The AC Method
The AC Method is a podcast about the custom manufacturing industry, hosted by Aaron Clippinger, a CEO with over 20 years of experience in consulting and business management. Drawing from his accounting background, Aaron shares organizational strategies and shortcuts for handling business situations. The podcast blends motivational and entrepreneurial advice with humorous storytelling, offering listeners best practices and insights from his work in the signage and software industries.
Episodes
#154 Machine Jigs Are Killing Your Production Speed
If your custom manufacturing business or signage shop is still spending valuable shop hours milling, setting up, and hand-placing substrates into strict physical jigs, you are flushing profit straight down your facility's floor drains.In this episode of The AC Method, Aaron Clippinger sits down with Jason, the CEO of Auto Tran, to tear down outdated methods holding custom shops back. Jason rev
#153 The "Do-It-All" Attitude is Killing Your Growth
If your custom manufacturing shop or signage studio is trying to build everything for everyone, you don't actually have an elite operation. You are trapped in the "Cheesecake Factory Trap"—offering an over-inflated menu of capabilities that guarantees internal chaos and kills your bottom line.In this episode of The AC Method, Aaron Clippinger sits down with Anthony Clayton, founder a
#152 Overworking Is Killing Your Shop’s Scale
Are you truly a business owner, or have you just constructed a hyper-stressful, 14-hour-a-day job for yourself? In this episode of The AC Method, Aaron Clippinger sits down with Steve Lowe, President of Valley Signs, to unpack the psychological and operational shifts required to step out of daily production crises and step into true executive leadership.Steve transparently shares his journey from
#150 Why Brokerage Models Fail
If you are running your business from a kitchen table while completely relying on subcontractors to deliver your physical client assets, your scaling potential is non-existent. Your custom brand reputation is entirely exposed to the broken timelines and empty promises of third-party vendors.In this episode, Aaron sits down with Shaun Ensign, CEO and co-founder of Legacy Sign Group, to analyze the
#151 Your Perfect Product is a Logistics Nightmare
You can own the fastest machinery and design the most visually stunning assets in your region—but if your brand rollout cannot survive the final mile of execution, you do not have a scalable business. You have a logistical disaster waiting to happen.In this episode, Aaron sits down with Chad Haar, CEO and owner of Lakota Sky, to pull back the curtain on managing national rollouts for dominant reta
#149 Stop Pricing Like an Employee
In this episode, Aaron breaks down the #1 mistake killing sign shop profits — underbidding your own work. From the employee mindset that keeps you pricing too low to the fear of losing deals that actually should walk away, Aaron shares the hard lessons every business owner needs to hear.🔥 Topics Covered:Why trading time for money destroys your growthThe four mindset traps keeping your prices lowWh
#148 Your Shop Is Hoarding Tools (And It’s Costing You Thousands)
Do you actually know how many tools are in your installers' trucks? Aaron Clippinger recently discovered 14 Hilti drills in his shop—for only 6 installers. In this episode, he dives into the massive "blind spot" of equipment mismanagement and the cultural issue of employees hiding broken tools.Aaron reveals the new SquareCoil "Resources" feature: a Home Depot-style tracking system that monitors ma
#146 Your Competitors Are Your Best Salespeople
In this episode, Aaron sits down with Rick Goyette, owner of All Mark Signs and Graphics, to discuss the "total teardown" of a legacy family business. Rick shares how he applied 30 years of corporate operations experience to move All Mark from a safety signage focus to a high-end custom project management powerhouse.They dive deep into the modern realities of the sign world: why answerin
#145 You Are the Bottleneck in Your Own Company
Are you the most valuable person in your company, or its biggest obstacle? In this episode, Aaron Clippinger explains why being "busy" is the biggest lie entrepreneurs tell themselves. He reveals the exact framework he uses to "fire himself" every year to ensure he isn't the cog stopping his company's gears.Learn the "Keep, Coach, Kill, Replace" audit and how
#144 Why Your Estimates Are Killing Your Margins
Fresh off the massive success at the ISA Expo, Aaron is pulling back the curtain on the most requested feature of the new SquareCoil platform: Precision Cost Accounting. In this episode, we move past the "cool AI tricks" and get into the brutal reality of shop floor labor, scope cards, and the human factor.Aaron discusses why your team—no matter how technical—has no excuse for not tracki
#143 Why Your 20-Year Business is Losing to a Startup
In this episode, Aaron is on the "five-yard line" of the biggest launch in his company's history. Reflecting just days before the ISA Expo in Orlando, he reveals the brutal psychological reality of the long-term entrepreneur: the temptation to quit right before the finish line.
