my TRUE POSITION

The family-owned machine shop — once the backbone of American manufacturing — is disappearing. Private equity is rolling up independents, succession is drying up, and the cost of staying competitive is through the roof. In this episode, I dig into how small, family-run shops evolved over the decades, the metrics driving consolidation, and why investors are buying us up. Is this truly the end of the family-owned shop… or just the next evolution?

Degrees don't impress me. GPAs don't build careers. The real signals that matter? Showing up, asking questions, taking pride in your work. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I lay out exactly how I spot future talent in machining—and what separates rockstars from dead weight. This is the hiring playbook nobody else will give you.

College debt is crushing a generation—but there's another way. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break down the real pathways into precision manufacturing—apprenticeships, certifications, and careers that pay while you learn. No tuition trap, no student loans—just a straight shot to six-figure potential.

Forget the grimy stereotype—this is aerospace-grade, software-driven manufacturing. In Part 1 of The New Shop Class, I pull back the curtain on clean, automated shops, real career mobility, and a culture built on precision and pride. If you're a parent, student, or counselor, this is your reality check—and your invite to see modern machining up close. Where precision meets leadership.

Ever get that email saying, 'We want to offer you a book deal'? Yeah…bullshit. These aren't publishers—they're predators. They target business owners, shop leaders, and podcasters like you and me, flashing fake promises of instant authority while draining your wallet.

In this episode, I rip the lid off the vanity press scam: how they work, how to spot the red flags, and what separates a real publisher from a snake-oil salesman in a suit. If you've ever been tempted to sign one of these "deals," you'll want to hear this first.

In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr by his CFO and business coach Dave Capkovitz, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to evolve a second-generation machine shop.

They share the raw, behind-the-scenes truth of CARR Machine & Tool's transition from a traditional mom-and-pop operation into a high-value, high-production aerospace supplier. From cutting unprofitable work and firing the wrong customers to building a culture that drives accountability, this episode is a blueprint for growth that's built on data, discipline, and hard conversations.

If you're a shop owner, next-gen leader, or business coach looking for real insight into increasing profitability, valuation, and leadership strength—this one's for you.

In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr uncovers the real story behind artifact parts in Gage R&R studies. Too many shops are cutting corners when it comes to validating their measurement systems, and it's putting quality—and customer trust—at risk. Jim breaks down what artifact parts are, why they matter for AS9100-certified shops, and how to manufacture, manage, and apply them correctly.

If you're serious about tightening up your process and making your measurement data truly reliable, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Is that employee "taking time off"… or walking out quietly? In this episode, Jim Carr dissects the real motives behind employee leave. From legal obligations to return-to-work odds, he lays out the business math behind whether to hold the door open—or close it for good.

PE firms are circling job shops like vultures — waving fat checks and buzzwords like "scale" and "efficiency." But what happens after the champagne dries up? In this episode, Jim Carr calls BS on the fairy tale. From hidden costs and control loss to culture-killing org charts, he breaks down what selling really means for you, your team, and your legacy.

What happens when AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses stroll onto your ITAR-regulated shop floor?

In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I unpack how one slick-looking gadget could blow a hole in your compliance, expose your customer's IP, and turn your machine shop into a liability overnight.

From real-world risks to hardline strategies, I'm calling this tech what it is: a threat to every shop that makes serious parts.

Smart specs. Dumb risk. Listen up.