5. From Makeup Counters to Metal Chips: How Rachel Marshall Became the Lathe Babe

Rachel Marshall—better known online as The Lathe Babe—shares her story of trading cosmetics counters for CNC machines and now operating a thriving family-run shop, Excel Machine Manufacturing, in Utah. Host Jess Urbans takes you through Rachel’s unconventional path into manufacturing, working side-by-side with her husband, and why they've purposely kept the business small. Rachel discusses the surprising links between sales skills, retail experience, and machine shop work, and her candid thoughts on the importance of women and the next generation in the trades.This episode covers the reality of running a shop with your spouse, balancing personal and professional life, and building shop culture with a team of just two. Rachel explains how she uses social media to connect with others in the industry, the value of mentorship, and the skills she brought from her previous careers. Expect real talk on manufacturing stereotypes, the myth of needing to “grow big or go home,” and the everyday creativity that drives the trades.Whether you run a shop or wonder how the worlds of makeup and machining overlap, you'll find practical advice, humor, and inspiration for anyone interested in small business, skilled trades, or a career pivot.Connect with Rachel (“The Lathe Babe”) and Excel Machine Manufacturing on LinkedIn, Instagram, or at excelmachine.net. For questions or RFQs, reach out to Luke at lukexelmachine.net. Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories from the CNC Underground.———Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/    Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-casanova-m-ed-868094349/Connect with Rachel Marshall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-marshall-2ba41116b/———Join CNC Underground Newsletter!  https://swiy.co/cncundergroundJoin CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.————About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.Learn more at: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com—————————————————————————————————

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