Nick Pinkston: Plethora

04/13/17 • 59 min

Job killer or savior? Automation and technology have definitely been changing the way we communicate, how we shop, how we date, how we get around. And it’s changing manufacturing, too. Should we be afraid? Silicon Valley has gotten a reputation of being a “disruptor” – and depending on who you are or what part of the country you live in, that term is either a compliment or an insult. This week’s guest pokes at that hornet’s nest. We visit Nick Pinkston at his startup Plethora, an automated factory right in the middle of San Francisco, and explore the potential impacts of automation on the future of jobs and manufacturing. Not everyone is fond of automation, but many will tell you it’s inevitable. And others still will argue, it’s saving production in America. As someone who grew up in Pittsburgh, Nick has his own unique perspectives—and they might not be popular with everyone. We talk about the future of manufacturing, capitalism, and education. We learn about the cost structure of his business and the guts of what it takes to make digital tools more user friendly. Also, because Nick is regarded as one of the key connectors of the hardware industry, we get his counterintuitive advice for entrepreneurs thinking about starting a hardware company.

The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/nickpinkston.

The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/nickpinkston.

Previous Episode

Chris Wilson: House of DaVinci

Chris Wilson murdered a man at age 17. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison. But what happened next is nothing short of remarkable. While imprisoned, he wrote his grand plan and then got to work. He earned his high school diploma and associates degree, graduated from all of the vocational shops, and started a book club and a new business, all while behind bars. 16 years later, a judge granted him freedom. Now he runs several social enterprises, including a furniture restoration business and a construction company under the umbrella of Barclay Investment Corporation, which trains and hires returning citizens. And he’s a student at the University of Baltimore. His story might sound too amazing to be true. But when you listen to his stories, you’ll come away with new insights about leadership, human relationships, and entrepreneurship. He shares some important lessons around building a board of directors and fostering trust with clients and the community. His "positive delusion” and sense of purpose is infectious.

Connect with Chris at http://chriswilson.biz. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/chriswilson

The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners.

Next Episode

Ivka Adam: Iconery + Carolyn Casavan

An on-demand jewelry company, plus a sustainability segment for Earth Day! Ivka Adam is the Founder and CEO of Iconery. She’s mashing up 3D printing, ecommerce, manufacturing, and influencer marketing to create a unique platform to enable designers and influencers to create and sell their own jewelry lines. In a way, her company is a tool for non-experts to access the complex and sometimes bewildering jewelry supply chain. Being unfamiliar with the industry, I was curious about the trends making her new on-demand manufacturing model possible right now. It turns out the industry is ripe for innovation, and many entrepreneurs have tried. But with the high cost of materials, it’s really easy to get it wrong. Will Ivka succeed? She hasn’t completely democratized the supply chain yet, but she has had some big wins with influencers like Michelle Branch, who just launched her brand new line last week. She also has some thoughts about customer service, building a brand, and whether it’s a good idea to leave your team alone for 9 days while you go hike Kilimanjaro.

We start the episode with a short segment with Carolyn Casavan. She is best known as the founder of West Coast Environmental and Engineering, a very well respected sustainability and engineering firm. She has a wealth of knowledge from over 30 years helping companies improve their sustainability and businesses processes. So I was really excited to hear her advice for manufacturers and brands—especially startups who don’t have a lot of bandwidth for non-mission-critical things. In the process, I learned how sustainability isn’t just about compliance or branding or feeling good, but it actually makes really good business sense. Check out the upcoming event on April 26: http://makeitinla.org/events.

The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/ivkaadam.