Today on the podcast we’re thrilled to have Sami and Cory from Avid CNC. Avid CNC is an engineering and manufacturing company geared toward helping people be successful with their machine tools. The company offers a wide variety of machine sizes and different types of tools and attachments. As Cory says, the goal of Avid CNC is to provide great opportunities for people to automate some production or add precision to their workflow.
The Origin Story
Sami originally studied sculpture with a focus on digital fabrication, but she also got to work with her hands a lot. When she moved to Portland, she got a job as a CNC technician and a project manager in digital fabrication.
Sami describes her passions as the intersection between educating and making, so getting to teach CNC at the local maker’s space on an Avid CNC machine was an incredible start. Eventually, her journey lead her to work with Avid CNC directly.
Now she has the opportunity to teach CNC every day through Avid CNCs video production projects and by writing curriculum! In the coming year, Sami intends to make an entire YouTube series that will walk makers through everything they need to know about Avid CNC machines.
Cory had similar origins, he was in precision sheet metal and machining fabrication prior to Avid CNC. He worked his way through a bunch of different types of machining and sheet metal work and Avid CNC (CNC Router Parts back then) at one time, was one of Cory’s customers. After realizing a shared passion and vision, Cory made a career change and he has been on the team since 2013.
CNC Machines and Workflow
There are so many different variations on wood businesses and workflows in this industry. While Sami, Cory, and Steve had a bit of a chuckle about Steve feeling like he was the last to hear about them, he follows up with a very important question, at what point in the woodpreneur journey do makers usually find Avid CNC?
Sami explains that the way Avid CNC communicates and connects with the maker and fabricator community has largely been through word of mouth. There are so many different facets of production, she says it comes down to what makers want to achieve or how they want their business to run.
The nice thing is that the machines Avid CNC makes are so adaptable they can grow and scale with wood businesses. In that way, it’s never really too early to start considering investing in a CNC machine.
There is a wide variety of things that can be done with these machines and there are different roles they play based on the workflow of the businesses using them.
A CNC machine is a part of the larger ecosystem of a woodshop and a large focus for Avid CNC has been developing their machines in such a way that they can grow and scale with the business as space and capacity grows.
Assembling a CNC Machine Builds Confidence
Another way Avid CNC adds value is by providing the machines and precision in a way that is affordable and accessible to small businesses. Cory explains that the team also understands how intimidating CNC technology can be to someone who has never used it before.
Cory points to the design of the kit as an example of the value that goes to the customers. Specifically, the way the end-user is the one who puts the machine together. Most of the people in the maker community tend to be able to understand the mechanics if they can see how it all works together. Being able to assemble the machine gives a level of understanding and confidence that can combat intimidation. The support team is also very dedicated to working with people on an individual level.
Sami explains the additional benefits of having a kit delivered vs. a pre-assembled machine. Not only do you save on assembly labor and shipping, but she also explains it gives the owner more agency and empowerment knowing they can change out aspects of the machine themselves and perform maintenance and repairs if needed. It gives business owners more control over their workflow when they don’t need to rely on specialty technicians to do maintenance on equipment.
Cory continues the discussion and highlights how a focus is to create a situation where the customers have the support they need, and also understand the ins and outs of the machine and how to incorporate it into the workflow.
A CNC machine is a multi-use machine. It can be a planer, cut bowties, act as a joiner, and more. The machine alone gives the opportunity to have access to a lot of different tools and approaches. As Cory mentions as well, with a CNC machine you don’t have to do as much manual transportation of heavy items around the shop, and anything that can save on manual labor and spare our backs is crucial.
Products That Are Made To Last
Steve talks about the importance of the shared goal of urban wood workers, diverting lumber from the waste stream and instead keeping money in a local community and creating a wood product that will last for generations.
A big part of the Avid CNC philosophy follows that idea of long-lasting products. They explain one of the primary goals is to make sure people can grow and scale with their machines. It’s important to Sami and Cory to have as much information available to their customers as possible and to make even new offerings backward compatible so customers don’t outgrow their machines.
Steve observes that it seems like the Avid CNC products add 10x efficiency to the process, which Cory has an excellent response to-
“Anyone who has ever pushed a flattening bit on a router sled over a slab, I can tell you, not only are we faster but you can have a cup of coffee while it happens.”
Marketing Without Trade Shows and In-Person Events?
In Steve’s marketing advice corner, the three discuss how to approach marketing during times of social distancing considering the loss of in-person events and trade shows. Steve offers some advice on how learning and perfecting your buyer persona during these times of increased digital experience and connection is a great way to prepare for the return of in-person events while simultaneously benefiting your business.
By taking the time right now to learn about your community and the people whose problems you solve as a business, it gives you the ability to connect with people near you who have similar interests and problems to the community you’ve been building and learning about.
To see more from Avid CNC, check out his socials below!
Website: www.avidcnc.com
Instagram: @avidcnc