John O'Maley

Who loves a good origin story? Our SIMAC isostatic press story is a pretty well known one inside the walls of GASBARRE, but Alex Gasbarre and Mark Thomason recently filled in some of the blanks for me. If you really like origin stories, ask Dave Morasch for one of his, he tells a great one! The technology behind today's advanced SIMAC presses has roots that trace back to the racetracks of early 20th century Dublin? Kenelm Edward "Bill" Lee Guinness. Yes, the same Guinness you are thinking of. He ventured into high-performance automotive inventions, developing the renowned KLG Spark Plugs. This venture wasn't just about speed; it sparked a revolution in precision manufacturing. KLG's success caught the eye of Smith's Industries, a company keen on expanding its technological portfolio, leading to the acquisition of KLG along with another innovator, Lodge Plugs. The integration of these technologies laid the groundwork for what would become pivotal advancements in isostatic pressing—ushering in the era of the Monostatic and Densomatic presses developed by Olin Energy Systems. In the 1970s, these specialized presses became part of Smith's Machinery Company, later known as SIMAC. They quickly set the global standard in spark plug manufacturing, supporting names like AC Delco and Bosch. As markets shifted, Gasbarre Products stepped in, acquiring SIMAC in the early 2000s, and furthering the development and reach of these presses. Today, SIMAC stands as a testament to the enduring impact of early entrepreneurial spirit and technological synergy. Guinness still remains a popular beer for the Gasbarre team, of course for taste, but also a bit of legacy!

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Leadership Lessons from Sears: The Power of “Five Whys” Many of us strive for quick fixes when business challenges arise—but true leadership means digging deeper. The infamous Sears auto repair scandal from the 1990s is a classic reminder.California regulators discovered a sharp increase in customer complaints. Digging deeper with the “Five Why” method revealed uncomfortable truths: aggressive sales quotas, poorly designed incentive systems, and corporate strategies that prized short-term gains over customer trust. What’s the lesson for leaders?Effective problem-solving starts by asking “Why?”—not once, but five times. Each answer opens the door to deeper causes, revealing issues within culture, process, or strategy that surface-level fixes often ignore. Here’s how to use the Five Why method in your leadership toolbox: Start with the immediate problem—ask why it happened. Take each answer, and ask “why” again. Repeat five times. Use the final insights to address root causes, not just symptoms.When we pause, question, and listen deeply, we avoid costly missteps—and build organizations grounded in trust and resilience. Have you used the Five Whys in your leadership journey? What did you discover? #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #FiveWhys #LearningFromFailure

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🛠️ If it’s in your head, it’s not a process—it’s a liability. Too many shops run on tribal knowledge. You know the drill: • “Ask Dave, he’s the only one who knows that setup.” • “Joe’s got the trick for that part—but he’s on vacation.” • “We’ve always done it this way…” ⚠️ That might get you through the day… But it won’t grow your shop. And it definitely won’t increase your valuation. ✅ Real growth happens when knowledge is shared, not stored. ✅ SOPs aren’t just for ISO—they’re for survival. ✅ If your best guy leaves tomorrow, would your floor stop moving? Let’s STOP GATEKEEPING and START DOCUMENTING. #MachineShopGrowth #TribalKnowledge #ShopGrowth #SOP #ManufacturingLeadership #MachinistDevelopment #MachineShop

