In this office-hours episode, Paul answers community questions on how PTC runs its single-maker production model, when (and if) to start Meta ads, how to navigate niche decisions (built-ins vs. custom furniture), and the pricing math that supports a healthy shop.

He shares practical systems—how projects move from sales to ops to a maker’s Trello queue—plus the cultural guardrails that protect quality and teamwork. The throughline: build a real foundation first, then scale with intention.

Takeaways / Highlights:

• Single-maker workflow: One maker leads a project end-to-end; jobs live in individual Trello queues with quoted hours as guardrails; foreman assigns/monitors; tag-team only when scale demands; finishing is included (hand-rubbed oil).
• Why not pay-by-project (yet): Paul considered piece-rate for speed and profit discipline but kept hourly to avoid rushing, protect teamwork, and prevent “unfair quotes” risk; may revisit later if incentives align.
• Clear project flow: Sales → Ops/Design for drawings/materials → Foreman assignment → Maker executes with daily check-ins and ownership end-to-end.
• Choosing your niche: Early on, take varied work to learn—but show what you want to sell (proof-of-concept builds, photos on site) and start saying “no” to misaligned jobs; intentional branding (even a name change) helps the market find you.
• Are you ready for Meta ads?: Don’t start until your sales process, offer, and fulfillment are solid. Be prepared to “burn” $1–1.5k learning. Ads are not an easy button; Paul keeps them to ~20–30% of pipeline and relies on reviews, word-of-mouth, designers, and hospitality partners.
• Pricing reality check: Aim for ~40% gross margin per job to support ~20% annual net. If you get all “no’s,” either the price is wrong or you’re fishing in the wrong pond—reposition to the market that values (and can afford) your work.
• Grow deliberately: Start lean, raise prices as overhead and capability grow, and keep culture (quality, team over self) front and center as you scale.

Questions for a future office hours? Email [email protected]
.

Join the Network