A Live Manufacturing Update from the Alaska MEP

Want to hear the word on the street about how the MEP is helping manufacturers in Alaska?

If so, listen to this MFG eCommerce Success show where Alyssa Shanks Rodrigues, Ph.D., from the Alaska MEP, and some of their manufacturing clients have joined us for a live update on what is happening in Alaskan Manufacturing.

This episode is going to be special and our first on-site broadcast from a manufacturing extension partnership. Curt is on-site at the Alaska MEP headquarters with Dr. Alyssa and some of the local manufacturers to give us a look into Alaskan manufacturing and how the MEP is working with the manufacturers to increase their success.

The Alaska MEP sponsors excellent educational events and provides services across a diverse set of manufacturing companies in our 49th state.

Damon exudes excitement when he opens this first-ever on-sight Livestream with Alaskan MEP. Soon, he lets Curt take charge and introduces us to the guests. In order of appearance, we have Dr. Alyssa, Lynn Peterson, a nurse by profession, Ross Spencer, a veteran, and Megan Militello, co-founder of ElevatedOats.

Curt invites Dr. Alyssa to talk about her yesterday’s experience at a manufacturing roadshow called Kenai Peninsula.

She describes that she and Curt were in Soldotna. There, they met with Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan. Similarly, some state representatives were there to “talk about manufacturing.” Also, they saw Davis block and concrete, “the coolest concrete manufacturer you’ll ever meet.”

Curt then turns to Lynn and asks her to talk about a recent trade show organized by Uniform Retailers Association (URA).

She reveals that she is a nurse and has been in this industry for 20 years. She couldn’t find a bra that she could wear to work. So she designed one of her own. It is comfortable and is “super soft against the skin.” And so she went to the tradeshow to target the scrub industry.

She further adds that her idea is to design and sell undergarments. She believes that every girl buys these briefs. If a professional nurse designs them, they will be good for women’s health, too. Moreover, as a vendor, it was her first ever visit any trade show.

Curt requests Ross to talk about the toolbox that he designed of late. He answers that he created a toolbox that attaches to the top of fiberglass step ladders. It is easy to use and comes in a universal size. He goes on to say that he has spent time and years in tradeshows. This product has bagged various prominent spots at different tradeshows. Ross realizes that the competition is stiff. Still, he is joyous in fighting for his spot in the market.

Ross adds that it was a “burning desire to go in my backyard” and decide if something better could be created. Furthermore, launching this product in the market requires learning, which is why he is currently sitting at the Alaska MEP center.

Curt involves Megan in this conversation, asking about her experiences in the military and entrepreneurship. She says she joined the Army at seventeen as an air traffic controller. At her first deployment, she met her potential business partner.

She spent six years in the Army. ATC is a very lucrative job. She has been a part of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

After six years of service, Megan realized there was little growth in the job. She opted to become a personal trainer. Since she liked the food, she started selling salads. “And granola was like this little bonus.” She left Hawaii and moved to Alaska. She now envisions becoming a better person.

Damon praises Dr. Alyssa for being so supportive. Curt asks her to talk about the MEP to educate the unversed.

She says that the MEP exists to help manufacturers. “Our mission is to help manufacturers in whatever way they might need.” The core assistance MEP offers are ecommerce, supply chains, ISO certifications, prototyping, and lean manufacturing. They make businesses efficient, reduce waste, and wasted costs, etc. “Anything a manufacturer might need, we’re here to provide that assistance,” she maintains.

While recounting her entrepreneurial journey and early struggles, Lynn says we must not fear change. Fear of change haunted her in the beginning. She overcame her fears and is now a believer who wants to challenge herself.

Curt asks Ross about the latter’s transition from a marine to a manufacturer. While answering, the guest adds that he was a helicopter mechanic and loved his job. Like Megan, he could not see any growth in his career.

He returned home to Wisconsin. Agreeing with Lynn, Ross says there are different levels of fear. Firstly, we are fearful of talking to other people. Secondly, we are scared to talk about our product. Once comfortable, we go to a trade show where we can exhibit that. It helps us grow.

From Megan, Curt wants to know about ElevatedOats and Lacey, her partner. The guest replies that ElevatedOats was her idea. She paid Lacey to do its logo. They were friends and would talk about helping other each other. “She just really understood what I wanted to create.” They both exchanged ideas which turned into a business partnership.

Megan argues that she could have been a solo entrepreneur. But for growth, we need to work in teams.

In teams, our teammates cover our weaknesses while doubling our strengths. And together, we can “create something so beautiful.” Now ElevatedOats is a solid brand, and she credits Lacey for that. To work efficiently, they have separated their tasks and hardly overridden the marked divisions.

Curt compliments Megan’s business, saying that everywhere in Kenai Peninsula, there were echoes of ElevatedOats.

The host turns his attention to Lynn and wants to hear from her about her transition from nursing into manufacturing.

Lynn acknowledges that “there have been many mentors in my life.” She has always been eager to learn new things. The guest believes that effective leadership is always at the core of every successful business. Being a company leader, she learned delegation because no leader can achieve goals single-handedly. However, she longs to fulfill her big dreams in 2023 single-mindedly.

Curt himself mentions the key takeaway of today’s Livestream, which is none other than overcoming the fears of change. He’s pleased to see these participants “rooting each other on words of wisdom and inspiration.”