When someone makes the jump from corporate comfort to small-business chaos, there’s always a story behind it — and in this episode, Matt Fortner delivers one of the most compelling shop-acquisition journeys we’ve heard yet. After years in plumbing, industrial fittings, product development, scrap metal buying, and even real estate, Matt realized he wasn’t just meant to manage spreadsheets or sell product lines. He was built to build — teams, systems, and tangible value. That realization led him down a path that would eventually land him inside a dark, cluttered Muskegon machine shop that hadn’t seen meaningful modernization in decades.
Matt shares how he became the fifth person to attempt to buy Progress Machining — and the first to actually close the deal. His story includes everything from SBA loan challenges to ROBS financing, personal assets on the line, and even the previous owner’s habit of placing a pistol on the desk while negotiating with bankers. But what stands out most is Matt’s willingness to embrace the unknown. With no machining background and only data analysis and operational instinct to guide him, he stepped into a shop full of outdated machines, tribal knowledge, and literal tons of scrap clutter — and went to work.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Matt applied lean principles, SMED methodology, and a builder’s mindset to transform Progress Machining from a chaotic, aging operation into a more efficient, modern, team-driven shop. From 12-hour setups reduced to four, to reorganizing tools, to hauling out 60 tons of scrap steel, to investing in horizontals, tombstones, and bar-fed turning, Matt shows what happens when an outsider brings fresh thinking into an industry hungry for it.
You’ll also learn about the financial realities behind buying a small shop — the difference between profitability and cashflow, the hidden costs of old machinery, and the slow but worthwhile journey of implementing new technology. Matt’s candor, humor, and humility make this a must-listen episode for anyone considering buying a shop, running one, or cheering on the next generation of owners.
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