Episode 1: Jeff Kunkle — From CAD Engineer to Machine Shop Owner

Jeff Kunkle is the owner of Dynamic Machine in Zeeland, Michigan - a 7-person precision machining shop he built from the ground up while raising four kids.

In this episode, Jeff talks about starting part-time on a rented machine after hours, the moment he knew it was time to leave full-time employment, and what it actually takes to bet on yourself in the trades.

What We Cover

• Starting a machining business part-time while working full-time
• The client who said "I build companies like you" and gave him weekly work
• Hiring at a scale where every single person is 10-15% of the business
• The Lego question - why childhood building matters in manufacturing hiring
• Learning to let go of the programming you're best at
• Why failure has been his greatest teacher
• What defense machining demands and why five-axis experience changes everything
• The tension between staying hands-on and growing the business

About Dynamic Machine

Dynamic Machine is a precision machining job shop in Zeeland, Michigan specializing in defense and commercial machining, including five-axis CNC work.

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