NC Shop Talk

A rug cleaning company in Arizona just cracked the code on social media without ever paying for ads. Miranda Gwilliam from Rug Worx joins me to explain how she and her husband turned their family business into an industry authority with 900,000 followers across platforms.
I started following their page because the content was impossible to ignore. Real production work. Real problem solving. Real people who actually show up on camera, even when they don't want to. What grabbed me was how they built something that resonates with both industry professionals and high-end homeowners, while keeping their kids as their absolute priority.
Miranda breaks down the exact strategies that moved the needle, why going viral on TikTok changed everything, and how they've stayed referral-only for 22 years while still dominating digitally. If your social media feels stale or you're chasing followers who never turn into customers, this conversation will shift how you think about it all.
"My love language is referrals." – Miranda Gwilliam
In This Episode:
- The #1 growth strategy for any business
- Hidden revenue streams like rug storage nobody talks about
- NC Rapid Fire Hot Seat with Miranda
- The TikTok turning point and going viral their very first weekend
- What most rug and flooring businesses get wrong on social
- Why perfection kills good content before it ever posts
- Why posting time matters less than you think
- How to attract higher-end clientele on social media
- Building long game referral networks with interior designers
- When to say no and how to fire a client the right way
- Upcoming events like Textile Pro Masters and the ARCS convention
- Miranda's private coaching services

Connect with Miranda and Rug Worx:
- Website: https://rugworx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rugworx/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rugworx

Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:
- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nc_carpet_binding/

Every builder talks about passion. Few live it every single day like Chris Pate. From mastering custom truck interiors to running a 30,000-square-foot tech powerhouse in Texas, Chris proves that innovation, grit, and family can actually coexist inside the same shop.
I sat down with Chris fresh off his big Triple Crown win to talk about how he built one of the industry’s most respected shops, the technology that sets MTI apart, and why keeping family in the business keeps everything grounded.
This one’s packed with insight for anyone chasing excellence in car audio, interiors, and craftsmanship that lasts.
"We feel like we built the best truck interior we’ve ever done to this point." – Chris Pate
In This Episode:
- The story behind the award-winning ’75 C10 and the team that brought it to life
- How MTI went from a 2,000-square-foot startup to a 30,000-square-foot powerhouse
- 3D printers, CNCs, and the manufacturing side of MTI
- Early influences, his father’s Syclone, and how tinkering shaped his path
- The moment Chris knew he’d made it as an industry standout
- Why OEMs are dropping the ball by not hiring elite custom builders
- NCST Rapid Fire Questions
- Chris’s go to vendors for leather, materials, and plastics
- Call for skilled trimmers and stitchers to join the MTI team
- Challenges of the current economy as a high-end shop owner
- What’s coming in the future

Connect with MTI Acoustics:
- Website: https://www.mtiacoustics.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtiacoustics/

Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:
- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nc_carpet_binding/

Two guys in their seventies just built the most important car show in the country, pretty much overnight. Gary Case is one of them, and he’s holding nothing back on the passion, the money, and the old school work ethic that made the Triple Crown of Rodding an industry-shaking event.
I got on the phone with Gary three years ago and was instantly sold on his vision. He and Bobby Alloway have created something special with the Triple Crown, an event built on pure passion, not profit margins.
We talk about how they risked it all, what makes a show truly great, and why the best in the business are all flocking to Nashville. This is a masterclass in building something that matters.
"It's passion over profit. That's always been my motto in all my business ventures." – Gary Case

In This Episode:
- Gary's rapid-fire on childhood dreams, wife as lifelong partner, and early car obsession
- How Gary went from his parents' garage to Ridler Award status
- The story behind the Gary Sinise Foundation partnership and why it matters
- Other solid events still worth hitting, like Goodguys, NSRA, and Dino's Git Down
- Unsung builders who deserved more spotlight, like Donnie Pinkerton and Dave Lane
- Craziest youth stories, from street fights to jail time, lessons from dad
- Blunt views on today's generation, fading work ethic, and lost family values
- Triple Crown origins from Shades of the Past, partnering with Bobby Alloway, and non-stop hustle behind it
- Why the Triple Crown sold out instantly and left 40+ companies on a waitlist
- Giveaway truck details, celebrity picks, and new twists like bringing in injured vets
- Event perks, cheap entry, family vibes, and why you gotta experience it live