Aaron breaks down why a "clean slate" approach is often superior to decades of evolution, how to shift your perspective
#142 Why Is Your Business Broke with a Full Schedule?
Is your sign shop acting as an authority, or just another vendor? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Mike Davis of Hilltop Signs and Graphics to discuss the "Cheesecake Factory" trap of offering too many products and how a 3-day deep dive changed the trajectory of his business.
They dive into the "Liquid Gold" of customer data, the necessity of wholesaler relationships, and the brutal reality
#141 Why You Aren't the CEO of Your Own Life
In this episode, Aaron challenges the traditional way we look at leadership and potential. Returning from a grueling trip through Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Houston, Aaron reflects on a powerful lesson from the Iron Oak Society: we often fail as leaders because we try to see our own potential in other people's shoes.
He breaks down how to stop "telling" and start "sharing," why true CEOs must ca
#140 Is Your Software Killing Your Growth?
In this episode, Aaron is on the "five-yard line." After a year and a half of intensive development, he shares the raw journey of rebuilding the SquareCoil platform from the ground up. This isn't just a software update—it's a masterclass in recognizing when your current "engine" can no longer support your vision and having the discipline to start fresh.
Aaron also dives into his recent experience
#139 This is the truth about running two sign companies at once
What do you do with a bucket truck after Christmas light season is over? If you're Trevor, you start installing signs; and eventually build two separate companies from that single piece of equipment.
In this episode, Aaron sits down with Trevor Lavy, a former utility lineman who stumbled into the sign industry through a power washing trailer, some vinyl graphics, and a whole lot of entrepreneuria
#138 What Does It Actually Cost to Run a $7M Company?
What does it take to keep a family business alive for 65 years across three generations? And what are the odds of making it to a fourth?
In this deeply personal conversation, Aaron sits down with Casey, a third-generation owner whose grandfather started as a rubber stamp company in 1950s Indiana. His premise? "Order by 10am, pick it up the same day." From there, three generations navigated techno
#137 This 20-Year success story proved me wrong | "I cringe at employee-owned companies
What does it take to successfully acquire and lead a 50-person, employee-owned sign company that defied the odds for 20 years? Aaron sits down with Wade Halma from Valley City Sign, a mechanical engineer who entered the signage world via finance.
They dive into the counterintuitive pitfalls of buying "too perfect" equipment, why building an in-house engineering team is a game-changer, and how to
#135 Your sales team shouldn't do Project Management
Is your sales team bogged down in paperwork while costly mistakes slip through in the shop? It's time to rethink project management.
Aaron breaks down the exact system he's used for over a decade to streamline operations, slash warranty costs, and free up his sales team to sell. He reveals the one simple check that prevents chaos, why you don't need to hire an expensive "seasoned" PM, and the com
#134 A writer's unexpected path to the shop floor
What does an international writer and filmmaker know about running a sign shop? More than you might think.
Meet Peppur, co-owner of Collaborative Sign and Design, who made the leap from the world of storytelling to the signage industry. She shares with us her deep insights on how the core skill of communication connects Signage and Storytelling, the brutal and hilarious realities of a shop's firs
#133 Stop wasting your talent on boring CAD work
Tired of your skilled team getting bogged down in repetitive CAD work? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Adam from AP Consulting, an automation expert who has visited hundreds of sign shops worldwide. They dive into the real-world strategy of using software to automate design tasks for products like channel letters and cabinets. Not to replace your people, but to make them more valuable and fo
#132 You need a "no-filter" friend in your life
In this raw and unscripted episode, Aaron shares a powerful conversation that completely shifted his perspective on business ownership. After a call from an old mentor, he reveals a revolutionary way to think about firing employees, why you should be happy about tough decisions, and how to audit where you're investing your most valuable asset: your energy.
This is a deep dive into the mindset req
#131 I just saved $50k on taxes. Here's how
Year-end is more than just a party.. It's the most critical strategic period for a business owner. In this episode, Aaron breaks down the essential checklist to close out your year profitably and set your business up for a dominant 2025. He covers how to use your profits to buy equipment tax-efficiently, the right way to pull money out of your company, and how to forecast for growth without the gu
#130 What We Learned at the Largest Print Show in the World
Aaron breaks down his experience at Printing United 2025 — one of the biggest and most diverse print expos in the world. From setting up a two-story booth in record time to realizing how much reputation and resilience matter in business, this episode is packed with lessons about preparation, presence, and persistence.
