The AC Method

Aaron Clippinger
  • 5,0 (10)
  • ENTREPRENARIAT
  • CHAQUE SEMAINE

Custom Manufacturing Industry podcast is an entrepreneurship and motivational podcast on all platforms, hosted by Aaron Clippinger. Being CEO of multiple companies including the signage industry and the software industry, Aaron has over 20 years of consulting and business management. His software has grown internationally and with over a billion dollars annually going through the software. Using his Accounting degree, Aaron will be talking about his organizational ways to get things done. His podcast will give you shortcuts to handling situations without having to live it firsthand. With his comedic way of looking at things, you will be entertained by his stories while learning best practices. 

  1. -4 J

    #139 This is the truth about running two sign companies at once

    What do you do with a bucket truck after Christmas light season is over? If you're Trevor, you start installing signs; and eventually build two separate companies from that single piece of equipment. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Trevor Lavy, a former utility lineman who stumbled into the sign industry through a power washing trailer, some vinyl graphics, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial hustle. From buying a struggling vinyl shop to surviving a skid steer falling off a trailer on the interstate, Trevor shares the raw, unfiltered journey of building Vantage Signs and Sign Service Pro. The conversation dives deep into the decision to split a sign company into two separate entities—one for manufacturing, one for installation—and the unexpected pros and cons that came with it.🔥 Topics Covered: From lineman to sign owner: The bucket truck origin story Buying a declining business: The first year trial by fire The interstate incident: When a skid steer goes rogue Why we split: Liability, marketing, and competing with customers The pros: Selling "expert installation partners" to big clients The cons: Two of everything—fuel cards, payroll, websites, headaches Equipment investments: CNC router, channel letter bender, paint booth The heating system surprise: Why warm paint dries faster (and costs more) Future plans: Hub and spoke model, wholesale dreams, and finding people 📣 Sometimes the best business move is creating two businesses out of one. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, operations, and industry insights on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. #BusinessStrategy #SignIndustry #Entrepreneurship #SuccessStory #Manufacturing #Installation #TheACMethod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  2. 19 FÉVR.

    #138 What Does It Actually Cost to Run a $7M Company?

    What does it take to keep a family business alive for 65 years across three generations? And what are the odds of making it to a fourth? In this deeply personal conversation, Aaron sits down with Casey, a third-generation owner whose grandfather started as a rubber stamp company in 1950s Indiana. His premise? "Order by 10am, pick it up the same day." From there, three generations navigated technological revolutions, financial near-collapse, a global pandemic, and the psychological weight of not being "the one who let the dynasty fail." Casey shares the raw truth about taking over from parents, the terrifying statistic that only 1% of family businesses survive to the fourth generation, and why hitting the "cruise button" is the silent killer of generational continuity. 🔥 Topics Covered: From rubber stamps to signage: How a 65-year business evolved The handoff: Grandpa's "just pay us weekly" transition vs. Casey's clean break The financial shock every new owner faces Why the third generation fails 99% of the time, and the 1% that succeed COVID as an accidental gift: Taking the reins six months before the storm Codifying culture: Moving from "it lives in my head" to documented legacy The danger of removing every obstacle from your children Why you must change something—anything—in your first year of ownership 📣 The dynasty doesn't survive on momentum alone. It requires reinvention. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠🔔 Subscribe for more raw business insights and expert breakdowns on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min

  3. 12 FÉVR.

    #137 This 20-Year success story proved me wrong | "I cringe at employee-owned companies

    What does it take to successfully acquire and lead a 50-person, employee-owned sign company that defied the odds for 20 years? Aaron sits down with Wade Halma from Valley City Sign, a mechanical engineer who entered the signage world via finance. They dive into the counterintuitive pitfalls of buying "too perfect" equipment, why building an in-house engineering team is a game-changer, and how to implement true lean manufacturing beyond the buzzwords. 🔥 Topics Covered: ·        The surprising truth about acquiring a successful employee-owned business ·        Why the latest, most precise equipment can sometimes create more problems ·        Implementing daily lean huddles and continuous improvement cycles ·        The strategic advantage of building an in-house design/engineering department ·        Key analytics that matter more than just sales reports ·        Navigating growth past the 50-employee regulatory threshold 📣 Growth isn't just about more equipment; it's about smarter systems and the right people. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠🔔 Subscribe for more raw business insights and expert breakdowns on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil.Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  4. 29 JANV.

    #135 Your sales team shouldn't do Project Management

    Is your sales team bogged down in paperwork while costly mistakes slip through in the shop? It's time to rethink project management. Aaron breaks down the exact system he's used for over a decade to streamline operations, slash warranty costs, and free up his sales team to sell. He reveals the one simple check that prevents chaos, why you don't need to hire an expensive "seasoned" PM, and the communication rule that lets your business run smoothly even when you're on vacation. If you're ready to stop being a "project watcher" and start being a true project manager, this is your step-by-step guide. 🔥 Topics Covered: ✅ The critical first step every PM must take to prevent expensive shop errors. ✅ Why training an entry-level PM is often smarter than hiring an expensive pro. ✅ How to free your sales team from admin work and get them back to selling. ✅ The specific communication rule that makes your business scalable. ✅ A simple, color-coded system to launch projects with total team alignment. ✅ Defining the active role of a PM vs. a passive "scorekeeper". 📣 Good project management isn't an expense. It's your profit protection plan. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠🔔 Subscribe for more unconventional journeys and business insights on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. #businessgrowth #personalgrowth #businessowner #storytelling #signage #sucessstory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  5. 24 JANV.

