Taking over a family machine shop is never just a business decision. It's personal. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Nubia Perez of Gretna Machine Shop to talk about what it really means to carry a founder's legacy forward while finding the courage to lead in your own way.
Nubia shares the origin story of Gretna Machine Shop, founded by her father after immigrating to the U.S. with little more than a suitcase and a trade. What began in a small garage evolved into a respected Houston-based precision machining company serving oil and gas, aerospace, and defense. But the journey wasn't linear, and it wasn't easy.
After her father's health declined and he passed away shortly after Nubia joined the business, she was left to navigate leadership without the long runway many second-generation owners get. For nearly a decade, she focused on administration, growth initiatives, and diversification, without fully stepping into the role of CEO. Those years, which she candidly refers to as "the dark years," revealed a hard truth: the business didn't just need management, it needed vision.
This conversation explores Nubia's transformation from reluctant successor to confident leader. We talk about imposter syndrome, EOS, values-based leadership, mindful manufacturing, and how culture changes when the stress comes from the work instead of the people. It's an honest, human story about growth, grief, responsibility, and learning to lead as yourself — not as a replica of the generation before you.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (0:00) Why separating people from problems changes how teams handle stress
- (0:55) Introducing Nubia Perez and Gretna Machine Shop
- (3:01) A snapshot of Gretna today, including industries served and ownership structure
- (3:53) Gretna's founding and the early days in Houston
- (6:43) Nubia's career outside manufacturing and resisting the family business
- (7:51) Joining the shop, starting an MBA, and losing her father months later
- (10:43) Why you should check out the SMW Autoblok catalog
- (11:58) Growing up around the shop and parental expectations
- (13:36) Learning to love manufacturing and seeing the shop as a place of opportunity
- (17:27) The "dark years" after taking over without clear leadership or vision
- (18:26) Moving facilities and early efforts to professionalize the business
- (21:01) Realizing the business needed a true CEO, not just administrators
- (24:01) Stepping into leadership through observation, listening, and learning
- (25:47) How her father's health shaped Gretna's culture and focus on wellness
- (28:49) Mark your calendars and come see us at IMTS 2026!
- (29:45) Hiring, firing, and promoting based on values, not just performance
- (32:47) Diversifying beyond oil and gas into aerospace and defense
- (37:00) Using feedback loops to learn from both failures and wins
- (41:16) Lean thinking, operational waste, and continuous improvement in practice
- (44:07) Using EOS scorecards and Level 10 meetings to drive accountability
- (46:27) Turning metrics and root cause analysis into real action
- (48:42) How to get ProShop's guide to help you achieve on-time delivery
- (50:11) Workforce development challenges and investing in apprenticeships
- (54:03) Building culture through shared routines and leadership team trust
- (57:28) Embracing authentic leadership and letting go of imposter syndrome
- (1:03:46) How to connect with Gretna Machine Shop and Nubia Perez
Resources & People Mentioned
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