77. Strategy and Execution Wins Customers - Matt Gawlik of 3D Graphite

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What happens when a serial entrepreneur with seven businesses under his belt decides to go all-in on graphite machining—and does it with some of the fastest, most precise equipment on the planet? You get Matt Gawlik, and in this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, he brings the heat. Host Paul Van Metre sits down with Matt to unpack a no-BS journey through business wins, failures, and the strategies that separate thriving shops from the ones barely hanging on.

From his early roots in a multi-generational manufacturing family to building 3D Graphite into a tightly focused, high-performing operation, Matt shares hard-won lessons about the value of specialization, the power of investing in elite equipment, and why systems—not micromanagement—should run your shop. His take on partnerships is equally honest: most are a sinking ship unless you go in with rock-solid agreements and aligned values.

But the real anchor of this episode is Matt’s perspective on sales. “Sales is the tip of the spear,” he says—and without a full pipeline, your business ends up serving the wrong customers and losing money in the process. He lays out how smart, honest marketing and brand clarity can unlock better-fit clients, smoother operations, and a more profitable shop.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to level up your manufacturing business, this episode delivers straight talk, sharp insight, and more than a few mic-drop moments.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

(0:09) Unlock hidden revenue: How CLA helps manufacturers grow profitably
(1:24) Meet Matt Gawlik: Serial entrepreneur, niche expert, and straight shooter
(3:46) From family business to seven ventures: Matt’s hard-won startup lessons
(6:19) The truth about partnerships—and why most are doomed from the start
(9:45) Why high-end equipment like Röders gave Matt a serious edge
(17:33) How smart setups + elite machines = unbeatable profitability
(21:52) The fast track to innovation: YouTube, tool reps, and expert help
(23:24) Benchmark your shop: Why the Top Shop Survey is a no-brainer
(25:18) Culture that performs: Grit, self-awareness, and emotional maturity
(29:24) Sales is survival: Why most shops are stuck—and how to break free
(34:19) Don’t do it all: Why niche focus is your most powerful strategy
(37:32) Matt’s playbook for marketing a machine shop the smart way
(43:26) Final takeaways: Systems, people, and the power of staying focused
(46:54) Why you need to check out the MakingSparks podcast