Feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or straight-up uncomfortable in your shop right now? That's not a problem — that's your sign you're growing. In Episode 228 of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon and Nick get real about why business growth feels so damn uncomfortable for small and medium-sized manufacturers — and why leaning into that discomfort is the fastest way to level up your shop, your team, and your profits. We break down the paradox every CNC shop owner faces: you want more orders, but when the workload finally explodes it creates chaos, burnout, and fear. The truth? Staying small and "comfortable" is actually the riskiest move you can make in 2026. Key moments & topics:

Why discomfort is the price of progress (and how to embrace the suck) Real shop stories: cabinet shops cutting lead times from 12 → 8 weeks with automation The hidden cost of being "too busy to grow" Hiring fears, outdated equipment traps, and why your employees secretly want you to invest How investing in a new CNC router (or people/systems) isn't an expense — it's the tool that buys you time, quality, and sanity

If you're maxed out, behind on quotes, or scared to pull the trigger on that next machine or hire — this episode is your push.

🔥 Ready to stop delaying growth and start dominating your market? Get a no-pressure quote on America's #1 CNC router brand built for production shops:

👉 https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ 💬 Drop a comment: What's the #1 thing making growth feel uncomfortable in YOUR shop right now?

Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + Keeper of the Pens chaos 00:21 – Today's topic: Embracing the suck of growth 03:51 – Why being "too busy" is actually a growth signal 07:07 – Viewer Q&A (Crocodile file, cutting steel on routers, bad software) 11:48 – The paradox: You want growth… until it shows up 15:02 – Cabinet shop case study – 12 weeks → 8 weeks lead time 17:20 – The real danger of refusing to hire or automate 22:05 – Growth = stability (not risk) 25:59 – Comfort comes AFTER growth, never before 32:06 – Step-by-step: How to grow responsibly in 2026 38:31 – Motivational close: "You don't just deal with adversity…" Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/

#CNCRouter #ShopSabre #TalkinShop #BusinessGrowth #EmbraceTheSuck #Manufacturing #CNCMachining #SmallBusinessGrowth #WoodworkingBusiness #MetalFabrication #Automation #CNCPlasma #Entrepreneurship #ShopTips #GrowYourShop

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For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.

Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.

ShopSabre CNC www.ShopSabre.com 21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044 800-493-6021