As an entrepreneur, you have to get comfortable with failure, so much so that it becomes a part of your path to success. Mark DeSantis, a seasoned entrepreneur and a leader in Pittsburgh's innovation scene, shares hard-earned wisdom on the mindset it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur. Listen to this conversation about the realities of entrepreneurship, Mark's journey in Pittsburgh, and the power of failing forward.

The Pittsburgh Robotics Network is fueling innovation by supporting startup companies like ESTAT Actuation with the resources and connections they need to thrive. Kirby Witte, Co-Founder of ESTAT Actuation, shares how Pittsburgh's robotics ecosystem is more than just cutting-edge; it's collaborative. In a community where industry leaders want to foster success, startups can discover both mentorship and momentum. Tune in to hear how Pittsburgh's spirit of innovation and support are helping young companies grow from idea to impact.

Thoro.ai is more than autonomous technology - they're developing the software, cloud support, and deployment services that power OEM partnerships. With a mission-driven team with broad perspectives, Thoro.ai is focused on solving real-world challenges in manufacturing. Rooted in Pittsburgh's innovation ecosystem, the company thrives in a city where startups are building with substance. A place where top talent meets deep industry support and where bold ideas turn into transformative technology. Listen to this conversation to learn how Thoro.ai is tackling real problems and helping the industry continue to progress.

Pittsburgh is a global anomaly - home to over 125 robotics companies and a thriving ecosystem of innovation. At the center of it all, the Pittsburgh Robotics Network is working to meet the needs of these companies by fostering connections, encouraging collaboration, and helping startups grow. In this uniquely supportive community, competition takes a back seat to collaboration. Whether developing cutting-edge robots or building powerful software platforms, each company contributes to the broader mission of transforming the global manufacturing industry. Listen to this conversation about how Pittsburgh's robotics community is solving real problems and shaping the future, together.

Metal forming is an art, each piece of metal is unique in its characteristics and how it reacts to bends, turns, and is ultimately shaped into the products you use everyday. The people over at Behlen Manufacturing have found a mix between the art of metal forming and the process of manufacturing. Much like how each piece of metal is unique, so are the employees of Behlen. Each team members' viewpoints, insights and ideas are captured through their AIM program, Awareness is Money. Watch and listen to how Behlen's culture, focused around listening to and empowering their employees, helps drive safety and innovation throughout their manufacturing processes.

Norfolk, Nebraska is experiencing a similar problem as the rest of the rural United States: an increase in people, specifically younger talent, leaving the area in seek of a career elsewhere. Not because of a desire to, but because of the lack of opportunities to stay. Angie Stenger leads Northeast Nebraska Growing Together, an initiative focused on connecting manufacturers, educators, investors and the community in an effort to grow the population and attract people to this region of the US. Angie and her town of Norfolk are proactively transforming Northeast Nebraska's regional economy and stimulating its population growth by pairing entrepreneurs with investment capital and students to redesign a workforce that can compete in a knowledge-based economy where the sharing of information is valued more than the means of production.

Shawn brings his maintenance management perspective from his time in food production and how the sausage is made in Kansas City. The challenges and benefits in KC, what it takes from their partnerships that help.

Kansas City has a large base of OEMs and System Integrators that are focused on the food and Beverage space, supporting global end-users and manufacturers. For Rensenhouse, they are focusing on how they can help them succeed in Kansas City and beyond, through how they focus, set up their business, keep learning and partner. Learn more on what makes KC what it is and what Rensenhouse is doing to keep KC's food and bev moving forward.

When you think of Kansas City and craft beer, you think of Boulevard Brewing. We talk about their 25 years of growth and expansion and what manufacturers can learn from their innovation and collaboration in the beer industry. Hosted by ‪Manufacturing Happy Hour Brought to you by and for the Industrial Solutions Network

Places like Kansas City’s West Bottoms district make up the foundations of American manufacturing and industry. And in this episode, we head straight to The Ship, a unique bar in the heart of the historic West Bottoms district to meet with Scott Brown of the Historic West Bottoms Association and General Counsel at Faultless Starch. We take a look back into the history of the area and why West Bottoms was put on the map thanks to its proximity to the Kansas and Missouri Rivers and the early railroads in the 1860s. Industrial Solutions Network: industrialsolutionsnetwork.com Manufacturing Happy Hour: manufacturinghappyhour.com