He shares how SquareCoil’s first appearance at the show pushed his team to thi
#129 How Steve Weist built a 40-year legacy in the printing industry
This week on The AC Method, Aaron sits down with Steve Weist, a true industry veteran who’s spent nearly three decades shaping the print and signage world from the inside out.
From learning the ropes in a family business to running large-scale operations across the U.S., Steve shares how his team built trust, maintained excellence, and adapted to the ever-changing world of 3D systems and print in
#128 I Pay My Metal Guys $40/Hour (It's Worth Every Penny)
Is "how much should I pay my team?" the question that keeps you up at night? Let’s dive into the taboo topic of pay structures, breaking down the pros and cons of salary-only, commission-only, and hybrid models.
Underpaying your sales team is a fatal mistake. So to avoid creating a civil war between sales and production, and create and maintain your company culture, you should start with your co
#127 What vertical integration really means?
Ready to grow your business by adding new services? In this episode, Aaron pulls back the curtain on his own costly mistakes and hard-won victories with vertical integration. What are the true costs of growth? Timelines and operational headaches nobody talks about.
Learn how to decide when to bring a new service in-house, how to avoid crippling learning curves, and why starting small is the ultim
#126 How to scale a $10M sign business? with David Goodson
In this interview, Aaron sits down with David Goodson, CEO of Impact, to unpack how he grew his company from a garage startup into a $10M operation with 50+ people and a 70,000 sq. ft. facility.
David shares his philosophy on leadership, why culture always comes before profits, and how designing efficient workflows and empowering people has shaped Impact into one of the most respected companies i
#125 Design for museums to airports with Annabel from SEGD
In this interview, Aaron sits down with Annabel from SEGD to explore
how design goes far beyond what we see—it shapes how we feel, move, and remember experiences. From the World War II Museum to Olympic exhibits and even the way airports are designed, Annabel shares how thoughtful design and signage transform ordinary spaces into immersive journeys.
Together, they dive into the role of colors, the
#124 Design Huddle: Bridging the Gap Between Clients and Printers
In this interview, Aaron sits down with Dave Stewart, CEO of Design Huddle, to explore how his platform is transforming the way clients, printers, and designers work together. By embedding an intuitive design tool directly into websites, Design Huddle empowers customers to create print-ready artwork without endless back-and-forth revisions.
From Shopify and WordPress integration to bridging the g
#123 Old‑School Lighting That Still Works
This episode dives into the magic of retro sign lighting—chasers, tracers, and marquee effects—and why “old-school” still grabs attention (and customers). Aaron sits down with a lighting veteran to unpack controllers, patterns, color temperature choices, and practical ways to bring kinetic motion back to your installs. From go‑kart tracks to storefronts, learn how to design lighting that sells, no
#122 Discipline vs. Fear: The Real Key to Starting a Business
This week Aaron opens up about one of the biggest roadblocks that stops aspiring entrepreneurs: fear. Through stories from the Iron Oaks Society and his own business journey, Aaron explains why bravery alone won’t carry you forward, but discipline will.
From making your bed in the morning to building consistent habits, Aaron breaks down how small steps lead to big results, and why accountability i
#121 The #1 Skill Leaders Fail At: Communication
This week, Aaron dives deep into the single biggest issue that can break any business: communication.
Through real-life examples—from clients misunderstanding sign specs to employees missing assignments—Aaron uncovers why most leaders think they’re communicating, when in reality they’re not.
🔥 Topics Covered:
✅ The 3 key elements of real communication
✅ Why feedback matters more than the messa
#120 Estimating Mistakes That Can Sink Your Business
This week, Aaron goes deep into the hard lessons his company has learned by reviewing past estimates—the good, the bad, and the costly. From missing small details to underbidding massive projects, he breaks down the most common pitfalls that can destroy profitability.
