What does it take to be a winner? Living and winning in a competitive environment is challenging, especially when you see many talented people around you. You also need to have some unique skills to get ahead of others.  But today's guest has a simple philosophy that makes him a true winner in life. Of course, he and his team are very good at what they do and never give up easily.  NC Shop Talk welcomes Tony Miller of Stitches Custom Auto Upholstery, who was chosen as the winner of this...

Whether you're a business owner, an entrepreneur, or a regular guy, building and maintaining a strong network can significantly impact your business and life. Connecting with people and forming lasting relationships makes you a better individual. Networking is also highly effective in helping grow your business. Today, Mal is chatting with someone he connected with who later became his good friend.  NC Shop Talk welcomes Eddy Cebreco of AMD (Auto Metal Direct), a one-stop source for...

Is talent inherited, or is it something you can learn? You can say it's a little bit of both. And today's guest is here to show how your environment and desire to learn significantly impact how you find your place in the world. NC Shop Talk welcomes Rob Ida, an absolute icon in the custom vehicle industry. With over 40 years of experience, Rob has transformed dozens of high-end vehicles into award-winning showstoppers. You can say that the fondness for vintage cars runs in Rob’s genes, and...

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? What are you most proud of? When people get asked this question, some have ready answers, while some think long and hard about the things that shaped their lives. It's because our lives are not marked by one significant moment that changed it all. The best answer to “What is your greatest accomplishment?” is the first thing that comes to mind that makes you proud. Today's guest has had many accomplishments, and he plans on doing...

Finding Mal and Randy! Get a chance to win a bunch of cool stuff from NC Carpet Binding and Moore & Giles at the 2023 SEMA Show happening November 1-4, 2023. Plus, get discounts and an extended 5-year limited warranty when you buy machines from NC Carpet Binding.  Hot Wheels are one of the most loved toy cars in the world. That's no exaggeration. The design and build of the cars are just simply spectacular! It takes superb craftsmanship to build a life-size Hot Wheels. And today's guest...

How does it feel to be doing something you love for a living? Sounds like fun, right? It must feel terrific to love what you do. Let's hear from someone who wakes up excited to create something truly amazing every day.  Tavis Highlander is an automotive designer, illustrator, and artist who also plays in the garage making random stuff. His specialty is custom car rendering. While in college, Tavis completed his first professional work with Pure Vision owner Steve Strope. They worked...

When you're a small business owner, you do most of the work yourself. But as your business grows, you find yourself getting overwhelmed. Should you bring in another person? When is the right time to get help? There are many factors to consider, and it's a tough decision.  In this episode, Mal chats with Corbin Boland of Florida Bay Customs regarding growing pains and tough decisions. Corbin shares what it's like doing most of the work in his shop and the struggles he had to contend with...

It's halfway through 2023, and you're probably in your busiest season. What plans do you have for the rest of the year? What are you doing that will make a big difference in your business? If you're focused, there are many things you can get into place to end the year strong.  In this episode, Mal shares his exciting plans for the coming months, including the return to SEMA with fantastic giveaways, Bless A Soldier Project, a new sponsorship, and many more. Plus, you get to hear a debate on...

How do you go from doing something simple to jumping into business ownership? What does it take to transform a small business into something bigger than yourself? Jonathan Goolsby has been customizing anything he could get his hands on for over twenty years, starting at home in the garage and then as the head painter for the local Chevrolet dealership for over twelve years.  During that time, genuine friendships were born, and many custom cars were built for a growing customer base. At about...

As the custom auto industry continue to evolve, it is critical for trimmers and designers to understand users’ needs and put them at the center of their day-to-day operations. If youre running a three-man team, how would you adapt to the changes in the industry while competing with bigger businesses and continue honing your craft? Thats what were about to hear from todays conversation with two awesome people NC Shop Talk welcomes power couple Chuck Hanna and Lisa Keatley of Hot Rod Interiors...

People who don't get what they want often say life is unfair. Well, tell that to someone who lost the ability to use his legs at a prime age. Then, imagine waking up to an experience that would change your life forever.  Today's guest is a wonderful human who can overcome life's toughest challenges. NC Shop Talk welcomes Mal's good friend, Scott Chesney, to the show! Scott is an internationally recognized motivational speaker and life coach, presenting to over 1.5 million people in 43...

Growing your business and expanding your reach should be an ongoing endeavor, not a start-of-the-year plan. And it's impossible to do that without being creative and challenging yourself in new ways and even taking chances that could blow up in your face. But risk-taking is a natural part of growing your business.  Today's guest agrees that one should always pursue excellence and strive to always be on top. NC Shop Talk welcomes Bryan Schmitt to the show! Bryan is the founder and CEO of...

