The AC Method
Custom Manufacturing Industry podcast is an entrepreneurship and motivational podcast on all platforms, hosted by Aaron Clippinger. Being CEO of multiple companies including the signage industry and the software industry, Aaron has over 20 years of consulting and business management. His software has grown internationally and with over a billion dollars annually going through the software. Using his Accounting degree, Aaron will be talking about his organizational ways to get things done. His podcast will give you shortcuts to handling situations without having to live it firsthand. With his comedic way of looking at things, you will be entertained by his stories while learning best practices.
Episodes
July 31, 2025 • 43 mins
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 works in 2024, and why Google’s AI ...
Mark as Played
July 24, 2025 • 13 mins
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, or someone building something bigger th...
Mark as Played
July 17, 2025 • 10 mins
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 the market shifts.
🔥 Topics Covere...
Mark as Played
July 10, 2025 • 11 mins
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 inability to let
go.
🔥 Topics Covere...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 11 mins
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 that — and give you a better syste...
Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 • 19 mins
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 running a small shop or
leading a team of 50...
Mark as Played
June 19, 2025 • 14 mins
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 is a must-listen for any business o...
Mark as Played
June 12, 2025 • 30 mins
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 healthy, and offers battle-tested to...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2025 • 10 mins
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 using to hit a $1M cash target in 24 m...
Mark as Played
May 29, 2025 • 9 mins
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 layoffs or gimmicks, this one’s for you....
Mark as Played
May 23, 2025 • 8 mins
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 without paying the advance deposit—unti...
Mark as Played
May 15, 2025 • 14 mins
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 anyone running a shop, leading a sal...
Mark as Played
May 9, 2025 • 15 mins
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 strategies, discover:
Why bringing t...
Mark as Played
May 8, 2025 • 9 mins
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 old-school check-in calls to listeni...
Mark as Played
April 17, 2025 • 16 mins
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 almost went unnoticed.
Tune in as Aaro...
Mark as Played
April 10, 2025 • 7 mins
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. Discover the reality of expo life – ...
Mark as Played
April 3, 2025 • 8 mins
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, discovering new trends, and connecting with...
Mark as Played
March 27, 2025 • 44 mins
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 successful business
✅ How to manage sal...
Mark as Played
March 20, 2025 • 13 mins
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:
✅ The unexpected costs of commercia...
Mark as Played
March 13, 2025 • 8 mins
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 strong company vision is essential ...
Mark as Played
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