Photo: Dreamstime.com/© Andrei Dodonov Chaos can often be mistaken for capability. The ability to pivot quickly, solve problems on the fly and “make it work” under pressure is what many of us built our businesses on. For years, I believed that the more chaotic my life was, the more successful I must be. That the [...]

The team for Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures gathers in St. Louis, Mo. The company has been 100 percent employee-owned since 2015. Photo: Lawrence What happens to an owner’s company when they retire and no successor is available to take the reins? The answer might be all around them — on the shop floor, among [...]

Industrial sewing machines can cost $3,000–$8,000 each, and inflation doesn’t help. Photo: Jim Robert For years, I viewed insurance premiums as a necessary evil—an expensive line item that seemed to grow annually without tangible benefit. That perspective changed dramatically when fire tore through our marine canvas workshop. What I learned in the aftermath could save [...]

If you’re like most people, the thought of giving a presentation ranks somewhere between a root canal and rush-hour traffic on the list of things you’d rather avoid. In fact, studies estimate that nearly 75 percent of the population experiences some level of anxiety about public speaking. The good news, though, is that with the [...]

Your most valuable asset may be your business. A business owner can spend decades building a business and reputation. As they approach retirement age, they likely have questions such as: How do they value their business? How do they maximize the value and minimize taxes upon sale or succession? Determining value So what is the [...]

Nelson Valderrama asks Claude AI to create a sample of a cost optimization analysis, based on a simulated small shade fabrication shop. The numbers in this graphic do not represent real data, but rather it illustrates what Claude can produce. Photo: Nelson Valderrama Most companies likely would welcome an employee with a doctorate who works [...]

Over the past 20 years, the question I’m asked most often by canvas makers, upholsters and my students is “How much should I charge for this project?” Daily, someone is asking that question on the Advanced Textiles Association forums and industry Facebook groups. As business owners, we must consider several factors, such as: Markup, Hourly [...]

As the recruiting manager for Made in the Shade Tent Rentals, I embody the first hurdle on the road to employment. If 100 people apply for one job, close to a quarter will make it to the first interview with me over the phone.Of that quarter, fewer than half will make it to an in-person [...]

Photo: 74311385 © Rawpixelimages | Dreamstime.com I was recently speaking with one of my coaching clients and the subject of professional curiosity came up. Curiosity is a catalyst for creativity, problem-solving and continuous improvement.  By creating a culture of curiosity, we can tap into the collective creativity of the people who work with us and for [...]

Traditional leadership philosophies focus on what it takes for a leader to have sway over a team, to drive toward an outcome and to create coordinated movement. These aspects of reaching a goal are critical components of leadership, but they are one-dimensional. Four-dimensional leadership asks leaders to enhance their abilities by developing additional leadership dimensions, [...]