Jake LeGrand joins us to talk about the grind, the grit, and the growth — both in the shop and online.

By day, he's an architectural engineer. By night, he's building a brand with a welding torch and a sketchpad. With over 19,000 followers and clients finding him through Instagram DMs, Jake is living proof that showing your work can turn into real sales — even in metal fabrication.

This episode dives into how he picked up fabrication without shop class, how social media turned into a pipeline, and what it really takes to build a following while holding down a full-time job.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:58 – Jake LeGrand's journey from small-town kid to sign builder in Kansas City.

• 03:37 – From engineering student to hands-on researcher with a passion for welding.

• 06:56 – How missing shop class almost derailed his career and the shift to fabrication.

• 14:26 – Turning a garage hobby into a legit business and the power of creative fabrication.

• 29:40 – Using social media, viral posts, and Instagram DMs to grow a brand and land jobs.

• 42:37 – How consistency and real-world experience drive modern manufacturing success.

If you're still treating social media like a distraction, you're missing a serious opportunity. This episode will change how you think about showing your work — and what it can bring your shop.

Resources:

LeGrand MetalWorks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legrandmetalworks?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/