In this episode of The Kula Ring, Sam Rajkovich dives into the complexities of working with independent manufacturers’ representatives. He unpacks how to compete for reps’ time and attention, maintain brand consistency across third-party sellers, and build emotional connections that create loyalty. Sam also explores the economic tradeoffs of the model, its scalability, and its uncertain future as younger professionals shy away from commission-only roles. From messaging challenges to hybrid sales strategies, this episode offers a candid look at the evolving landscape of indirect sales in manufacturing.

Dive into this episode of The Kula Ring with Sean Momsen, VP of Business Development and Marketing at Evology Manufacturing. We discuss the secrets behind rapid manufacturing and how speed can revolutionize the customer experience.

Sean shares his unique journey from aspiring car designer to leading a company that values your time as much as top-notch quality. Learn how Evology utilizes cutting-edge tech to deliver unparalleled service and projects on schedule while never losing sight of the human element. product development, or just fascinated by innovation and efficiency, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Angela Jackson, Marketing Director at Clark Pacific, unpacks how the company is transforming the building industry’s understanding of prefabrication. Angela discusses Clark Pacific’s strategic pivot from bespoke project work to a productized approach, emphasizing how designing for manufacturing creates efficiencies, enhances quality, and accelerates timelines.

She explores the challenges of marketing to traditionally hard-to-reach stakeholders like building owners and architects, and shares how Clark Pacific invests heavily in education. Angela also highlights how internal culture has adapted to embrace creativity within standardized systems and how being consistently specced into projects marks a major marketing milestone.

If you’re in manufacturing, architecture, or construction and especially if you’re exploring how to scale with a product-based mindset, this conversation offers valuable insights into how to align innovation, communication, and execution in a complex industry.

This week, Tyler Simmons shares his journey from summer intern to marketing and e-commerce leader at Energy Management Corporation, and how that path through sales and marketing has uniquely positioned him to bridge the gap between the two. Tyler breaks down the realities of running a successful e-commerce platform in the B2B manufacturing space. He discusses how talking directly with customers and internal sales teams provides critical feedback and why consistency beats one-time wins when scaling a digital storefront. If you’re navigating the grind of e-commerce in B2B manufacturing, this episode is packed with grounded insights, tactical takeaways, and a refreshing dose of honesty.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Phil Harris of Paulo Heat Treating shares an honest and insightful look into the often murky handoff between sales and marketing. Phil walks us through how fostering a shared understanding of responsibilities and handoff qualifications combats inter-team tensions and strengthens leads. He discusses the mounting pressure on sales teams, the demand for higher-quality leads, and how a lack of SDR infrastructure in manufacturing intensifies these challenges.
Phil outlines how redefining lead qualification and raising the bar for sales engagement significantly improved alignment and results. Plus, he shares actionable insights on using evergreen content, doubling down on newsletters, and experimenting with high-intent CTAs. If you’re a marketer in manufacturing struggling with lead quality, ownership, or sales enablement, this conversation will hit home.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Casey Cheshire introduces the concept of “Disconnected Marketing,” the slow, creeping separation between marketers and their customers caused by over-reliance on tech and automation. Casey shares how launching a podcast helped him reverse that disconnect by creating real, human connections with customers, starting relationships with generosity rather than a sales pitch.
Alongside hosts Carman Pirie and Jeff White, Casey explores the importance of knowing your customers by name, and even more critically, understanding their real pains and challenges. They discuss how podcasting serves as a powerful tool to foster reciprocity, build authentic relationships, and bring marketing teams back to their foundational role as the voice of the customer.
For B2B manufacturing and beyond, this conversation is packed with insights on how marketers can reconnect with the people they serve and create genuine growth opportunities.