Connect with the Triple Crown of Rodding:
- Website: www.triplecrownofrodding.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triplecrownofrodding#
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triplecrownofrodding/

Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:
- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nc_carpet_binding/\

Most builders want growth. Jason built a machine. From starting over at 35 with nothing, to running one of the most systemized, innovative custom shops in the country. Fat Fender Garage is the blueprint for anyone trying to scale a real business in this industry.

Jason doesn’t just build high-end trucks. He builds teams, systems, margins, and culture, all with ruthless clarity and hard work. In this episode, we get real about money, clients, time, branding, leadership, and how to avoid the traps that take most shops down.

"I am responsible for my future. No one’s going to hand me anything—I have to work for it." – Jason Noel

In This Episode:
- The moment Jason lost everything at 35—and how it shaped the business leader he is today
- Why data and numbers are the backbone of scaling a business without chaos
- Jason’s take on building a strong brand and why your online presence is a job interview you’re not present for.
- Why Jason tells more customers “No” than “Yes”—and how that protects the business
- A look inside Fat Fender’s two assembly lines and station-based workflow that moves projects
- The constant battle against "scope creep" and how it can destroy your efficiency and profits.
- The financial mistake of hiring cheap labor and the massive returns from investing in six-figure employees.
- Why his family and kids will always be a higher priority than the shop, no matter how successful it gets.

Connect with Jason Noel:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatfendergarage
- Website: www.fatfender.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatFenderGarage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatfendergarageaz
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fatfenderaz

Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:
- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nc_carpet_binding/

Mike Getka isn’t just a retired Navy SEAL. He’s a walking blueprint for discipline, leadership, and showing up with no excuses—every single time. From snowshoeing in brutal New York winters to leading brutal BUD/S log PT sessions, Mike’s path wasn’t polished, but it was built by relentless grind and laser-sharp focus.
In this episode, Mike talks about growing up with Polish immigrant grit, the truth behind SEAL team brotherhood, and why the toughest training on earth isn’t just physical—it’s all in your head.
No war stories, no Hollywood drama. Just raw, unfiltered insight from a guy who’s been through it, shaped others through it, and still carries the mindset today.
"Take pride in everything that you do... When you start something, you absolutely finish it. Never quit." - Mike Getka

In This Episode:
- Mike's unexpected journey from Seabee to Navy SEAL and how a magazine article changed his life's direction
- The reality of BUD/S training, including Mike's battle with double pneumonia that forced him to restart the entire process
- How the SEAL mindset transforms challenge into opportunity, and what civilian teams can learn from this approach
- The brotherhood of SEALs - how it forms and why it's unlike any other bond
- Mike's post-military work teaching teams to unlock their full potential through SEAL-inspired training
- The evolution of the "quiet professional" and Mike's perspective on SEALs in the public eye
-  What Hollywood movies always get wrong about SEALs’ training and missions
- How mindfulness and meditation have helped Mike navigate health challenges after his intense military career
Resources Mentioned:
- Getka SEAL Mindset: https://getkasealmindset.com/
- Navy SEAL Foundation: https://www.navysealfoundation.org/
- Navy SEAL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavySEALfoundation
- Navy SEAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navysealfoundation/
- Navy SEAL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/navySEALfnd
- SEAL Future Foundation (SFF): https://sealfuturefoundation.org/
- Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida
Connect with Michael Getka:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getkasealmindset
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/getkasealmindset/
- Website: https://getkasealmindset.com/
Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:
- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nc_carpet_binding/