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The Future of Direct Sales & Party Planning: What’s Changing & What’s Next? Direct sales and party planning have always thrived on personal connection—but how we connect, sell, and grow our businesses is evolving faster than ever. The days of traditional in-home parties and one-size-fits-all sales strategies are giving way to a digital-first, AI-powered, and highly personalized approach. What’s Changing? ✅ Social Selling is the New Home Party – Customers are discovering and buying through Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Lives, often in real time. The most successful sellers are storytellers, building trust through short-form video, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive Q&A sessions. ✅ AI-Powered Personalization – Tools like AI-driven chatbots, personalized product recommendations, and automated follow-ups are making customer interactions more seamless and efficient. Sellers who leverage AI will have a major competitive edge. ✅ Affiliate & Influencer Crossover – The rise of micro-influencers and affiliate programs is blurring the lines between traditional direct sales and influencer marketing. Brands are now encouraging sellers to grow through content creation and audience engagement rather than just traditional recruiting. ✅ Hybrid Business Models – The most forward-thinking direct sales companies are embracing both e-commerce and community-driven sales, allowing sellers to thrive online while still fostering meaningful customer relationships. What to Expect in the Future 🚀 AI & Automation Will Supercharge Follow-Ups – Expect AI tools that remind you when to check in with customers, suggest the perfect products, and even generate engaging social media posts for you. 🚀 Live Shopping & Virtual Events Will Dominate – Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Live Shopping will replace many in-person parties, making direct selling more scalable and far-reaching. 🚀 More Subscription & VIP Models – Instead of one-off sales, direct sellers will focus on creating communities and offering exclusive perks, subscriptions, and memberships for recurring revenue. 🚀 Trust & Authenticity Will Be Everything – As customers get savvier, sales will be less about “pitching” and more about educating, sharing real experiences, and adding value. The Bottom Line? The direct sales industry isn’t dying—it’s evolving. Those who embrace technology, leverage AI, and focus on community-driven engagement will be the ones leading the next generation of success. Are you seeing these shifts in your business? What trends do you think will define the future of direct sales? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #DirectSales #SocialSelling #FutureOfSales #AIInBusiness

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Some of the best people I work with don’t announce themselves when they enter a room. They just quietly start paying attention. In the EPS business, we handle numbers, specs, shipments, timelines. It’s easy to assume that the loudest voices get the job done. But over the years, I’ve learned to trust the quieter skills. The invisible ones. Like the employee who senses a customer’s hesitation and gently asks the right questions. Or the one who picks up on a supply chain glitch just by noticing that something isn’t moving the way it usually does. They don’t wear these instincts on their sleeves. But they’re the reason customers stay. They’re the ones who turn a technical, transactional business into a human one. We don’t often list emotional radar on a CV. But in my experience, it’s the things that don’t show up on paper that build the strongest foundations. #EPSIndustry #EPACKPetrochem #WorkEthic #InvisibleSkills #EPACKGroup

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AprilAire Senior Product Manager Katie Zagorski and Senior Training and Development Manager Chris Howells recently spoke with ACHR NEWS to discuss the new era of #Dehumidification. Representing AprilAire, they highlighted our latest #Innovations, including the introduction of Wi-Fi-enabled dehumidifiers that offer remote monitoring capabilities—providing enhanced convenience and control for both contractors and homeowners. Read more at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gEHKGye2

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Some of the most innovative ideas I’ve seen at MarketStar didn’t come during moments of abundance — they came when everything felt tight.​ ​ I asked a few of our leaders when they’ve felt the most creative at work, and nearly every answer pointed to a challenge: not enough people, limited time, strict budgets.​ But instead of slowing down, those constraints became a catalyst. They brought sharper focus, faster decisions, and bolder solutions — from cross-functional pilots to rethinking how we serve clients with fewer resources.​ ​ There’s something about being pushed to the edge that brings out the best in people.​ ​ #InnovationUnderPressure #Leadership #B2BInsights​

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What we really need is a “Non-Irradiated” badge or category….something. Wild how, in this industry, everyone gets lumped together regardless of the quality. Last week, a loyal customer emailed me, asking why our label no longer said “Never Irradiated.” He thought we quietly changed our process. Absolutely, not! 
We’ve never irradiated our flower and we never will. But here’s the thing: a small labeling error, by the printshop, nearly cost us an important relationship. This mistake almost caused a customer to lose trust in the legal market. Because for the well-informed consumer, cultivation practices matter. 
They care about smoking only clean weed. And that customer? He’s exactly why we do what we do. 
It would’ve crushed him to think we changed our growing practices in secret and no longer prioritize what he values most. There needs to be an industry standard that boldly highlights LP cultivation practices. There seems to be a rule for everything except things that really matter to the informed consumer segment, which is growing year after year. And, for the first time, I really see how important the right product disclosures are becoming to an increasing number of our customers as our industry evolves.

