10-06-25 Erick Sharp • Ace Laboratories
In this conversation, Jim Haviland interviews Erick Sharp, the founder of ACE Laboratories, discussing the unique position of the company in the polymer industry, the challenges of a depleting technical workforce, the importance of mentorship, and the dynamics of team leadership. Erick shares insights on how ACE Laboratories supports innovation and growth for its clients while fostering a positive work environment.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericksharp/
Mentors
Doug Hartley https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hartley-56397b37/
Jim Jelinek
Mentors
Doug Hartley https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hartley-56397b37/
Jim Jelinek
Takeaways
- ACE Laboratories focuses on scaling technology for its customers.
- The polymer industry faces a significant gap in technical expertise.
- Mentorship plays a crucial role in business development.
- A strong team is essential for executing a business vision.
- ACE Laboratories has trademarked the term 'rubber nerds' to embrace their technical expertise.
- The company has been recognized as one of the best places to work for four consecutive years.
- Innovation in the polymer space is vital for attracting younger talent.
- The perception of the rubber industry needs to change to attract new workers.
- Erick emphasizes the importance of listening to customer needs.
- Building a supportive network of mentors has been key to ACE's success.
Sound bite
"We trademark the term rubber nerds."
Weekly Impact is sponsored by FirstOS, Build a Great Business from the Start
Creators and Guests
Host
Jim Haviland
Jim Haviland has dedicated decades to pursuing the keys to healthy entrepreneurship. Having owned or led over a dozen entrepreneurial companies himself, (including both successes and a few expensive lessons learned) he is passionate about the power of helping people build a business and in making it easier to avoid the mistakes that end them. Jim gathers his insights and stories from a career that spans an unusual breadth of experiences. As an electrical engineer, he worked on NASA satellites, digital media distribution, and professional audio recording equipment resulting in patents, peer-reviewed research, and medical school curriculum technologies. As a media producer, his work has resulted in Grammys, Oscars, and Emmys. As a technology executive, he has traveled the world working with the world’s best-known brands, presenting to audiences in over 100 cities on innovation and using technology to help organizations do “more and more with less and less forever.” As a business coach, he has helped hundreds of companies and entrepreneurial executives utilize tools and disciplines to build more productive, humane, and resilient organizations. Mr. Haviland is a partner with Impact Architects, a growth advisory firm, where he helps leadership teams develop their business, establish an intentional culture and operating system, and make repeatable progress toward their loftiest goals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimhaviland/