Welcome to 2023! Starting the New Year with something fresh, this episode is entirely different from what NC Shop Talk had ever done. Today, Mal will interview one of the NC Interior of the Year Competition finalists! So don't miss out on this exciting episode.  You've heard Mal talk about the “Young Guns Challenge,” which intends to highlight new talent by focusing on trimmers with five years or less of experience building complete interiors. This contest aims to encourage the next...

Fancy a Classic Ford Bronco or a vintage Camaro? Then this is the place to go; Velocity Restorations stretches out the limits of creativity in giving you the best vintage vehicle, fully restored and customized just the way you want it. The Velocity team breathes new life into vintage trucks of all kinds. Let's learn more about the shop and its award-winning restoration process.  NC Shop Talk welcomes Cody Dabney, Director of Custom Vehicle Operations at Velocity Restorations LLC, a high-end,...

Since Mal launched this podcast, he has interviewed the best of the best in the field of custom auto upholstery. But in today's episode, Mal flips the mic and allows his good friend Phil Cato to take over the podcast. So if you're interested in knowing more about Mal Maher, his family life, his passion, mission, vision for the future, and many more, this is your chance because Phil is interviewing Mal this time. Phil is a proud USAF Veteran and a well-known Custom Hotrod Interiors Expert...

America is known as the land of opportunities. So no wonder many people want to take the chance to craft a good life in this land. Today's guest is someone who knows what it's like to live The Great American Dream. NC Shop Talk welcomes Antonio Junior Marquez, best known as Junior of Juniors Custom Upholstery and Golf Cart King in Texas. Junior shares his inspiring story and walks us through his path to success. Junior is one of the hardest-working people in the custom upholstery industry. He...

How do you combine traditional and innovative? These two words describe today's guest, legendary hot rod interior guru Sid Chavers. Sid has been in the Custom Upholstery business since February 1976 and has his roots in the traditional school of first-generation interior customizers. However, unlike some people who reach a certain level and are content to stay there, Sid has used this foundation to achieve a higher level, raising the standards of design excellence and craftsmanship. The Sid...

There's no challenge so great for a master craftsman. He always gives his best at whatever task is at hand. That is the mindset of Brent Parker, winner of the 2020 NC Auto Interior of the Year award. He is an elite international trimmer based in Central Coast NSW, Australia. Brent won over other talented and skilled trimmers with his incredibly stunning design and unique leather color. Get ready to meet this man from the Land Down Under and learn more about the thought process behind a...

As machines take over production and manual work for many industries, the auto industry still treasures handcrafted interiors. After all, no machine can equal the craftsmanship of a man as skilled as Shannon Walters. NC Shop Talk had him as the featured guest in the June 23, 2021 episode. Today, Mal welcomes back Shannon Walters, owner of Interiors by Shannon, a one-person shop based in Alabama.  Shannon does not need much of an introduction. His custom upholstery has won Best Interior Awards...

In today's episode, Mal speaks with Gil and Linda of Gillin Custom Design, the go-to shop and Orange County's pride in auto and home builds. What makes this shop famous? Let's find out from the owners.  Gil is one of the original owners of Gillin Custom Design and opened it with Linda in 2006. Thirteen years later, the vision of opening a shop that completed high-end builds from start to finish came to fruition with GCD Auto Studio. Linda grew up with a love for muscle cars, with the 1967...

The title of this episode sums up exactly who we have on the show today. Revo Reeves is one of the original big-ticket interior builders in the nation. He was featured in dozens of auto-themed shows and hundreds of magazine covers. This guy has also worked with big-name celebrities. In addition, he is a world-class designer and creator of show-quality automotive interiors. Revo established Stitchcraft Interiors in 1978, and it quickly became known for its innovative and award-winning custom...

This episode is a real treat as Mal does a back-to-back interview with two legends in the industry. The first guest is Tom Monahan of Centrum Force, a shop which provides the best equipment, chemistry, and personalized service in the rug cleaning industry. Tom has been in business since 2007. Centrum Force is committed to building machines and furnishing accessories to last the life of your business.  The next guest is Doug Heiferman, also known as The Cobra. Doug is one of the most sought...

How do you stand out from the crowd? What makes people think of you when competing with a dozen other people who are doing the same thing? Our guest has managed to do both! Even when people don't always remember his name, they surely remember the guy with the green mohawk, the man behind Kentucky's premier hot rod shop, Sewn Tight Custom Interiors! Shane Lile owns and operates Sewn Tight Custom Interiors. He worked for ten years in corporate America before quitting to open his custom auto...

No singular entity, brand, or product is more vital to the auto interior trade than The Hog Ring (THR). It is the central hub for industry news. More than just a source for jobs or a breeding ground for vendors, THR is the galvanizing force to the auto interior industry. The driving force behind this fantastic community is the dynamic Muaddi Brothers – Nadeem and Naseem.  Naseem owns and operates the Delaware County Auto Upholstery, while Nadeem spearheads THR, owing from his 15 years of...