
Lean Built: Manufacturing Freedom
Two successful entrepreneurs talk about manufacturing, lean principles, and the freedom they are pursuing in life and business.
Latest episodes

Jul 29, 2024 • 44min
Creating A Company You Can Sell One Day | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E53
Andrew and Jay talk about the necessity of vacation, why math SHOULD be (somewhat) emotional, known cost versus unknown upside, upscaling so you can do a job versus getting a job and then upscaling, bringing remote workers in, and things you can be doing right now to create a company with real value, the kind of value you can sell (even if you're not planning to do so for years or ever).

Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 4min
When Saving Money Costs Too Much | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E52
Join Jay and Andrew as they delve into their deep-seated skepticism towards multipurpose products, discuss why some cost-cutting measures can be counterproductive, and explore the concept of (imagining) scaling their business tenfold to uncover hidden bottlenecks. They also examine the importance of hiring individuals who elevate the team, the strategic use of loss leaders, the fine line between effective and off-putting advertising, and the right time to attend trade shows.

Jul 15, 2024 • 42min
How Companies Die | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E51
What is the lifespan of a company? What should be the lifespan of a company? How long should you want your company to last? Are you trying to build the next Samsung/Apple/whatever or something that lasts a single lifetime? Jay visited the Haas facility recently, and Andrew toured some shops as well. In this episode, they talk about what they learned.

Jul 1, 2024 • 39min
Just Try It | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E50
Andrew and Jay discuss the art of identifying true anomalies in your business ... when is something worth pivoting for and when is it not? They also talk about tradeoffs and how to keep your eye on long-term goals, some hands-on tips for working Fusion, and the "just try it" mindset, encouraging a spirit of experimentation that can lead to innovative breakthroughs.

Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 1min
The Art of Customer Disappointment | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E49
Jay and Andrew dive into the secrets of maintaining productivity amidst workplace interruptions, mastering remote collaboration, and leveraging tools like Slack and Signal for seamless communication. They also talk about the surprising benefits of groupthink, and the art of knowing when it's actually beneficial to disappoint customers—and when it's critical not to.

Jun 17, 2024 • 30min
Eat, Sleep, Succeed | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E48
You may or may not like it, but it turns out food and sleep are both an important part of your strategy for succeeding at any type of business. In this episode, Andrew and Jay give their thoughts.

Jun 10, 2024 • 52min
Document or Die | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E47
Join Andrew and Jay as they talk companies that couldn't make the cut and uncover why sometimes taking the passenger seat can be the smartest move. Andrew shares his concept of digital office hours—a game changer for remote workers. Plus, learn why meticulous documentation is not just a growth catalyst but also your golden ticket to a successful exit strategy.

Jun 3, 2024 • 53min
Days Off That Are Days On | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E46
Jay begins by talking about taking multiple weeks off...as a highly recommended strategic way to help his business. Then Andrew and Jay talk about fusion file management, team meetings, onboarding remote workers, and why you can't "delegate your gut."Books mentioned:Poka-Yoke: Improving Product Quality by Preventing Defects.Poka-Yoke: Mistake-Proofing for Zero Defects by Hiroyuki Hirano.

May 27, 2024 • 36min
Layout Or Location? | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E45
Jay and Andrew talk building for growth, shop layout, removing unnecessary items, morning meetings, and more.

May 20, 2024 • 53min
Morning Meetings That Actually Work | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E44
Jay and Andrew talk about the Remarkable tablet and effective idea dumping. Then they both describe their morning meetings and talk about how you inspire people with your company culture ... without reducing it to a bunch of corporate gobbledegook. Books discussed:Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman.