Born To Design - SOLIDWORKS Podcast

Interview with MetalQuest CEO, Scott Harms, and COO, Scott Volk. We talk about innovation in manufacturing, and the many misconceptions around what manufacturing is today. Manufacturing is one of the largest growing high-tech industries with many opportunities and great careers.

Interview with Jason Pohl, who you may know as the product designer for the popular television show, “American Chopper.” Jason is a very outgoing and passionate advocate for Product Design, and he shares a lot about his experience, mentorship and building the product design community. Listen as Jason discusses what’s next for him and his desire to grow the design community to help others succeed in this industry.

Interview with Lucas Crupi, who became the youngest Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert, when he passed his exam at only 15 years old. Lucas a mentor and ambassador for STEM, with a lot of wisdom for a 16 year old.

Eric Haddad is a designer, but also a part-time hobbyist who started his own venture…3DAeroventures (the hobby) along with his own design business, Dimensional Fidelity. Listen as Eric shares some advice about chasing your dreams and doing what you love, and how to turn this dream into your job, or your own business.

Marc McCauley & Jesse Hahne, are the founders of the Center for Advanced Design, who share some insights into how to start and run a successful design business. They also discuss their relationship with Mike Schultz, a pareathlete who they worked with on the design of a high-end prosthetic leg that allows Mike to compete and win many X-Games competitions.

Dr. Matt Carney received a PhD in Biometrics Engineering from MIT, and is a designer and entrepreneur as well. Listen in as Matt discusses the technology and exciting advancements in designing the next level robotics. He is dedicated to creating superior bionic legs that perform better than anyone could imagine.

Learn the Keys to Kick-Start your business with Charles Adler, Founder of Kickstarter, designer and entrepreneur. Charles discusses the keys to taking a great idea to market, including tips for effectively communicating new ideas.

Sam Rogers, additive design lead at Gravity Industries, known for making the five-turbo, jet engine-powered jet suit. Listen as Sam discusses the exciting beginnings of designing a Jet suit, his first time flying it, new technology and how additive design technologies allowed them to design quicker, and his keys for designing a successful product.

Interview with Michael Mendonca, founder of the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation, an organization that has given away over 50,000 prosthetic hands, but its goal is to reach 1 million of the 18 million in need around the world. I’m also talking with David Randle, a co-worker, who has been working on a way to help Michael reach his goal through the 3DEXPERIENCE for Good program. This is an incredible story and adventure that shows what can happen when you get some passionate designers together, and I’m sure their story will inspire you.

Aidan Aird, a young entrepreneur, business owner, college student, and Guinness World Record holder. Aidan started an organization called STEM Kids Rock focused on igniting the passions of youth. Aidan is not only a creative designer and inventor, but a very passionate individual who has some great thoughts on the future of design.

Interview with Dr. Neil Gershenfeld, and several of his students about the future of design. Dr. Gershenfeld is a professor and Director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms where he is researching many incredible things, such as cell-by-cell development, nanotechnology, and community self-sufficiency, among other things. He is also the Chairman of the Fab Foundation, which has done incredible work to change lives around the world through innovation and education.

Eric Spurgeon is an inventor and entrepreneur who owns his own business. Perhaps above all he is a problem solver with some interesting ideas on best practices for solving a design problem, and how to solve a design problem quicker, which I believe you will enjoy hearing...

We often hear that high-tech companies are always worried about having enough engineers and that not enough young people today are interested in pursuing careers in technology.  Not to worry, as there is one person working very hard to teach our next generation of engineers and creators.  Danielle Boyer works to inspire the youth in her area in STEAM and technology, and came up with several great ideas to do this, including her own program “Every Kid Gets a Robot” (EKGAR), for which she created and built her own Robotics start kit that she gives away.  She has also developed STEAM-focused coloring books, and spends a lot of time teaching children on STEAM and technology and helping many student Robotics teams.  But what’s most amazing is that she is only 18 years old.

Jonathan Schultz is an entrepreneur and the Team leader for the BattleBots team HUGE. Jonathan made a name for himself in 2018 when he created a revolutionary new fighting robot. Listen in to hear his advice for any designer who wants to step away from the norm.

What's the most important part of a start-up? Meet Josh Aviv, the CEO of SparkCharge. Josh took his idea, which he started in college, and turned it into a quickly growing business. Josh has some great advice for any young entrepreneur, and it might surprise you what his keys to success are.