dirtbike. 

Four experts explore the dilemma of where to do your manufacturing. It's is an important question to ask yourself when you are launching a company, and most people assume they need to go to China or elsewhere overseas. We've heard a lot about Made in America and retaining manufacturing jobs over the years. But is locally-made just a nice thing to talk about? Or are there times when it makes better business sense to make it here? We speak with Michael Corr, CEO of Durolabs, formerly head of engineering at several hardware startups in the US and China; Sean Scott, CEO of COMUNITY, formerly of VANS, ASICS, Nike, and TOMS; Clarissa Redwine who heads up Kickstarter's hardware community on the West coast; and Jaleh Factor, who brings her accounting background to her role as founder and CEO of Sourcing Theory, an apparel factory in DTLA. The conversation was recorded live at the LA Cleantech Incubator, at an event co-hosted by MAKE IT IN LA, ArtCenter College of Design, Supplyframe, Kickstarter, and Califia Farms. I was curious how to model your expenses, how to assess the risks, and how to consider the hidden costs of manufacturing overseas. We discuss the ethical and sustainability considerations, which aren't as simple as they seem. We talk about how to find your suppliers. And we hear some horror stories from the trenches. This episode is not meant as a sales pitch for local manufacturing. Every company needs to do what's right for their business. But, as I suspected, the decision isn't as obvious as people make it out to be. This week's guests give some surprising answers.   Links mentioned:  Cost calculator: Reshorenow.org Tyranny of Small Decisions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranny_of_small_decisions Episode with Jesse Genet of Lumi: http://makeitinla.org/jessegenet Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck: http://amazon.com/dp/0143039431 Nomiku - sous vide cooker: https://www.nomiku.com/  Turntouch - wooden remote: https://shop.turntouch.com Wood Thumb – woodworking makerspace: https://woodthumb.com/ PODO Labs – the first stick and shoot camera: https://podolabs.com/ Sourcing Theory: https://www.sourcingtheory.com/ Kickstarter: http://kickstarter.com Durolabs: https://www.durolabs.co/ COMUNITY: http://comunitymade.com   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/podcast/makeUSA. 

Pioneering wireless power: a rare interview from the charismatic and controversial founder of an L.A.-based startup that everyone thought would fail. Meredith Perry founded uBeam back in 2011. Mark Cuban invested in the company and called it the next zillion-dollar idea. In 2015 Fortune called her “brilliant” and asked if she might be the next Elon Musk. But less than a year later, a key employee left the company in 2016 and skepticism grew about her company's ability to deliver on its technical milestones. One can understand why Meredith isn't keen on speaking with the media. For six years, her team has been quietly plugging away at the technology, and she's only made herself visible again recently, to demo the technology actually working. A couple of months ago, while she was wrapping up a $20 million raise, I came to her office bearing margaritas. I was hoping to get her to speak candidly about her journey—and she did. I have to admit, I've been skeptical about the technology myself, so I was curious to learn how it works and the challenges she's faced along the way. I wanted to learn what it's been like to bounce back from her PR nightmare, and she humbly shares some of her lessons learned as a brainy young CEO managing a team for the first time in a high-stakes environment. We talk about geek chic, astrobiology, the no a-hole rule, and the struggles of trying to do something no one thinks is possible. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/meredithperry.   More Links: uBeam website: http://uBeam.com   Social Media: @meredithperry @ubeam   About Meredith Perry Meredith Perry is the inventor of uBeam, a technology that uses ultrasound to transmit power over the air to charge electronic devices wirelessly. Using a patented system, uBeam is a wireless power system that can safely charge multiple electronic devices wirelessly at a distance. Meredith founded uBeam in 2011 while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, Meredith served as a student ambassador for NASA, where she worked on technology to detect life on Mars, experimented in zero gravity and researched and published papers in astrobiology and medicine. She graduated in 2011 with a degree in paleobiology. Meredith has been included in Fortune's “40 Under 40” Mobilizers, Forbes' “30 Under 30” and Vanity Fair's “The New Establishment.” She has also been recognized as one of Fast Company's “Most Creative People” and is the recipient of Elle Magazine's Genius Award.

Two brave women build businesses that might make you blush. What is it like to launch a product that you can't talk about in “polite company”? Meet Julia Rose, founder of VaGenie, and Melanie Cristol, founder of Lorals. They've developed products for women's health and pleasure, one a high tech “wearable” game and the other a special kind of apparel. We talk about what it's like to raise money, find manufacturing partners, and market a “taboo” product. Further, Melanie has Tourette Syndrome; we explore how it's had a positive impact on her path to founding and running her business. Julia and Melanie didn't know each other before today's conversation, so it's fun to share notes on their common experiences. Neither one of them have an engineering or product background. We learn how an actor and a lawyer became manufacturers: the inspiration, the steps they followed, and the surprises they met along the way. It's not always easy, but they are making it happen. Learn more:  vagenie.co, @myvagenie mylorals.com, @mylorals, @melcristol For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at makeitinla.org/taboo.  Melanie Cristol, founder & CEO of Lorals, is a former consumer-products and healthcare attorney and a Columbia Law School graduate. She is a passionate advocate for sexual health, having worked with Lambda Legal, the Columbia Sexual Violence Response Team, and the National LGBT Task Force. Melanie's expertise in this sector has earned her international attention and accolades, and she has been featured in various media outlets speaking about tech, manufacturing, and sexual health. With a strong international perspective, a background in marketing and entertainment, and passion for women's health issues, Julia Rose and her team at Kalikha Inc. are creating the VaGenie, a smart biofeedback pelvic floor muscle trainer and menstrual cycle tracking solution destined to break taboos around a vital health concern that effects 2 in 3 women worldwide: weakened pelvic floors. A combination device and app, the VaGenie helps women strengthen their pelvic floors by allowing them to play video games controlled by pelvic muscle exercises (Kegels). In addition, armed with a mission to normalize conversations around women's health, Julia uses tools such as her "VaGenie Martini Party" events as well as VaGenie's "Free the V" community to bring awareness to a variety of critical women's issues. Julia is the mother of 2 young boys and lives in Los Angeles, CA. She received her degree in Diplomatic History from the University of Pennsylvania.

