Matt Roeder is an Iowa farm kid who’s employed as an Agricultural engineer for a plastics manufacturing company. A few years ago, after seeing a shortcoming on his corn planter (he still farms on the side), he designed a new and improved closing wheel. But this product design doesn’t belong to his employer, it’s his. Matt explains the inspiration for the product, how he brings it to market, and the delicate and mutually beneficial relationship he has with his employer — they build his designs and support his side hustle all while he retains his day job. We also discuss patent problems and assess the 5 entrepreneurial personalities. This is an excellent discussion for those looking to create or expand a side hustle.

142 - An Engineer With An Entrepreneurial Side-Hustle

Stuart Ferster and his family have been known to be successful entrepreneurs. Stuart Ferster is currently the Executive Director of ITC, a company that helps businesses increase their positive brand by providing them with a wide range of marketing and support solutions. The company's talented staff is the reason why it has been able to lead the pack in various target markets.
Over the years, the company has grown from a few employees to over 70 members, and each of them brings something unique to the table. They have a great reputation for providing their clients with exceptional service, and they are known for their effective online marketing and software development services.
After graduating from university, Stuart Ferster worked for his family's company, the Gaynor Group, for 15 years. The company was involved in the plastic industry, and it made carrier bags out of polyethylene. Some of their major clients include Tesco, Littlewoods, and Marks & Spencer. The stock exchange of London also featured them.
Stuart Ferster then worked for another family business. For over two decades, he was the Production Director of Coral Products, which was a company that focused on the production of plastic injection molded products. Initially, the company was only known for making VHS cassette cases. However, as the world changed, they started to produce DVD and CD cases.
For many years, the company was regarded as one of the leading media packaging companies in the European Union. It has continued to grow, and it now offers a wide range of products to its customers. Some of these include food packaging, automotive components, and household goods. The company is also working toward becoming a part of a green initiative.

Warren Ferster is the Executive Director of Manchester-based ITC, a software development company that specializes in customer service and innovation. With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, he is constantly pushing the envelope and developing new ideas.

ITC's employees are passionate about innovation and are constantly pushing the envelope in terms of developing new strategies and products for the marketing and branding industry. Their reputation has helped them attract and retain many satisfied customers.

Prior to this, he was the CEO of the Gaynor Group, a family-owned business that was in the polyethene film industry. The company's products were used to produce carrier bags for some of the country's top retailers such as Littlewoods and Tesco.

He also worked for another family-owned business, Coral Products, for over two decades. In addition to being a renowned manufacturer of plastic cases, Coral Products also made injection-molded VHS cases. The company eventually evolved from its original business model into the production of DVD and CD cases. At one point, they were one of the largest producers of media packaging in Europe.

Warren Ferster is an active member of the Jewish community in Manchester. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and is often involved in events such as the Holocaust Memorial. In honor of Holocaust survivor, Chaim Ferster, the City of Manchester has placed an audio-solar bench in a former park.

Before his death at the age of 94, Chaim Ferster carried on with his daily walk with his dog, Blue. He would share his experiences from the war with the younger generation to help raise awareness about the discrimination that still exists in society.

In his high school years, Mark Cruver used to play the trumpet (he doesn’t anymore). He finds satisfaction in writing and assisting other people to learn how to write well. 

In his work as an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC), Mark Cruver helps high school students learn how to write essays and develop strong resumes. He also enjoys talking about personality types.

An experienced college administrator, Mark Cruver recently established the college admissions consulting firm Capstone Educational Consultants, LLC, in Fayetteville, Georgia. Overseeing the company's operations as president, he concentrates on providing valuable assistance to college-bound students seeking enrollment at the optimal higher education institution. The firm offers admissions assistance, test preparation, and financial aid consulting. Additional information regarding the services offered by Mark Cruver and his associates at Capstone Educational Consultants can be found online at www.CapstoneEducationalConsultants.com.

Over the years, Mark Cruver, a renowned author, has shared his experiences and insights with the world through his various books. In 2022, he released his first novel entitled "HELP! My Teen Isn’t On Track To College." It is a guide for parents navigating the admissions process for their kids. He founded and continues to run the educational consultancy firm, Capstone, to help others navigate the admissions process. He has been a featured speaker at various events. In 2022, for instance, he presented at the SACAC conference, where he discussed the importance of creating exceptional campus experiences. His work can be found in his extensive bibliography.

Education:  
Azusa Pacific University - M.Ed. CSA (2000)
Bryan College - B.A. (1992)

This podcast is for you: the entrepreneur, business owner, solopreneur, self employed striver, or business person who wants to do it better. By better I mean more profitably, more happily, and for as many years as you choose. That’s what doing business better is about. I quit my Fortune 500 job in 1994 to pursue a life and business of my choice. All these years later I’m still driven by my original “why” that made me an entrepreneur: to be more creative and rewarded financially for my accomplishments.

142 - An Engineer With An Entrepreneurial Side-Hustle

Do Business Better Podcast