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INVENTORS - Here’s why MARKETING your invention is crucial to its success! It’s one thing to have a great idea for a product, but it’s another thing to think it’s going to just sell itself and I can tell you straight up that no product ever really sells itself. The most successful inventors I’ve ever worked with or have ever seen have put tons of time and often times quite a bit of money into the marketing and branding of their company and their invention. They don’t just think their product idea is great and hope the sales roll in. They go out of their way each and every day to let people know it exists and to engage with people and share how their product might help them or enrich their lives. They also don’t go on social media and only just say “purchase me” but rather they connect with potential customers and they learn more about them and what they’re looking for with certain products and only by that regular interaction will people begin to trust them and ultimately buy their product if they have a need. Many people ask me what’s the best way to market your product?? I say there isn’t one way that’s best. I think it’s a collection of lots of individual efforts like social media activity and maybe a PR effort and attending local fairs or trade shows and much more. That collective effort that takes place daily is what ultimately can grow your brand! #inventing #licensing #marketing #sales #product #retail #success

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Krisi Schell and SRC Holdings Corporation know what it takes to build a great company and a great brand. Community engagement is one piece of their success... I recently traveled to Branson, MO to explore a topic that's been long overdue for a discussion on Manufacturing Happy Hour: Are the challenges facing rural and urban manufacturers the same? Are they different? If so, how? Tune into the full episode also featuring conversations with Chris Oravec and Drew Crowe. Link in the comments. Thanks to the Missouri Association of Manufacturers for putting on such a great event and for making these conversations possible. Attending the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference is always a good idea. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty #manufacturinghappyhour

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🎯 From NFL to Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Chris Gronkowski at ST/Reunion 🏈 Chris Gronkowski shared his journey from professional football to building a thriving business. His story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and leveraging personal experiences for success. 🏈 NFL Lessons & Competitive Roots: Growing up in a competitive family of five brothers, Chris developed a “no options mentality” that propelled him to the NFL and later entrepreneurship. 💼 Building Ice Shaker & Business Insights: • Profit Analysis: Breaking down profits and forecasting for growth. • Team Delegation: Building a team and fostering loyalty with profit-sharing. • Customization: Making personalization a cornerstone of his brand. 📱 Social Media & Branding: • Storytelling Works: Sharing behind-the-scenes connects with audiences. • Consistency Wins: Stay visible across platforms to build trust. • Balance Content: Blend trending topics with brand promotion. 🧠 Resilience & Growth: Chris’s ability to overcome NFL injuries and business setbacks shows the value of mentors and a growth mindset. 🤝 Networking & Value Creation: Key takeaway: become an expert, build trust, and provide value before pitching products or services. What made this event even more special was seeing Hamza Naqvi’s son, Mika’l, lead such an engaging discussion. Mika’l’s thoughtful approach brought incredible energy, highlighting the next generation of leaders. Sharing this experience with my co-founder and daughter, Juju, was truly rewarding. Watching her leadership grow alongside learning from icons like Chris inspires me every day. What strategies have you found most effective in building your personal brand? Let me know in the comments and follow for more insights from the ST/Reunion! #Entrepreneurship #SharkTankReunion #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

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Nate Call, CMQ/OE recently posted about the importance of focusing on retailer quality standards rather than relying on the FDA as the guiding light for compliance. I completely agree with this. The FDA (and other state/local regulators) provide the bare minimum. Retailers and other industry partners (distributors, certification agencies, etc) typically provide more precise, challenging, and product-specific and process-specific standards for ensuring product safety and compliance. The challenges that brands and manufacturers face is in assessing the various standards and ensuring the appropriate standards are in place within our operations. It can be overwhelming to try and understand and implement it all at once. At Circle Beverage we have taken an iterative approach. In our early days we leaned on FDA standards as our baseline. Then we progressed to GMP and onwards to SQF. Then, as our business grew, we started to adopt the higher standards of retailers that we and our brand partners aspired to work with (Costco Wholesale, ALDI USA, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, etc). It’s an iterative journey and it truly never ends. You have to continually seek the next bar and then invest the time and resources to build the systems of compliance.

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