If you’ve ever wondered why your projects take longer, cost more, or eat away at your margins, this episode will save you from re
#119 Building Stronger Teams Through Radical Transparency
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of a real quarterly meeting—wins, losses, awkward moments, and all. From welcoming new hires to unveiling the design for a 28,000 sq. ft. facility, Aaron shares how openness about numbers, goals, and even mistakes strengthens culture and drives alignment. You’ll hear candid lessons from a tough project loss, why profit sharing matters, and the unexpected wa
#118 Lasers, Quilts & Signs: Building a 70-Person Business from Fabric and Fire
This week, Aaron sits down with Clay from Thunder Laser USA — and trust us, it’s not just a conversation about machines. It’s about how one family business turned a quilting shop into a tech-driven operation with 70+ employees, a national sales footprint, and an expanding catalog of cutting-edge tools.
From laser-cut acrylic to engraving Stanley cups and prepping for UV printing, Clay breaks down
#117 Why Your Website Isn’t Converting (and What to Do About It)
This week on *The AC Method*, Aaron sits down with Ryan from Striventa and Hyperdrive to unpack why most business websites fail to generate leads—and what you can do to fix it fast. Whether you’re in blue-collar services or scaling a national brand, this episode breaks down the real-world digital strategies that get results.Ryan shares what most agencies don’t tell you, how search engine indexing
#116 The Truth About Confidence (And Why It Intimidates People)
In this solo episode, Aaron opens up about
what confidence really means, how it develops, and why people often mistake it
for arrogance. From his own experiences in leadership and martial arts training
to being misunderstood and even called intimidating, Aaron walks through the
internal work required to become truly grounded — and how to help others get
there too.
If you’re a leader, parent,
#115 How to Protect Your Bottom Line in a Shaky Economy
In this short but high-impact solo episode,
Aaron shares how he's preparing his businesses to weather an economic
correction. From rising tariffs and permit delays to inflation and material
price hikes, he gives a tactical breakdown on how to defend your margins,
communicate clearly with clients, and keep your team steady when times get
rocky.
This is the real playbook for staying profitable when
#114 Are You Lying to Yourself?
In this episode, Aaron unpacks a hard
truth: most of us confuse motion with progress. After meeting with a new
mentor, he was forced to face the fact that he had over a dozen active
“projects” pulling his focus — and that being busy doesn’t mean you’re growing.
He breaks down how to identify what’s actually worth your time, how to cut
low-ROI tasks, and why the real bottleneck might be your own in
#113 How to Hire Smarter (And Actually Keep Good People)
In this episode, Aaron shares a powerful mindset shift around hiring, especially as he explores acquiring a local sign company. What starts as a discussion about evaluating a deal quickly becomes a deep dive into core values, people analysis, and what most leaders get wrong when hiring or restructuring their team.
If you've ever said “there’s no good people out there,” this episode will challenge
#112 Are You the Leader Your Company Needs? | Live at ISA Sign Expo
This special episode features Aaron
Clippinger's full presentation from the ISA Sign Expo in Las Vegas: Are You the Leader Your Company Needs?
In this high-impact talk, Aaron dives into the evolving role of CEOs and
presidents, what leadership really looks like in the sign industry, and how
culture, vision, and accountability separate startups from growth-stage
companies.
Whether you're runnin
#111 How to Build a Real Leadership Team (Not Just Middle Managers)
In this episode, Aaron breaks down what it actually means to build a real leadership team — not just taskmasters or title-holders. Inspired by the book Traction, he shares the importance of vision, buy-in, and defining core values that truly guide hiring, culture, and execution.
From calling out weak leadership habits to sharing the questions that align your team for the long haul, this episode
#110 Your Body Is Your Resume: Discipline, Strength & Strategy Behind a High-Value Man
What if your body could open doors before you even speak? That’s exactly how Kyle (@excaliburrcoaching) sees it—and lives it.
In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the mindset, discipline, and systems behind Excaliburr: a coaching method designed to build high-value men by optimizing strength, mobility, clarity and long-term health.
Kyle breaks down the real reasons most men fail to stay he
#109 How I’m Building a $10M Shop (While Doing $6M a Year)
Aaron is finally building the dream shop—but with a big twist: the company brings in $6 million a year, and the building? It’s going to cost $10 million.
In this episode, Aaron shares the real numbers, the missteps (including a financial doc mistake that cost him a building), and how a custom lease-to-own deal is making it possible. Plus: the mindset, systems, and back-to-basics approach he's usi
#108 Inventory Fixes That Save You Thousands
After a rare five-day break, Aaron returns recharged—and immediately digs into his balance sheet. This time, he's targeting inventory: how it’s managed, stored, and often misused. In this episode, he shares real tactics to turn your raw materials into measurable profit and explains how inventory control directly impacts your bottom line.