    #134 A writer's unexpected path to the shop floor

    What does an international writer and filmmaker know about running a sign shop? More than you might think. Meet Peppur, co-owner of Collaborative Sign and Design, who made the leap from the world of storytelling to the signage industry. She shares with us her deep insights on how the core skill of communication connects Signage and Storytelling, the brutal and hilarious realities of a shop's first year, and how to navigate the unique challenge of building a business with your spouse. This is a conversation about finding your niche, embracing the art and science of signage, and discovering the unexpected paths that lead to a fulfilling life in this industry. 🔥 Topics Covered: How storytelling skills make you a better sign maker and brand builder The unfiltered "horror stories" and lessons from your first year in business Setting boundaries (or not) when your business partner is also your life partner Why the signage industry is a unique clash of art and logic The strategic power of finding and dominating your niche The honest loneliness and mindset required for ownership 📣 Your brand's story is waiting to be told. Let's talk about how to build it. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Web⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on scaling your business on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. #businessgrowth #personalgrowth #businessowner #storytelling #signage #sucessstory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  6. 12 JANV.

    #133 Stop wasting your talent on boring CAD work

    Tired of your skilled team getting bogged down in repetitive CAD work? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Adam from AP Consulting, an automation expert who has visited hundreds of sign shops worldwide. They dive into the real-world strategy of using software to automate design tasks for products like channel letters and cabinets. Not to replace your people, but to make them more valuable and focused on skilled fabrication. Adam breaks down his unique process of shadowing your shop to codify your "secret sauce," the best time to implement new systems, and how a simple internal tool can evolve into a client-facing e-commerce machine. If you want to scale your expertise and stop wasting time on the boring stuff, this episode is your blueprint. 🔥 Topics Covered: ✅ Automating repetitive CAD tasks to free up your skilled team. ✅ Why automation should make employees more valuable, not obsolete. ✅ The custom process: Building software around your shop's standards. ✅ The strategic best time to implement new systems (hint: not when you're swamped). ✅ From internal tool to automated e-commerce: The 3-stage evolution. ✅ How a hobbyist mindset fuels business innovation. 📣 Don't just work harder. Work smarter by automating the repetitive. Connect with Adam: ap-consulting.com 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on scaling your business on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. #businessgrowth #cad #automation #personalgrowth #businessowner #businessownertips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  7. 20/11/2025

    #132 You need a "no-filter" friend in your life

    In this raw and unscripted episode, Aaron shares a powerful conversation that completely shifted his perspective on business ownership. After a call from an old mentor, he reveals a revolutionary way to think about firing employees, why you should be happy about tough decisions, and how to audit where you're investing your most valuable asset: your energy. This is a deep dive into the mindset required to build a business without sacrificing your happiness, your relationships, or your purpose.  🔥 Topics Covered: ✅ The liberating mindset shift to handle firing employees with joy ✅ How to intentionally invest your energy in your spouse and key relationships ✅ Balancing the joy of being a creator with the burden of being a manager ✅ Why successful entrepreneurs can never be "victims" ✅ Finding the positive purpose in every business challenge 📣 Your business shouldn't cost you your joy. It should be the source of it. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS business strategies on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. #businessgrowth #mentorship #personalgrowth #businessowner #businessownertips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    15 min

  8. 06/11/2025

    #131 I just saved $50k on taxes. Here's how

    Year-end is more than just a party.. It's the most critical strategic period for a business owner. In this episode, Aaron breaks down the essential checklist to close out your year profitably and set your business up for a dominant 2025. He covers how to use your profits to buy equipment tax-efficiently, the right way to pull money out of your company, and how to forecast for growth without the guesswork. Don't let the holiday chaos cause you to leave money on the table or start the new year on the back foot. 🔥 Topics Covered: ✅ The tax-smart strategy for year-end equipment purchasing ✅ How to close your books and handle owner compensation ✅ Forecasting and budgeting for strategic growth in 2025 ✅ Managing your Q4 pipeline: Overtime vs. seasonal hiring ✅ Simplifying the dreaded physical inventory count 📣 Finish strong. Start smarter. Your year-end playbook is here. 🌐 Follow Aaron on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Web⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS business strategies on The AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
Tout afficher (139)

5
sur 5
10 notes

À propos

Custom Manufacturing Industry podcast is an entrepreneurship and motivational podcast on all platforms, hosted by Aaron Clippinger. Being CEO of multiple companies including the signage industry and the software industry, Aaron has over 20 years of consulting and business management. His software has grown internationally and with over a billion dollars annually going through the software. Using his Accounting degree, Aaron will be talking about his organizational ways to get things done. His podcast will give you shortcuts to handling situations without having to live it firsthand. With his comedic way of looking at things, you will be entertained by his stories while learning best practices. 

Informations

  • Création
    Aaron Clippinger
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    139
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Site web de l’émission
    The AC Method