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The Future of Manufacturing Leadership: Ashley Watkins on People, Presence, and Purpose
In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, David Turner sits down with Ashley Watkins, Sales and Marketing Manager at JBM Technologies, to talk about what modern leadership in manufacturing really looks like.
Ashley grew up in the family business, surrounded by machines, customers, and community. Today she’s using her voice to help more women step into leadership roles, build stronger networks, and show the next generation what’s possible.
From joining Women in Manufacturing to building her personal brand across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, Ashley shares how authenticity and consistency can reshape perception in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
They discuss:
• Why “people buy from people” is more than a catchphrase
• How social media can drive real business outcomes
• The importance of mentorship and community in manufacturing
• Ways to bring more diversity and visibility to the shop floor
It’s a conversation about grit, growth, and the next wave of manufacturing leaders who are unafraid to be seen, both online and on the floor.
00:00 Introduction to Ashley Watkins and JBM Technologies
02:12 Ashley’s Journey in Manufacturing
04:54 Women in Manufacturing: Building Networks
07:48 The Impact of Personal Branding
10:21 The Role of AI in Marketing
13:14 Advice for Newcomers in the Industry
Keywords
manufacturing leadership, women in manufacturing, JBM Technologies, Ashley Watkins, manufacturing careers, manufacturing marketing, personal branding, manufacturing community, modern manufacturing, manufacturing podcast, David Turner, Rapid Fire Manufacturing, leadership development, industrial sales, manufacturing inspiration, social media in manufacturing, shop floor stories
🔍 Keywords (for SEO and RSS metadata)
Published on 1 week ago