If you’re looking to save 10–12% in your shop without layof
#107 The Power of No: When Turning Down Work Is the Smartest Move
In this episode, Aaron shares a hard-earned lesson about boundaries, red flags, and knowing when to walk away—even from a six-figure project. Inspired by an article from Dale at Media 1, “The Power of No”, this one is all about protecting your team, your time, and your bottom line.
Aaron walks through a real-world example: a national sign company pushing his team to take on a complex install with
#106 Sales Fixes, Missed Payments & the One Question That Changes Everything
This week’s episode hits two sides of the business: what your sales team should be doing—and why they’re probably not. After stepping into the controller role for a month, Aaron shares what he uncovered behind the curtain: bad entries, skipped steps, and $1.2 million sitting in accounts receivable.From onboarding clients the right way to having real money conversations, this is a must-listen for
#105 Controller Crisis Continues: How to Interview So Candidates Can’t Lie
In this episode of The AC Method, Aaron shares the evolving story of a controller crisis that’s turning into a powerful lesson on hiring and interviewing. After back-to-back controller hires fell short due to dishonesty, Aaron reveals how he completely revamped his interview process to ensure candidates truly have the skills they claim.
From trade show insights on the latest tech to key hiring str
#104 Customers Aren’t Just Clients—They’re Part of Your Team
In this episode of The AC Method, Aaron Clipinger—CEO of SquareCoil—shares his biggest takeaway from the ISA Sign Expo: your customers aren’t just clients—they’re part of your team. Reflecting on real conversations from the show floor, Aaron explores how building meaningful relationships with your customers can fuel innovation, improve your service, and reignite your passion for leadership.
From
#103 CEO Red Flags: Leadership Lessons from a Controller Crisis
In this eye-opening episode of The AC Method, Aaron Clipinger—CEO of SquareCoil—pulls back the curtain on one of the most critical (and chaotic) transitions a business can face: hiring a new controller. Just one week out from a major trade show, Aaron shares the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes story of a 15-year controller stepping down, a string of hiring misfires, and the costly red flags that alm
#102 ISA Expo Reality: Booth Setups, Customer Stories & Long Drives
In this special episode of The AC Method, Aaron is away, so Jamie and Crystal from his team are taking over! Join them as they dive into the excitement and hard work behind the upcoming ISA Expo. Get an exclusive look at what it takes to prepare for a major industry event in Vegas, from the long five-hour drive and the massive booth setup to the customer interactions and late-night networking. Di
#101 ISA Sign Expo 2025: What Sign Owners NEED to Know
Join Square Coil CEO, Aaron Clipinger, in this exciting discussion about the upcoming ISA International Sign Expo! Get the inside scoop on what to expect at the expo, from new machinery and innovative solutions to the must-see booths. Aaron shares his experiences and why this event is a game-changer for sign owners and industry professionals. Learn about the importance of networking, discoverin
#100 Sales, Growth & Lessons from the Industry with Rick & Dale from Media 1
We’ve hit a huge milestone—our 100th episode! In this special edition of The AC Method, we welcome Rick and Dale from Media 1 to discuss business growth, sales strategies, and the lessons learned along the way. From navigating slow seasons to securing big projects, this episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and business owners.🚀 Key Takeaways:✅ The highs and lows of running a successfu
#99 Building Strong Habits & Leadership: The Key to Business Success
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, dives into the challenges of business growth, from unexpected financial hurdles in commercial real estate to the importance of structured training and personal development for employees. Learn why effective onboarding, strong communication, and leadership skills are essential for long-term success.🚀 Key Topics Covered:✅ Th
#98: The Power of Vision: Driving Business Growth & Leadership
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, dives into the critical role of vision in business success. Learn how a clear vision can drive growth, align teams, and set your company apart from the competition. Aaron shares real-world insights on goal-setting, industry differentiation, and creating a high-performance business culture.🚀 Key Topics Covered:✅ Why a stron
#97: The LEAD Method: Sell Smarter, Lead Stronger
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, breaks down the LEAD acronym—Listen, Explore, Advise, Deliver—and how it transforms sales, leadership, and client relationships. Discover how mastering these four steps can help you close deals, build trust, and outperform the competition.🚀 Key Takeaways:✅ The importance of listening—why most salespeople fail by skipping t
#96: Conquer Limits: Lead Like a King
