You may have noticed that I often talk about friction on this podcast.

That’s because everyone has to fight friction in business—and there is A LOT of friction in the manufacturing business.

Friction from time consuming stuff. Friction from stuff being too hard to figure out. Friction from stuff we’re not qualified to do or just don’t want to do.

My guest on today’s podcast, Constantine Ivanov, founded a business called DigiFabster that alleviates friction for manufacturers, providing features like instant quoting, a CRM, and payment platforms that are specifically tailored for different manufacturing types.

I loved our conversation. Along with talking about DigiFabster, Constantine had some fascinating insight about entrepreneurship from the perspective of a Russian immigrant.

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Interview Highlights

The Shopify for Custom Manufacturing

Constantine (Const) Ivanov founded DigiFabster, which he describes as “Shopify for custom manufacturing.” The platform addresses critical friction points in manufacturing by enabling machine shops to provide instant quotes and streamline customer relationships. Traditional quoting processes can take days, and shops often struggle with basic operations like invoicing and customer communication.

The manufacturing landscape has evolved significantly due to companies like Xometry and Protolabs raising customer expectations for rapid service. While top-tier shops previously relied on core customers and could be selective with jobs, the democratization of manufacturing has redistributed opportunities to smaller shops willing to take on diverse work.

DigiFabster analyzes 3D models for complexity, geometry, and manufacturability, enabling instant quotes. Unlike marketplace models like Xometry, it empowers individual shops to maintain direct customer relationships while modernizing their operations.

The platform helps American manufacturers overcome challenges like expensive labor costs and operational inefficiencies.

Many shops struggle with business administration, marketing, and differentiation in a market where companies often appear identical to potential customers. DigiFabster addresses these challenges by automating administrative tasks and improving customer experience, allowing shops to focus on producing quality parts. The platform represents a shift toward more efficient, customer-centric manufacturing operations that can compete effectively in today’s market.

Immigration and Entrepreneurship

Born in the USSR in 1987, Const began in web design and branding before entering manufacturing in 2013-2014 with his first machine shop in Moscow. He moved to the United States in 2016 on an O-1 talent visa, bringing a unique perspective on business and innovation.

A central theme from Const’s experience is the relationship between immigrants and uncertainty.

He suggests immigrants often have an advantage in entrepreneurship because they’re accustomed to living with uncertainty. While he emphasizes he left Moscow during peaceful times for better opportunities rather than fleeing hardship, this comfort with uncertainty shaped his approach to business challenges.

Const offers an interesting perspective on American business culture, noting that many Americans have been in comfortable positions for so long that they’ve lost their edge in dealing with uncertainty. He contrasts this with the immigrant experience, where uncertainty becomes a constant companion in navigating business, family, and immigration challenges.

His background in design and software, combined with manufacturing experience, allowed him to see opportunities for innovation that might not have been obvious to industry insiders. He emphasizes that success isn’t just about having good ideas but about being able to “become a solver” of any challenge that arises.

Const’s reflections on success and happiness reveal a pragmatic approach common among immigrant entrepreneurs. Rather than focusing on creating something extraordinary on a “planetary scale,” he sees the importance of enjoying the process and finding success across multiple areas of life – family, health, and business. This perspective may be influenced by his immigrant experience, where success is viewed through a more holistic lens.

He attributes much of his success to luck combined with persistence, a common theme among immigrant entrepreneurs who recognize both the opportunities America provides and the work required to capitalize on them.

Question: What part of your company’s operations would you love to automate?

This blog was assisted with Claude.ai