What's the Future? The “Oracle of Silicon Valley” shares his contrarian thoughts about technology, capitalism, and preparing for the big shifts on the horizon. This week we're talking with futurist and author of the book “WTF: What's the Future?” Tim O'Reilly. Although he's not a manufacturer himself, his insightful perspectives are useful for anyone who wants to be prepared for a future driven by technology trends. You might not have heard Tim's name before, but you probably know his work. He popularized terms like open source and Web 2.0. As an early evangelist for the maker movement, he and his firm O'Reilly Media started Make Magazine and Maker Faire. And he's been an early champion of the Internet of Things. Going way back, he wrote about the world wide web before most of us ever heard about it, back in 1994. I was curious, given Tim's superpowers in identifying trends, where he thinks technology is going today and how it will impact the future of work and business. We talk about his thoughts on the role of capitalism and Silicon Valley. He also shares ideas from his book and many others (links below). I ask Tim how to predict the future, and he tells me that's the wrong question. But, he gives us excellent tips for identifying trends and some really provocative ideas about our role as entrepreneurs in developing a just and abundant world for everyone. He's a deep thinker, and it's no surprise he's been called The Oracle of Silicon Valley. This conversation was recorded live at Cross Campus in Downtown LA, as part of the LiveTalks: Business series. Books mentioned: WTF: What's the Future – Tim O'Reilly Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu Who Gets What and Why – Alvin Ross Why Nations Fail – Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson Murder in the Cathedral – TS Eliot   Quotes: “The future is here, just not evenly distributed” – William Gibson “Social Responsibility of a business is to Increase its Profits” – Milton Friedman   Learn more: http://oreillymedia.com @timoreilly   Tim O'Reilly has a history of convening conversations that reshape the computer industry. If you've heard the term “open source software” or “web 2.0” or “the Maker movement” or “government as a platform” or “the WTF economy,” he's had a hand in framing each of those big ideas. He is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of O'Reilly Media, and a partner at early stage venture firm O'Reilly AlphaTech Ventures (OATV). He is also on the boards of Maker Media (which was spun out from O'Reilly Media in 2012), Code for America, PeerJ, Civis Analytics, and PopVox. His book, WTF: What's the Future and Why It's Up to Us, was released by Harper Collins in October 2017.   For more information, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/timoreilly.

There's a shortage of 50,000 truck drivers impacting manufacturing in America, and demand keeps  growing. Last week, we spoke about some pretty futuristic transportation ideas. This week we're talking with a serial entrepreneur who is trying to beat the odds and make transportation and logistics work better today. Lidia Yan is the founder and CEO of NEXT Trucking, a portal for matching shippers with carriers. Although Lidia isn't a manufacturer herself currently, her past entrepreneurial experiences made her realize how critical truck drivers are to the manufacturing and delivery of physical goods. Especially in today's world of complex supply chains and consumers that want instant gratification and products on-demand. I was curious to learn more about how the shipping ecosystem works, and how Lidia's software makes the process work more smoothly. I wanted to understand how autonomous vehicles and automation play a role in logistics, and why several tech companies that have tried to automate the matching process (including Uber) have struggled. I wanted to understand the pitfalls and how NEXT Trucking has managed to be profitable so far. Plus, we get Lidia's tips on logistics and shipping for emerging brands and manufacturers. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/lidiayan.    Lidia Yan is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at NEXT Trucking, an ambitious Sequoia-backed startup that develops technology to address lack of capacity for the growing volume from global shippers and underutilization in the U.S. trucking industry. Through NEXT Trucking, Lidia brings together her expertise in product development, marketing and operations. Prior to NEXT Trucking, Lidia was a marketing executive at top 10 ecommerce retailer, Newegg. At Newegg, Lidia managed a $22 million marketing budget while keeping the cost of overall sales under one percent. Before Newegg, she founded 9luxe, a leading flash sale site in China. Lidia launched 9luxe without any venture funding, managed the distribution of over 40 luxury brands, and led the company to profitability within its first six months. Lidia holds an M.A. in Communications from the University of Southern California. She grew up in Shanghai, China, and now calls Southern California home. When she isn't busy managing her company and mentoring employees, Lidia enjoys relaxing at home with her husband, parents and her three-year-old Border Collie, Toby.   Web: nexttrucking.com Twitter: @nexttrucking @lidiayan2012 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidia-yan-b3b47110/    

(recorded live) Speeding through tubes at nearly the speed of sound; a former NASA systems engineer is helping make the future of transportation a reality. When Elon Musk first proposed the Hyperloop in 2012, most people fell into two camps: enthusiastic or skeptical. Imagine if you could accelerate pods to twice the speed of an airplane, using a technology that was immune to weather and collision free, with low power consumption, using near-vacuum-filled tubes and linear motors. The idea itself is actually more than two hundred years old, but it never made headway until Elon's announcement, and since then, several startups have run with the idea. And contrary to common wisdom, he has no direct involvement in any of them. One of these companies, headquartered in Downtown LA, attracted a huge investment from Richard Branson recently. They're now called Virgin Hyperloop One, and they were the first to demonstrate the concept, on a test track near Las Vegas. And this week we're talking with their Senior VP of Systems Engineering. Dr. Anita Sengupta started her career working for NASA, on pioneering space projects like the Mars Rover and the Cold Atom Laboratory. And then, Hyperloop One tapped her to coordinate all of the pieces for their very complex engineering puzzle. This episode was recorded live at the ArtCenter College of Design's BOLD conference. I was curious to hear the variety of challenges she's up against as they bring a once crazy idea to a full production system. I also wanted to learn what it was like to go from a very large, governmental organization like NASA, to a startup environment like Hyperloop. And we talk about what the innovator of the future might look like, and what we all should do to prepare. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/hyperloop.

