From Piranha to Rock Bottom and Back: Sales, Manufacturing’s Shift South, and Rebuilding After FailureThe episode follows Jeff’s path into metal fabrication after being recruited to work for Piranha, where he led business development by building dealer relationships and traveling heavily across North America. He describes how Piranha’s brand and engineering—early fiber laser advances, a high-end cantilever laser design, and later importing lasers from Asia—helped shape his relationship-first approach to sales, including adapting appearance and communication to different audiences from shop-floor staff to CEOs. The conversation expands into U.S. manufacturing trends, including companies moving south due to cost of living, taxes, and regulatory pressures; growth in places like South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas; the importance of technical schools; and renewed shipbuilding and defense-driven demand along the Gulf Coast and Virginia. Jeff then shares his biggest “successful failure”: post-military struggles after an RPG-related traumatic brain injury, survivor guilt, desensitization from law enforcement work, infidelity, and an arrest in 2022 that led to job loss, public shame, and suicidal thoughts. He explains finding peace after his wife chose to stay, a pivotal church experience in Florida, further personal change through DMT treatment, and learning to prioritize truth, talking openly, ignoring criticism from the wrong people, and focusing on being a better husband, father, and person. He closes by defining success now as a strong family and raising his children well rather than money, status, or material things.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Salyer, the Fabrication Sales Manager at Crotts and Saunders. Jeff takes us through his career in the fabrication world, his current role, and the various brands and technologies his company represents. He also shares his personal journey from a tumultuous upbringing in Kansas to serving in the Navy as a corpsman with the Marines, and eventually transitioning into the manufacturing industry. Along the way, Jeff provides insights into decision-making under pressure, the importance of customer service in sales, and the untapped potential of manufacturing as a career path for the younger generation.

From Missionary Kid to Chick-fil-A Pioneer: John Holmes' 46-Year Journey

In this episode, we sit down with John Holmes, a seasoned Chick-fil-A operator with 46 years of experience. John opened his first Chick-fil-A restaurant at the age of 21 in Anderson, South Carolina, back in 1979. At 68 years old, he's still passionate about the brand and isn't thinking about retirement. John shares his journey from being a missionary's kid to managing successful Chick-fil-A franchises. He discusses overcoming early business challenges, his philosophy on leadership and staff development, and the dedication required to grow a franchise. Learn how John and his team focus on aligning with Chick-fil-A's core values, investing in their community, and treating their team members like family. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a successful Chick-fil-A or interested in entrepreneurship and leadership insights, you won't want to miss this episode!