Ep. 35 Marketing the Maker: with Jeremy Hilliard

This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by the multi-talented Jeremy Hilliard of Ten10 Woodworxs and host of the Against the Grain podcast! Jeremy shares his journey from running a print shop to building a successful maker business specializing in custom foam inserts and high-end epoxy signage. We dive deep into the world of advertising for small businesses—discussing the difference between marketing and advertising, the effectiveness of direct mail and local networking, and how to represent your brand through custom banners and vehicle decals.The trio also catches up on their latest bench projects. Alex Duffey recaps his successful run at BrewFest, selling out of his new dice games, and his recent transition into the world of Meshtastic off-grid radios. Alex Adams shares a "science fair" update on testing 3D print filament strength with his son and the nerve-wracking process of pushing a BB gun buttstock through his bandsaw.In "Whatcha Watchin'," the hosts highlight incredible community work, including Happy Life Wood’s mind-bending wooden sneaker sculptures, a functional sculptural decanter by Mahad Art, and the playful marquetry of RP Basilio.Whether you're looking to refine your customer "persona" or just want to hear about the "CNC vasectomy" challenge, this episode is packed with business insights and plenty of maker humor!