Two clowns reimagine entertainment through micro-amusement parks. They use technology, a bit of showmanship, and a unique process of innovation to develop their immersive social games. What does the circus have to do with manufacturing? Well, the founders of Two Bit Circus are planning to build micro-amusements around the world. To do so, they're learning how to go from prototype to production on their unique games. They're about to open their first park in DTLA this summer, so I wanted a sneak peek at the new experiences they have in store. In the process we learn about their process of developing their crazy ideas. We talk about tinkering, iteration, scale, immersive experiences, and social gaming. Brent and Eric bring unique backgrounds to the company. Brent once ran a web hosting company and an automotive salvage business. He's also the son of Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari and Chuck E Cheese. Eric is the Mad Inventor and makes others see technology as magic. He has a colorful history as a circus performer, professional whistler & roboticist. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/twobitcircus.

A skydiver with an unusual past shares how his business delivers custom apparel for action athletes and Hollywood by adopting new digital design and manufacturing technologies. Julio Ruiz had a career in Puerto Rico shoeing horses and inseminating cows before he decided to become a manufacturer. It was Julio's passion in skydiving and mad skills in graphic design that gave him the idea to start his action sports apparel company, LiquidSky. LiquidSky specializes in custom apparel, and I was curious how he minimizes the lead times behind making custom gear when he's such a small business with uneven demand. I also wanted to learn what kind of technologies Julio uses to make customization easier, like computer aided pattern-making and digital manufacturing, and how a small business like his makes the decision how to adopt these technologies. We also hear some fun stories about working with some big-name celebrities and some of my skydiving heroes. LiquidSky is definitely not a typical apparel company. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/julioruiz. 

Cult favorite ice cream brand Coolhaus started in a broken down postal truck at the Coachella music festival. While growing their ice cream brand over nearly a decade, Natasha Case and Freya Estreller, have many stories to tell, through marriage, two funding rounds, brick and mortar scoop shops, and fast growth wholesaling around the country. They explain how they've stayed true to their quirky past while scaling with manufacturing partners and keeping their marriage intact. I was curious how they manage to constantly innovate, with such wacky flavors as balsamic fig mascarpone or buttered French toast, while they work with more traditional contract manufacturers to do the production. We get some invaluable tips for working with these co-packers, as they're called in the food biz. I also wanted to hear their origin story, how their relationship blossomed as their company grew, and how Freya decided to leave the company with Natasha at the helm. Celebrities like John Legend and Kumail Nanjiani are big fans and are willing to go to the Twitter mat over their product. But although it might seem like Coolhaus has made the big leagues, we hear about some of their challenges behind the scenes; being a founder never stops throwing you curveballs. We get a taste test of some of their most popular flavors, with a big side of great entrepreneurship and leadership advice to go along with it. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/natashacase.

Space! Diamonds! Startups! Cubesats could soon be streaming live video of anywhere on earth and beaming broadband data to the last three billion people around the globe.  Thanks to the rapidly dropping price of launching these tiny satellites, that somewhat creepy—yet also very exciting—future might very soon be here. And this week's  guest, Felix Ejeckam, is the founder and CEO of Akash Systems, whose special diamond composite technology is helping fuel this trend. I was curious to learn about this gold rush into space, from a layperson's point of view. Why now? And what are the killer applications? I wanted to learn more about their technology, and why his advanced material might be the key to getting massive bandwidth through satellites. But we don't just talk about technology. He shares his insights from founding three venture-backed startups. And my favorite part of the conversation comes later, when we explore the source of his confidence. What drives someone to take on such an ambitious mission to reach the final three billion? And is it possible to be too ambitious? I learn how his time growing up in Nigeria and his immigrant parents' unconventional attitudes might have influenced him in ways I totally didn't expect. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/felixejeckam.

Holograms and hardware: just one piece of VNTANA's strategy to become the go-to platform for brands to engage with customers using AR and mixed reality. Augmented reality is a big buzzword these days. But most companies are focusing on creating content. Because of her deep technical background, Ashley and her company started with a portable holographic projection system, and they are now positioning themselves as the go-to platform for brands to leverage and capitalize on mixed reality experiences. I was curious to hear her thoughts on the future of AR and VR, and how businesses can best leverage these technologies. I was also excited to learn how she built this hardware company from the ground up and how they plan to scale production. But the most interesting aspect might be how they are evolving into a full platform that works with anyone's hardware. And how she is integrating technologies like data analysis, AI, motion capture, and facial recognition to engage more deeply with customers. We also talk how she successfully raised money since her company's business model is a very non-traditional investment for venture capital. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/ashleycrowder.

Customer trust and deep supplier relationships are the foundation for The Honest Company's former head of operations as she launches a new venture-backed company pioneering all natural fragrances sold online.  Scents online? I was curious to learn how she pitched VCs on that idea! We delve into her journey leading her first startup. We also get insights from her prior experience at The Honest Company, where she managed a complex supply chain of hundreds of contract manufacturers (CMs) that had to deliver on their promise of all-natural consumer products. Being a purpose-driven company that cares about its supply chain has unique challenges, and we discuss how to navigate them. We get her expert tips for working with CMs and raising capital.  She went a year and a half without a salary and invested $100,000 of her own money to turn her dream into reality. Meanwhile her dad, the successful Taiwanese tech entrepreneur who was her inspiration, did not always give her the encouragement she might have liked--mostly because he knew from personal experience how hard entrepreneurship can be. It hasn't seemed to slow her down.   The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/catchen. 

