In an industry dominated by imports, one company stayed local — and competitive. AAM President Scott Paul speaks with City Threads founders Shayna Samuels and Joe Willis about building a Made-in-USA apparel brand from the ground up. They discuss how City Threads grew from early boutique sales into a national direct-to-consumer business, why they prioritize U.S. cut-and-sew manufacturing, and how customer feedback shaped their shift toward comfortable, clearly labeled cotton basics.

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https://www.citythreads.com/

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It started with one sewing machine, a pile of flat inner tubes — and a big idea about American manufacturing. Lanette Fidrych shares how Cycle Dog grew from sewing dog leashes out of discarded bike tubes to becoming a nationally distributed, U.S.-made pet product manufacturer. She discusses scaling production from her home to a full factory and retail/tavern space, the brand’s commitment to sustainability, and the importance of creating meaningful manufacturing jobs. Lanette also explains how in-house production accelerates innovation and enables the company to repurpose waste into new products.

Our 2025 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide is out now: https://bit.ly/2025Gifts

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories on U.S. trade policy, buying American, and protecting American jobs.

Check out our 2025 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide: https://bit.ly/2025Gifts

And sign our petition to bring shipbuilding back to America!

https://act.americanmanufacturing.org...

Guest Resources

https://cycledog.com/

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They built one toy for their daughter - and it changed everything. Blueberry and Third, founded by Nikki and Brian Benbenek, began as a handcrafted climbing arch for their daughter and evolved into a fast-growing, Montessori-inspired children’s play-furniture brand. Nikki discusses how their passion for quality, open-ended play, and Brian’s 20+ years of woodworking experience helped them scale from a basement workshop to partnering with U.S. manufacturers. She also shares why domestic production gives them unmatched flexibility and control.

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#madeinusa #madeinamerica #americanmade #podcast #smallindustries #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #montessori #kids #christmas #holidaygiftguide #woodworking #shoplocal #holidayshopping #blueberryandthird #handcraftedtoys #familybusiness #supportsmallbusiness #madeintheusa #woodentoys #montessorikids #holidaygiftideas #shoplocalforchristmas #entrepreneurship

The sneaker brand that beat the odds against American footwear manufacturing — until disaster struck. Today we continue our Made in America Holiday Gift series with Justin James, founder of Opie Way, a U.S.-made sneaker brand rooted in craftsmanship and community. Justin shares how a lifelong passion for footwear led him to build a domestic shoe factory from scratch — only to have it destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024. He describes the emotional aftermath, the overwhelming support from fellow makers and customers, and his determined effort to rebuild. The conversation highlights resilience, American manufacturing, and the mission to relaunch Opie Way stronger than before.

Catch next week’s episode as we continue our holiday series with City Threads, a Los Angeles-based clothing brand that manufactures comfortable, durable apparel for the whole family. Make sure to tune in!

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Guest Resources:

www.opieway.com

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#MadeInUSA, #GiftGuide, #OpieWayFootwear, #opieway #HolidayGifts, #AmericanManufacturing #hurricanerecovery #giftguide #sneakers #sneakerhead #sneakernews

What does it take to build a modern American manufacturing brand from scratch? A lot more than leather… Today, we’re continuing our Made In America Holiday Gift series with Lost Dutchman founder. Nathan Walker shares how he built his American-made leather goods company from a teenage hobby into a fast-growing brand. He discusses the origins of the company name, his self-taught craft, scaling from Etsy to a full shop with employees, and the importance of quality and transparency in U.S. manufacturing.

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www.lostdutchmanleather.com

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You can find Chilewich placemats all around the world in some of the best hotels and restaurants out there, like Le Bernardin and the Ritz-Carlton, but this home goods company has stayed true to its Made in Georgia roots since its founding in 2000. Here's how the Martha Stewart-approved company has integrated technology from design through production to set the table for success.

America’s shipbuilding industry is making waves again — and we're sitting down with one of the companies helming the revival. Fincantieri Marine Group USA CEO George Moutafis joins us to discuss the company’s 15-year journey growing U.S. shipbuilding operations. George shares how Fincantieri is modernizing Great Lakes shipyards with cutting-edge technology, advanced robotics, and strong supplier networks. He talks about developing skilled talent through university partnerships, building vibrant manufacturing communities in Wisconsin and Michigan, and why America’s shipbuilding renaissance depends on innovation, collaboration, and investment in people.

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#shipbuilding #SHIPSforAmerica #manufacturing #podcast #xijinping #madeinamerica #podcast #wisconsin #greatlakes #supplychain

In an era of overseas production, one family-owned Alabama company is opting out of the race to the bottom and bringing back the heritage of high-quality American-made linens. Red Land Cotton Founder Anna Brakefield talks about building a fully American-made, farm-to-home textile business. She discusses how her family vertically integrated their Alabama cotton farm to control production from field to finished bedding, overcoming supply chain challenges and investing in U.S. manufacturing. Anna also reflects on the importance of keeping textile jobs in America, the impact of local economic revitalization, and how Red Land Cotton blends craftsmanship, sustainability, and design to prove that quality goods can still be Made in the USA.

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Watch Clash of Trades on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ProjectMFG

Project MFG Website: projectmfg.com

Instagram: instagram.com/projectmf

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#MadeInUSA, #FastFashion, #Shein, #Temu, #AmericanManufacturing

Think Top Chef — but for welders, machinists and engineers. Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG and creator of the reality show Clash of Trades, discusses how his organization is inspiring the next generation of manufacturers through hands-on competition and community engagement. He shares how Project MFG evolved from local events into a national showcase during COVID, highlights its role in addressing the skilled labor shortage, and emphasizes manufacturing’s importance to economic and national security. Dick also explores how inclusivity and purpose-driven education can attract more people into the trades.

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Check out our Made In America Directory

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories on U.S. trade policy, buying American, and protecting American jobs.

Guest Resources

Watch Clash of Trades on Youtube: / projectmfg

Project MFG Website: projectmfg.com

Instagram: instagram.com/projectmf

Resources & Links

Sign up for our daily newsletter, Daily Digest or our bi-weekly version, ManufactureThis

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#ClashOfTrades #ProjectMFG #MadeInAmerica #Manufacturing #SkilledTrades #FutureOfWork #ManufacturingMatters #AmericanManufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #TradeSkills

A little-known trade loophole cost American jobs and put families at risk — until a coalition fought back. Kim Glas, president & CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations, discusses how a coalition of labor, manufacturers, retailers and families worked together to close the de minimis loophole. Kim explains how Chinese e-commerce giants exploited this U.S law to flood the U.S. with untaxed and uninspected goods, including products made with forced labor, unsafe merchandise, and fentanyl shipments into the country.

Kim breaks down where the law now stands and how de minimis reform protects American workers, consumers, and national security.