In this episode of Success Stories, Steve Cross sits down with Mike Brown, owner of McGregor Manufacturing, for a real-world conversation about what it actually takes to build and sustain a manufacturing business. From learning CNC machining in high school in the 80s to buying his first Haas machine on a leap of faith, Mike shares how hands-on skill, calculated risk, and a lot of hard lessons shaped his journey. They dive into everything from betting on new equipment, chasing the dream of owning your own product, managing employees with wildly different personalities, and the brutal reality of debt cycles in manufacturing. This is not a polished “overnight success” story; it’s a candid look at luck, timing, mistakes, and persistence in the trenches.

About Our Guest

Mike Brown is the owner of McGregor Manufacturing, a full-service machine shop specializing in Swiss machining, CNC milling and turning, fabrication, custom tooling, and precision production work. With decades of experience across manual machining, advanced CNC systems, cutter grinding, welding, and fabrication, Mike has built a reputation for solving complex manufacturing challenges and optimizing production for quality and efficiency. His journey spans building carburetors on manual machines, investing in advanced equipment like five-axis machines and wire EDM, and continually adapting to industry shifts, all while learning the hard way about leadership, hiring, debt, and the realities of entrepreneurship.

About Success Stories

Welcome to Success Stories, the podcast where Steve Cross sits down with the sharpest minds in business to unpack what it really takes to grow.

From scrappy upstarts to category leaders, each conversation reveals the mindset, strategies, and personal stories behind bold decisions and breakthrough moments. No fluff. No gurus. Just real founders, real operators, and real results.

If you're a growth-obsessed entrepreneur, marketing leader, or future founder, this playlist is your shortcut to hard-earned wisdom from those who've built it, scaled it, and lived to tell the tale.

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