“You’ve got to cast a long shadow,” Eric Miller tells Carol. “We look a lot bigger than we are to our clients. They are always a little surprised that we are less than 100 people because we pack a bigger punch than these 4,5,600-person companies that we compete with.” 

Eric is a co-owner and Principal at PADT, a provider of tools and services that help companies design and manufacture their products. The origins of PADT trace back to the 90s when Eric and some fellow engineers at a large turbine engine company decided to create a startup based on three new technologies they had at the time.

In this episode, Eric describes his relationship with his clients–mechanical engineers–and how important it is to build informational content outside of transactions to establish trust with them. He also recounts the effects of COVID on his culture and the steps he’s taken to ensure his culture stays intact in the remote world.

They also discuss why he and his co-owners haven’t sold the company despite many offers and what it would take for them to sell.

Learn more about Eric Miller and PADT.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.