An ex-prisoner turned elite CNC machinist and TV personality, Titan Gilroy, talks about how to save American manufacturing and the joy of seeing something you created go to space. But first, Z rants a bit, and busts seven myths about manufacturing. Titan's journey is a story of redemption. He started on a really rough path, growing up homeless with a single mom. He became a pro boxer and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. But he turned his life around because of manufacturing. Today, in addition to owning an elite CNC machining shop, he hosts a TV show called TITANS of CNC, founded a machining school in San Quentin prison, and developed a free online curriculum and community for a new generation of CNC machinists. I was curious to hear about his journey and what excites him about his career today. We also get his thoughts on how to turn around our manufacturing skills gap in this country. He talks tough on TV, but you can see he has a soft spot for helping others find hope through manufacturing. We'll be launching the next season in two weeks, but in the meantime we just had to jump in with a little bonus episode. ** If you're are a founder or CEO of a business that wants to manufacture in Los Angeles, apply to be a Catalyst Fellow with MAKE IT IN LA! Deadline is April 15: http://makeitinla.org/catalyst **   0:34 - Intro 1:15 - Z busts seven myths 15:10 - Catalyst announcement 16:37 – Titan Gilroy interview 34:27 –Z's thoughts   For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/titangilroy.   More Links: Busting Manufacturing Myths Forbes column: http://bit.ly/SOTUmfg Catalyst program: http://makeitinla.org/catalyst   Titan Gilroy links: Website: https://titansofcnc.com/ (including free courses) TITANS of CNC: Academy Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/titansofcncacademy/ Twitter https://twitter.com/titansofcnc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/titans_of_cnc_academy Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/titansofcnc   The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

3D printing automotive micro-factories (not electric vehicles) might be the key to sustainability and innovation. We learn why, from the CEO of Divergent 3D. Plus, the head of SME gives some hints on what to expect at WESTEC next week! Sometimes we get trapped by a legacy way of doing things. We've built 2 billion vehicles in the last century, and some estimates project another 6 billion cars in the next 35 years. These cars will have an enormous impact on the environment. So, should we aim to switch all of our vehicles to electric? Not so fast, says Kevin Czinger, the Founder of Divergent 3D. It's more complicated than that. Divergent 3D is a micro-factory for building cars using 3D printing. I was curious to hear how it works and how he plans to scale the concept. We learn how a Midwestern boy, from a family that never went to college, ended up doing global deals for Rupert Murdoch and helping launch one of the most ambitious internet startups of the 1990's, and how that experience translated into the audacity to start a car factory! But this isn't his first car venture. We learn how he's coming back with a vengeance after he parted ways with his investors, and what he learned from the process. He also tells us what it was like to ride in his new concept car with Jay Leno behind the wheel. For show notes, visit http://makeitinla.org/kevinczinger and http://makeitinla.org/jeffkrause Attend the WESTEC conference on September 12-14 for free as a friend of The Art of Manufacturing, visit here. (Get invited to future events at http://makeitinla.org/connect)  The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.  

Launching a consumer product in a complex retail environment: For our season finale, we're speaking with Courtney Nichols Gould, the co-founder and CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. She and her partner Gordon Gould both had their own really successful careers in tech, before launching a consumer packaged goods company. Before this venture, she was the Chief Operating Officer of a very complex business called Clear, the first fast pass for airport security. I was curious what her path has been like, from tech entrepreneur to a maker of things, and what we can learn from the process. What surprised me most was the importance of getting the product launch process right, and how hard it is to succeed in today's complex retail environment. But they're kicking butt, and she has tons of war stories and tips for the rest of us. Everything from protecting IP to picking your manufacturing partners, cultivating your first customers to thriving on Amazon, negotiating with brick and mortar to being pioneers in the early wellness industry. She's mission-driven but doesn't flaunt it. At one point, she goes deep about her awkward early years, before she finally discovered her identity as a successful CEO, and we broach the touchy subject of starting a business and then falling in love with your co-founder. We hear about that and a whole lot more on this week's episode of the Art of Manufacturing. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/courtneygould. 

If you own a Roomba, you can thank Rod, because he's the co-founder of iRobot. He launched the company almost three decades ago when he was a professor at MIT. Well, today, he's at it again. He's trying to disrupt the world of industrial robotics with his new startup, Rethink Robotics. While I was in Boston a few weeks ago, I visited him at his home in Cambridge and captured some great stories. His extensive experiences over his career inspired the new company. We hear about the pending workforce shortage (yes, really!) and why location matters with manufacturing, whether it's China, America, or anywhere else. It's possible that the influence of the Prague Spring on his college math classes in Australia might have been the key influence in his research years later. He warns us about the hype of artificial intelligence and the potential of collaborative robotics. I'm surprised to hear how difficult it has been for his company to get their robots onto the factory floor given the obvious ROI. He shares humbling lessons about finding product market fit, which he learned the hard way across all three of his startups, and the lessons he takes away. But thanks in large part to his evangelism, the conversation around industrial robotics is changing. Might his ideas help save the manufacturing industry? The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/rodneybrooks. 

Connecting with customers to build a great business, with the creator of the weekend pop-up market. In 2008, Sonja Rasula, risked her entire 401k savings to start UNIQUE LA, a popup marketplace that features over 300 independent artists and designers. Over the years she has worked with thousands of artisans and entrepreneurs, and she built an agency to work with brands to develop content and social strategy. Her ambitions have expanded to a conference for entrepreneurs and a co-working space in Downtown LA. I was curious if she had tips for brands and manufacturers based on her years of working with her vendors, and she shares great advice for connecting with customers to build your business. We talk about the future of retail and how to use social media and technology to build loyalty. She shares the story of starting UNIQUE LA when everyone thought she was crazy. And she also cracks the lid on two big new projects she has cooking that she hasn't announced yet. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/sonjarasula. 

