In this episode, Ryan Cote talks with Steven Reif of Roof Maintenance Systems about what it really takes to succeed in sales. Steven shares practical lessons on cold calling, persistence, listening, and building trust, with real-world advice that sales and business development professionals can put to work right away.

Valerie Menges, CEO of Walenta Grinding, shares how she led a fourth-generation precision grinding company through succession, modernization, and ISO-driven quality. You’ll learn how to prioritize talent and accountability, earn respect through expertise, and build a business that lasts.

Eric Seiberling (VP of Sales & Marketing at MXD Process) joins Ryan Cote to share practical lessons on industrial marketing, leadership, and using AI without the fluff. They cover MXD’s “most helpful” brand promise, how custom GPTs helped speed up quoting, and why “simplicity wins” when you’re trying to grow in manufacturing.

Rick Van Rikxoort explains how focus and inventory became the engine that scaled his FRP grating business across North America. He shares the specific decisions behind stocking deep, expanding branch locations to reduce freight friction, and building a reputation around speed and reliability. You will also hear his approach to hiring and leadership, including why he prioritizes attitude over resume when building teams to run new branches.

A $4 part stuck overseas stopped sales of a $400 vacuum and pushed Spencer Loveless to find a better way. In this episode, Spencer - CEO of Dustless Technologies and Merit3D - shares how that moment led to scalable 3D printing for mass production, when additive beats injection molding, and why the next decade could reshape U.S.-based manufacturing. He also reflects on leadership, legacy, and building modern manufacturing jobs in Utah.

Ryan Cote sits down with ag-tech founder Dave Swain to unpack his journey from an Indiana farm to leading Vision Technology Management. They talk about adapting to change, surviving a full year with zero revenue, and why communication and relationships matter just as much as the latest tools. 

Video pro Robert Weiss joins Ryan Cote on the Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast to share how manufacturers win with message-first videos, smarter planning, and AI polish. Learn to turn one shoot into sales, training, and industry-specific assets that drive revenue. 

In this episode, we speak with Paul Kiesche from Aviate Creative about real world lessons on branding, AI, and resilience. Specifically, how a focused manufacturer brand boosts sales and hiring, how to show up in Google and ChatGPT, and why AI is a tool not a replacement. He also covers losing six clients in two days, the power of niching, and simple brand upgrades.

In this episode of The Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast, Ryan Cote talks with Don Fuchs, CEO of Harris Thermal Transfer Products. Don shares his unique career journey from law and legal tech entrepreneurship to leading a 140-year-old family-owned manufacturing company.

In this episode, we chat with Makenzie Morrill, Marketing Mgr at Spartronics, about her journey into manufacturing, networking, and "looking for the duct tape" when solving customer challenges. She shares lessons from being a one-person marketing team, how AMA fuels her growth, and why AI is best as an assistant (not a replacement).