Matt and Michael compare notes on what happens when growth forces you back into the weeds—and AI becomes the ultimate force multiplier. Matt shares how being the sales bottleneck again has sharpened his approach to qualifying projects, turning down work that isn’t the right fit, and focusing engineering energy where it matters most.

Meanwhile, Michael dives deep into rebuilding the company’s internal stack—experimenting with a custom AI-built ERP to replace Notion, integrating Kanban data, QuickBooks dashboards, GitHub version control, and even exploring CRM replacement. From converting complex CNC macros across control types to automating proposal formatting with a brand kit, he’s seeing 20-hour tasks collapse into one-hour workflows.

The episode covers selective selling in a busy market, machine shop demand signals, hiring remote engineering talent vs. in-person culture, and how rapid AI capability is reshaping what “engineering skill” actually means. It closes with honest reflections on overwork, vacation guilt, and the tension between building the business—and building the life around it.