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, explores the mindset of unstoppable leaders—drawing inspiration from kings, conquerors, and empire builders. Discover how to break free from self-imposed limits, craft a bold vision, and execute relentlessly to achieve first-place success in business and life.🚀 Key Takeaways:✅ Why settling for less kills ambition—and how t
#95: Ending the Sales vs. Production Battle
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, dives into one of the most common yet destructive conflicts in the signage industry: Sales vs. Production. Learn how this battle unfolds, why it cripples companies, and what leaders can do to fix it.🚀 Key Takeaways:✅ Why sales teams naturally take over without strong leadership✅ How production teams get frustrated—and what
#94: Inspiring the Next Generation
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, shares how a simple Career Day presentation turned into a powerful lesson on industry awareness and talent recruitment.🚀 Key Takeaways:✅ How to make your industry exciting for the next generation✅ The role of math, science, and creativity in sign-making✅ Why hands-on learning can inspire future designers and engineers✅ A s
#93: Master Your Mindset with Demond Logan: How Purpose and Growth Drive Success
After an insightful coaching session, this episode dives deep into purpose, mindset, and leadership development. Special guest Demond Logan shares transformative strategies to help you align your goals, embrace personal growth, and discover your true purpose.Inspired by real-world challenges and Demond's decades of experience, this episode explores:✅ How to identify your purpose and align it with
#92: Mastering Policy Implementation
In this episode of The AC Method, host Aaron Clippinger, CEO of SquareCoil, dives into the art of implementing effective policies in the workplace. From aligning middle managers to fostering team engagement, Aaron shares his proven strategies for creating systems that drive success.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:✅ The importance of aligning management teams before introducing new policie
#91: Unlocking Success Through Leadership and Growth
After a transformative team workshop, we’re diving into leadership, personal growth, and creating a high-performing workplace. This episode is all about embracing your unique strengths and empowering your team to drive success. Inspired by real-world challenges and insightful conversations, this episode explores:✅ Fostering self-starters in the workplace and building trust✅ Identifying and elimina
#90: Unlocking Business Efficiency
After a six-week break, we’re kicking off the new year with a deep dive into business efficiency—eliminating redundant processes, optimizing workflows, and cutting unnecessary costs. Inspired by Elon Musk’s continuous improvement mindset, this episode explores:✅ Identifying and removing double-entry tasks✅ Evaluating long-standing processes—are they still necessary?✅ Assigning dollar values to ine
89: Responsibility in Business: Where Does It End?
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of *The AC Method* with your host, Aaron Clippinger. In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of business responsibility and liability through engaging scenarios like obstacle course races and real-life ethical dilemmas.Have you ever wondered what responsibilities a business owner holds when things go awry? Join Aaron as he explores a fiction
EP 88: Map Your Processes for Business Efficiency!
In this episode of "The AC Method," host Aaron Clippinger dives deep into a transformative approach that can streamline operations and boost efficiency in your business. Discover why mapping out your company's processes is not just a daunting task, but a powerful strategy to identify and eliminate bottlenecks.Aaron shares insightful anecdotes from his own experiences at Squarecoil, where he learne
EP 87: Customer Service Excellence & Training Insights with Marissa Peacock
Join host Aaron Clippinger and special guest Marissa Peacock, Implementation Specialist for SquareCoil, as they dive deep into the vital role of customer service and effective training in driving business success. In this insightful episode of "The AC Method," they explore the transformative power of leadership, the importance of engagement in training sessions, and the key elements of outstanding
EP 86: Navigating Leadership Transitions
Join Aaron Clippinger in this thought-provoking episode of “The AC Method” as he reflects on his journey through leadership, ambition, and the evolution of his company, Squarecoil. In this candid storytime, Aaron discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to business and leadership, including the importance of surrounding oneself with smart and capable individuals.Discover the lessons
EP 85: Maximize Your Business Growth Before Year-End
In this episode of "The AC Method," host Aaron Clippinger dives into essential year-end strategies for business owners looking to maximize growth and reinvest wisely. As we approach the holiday season, it's crucial to shift our focus from personal indulgences to nurturing our businesses. Don't let your hard work go to waste Learn how to keep your "cow" fat and happy so it can produce better return
#84: Branding Secrets for Business Growth