Gourmet ice cream that takes the whole state of Ohio to manufacture! This week we're talking with Jeni Britton Bauer, the founder and CEO of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. She's been a pioneer in gourmet ice cream since she started over two decades ago, and continues to innovate. I was curious about how she develops her inventive flavors and what it takes to make award-winning ice cream at scale. It turns out there's a lot more art and science--and logistics—than I ever imagined. She shares her greatest challenges—from product recalls and regulatory requirements, to angry consumers blaming you for buying up all the state's strawberries. And we talk about the importance of just rolling up your sleeves in order to learn and evolve your product. In the process, she has engaged partners across the whole state and beyond, from the dairies and growers to the service providers and suppliers, to create a “Fellowship Model” for making her ice cream. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/jenibauer. 

Imagine your startup is down to its last bit of cash, your investors won't follow on, you're sure you're going bankrupt, and everyone tells you to give up. What do you do? You decide to take your company public--it's dubbed by BusinessWeek as “The IPO from Hell.” That's just one of many cold-sweat moments Ben Horowitz has experienced first-hand in his career. Ben took that beleaguered company public and eventually sold it to HP for $1.65B in one of the most impressive turnaround stories in history. He went on to co-found the prestigious Silicon Valley venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz. His blog and his book “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” are essential reading for tech entrepreneurs, and are an honest look at entrepreneurship from his personal experience. I interviewed him live at UCLA. He shared some really deep leadership insights that can be translated to any industry, so while he's not a manufacturing entrepreneur, I wanted to share it with you this week. I was curious to hear about what he's learned through his rollercoaster journey as an entrepreneur. We talk about his love for rap music and the technology trends he's most excited about. He gives plenty of advice to the students in the audience to prepare them for meaningful careers. We spent a lot of time talking about leadership, making hard decisions, and how to build the right culture in your company. And as we learn, decision-making and culture go hand-in-hand in pursuit of success.   The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.   For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/benhorowitz. 

In this episode, “the godfather of street skating” Rodney Mullen reveals his insights on the history and future of skateboarding. He invented most of the foundational tricks used today—including the flat-ground Ollie which allows skaters to pop their boards off the ground—and he co-founded the largest skateboard company in the world in the 1990's. Despite his worldwide fame, Rodney is a bit of an enigma to his millions of fans, but in this interview we delve into some parts of his past he hasn't shared before. We trace the pioneering path of World Industries through times of greatness and trouble and to greatness again, and we discover some leadership and innovation lessons along the way. He tells stories of forklift races, mutiny, and late nights of drinking with the Chinese as they grew the company. We peek behind the scenes to hear how they designed and manufactured their boards, and their pioneering approach to cultivating talent. Rodney shares the challenges of catering to a culture driven by rebellion, and the dilemma of brands that want to scale when “selling out” is the worst thing you could do. We hear about Rodney's comeback, and how technology and innovation are impacting the future of skateboarding as he looks to his next venture. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes: http://makeitinla.org/rodneymullen Best of Rodney Mullen video (darkslide at 4:02) Steven Sebring's Liminal video in Rolling Stone The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

Becoming the largest organic spirits company in the world takes a careful balance between having a point of view and appealing to a broader market. And no one is as attuned to that dilemma as much as the founders of Greenbar Distillery. As craft distillers and immigrants, founders Litty Mathew and Melkon Khosrovian have learned to embrace the tension between being unique and fitting in. Litty—of South Indian descent, but born in Ethiopia and raised in Jamaica—met a sharply-dressed Armenian man—Melkon—over a spilled cup of coffee on the first day of class at USC. It was love at first sight, and a few years later they started Greenbar together, bonded by their love of ethnic food, a good cocktail, and for each other. It might sound too cute to be true, but the origin story perfectly captures the ethos of their company.  We sit down with Litty to talk shop about manufacturing craft spirits. She gives a sneak peek of their new packaging, which is being unveiled this week, and I get a taste of some of their products as we learn about the high tech equipment and processes they use to produce them. When they started, they were the 38th distillery in the country, and became the first in Los Angeles at least 100 years. They paved the way for others through old-fashioned regulations and adoption of new technologies and new flavors; now thousands of other distilleries across the country are nipping at their heels. They didn't start out organic; we hear the story behind that pivot, and the challenges behind getting the right flavor with real ingredients. She tells us about the critical moments in their company's history, from when her parents doubted her, to when they almost went bankrupt during the recession. They had to go back to the drawing board to rethink that tension between craft and scale. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/littymathew.  The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

A Detroit manufacturer tries retailing. But sometimes the hardest part about growing your business isn't collapsing ceilings or managing inventory. It's learning to let go. Bethany Shorb is the founder of Cyberoptix. Her fashionable and subversive ties have been a cult favorite for fans like retired Apollo astronauts and celebrities like Chris Hardwick and Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. And she just launched a retail store in Detroit called Well Done Goods. I was curious about the challenges of expanding into retail, and what she's learning now that she's on the other side of the table. She has a few pointers for growing brands and aspiring artisans. We also get a virtual tour around the east side of Detroit, and hear about the city's crazy ride since she moved there two decades ago. She shares some tales about opening a store amidst Detroit's ageing infrastructure, including steam explosions, people dying, and ceilings caving in. But the hardest part about growing her business? Learning to let go. It's hard when you have high standards, and Bethany shares her journey and some approaches she's learned along the way. For more information, photos, and links about this episode, check out: Show notes http://makeitinla.org/bethanyshorb Cyberoptix https://www.cyberoptix.com/ Well Done Goods https://welldonegoods.com/ Tom Sachs' 10 Bullets video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49p1JVLHUos The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

