Start Smart. Build Strong. Scale Wisely. You don’t need a welding certificate, an MBA, or a six-figure investment to launch your own manufacturing business. What you do need is grit, guidance, and a game plan — and that’s exactly what this book delivers. Manufacturing for Entrepreneurs: From Startup to Scalable Operations is your step-by-step guide to starting and growing a small manufacturing shop — even if you’ve never done it before. Whether you're working out of your garage, a small industrial unit, or dreaming of something bigger, this book helps you move from idea to action without wasting time or money. Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Discover a profitable niche in underserved markets (automotive, aerospace, EV, ag tech, and more) ✅ Write a simple but effective business plan — and use it to get help from SBDC or attract investors ✅ Estimate true startup costs (including “hidden” expenses most people miss) ✅ Set up a safe, efficient shop layout using lean manufacturing tools like 5S and PDCA ✅ Build your first quality control program — and transition to ISO 9001 when ready ✅ Handle quoting, pricing, and customer service like a pro — even if you're just starting ✅ Avoid common startup pitfalls (including undercharging, overhiring, and skipping paperwork) ✅ Plan for sustainable growth without losing control or burning out This book is for: Beginners with no prior business or shop experience - Makers, welders, builders, and side-hustlers ready to go full-time - Tradespeople and career changers looking to work for themselves - Entrepreneurs in rural, underserved, or small-town markets - Anyone who wants to build something real — with tools and purpose Written by Keith Baldwin , a manufacturing consultant, small-town mayor, and strategic operations advisor with decades of experience in quality systems, supplier development, and community-focused business growth. If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start building, this guide will show you how. Let’s cut metal — not corners. Text intentionally spread out to allow room for your own personal notes in the paperback version.