NC Shop Talk

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 year...

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...

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...

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 p...

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 t...

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 t...

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....

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 fini...

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 Stitchc...

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 busine...

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 In...

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 oper...

The NC Shop Talk podcast has taken you behind the scenes with some of the auto industry's most well-known names and brands. The past 17 episodes brought in elite trimmers and car builders from across the world to talk about their unique craft. In this episode, we're flipping the script as Mal gets on the hot seat for his interview on The Hog Ring . You know him as the CEO of NC Carpet Binding &amp...

“Don't dream it. Build it.” Ralph Holguin , the owner of RMD Garage, a multi-awarded automotive restoration and customization shop in California, dreamed of making the 1953 Ford F-100 the coolest car ever. And that was the beginning. Ralph's Mobile Detailing (RMD) opened in 1993. When Ralph became so passionate about the styling of the 1953 Ford F-100, it gave him the skills and connections needed...

Many people are drawn to the exterior design first when choosing a car. But customer expectations are changing, and people are willing to pay more for higher quality car interiors. Hence, the demand for custom automotive interior design is also increasing.  To talk about the importance of automotive interiors, Mal interviews Tracy Weaver, owner of Recovery Room Interiors. Tracy is a master of...

We all know that fathers play a unique role in their son’s aspirations. This week, Mal interviews Bill Carlton, a major player in the custom fabrication industry. He grew up on a property that his father bought in 1976. Growing up, Bill got accustomed to seeing his dad working on trucks and cars and transforming them into beautiful and powerful vehicles. Soon, he started working in the family busi...

In today’s episode, Mal Maher welcomes Oksana Ignatova of Stitch Girl Inc., a fast-rising talent in custom interiors. Oksana tried her hand at upholstery at the age of 23 and fell in love with it. Originally from Belarus, she moved to the US with her husband to pursue the American Dream. Fueled by her passion for sewing and making creative ideas come to life, Oksana has developed her craft to the...

It is not uncommon for someone to have diverse interests. But what does a pizza shop have in common with a custom upholstery shop? This week, Mal interviews Chris McClintock about his journey from working in his family’s pizza shop to establishing Bux Customs in a small town in Pennsylvania. Today, Bux Customs is known for custom high-end automotive interiors.  Chris’s story is inspiring beca...

Are you a fan of bespoke leather products? A good quality leather product is a work of art. It is something you’ll cherish for a long time. It can also be a good conversation piece. There are a few reliable companies that create sustainable leather to supply the needs of the leather industry. In today’s episode, Mal talks to Randy Maggard, Automotive Division Manager who also handles several aviat...

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA ) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive, and successful. It is also known for supporting philanthropic organizations like the Corporate Angel Network, Air Charity Network, and Veterans Airlift Command. In addition, NBAA hosts the most prominent annual...

When decorating your space, would you go for bare floors or designer rugs? Rugs definitely add a layer of warmth to a room with their luxurious materials and textures. Rugs transform an interior with different colors, textures, and patterns and reflect your style. But where do you get the exact carpet you need? Fret no more. Nourison doesn’t like bare floors as much as you do. So they would love t...

How would you like to have beautifully designed interiors done efficiently? Better yet, how would you like to learn the craft? If your answer is yes, you're going to love this episode with today's guest Bryan Schmitt, founder and CEO of Mobile Solutions. Bryan has extensive experience in the automotive aftermarket. He designed and constructed award-winning car audio systems bringing him worldwide...

What does it take to become a master trimmer? Aside from getting formal training, nothing beats years of hands-on experience and a love of the craft. After years of being known as “the owner's son,” his ambition to create something on his own drove Steve Kurzman to open The Custom Stitching Co. (CSC) in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The Custom Stitching Co. is not your average upholstery shop....

Dude’s Fab Shop is a fabrication shop specializing in custom vehicles, specifically custom trucks. They have a fully equipped shop to meet all your fabrication needs, including CNC plasma cutting, MIG, TIG, Flux Core, stick welding, and oxy fuel cutting. The shop is owned and operated by young couple Dalton Lovejoy and Maddie Heater.  Dalton bought his first truck when he was 15. He wanted to...

Are you up for some serious conversation? How do you transcend political differences and just really listen to each other? Or would you rather shut up so you do not offend anyone? Today's guest is US Army Combat Veteran-turned-entrepreneur Jimmy Compton. Jimmy is the man behind  The Proper Gentleman , a company that provides custom bespoke leather goods for men. Mal describes Jimmy as a patri...