An on-demand jewelry company, plus a sustainability segment for Earth Day! Ivka Adam is the Founder and CEO of Iconery. She's mashing up 3D printing, ecommerce, manufacturing, and influencer marketing to create a unique platform to enable designers and influencers to create and sell their own jewelry lines. In a way, her company is a tool for non-experts to access the complex and sometimes bewildering jewelry supply chain. Being unfamiliar with the industry, I was curious about the trends making her new on-demand manufacturing model possible right now. It turns out the industry is ripe for innovation, and many entrepreneurs have tried. But with the high cost of materials, it's really easy to get it wrong. Will Ivka succeed? She hasn't completely democratized the supply chain yet, but she has had some big wins with influencers like Michelle Branch, who just launched her brand new line last week. She also has some thoughts about customer service, building a brand, and whether it's a good idea to leave your team alone for 9 days while you go hike Kilimanjaro. We start the episode with a short segment with Carolyn Casavan. She is best known as the founder of West Coast Environmental and Engineering, a very well respected sustainability and engineering firm. She has a wealth of knowledge from over 30 years helping companies improve their sustainability and businesses processes. So I was really excited to hear her advice for manufacturers and brands—especially startups who don't have a lot of bandwidth for non-mission-critical things. In the process, I learned how sustainability isn't just about compliance or branding or feeling good, but it actually makes really good business sense. Check out the upcoming event on April 26: http://makeitinla.org/events. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/ivkaadam.

Job killer or savior? Automation and technology have definitely been changing the way we communicate, how we shop, how we date, how we get around. And it's changing manufacturing, too. Should we be afraid? Silicon Valley has gotten a reputation of being a “disruptor” – and depending on who you are or what part of the country you live in, that term is either a compliment or an insult. This week's guest pokes at that hornet's nest. We visit Nick Pinkston at his startup Plethora, an automated factory right in the middle of San Francisco, and explore the potential impacts of automation on the future of jobs and manufacturing. Not everyone is fond of automation, but many will tell you it's inevitable. And others still will argue, it's saving production in America. As someone who grew up in Pittsburgh, Nick has his own unique perspectives—and they might not be popular with everyone. We talk about the future of manufacturing, capitalism, and education. We learn about the cost structure of his business and the guts of what it takes to make digital tools more user friendly. Also, because Nick is regarded as one of the key connectors of the hardware industry, we get his counterintuitive advice for entrepreneurs thinking about starting a hardware company. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.  For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/nickpinkston. 

Chris Wilson murdered a man at age 17. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison. But what happened next is nothing short of remarkable. While imprisoned, he wrote his grand plan and then got to work. He earned his high school diploma and associates degree, graduated from all of the vocational shops, and started a book club and a new business, all while behind bars. 16 years later, a judge granted him freedom. Now he runs several social enterprises, including a furniture restoration business and a construction company under the umbrella of Barclay Investment Corporation, which trains and hires returning citizens. And he's a student at the University of Baltimore. His story might sound too amazing to be true. But when you listen to his stories, you'll come away with new insights about leadership, human relationships, and entrepreneurship. He shares some important lessons around building a board of directors and fostering trust with clients and the community. His "positive delusion” and sense of purpose is infectious. Connect with Chris at http://chriswilson.biz. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/chriswilson The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

Packaging should be your secret weapon, and Jesse Genet can show you how. At age 15, Jesse started her first business printing t-shirts in Detroit. Over the next year she followed her curiosity, tracked down an obscure invention, and next thing she knew her new company Inkodye ended up on Shark Tank and participated in the prestigious incubator Y-Combinator. Through becoming a manufacturing entrepreneur, she learned how easy it was on the digital side to start a business, but on the physical side it was the complete opposite. That's when their big idea hit: why don't they create a whole platform for startups to handle packaging and fulfillment? And Lumi was born. Jesse tells horror stories and practical advice about packaging and logistics. She gives insights into new ecommerce trends like direct-to-consumer retail and Vertical Commerce Brands that make your packaging more important than ever before. And she also shares her real-life experiences and perspectives on being an entrepreneur. (Her stories about stalking the original owner of the Inkodye technology, turning down Mark Cuban, and what happened as she was about to walk onto the set of Shark Tank are pretty hilarious.) She's energetic, nerdy, and unapologetically quirky, and she has some great advice you won't want to miss. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/podcast/jessegenet.

Iconic Fountains of Bellagio captured our collective attention when they opened in 1998, and they manage to impress decades later. The creator Mark Fuller and his company WET Design continue to push the envelope and redefine the high-tech fountain industry today. We get a behind-the-scenes look at the company's launch from Disney Imagineering in 1983, the ups and downs of remaining at the cutting edge, how Mark builds his creative company culture, and their amazing facilities. We also hear his story of almost getting fired, after terrorizing a group of guests at Disneyland. Until now, his manufacturing operations have focused on developing proprietary components and putting them together into large custom projects, but he's about to launch a mass-production business idea as well. What do textile engineers, boxing coaches, woodworkers, robot designers, optics experts, and choreographers have to do water fountains? Listen to find out... For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/markfuller

Through true grit and teamwork, this welder's granddaughter overcame intimidation and stereotypes to turn ACE Clearwater from a third-generation business into a high-tech aerospace powerhouse. It's one thing to work for the family business, but President and CEO Kellie Johnson really took it up two notches. She's been a huge advocate for the manufacturing industry in Washington and deals first-hand with the struggles and opportunities at the cutting edge of manufacturing. In this episode we hear how she has driven the frontiers of metalworking to evolve her company from a little welding workshop into a specialty contract manufacturer with clients like NASA and Boeing. She shares thoughts about policy and her recent meeting with Vice President Pence. We also learn about how Industry 4.0 is impacting her workforce, and how she decides where and when to invest in new technologies as a smaller company. And we hear about her early years, as a psychology masters drop-out to trying to follow in her father's footsteps, struggling to build credibility with her team and their global aerospace clients one step at a time. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/podcast/kelliejohnson

