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 year's NC Interior of the Year Awards.

Discover what makes “Old Guy” Tony deserving of the accolade. He is a humble guy who does not brag about his skills or accomplishments, but he definitely has something valuable to share with everyone listening.

“If you want to win, keep trying until you win.” – Tony Miller

In This Episode:

- An exciting product launch for NC Carpet Binding & Equipment

- Here's a funny story about Mal's first encounter with Tony

- A brief background about Tony and how he got into the custom auto industry

- Why Tony joined the NC Auto Interior Contest again after failing to win the grand prize in 2021

- How did Tony know it was time to hire people?

- What is the biggest challenge with managing a team instead of doing things yourself?

- Mal puts Tony on the Rapid Fire Hot Seat

- What does Tony's team member, Erick, think about him?

And more!

Connect with Tony Miller:

- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/stitchescustomautoupholstery/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tony_stitches/

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/

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 high-quality body panels. The AMD team is a team of true car guys with extensive experience in the collector car and restoration trade. Eddy is the guy who takes AMD everywhere. You can see him at almost every trade show in different places.

Join Mal and Eddie as they talk about Eddy's role in growing AMD, his charity organization, and how networking plays a role in everything they do.

“Networking is a big thing. That's the key to everything.” – Eddy Cebreco

In This Episode:

- Exciting updates and events to watch out for

- What does AMD do, and what is Eddie's role in the company?

- How Mal and Eddie connected

- The evolution of AMD and vision for the future

- Events and places where you can catch AMD

- Mal shares an exciting idea for AMD to come up with new products

- AMD and Gas Monkey Garage collaboration

- What is the Eddy Bear Foundation all about?

- Eddy and his buddy, Vanilla Ice

- How Eddy celebrates Valentine's Day

And more!

Names & Events Mentioned:

- Mobile Solutions - https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/

- Mastertech Expo - https://www.mastertechexpo.com/

- Gas Monkey Garage - https://www.gasmonkeygarage.com/

- Medina's Interior Design - https://www.instagram.com/medinasinteriordesigns/

- Cato's Custom Upholstery - https://www.instagram.com/catoscustomupholstery/

- Sign up for the Bitchin Stitchin Custom Upholstery Class - https://www.bitchinstitchinofficial.com/

- Courtney Hansen - https://web.facebook.com/OfficialCourtneyHansen

- Donate a Teddy Bear to the Eddy Bear Foundation - https://eddybear.org/

Connect with Eddy Cebreco & AMD:

- Website - https://www.autometaldirect.com/

- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/AutoMetalDirect/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/autometaldirect

Connect with Mal and NC Carpet:

- Website - https://www.n-ccarpet.com/

- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/nccarpetmachines/

- Instagram -

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 he is destined for automotive greatness from the very beginning.

His passion for impeccable design and craftsmanship started at age seven. Growing up in his father’s autobody shop, Rob developed a love of cars and the ability to bring them back to life. His father, Bob, was a Hot Rodder and Racer since his teens, as he built a 409 Powered 34 Ford, Willys Gasser, and Hemi Healy. Together, they collaborated and built cars for decades.

Join Mal and Rob as they discuss what it's like to come from a family of skilled craftsmen and be able to create masterpieces throughout your life.

“When you try to make every part the star of the show, you have a circus act when you've done that. There are too many stars in the show. You don't want that.” – Rob Ida

In This Episode:

- Exciting news and events to look out for

- Who is Rob Ida, and how did he end up in the automotive industry?

- How Rob developed his skill and unique design style

- Rob's thought process when doing car restorations

- Customizing cars for Ford

- The best of the best in the custom car industry

- Mal puts Rob on the Rapid Fire Hotseat

And more!

Names & Events Mentioned:

- Courtney Hansen (Ride of Your Life) - https://www.instagram.com/courtney_hansen/

- The International Surface Event - https://web.facebook.com/TISEofficial/

- The NC Auto Interior of the Year Winner: Stitches Custom Upholstery by Tony Miller - https://web.facebook.com/stitchescustomautoupholstery/

- Mikey Seats - https://www.instagram.com/mikeyseats/

- Bruce Devlin - https://www.instagram.com/bruce_devlin/

- Oil & Whiskey Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/oilandwhiskeypodcast/

- Hagerty - https://www.instagram.com/hagerty/

- Rik Hoving - https://web.facebook.com/Rik.Hoving.Kustoms

Connect with Rob Ida:

- Website - https://robidaconcepts.com/

- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064330943958

- Instagram