Stop trying to fix chaos with a "panic hire" and start building a scalable business through the power of automation. In this episode of Talking Shop, Brandon and Nick are joined by Curtis from HR to pull back the curtain on the harsh reality of hiring in today's unpredictable labor market. We explore why the old model of "hiring more people to grow" is increasingly fragile and why successful shops are prioritizing process over traditional staffing to achieve consistent results.

Hiring is harder than ever, with smaller labor pools, rising wage expectations, and higher turnover rates. We discuss how to identify quality employees and, more importantly, how to support them with tools like CNC machines and software that eliminate burnout and reduce costly rework. Automation doesn't replace the human element; it protects your business from volatility and empowers your team to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you are struggling to find skilled welders or trying to figure out if you should finance your next piece of equipment, this episode provides a roadmap for building a business that can withstand the realities of 2026. Join us as we discuss the "story" behind a resume, the value of being trainable, and why consistency is the ultimate secret to growth.

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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