Maker conversations from the White House and LA! Celebrity makers and chefs like Martha Stewart and Mario Batali are crazy about Hedley & Bennett aprons. We learn how Ellen Bennett is building a company that brings in millions in revenues and cultivates a passionate following for something that's so mundane on this Season Finale episode. They are at a watershed moment, bursting at the seams and grappling with how to grow. But it all started very modestly, when she ran off to culinary school at age 18, hoping to launch a taco empire in LA. We hear her amazing story of hustle and determination as she went from booth babe and lottery announcer in Mexico City to line cook in LA to successful entrepreneur. The leadership insights, operations tips, and lessons in courage are informative and inspiring. And, we learn why her factory has a zip line and two tree houses! This episode also features two bonus conversations about making and manufacturing from the White House: we kick things off with U.S. CTO Megan Smith and colleague Megan Brewster talking about Manufacturing Day on October 7, 2016. We also ran into Adam Savage, the host of tested.com and Mythbusters, on the South Lawn at SXSL.  The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For show notes about this episode, visit: http://makeitinla.org/ellenbennett and http://makeitinla.org/whitehouse

American Apparel's controverial founder built a multi-hundred million dollar company that created thousands of local jobs and helped define popular culture in Los Angeles and the world. And then he lost it all. Dov Charney is also notorious for how he was ousted as CEO from his own company. Enough has been written about that, but rumor had it he is starting a new venture so I wanted to learn what's next. We learn how this entrepreneur has used hustle, technology, and his talents as a photographer to build an apparel empire from the humblest of beginnings. It's a behind-the-scenes-look into his unique personality and a candid dialogue about (in)famy, fortune, and how he plans to reinvent himself as a fashion mogul. The episode starts with a brief chat with comedian Graham Elwood. As an entertainer, he has experience and opinions about manufacturing his own merchandise, and he gives some perspectives on what drove him to manufacture domestically. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the guests and not our sponsors or partners. For more information: http://makeitinla.org/dovcharney

Two beverage empires came from humble beginnings. Greg Steltenpohl realized that playing saxophone in an avante garde punk jazz band wasn't going to pay the bills, so in 1980 he and his buddies decided to start a juice business. They would hand-squeeze oranges out of the back of his VW van and deliver the product& to nearby restaurants in Half Moon Bay. More than two decades later, the company called Odwalla had pioneered a fresh juice craze and was acquired by Coca-Cola for $181 million--much to his chagrin, because they lost the vision in the process. He is seeking redemption through his current business, Califia Farms. He is rethinking food to make agriculture more sustainable, and he is driven to change our love affair with cattle. His entrepreneurial drive isn't always healthy, though. At one point he needed a liver transplant and he was so single-minded he ignored the very real threat to his life and continued to launch his company. Greg recounts many of the challenges he faced over the years building his businesses, from draughts to e. coli. His story reminds us of the unglamorous moments and the often long slog it takes to build something big. And he shares what it feels like to have a boardroom full of suits sell his company out from under him—and his determination to give it another go through Califia Farms. Today, the company is launching a new line of coffee beverages, and over samples of cold brew Greg shares his leadership advice and his top three tips for entrepreneurs wanting to make it in the beverage industry. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For show notes with pictures and more information, visit http://makeitinla.org/gregsteltenpohl

Sure, you love your mom. But could you go into business with her? The mother-daughter team of Donna and Lauren Johanson have turned their family goat farm into a cosmetics business based on products made with all-natural ingredients and goat milk. I wondered what it's like to turn a fun hobby into a high-end business that distributes through more than 100 stores around the country. They have 45 SKUs and counting; we learn about the art of mixing scents, naming products, and developing new ideas without losing focus. I was also curious to hear more about their partnership with Lionsgate to make a branded "POPI" soap line for the TV show Orange is the New Black. And, we hear their secrets for building a family business -without driving each other crazy. More information: https://makeitinla.org/donnalaurenjohanson

What happens when you are a respected fashion brand with the good fortune to be featured in top retailers like Barney's--but then the market changes? New platforms for making and selling custom apparel mean every blogger and celebrity fancies themselves a designer, and traditional boutiques are becoming irrelevant. So high-end fashion designer John McDavid Lehman has to try everything to keep fresh and relevant.After owning a successful line of leather goods, R.B. of McD, he has recently launched a clothing brand, McMarden, with his girlfriend Anastasia. He's building out a social media presence and their direct to consumer business online, and we hear what it's like to try staying at the cutting edge while the whole marketplace is changing under your feet. I caught him just before opening his first brick-and-mortar store in downtown LA. Will things pan out? He's not totally sure. In the meantime, we get some interesting insights into his creative process and the wacky world of garment manufacturing in LA. We first kick off the episode with Stephanie Alves of ABL Denim, a fashion line for people with disabilities. We learn about her clever designs that address this underserved segment, and also get some insights into iteration, customer discovery, and turning ideas into real products. For more information about the podcast, visit http://artofmfg.com