Dive into the latest episode of The AC Method as host Aaron Clippinger from Squarecoil highlights the often overlooked aspect of professional growth - updating your brand. Drawing on the analogy of ""The Cobbler's Kids Have No Shoes,"" Aaron explores how businesses can neglect their own branding while focusing on their clients' needs.Discover key strategies for ensuring your brand stays fresh and
#83: Mastering Physical Inventory Counts
In this episode of our podcast hosted by Aaron Clippinger, we dive into the often-avoided topic of physical inventory counts and share insights from Aaron’s recent experience unplugging for a tech-free weekend on Catalina Island. Discover the profound benefits of stepping away from technology as we discuss the importance of taking time for yourself to recharge and refocus.Join us as we explore cri
#82: Chase Powell: Transforming the Home Services Industry
In this insightful episode of AC Method, your host Aaron Clippinger invites Chase Powell to discuss the evolving landscape of the home services industry, particularly in landscaping. Listen in as they explore how technology and innovative business strategies can help companies transition from traditional methods to more efficient, scalable operations.🔑 Key Topics Covered:The significance of a stro
#81: Transforming the Sign Industry
Join host Aaron Clippinger in this exciting episode of the AC Method Podcast as he speaks with industry veterans Matt and Carter about their journey in the sign industry and the latest innovations that are transforming how signage is produced and installed. Discover how they're bridging the gap between manufacturers and sign shops, tackling the challenges of staying updated with new products, and
#80: Leadership Lessons: Transforming Team Dynamics
In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of a business owner making bold moves for growth. Join us as Aaron shares valuable insights on leadership, employee turnover, and the essential steps you need to take to ensure your team thrives in a competitive market.What You'll Learn:- The importance of strong leadership and clear communication within a team.- Real-life challenges faced when dealing w
#79: Dori Hazama - AI in Business
In today's insightful conversation, we are joined by the inspiring Dori Hazama from B2B Sign Resource. Sit back and enjoy as we dive deep into a plethora of engaging topics, including the revolutionary use of AI in business, the intricacies of vehicle and boat wraps, and valuable insights into running a successful enterprise during challenging times. #AIinBusiness #SignageIndustry #VehicleWraps #E
#78: Maximize 3-Day Weekends
Discover how to make the most of 3-day weekends and beyond in the sign industry! 🛠️ Learn strategies for dealing with economic flux, organizing during downtime, and transforming cold calls into warm leads. Prioritize team mental health and explore effective sales tactics to keep your business thriving. Key Topics:- 3-Day Weekend Benefits: Importance of taking a break for mental health and producti
#77: Master Client Trust: Handling Missed Deadlines
Learn a powerful psychological trick to maintain client trust even when you miss installation dates. Discover how effective communication and a bit of strategic planning can turn potential setbacks into opportunities to strengthen relationships. Perfect for entrepreneurs, project managers, and anyone in client-facing roles. Don't let missed deadlines ruin your client trust – watch now to find out
#76: How Organization Transforms Business Success
In this episode of the AC Method podcast, host Aaron Clippinger shares valuable insights into the importance of organization within a company, especially in the context of project management and daily operations. Aaron discusses his experiences with Square Coil, highlighting the challenges of staying organized and the impact of organization on team efficiency and success. He also shares some pract
#75: Estimating - The Backbone of Every Business
Join host Aaron Clippinger as he dives into the crucial world of estimating in business. Whether you're a small local operation or competing on a national scale, getting your estimates right is essential to success. Aaron breaks down the four key inputs that every estimate must include—materials, labor, machine costs, and subcontracting—and explains how to ensure your pricing is both accurate and
#74: Crafting Your Exit Strategy: Insights from Business Expert
In this episode, Aaron dives deep into the crucial yet often overlooked topic of exit strategies in business. Drawing from years of experience, Aaron explores why having an exit plan from the outset is essential, whether it's selling to a buyer, an asset sale, or passing the business down to family. The conversation highlights the importance of documenting knowledge and processes to ensure a smoot
#73: From Date Night to Business Blueprint: A Creative Approach
In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of an entrepreneur as he shares his unique approach to problem-solving and building a community. Discover how a seemingly ordinary date night sparked an innovative idea for a new business venture. Learn about the step-by-step process of transforming an idea into a tangible product, from market research and competitor analysis to building a strong foundat
