Jason Erickson on Engineering, Machine Shops & Relationships in Manufacturing | Machining Summit

In this Chairlift Conversations episode of The Radical Job Shop Show, host Emily Joann Wilkins talks with Jason Erickson, a mechanical engineer, side-business owner, and aerospace professional navigating the overlap between engineering, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing.Jason shares his experience running a machine shop while working in aerospace fasteners at Click Bond, along with the challenges of balancing technical work, marketing, hiring, and growth.The conversation explores why relationships still drive manufacturing, the pressure of wearing multiple hats as a shop owner, and how younger generations are approaching networking and business differently.From Bonneville racing projects to engineering culture and brand-building, this episode captures the kind of honest manufacturing conversation that only happens on a chairlift.Whether you're running a CNC machine shop, working in manufacturing engineering, or trying to grow a small industrial business, there’s a lot to relate to in this one.Thanks to our friends at Toolpath for bringing the Machining Summit to life and inviting us to capture these conversations from the chairlift at Mammoth Mountain, California.🚀 Want a brand that attracts better-fit customers?Start with The Setup:https://www.marketingmetal.com/the-setupExplore more at:https://www.marketingmetal.comTimestamps00:00 – Intro: Chairlift Conversations at the Machining Summit00:58 – Meet Jason Erickson01:19 – Why Jason came to the Machining Summit01:43 – Mechanical engineering + running a machine shop02:17 – Aerospace fasteners and working at Click Bond02:35 – The reality of running your own business02:52 – Wearing multiple hats as a shop owner03:10 – Advanced innovation, side businesses, and entrepreneurship03:22 – Why engineers struggle with marketing03:58 – Building pipeline without relying on ads04:30 – Why manufacturing is still relationship-driven04:41 – Generational shifts in networking and business05:10 – Erikson Racing and Bonneville projects05:45 – Human-powered vehicle projects06:04 – Why “racing” creates insurance headaches06:19 – “So you need a rebrand…”