Additive Manufacturing isn't just 3D printing. Knitting isn't just for apparel. And being a venture-backed high-profile unicorn isn't the only way to make global impact. This episode features Connie Huffa of Fabdesigns, a company you've probably never heard of, but you've seen their products. It's is run by a couple with 70 years combined experience and deep intellectual property in the field of knitting technology. Yes, knitting! Connie explains how knitted textiles could be the future for medical devices, aerospace components, technical apparel for first responders, sports equipment, and more. You know those bright yellow Nike Flyknit shoes at the Olympics? Those were developed by Fabdesigns. It's hard to believe they almost went bankrupt as a result of that partnership--you'll hear about that, too. But they have since built their way back up and are now back in business in a new fabrication facility in the hills of Malibu. They consult to global companies looking to innovate their products, and in the process teach them to manufacture with zero waste using their high-tech technology. We go to visit to see their facility and how they do it. At the beginning of the episode, we start with a short chat about innovation trends with Chris Denson, host of the Innovation Crush podcast and the Director of OmnicomMediaGroup's Ignition factory. For more information visit http://makeitinla.org/conniehuffa

What do African cows, civil unrest, and the Guinness Book of World Records have to do with manufacturing? Shanley Knox is building a new factory in Uganda—and pioneering a whole new industry—around a very unique local material. Shanley and her partner, Olivia Byanyima, founded Olivia-Knox to sell products manufactured from Ankole cow horn. This 27-year-old blond, blue-eyed journalism major doesn't fit most people's stereotype as a factory-owner, however, and that gets her into some trouble along the way. Her crazy stories raise fascinating questions: when you should demonstrate confidence and when it is good to be vulnerable? How can you manage your control freak tendencies in a country with power outages and civil unrest? And how should you handle insubordination, discrimination, and even physical assault? Hearing her extreme experiences in East Africa raises some interesting issues about being a leader in any culture. We reached her by Skype in Kenya, because while she was on a business trip the Ugandan elections riots broke out. As a result, we had some audio issues, but the conversation was too good to not share. For more information: http://makeitinla.org/shanleyknox

We caught Eric Demby just before launching his next big venture: Smorgasburg LA. It features highly curated artisanal makers, local food sellers, and other vendors in a marketplace patterned off of his prior successes in Brooklyn and New York City, starting with Brooklyn Flea in 2008. Eric gives advice for artisans looking to launch their own products in outdoor market, and tells stories about the rollercoaster ride of Brooklyn Flea and his colorful vendors over the years. He was a huge force in stoking a culture of manufacturing local artisanal goods in Brooklyn over the past decade. As he sets his sights on Los Angeles, what is it like for him to try to create culture and community in a city you don't live in? And surely this isn't the first artisanal market in LA. Will he be able to rise above the noise and get his new venture in an overlooked industrial part of Los Angeles get off the ground? For show notes: http://makeitinla.org/ericdemby

French fries don't count as vegetables, but try explaining that to a screaming toddler. Catherine McCord--celebrity chef and entrepreneur--knows the struggle all too well. That's why she founded One Potato, a service that delivers fully-prepped meal kits of fresh, organic food right to the front doors of busy families. We learn what it was like to raise millions when she hadn't even heard the term “VC” before. We get her tips on favorite social media channels and stories about how her expertise has translated to founding a manufacturing company. She and her team deal with manufacturing challenges, like packaging, supply chain, and scaling. Her beginner's mind has served her well as they teach a whole new generation of families to cook and eat together for the first time. Parents love it, kids love it... everyone's happy but the pizza guy. (More here: http://makeitinla.org/podcast/catherinemccord)

What if I told you there's a company that has delivered millions of distinct products around the world? And it's only seven years old? Welcome to world of mass customization! That company is Shoes of Prey, and Chief Creative Officer and co-founder Jodie Fox tells us what it means to deliver exactly what the customer wants, where they want it. Their model? “Our customers pay upfront for exactly what they want and pay up-front for that, and we make it.” Sounds like a dream, but it raises some interesting questions, like how this can be cost-effective; what tools customers need to design and visualize their custom merchandise; how to use big data to identify trends and understand the individual consumer better; and how to craft a user experience to minimize the risk of returns. What is the role of a Chief Creative Officer, anyway, when the customer is designing the products? We talk about their recent move from Sydney to Los Angeles in their quest to go global, and she gives us a sneak peek into the shoe trends of the upcoming year. She shares some futuristic predictions about how technology from 3D printing to blockchain and artificial intelligence might impact manufacturing. And she teaches Z how to walk in 4” heels! More here: http://makeitinla.org/podcast/jodiefox

Community-building secrets behind the largest kickstarter in History, Exploding Kittens. Not long ago, Elan Lee was best known as a legendary video game designer and the pioneer of "alternative reality games." But thanks to his new card game, he's learning what it takes to be a manufacturer. He talks about growing his company from a founding team to 840 contract employees in less than 8 months, and the challenges that come along with it. How can a troublemaker like Elan continue to take risks when so many people's livelihoods are on the line? We learn that and so much more. And he tells some stories about alien invasions, failing fast, idea thieves, and Nine Inch Nails along the way. 

At age 16, he made himself his first suit. At 21, he headed to L.A. to launch a career. 27 years later, Karl Kani is still a legend for his pioneering urban streetwear brand. But after an ill-fated partnership almost lost him the rights to his own name, he's back to work, rebuilding his $100M hip-hop fashion empire one bold step at a time. We hear stories of grit and creativity, learn from his business mistakes, and find out what it takes to build an enduring brand. More here: http://makeitinla.org/podcast/karlkani

Thanks to global supply chains, we can enjoy fresh and beautiful produce in the dead of winter. But our addiction to year-round produce causes big environmental issues, so our guest Eric Ellestad wants to rethink this paradigm. His company, Local Roots, is manufacturing self-contained high-tech hydroponic farms in shipping containers, which produce the equivalent of 5 acres of produce with 97% less water and half the energy of a traditional farm. His mission it to fix the global food chain, and they are developing a wide array of technologies in the process. But their desire to protect the IP they are developing raises an interesting dilemma, given their desire to scale their impact around the world. Meanwhile, they have just taken on several big customers including SpaceX and they are racing to meet their high expectations. More here: http://makeitinla.org/podcast/ericellestad