Justin and Jem discuss the challenges of running small manufacturing businesses - from unexpected CNC E-stops to the stress of public holidays when you're behind on cash flow. They share their experiences with production documentation, hiring/firing employees, and the constant iteration of products and processes. The conversation covers new materials for Like Butter's Kitta Parts, shipping station improvements, and the potential (and limitations) of 3D scanning for custom work.

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DISCUSSED:

✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option

Whoops - Justin published day early on accident

• Watching a truck wreck
• Hiring: can't imagine ... then ⠄
• Justin's got that new Pod Cam
• Suzie helping ꘎
• Bad Replika AI, "I am useful!"
• Low point weekend ꘎
• Fuggen public holidays
• Trapped vibes
• New dowel stock!
• Slow here too - worst weekly sales in memory
• Audacity Micro "Self Robot"
• Cobot vs Humanoid?
• Shipping Area Revision
• Love my text chat ꘎
• Succumb to filthy vanilla cabinetmaking to fill gaps ꘎
• Block script success ꘎
• Dispatch standup ꘎

00:00 Slow motion truck crash

01:46 Production Process and Material Changes

04:17 Jem's New Stick

06:58 Hiring and Employee Management

09:46 Documentation and Process Standardization

14:40 Fire as well as you hire

17:53 Public Holidays and Work-Life Balance

27:05 Navigating Business Pressures and Personal Well-being

29:11 Unexpected Sales and Client Relationships

31:51 The Challenges of Product Sales vs. Custom Work

34:24 Exploring AI and Automation in Business

36:13 Software Tools for Cabinet Making

38:43 Improving Shipping and Dispatch Processes

50:44 Enhancing Customer Experience and Feedback

54:15 The Future of 3D Scanning and Its Applications

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Show Info

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Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS

Jem Freeman

Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia

Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette

Portland, Oregon, USA

PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links