Entrepreneurship is Never a Straight Line with Jack Russell

Manufacturing Mavericks

Greg McHale, the CEO of Datanomix, kicks off the first episode of Manufacturing Mavericks by interviewing Rolar Products CEO Jack Russell. Jack shares his unconventional path from a kid in Muskegon tinkering on a homemade mini bike to buying a 3-person machine shop with his 401k. Jack talks about the importance of creating a great company culture, technology's role in his success, and how he empowers his employees to help grow the business.

Highlights:

• Tinkering on a minibike (3:32)
• Jack’s first job in manufacturing (8:41)
• Igniting a fire in the belly (11:07)
• Unexpected benefits of working 2nd shift (14:37)
• Jack loses his job and pivots (19:38)
• Getting back into manufacturing (21:02)
• Learning the good and the bad of running a company (25:53)
• Jack cashes out his 401k to buy a company (27:17)
• How Jack grew the business (31:15)
• Building a great company culture (36:15)
• Investing in technology (42:39)
• How to ask employees to help you make more money (54:31)
• Advice for just starting out (59:02)

Links Referenced:

• Manufacturing Mavericks: https://mfgmavericks.com
• Rolar Products: https://rolarproducts.com/
• Jacks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-russell-92253914/