Inheriting Dad’s Machine Shop: Protecting Our Legacy, Building Our Future
Taking over my father’s machine shop after he passed away was a daunting task, and each day has brought new challenges and lessons. Now, as my siblings and I wrap up our second year of running Mills Machine Works without him, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come and the steps we’re taking to keep his legacy alive.
My dad was a tough, self-reliant man who built Mills Machine Works from the ground up. But he was also set in his ways. I realized early on that if we were going to keep the business thriving, we needed to embrace new ideas—as my siblings and I work to preserve what he built, we also have to bring Mills Machine Works into the future.
Here are a few of the most important lessons we’ve learned while navigating this journey:
1. Know When to Ask for Help
The hardest part for me initially was realizing it’s okay to ask for help. My dad believed in figuring things out on his own, but I’ve learned that a little support can make a huge difference. There’s no one right way to do things, and looking outside ourselves has made us stronger.
One of the first resources we found was MassMEP. I’d never heard of them before, but they came out, looked at our shop, and helped us apply for grants that would allow us to get ISO certified. The guidance they offered was incredible (and free!). They pointed out so many small things we could change to make a big impact.
We also joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, which offered practical, honest feedback from business coaches who had faced similar challenges. Each piece of advice gave us something new to work with, and I feel more confident with every bit of progress we make.
I constantly lean on other forms of support—networking on LinkedIn, reaching out to other business owners, listening to industry podcasts like The Job Shop Show, and attending local networking events. Every bit of knowledge we’ve gathered along the way has helped us build a strong foundation for growth.
2. Create a Culture of Transparency
My dad always kept a “need-to-know” mindset—sharing information as it was needed and no sooner. I wish he had been more open about his decisions and processes, especially now as we try to carry on his legacy. Without that knowledge, we’ve had to learn some lessons the hard way, especially when it comes to working with new vendors. When we switched one material vendor, for example, the poor quality and service we received showed why he stuck with his small, trusted network. Knowing that sooner could have saved us months of frustration.
3. Document Everything
Today, I make it a priority to document everything Mills Machine Works does, in detail. Not just the “what” but the “why” behind each decision. I want anyone stepping into the business to understand the thought process behind our work. This documentation is not just for my siblings and me running the business today; it’s a legacy I hope will make it easier for future generations, maybe even my own kids someday, to carry on the business.
4. Invest in Technology for the Future Today
The biggest thing we’re doing differently today is making technology a top priority. My dad preferred his handwritten spreadsheets and well-worn workflows over any new system, no matter how much potential it offered. When I suggested a tool like Paperless Parts three years ago, he resisted—it was just his way. But looking back, I realize that adopting it sooner would have put us in a much stronger position today. After he passed, the burden of quoting fell squarely on my siblings and me, and if we’d had Paperless Parts in place, we’d have had a clear playbook and rich database to guide us forward and help us succeed on our own.
We began implementing Paperless Parts earlier this year, and now we can upload prints, store critical information, and capture the “tribal knowledge” of our quoting process. It feels like we’re preserving what my dad created by making it accessible.
Our Journey Forward
There’s a weight that comes with leading a family business—it’s an ongoing challenge to balance tradition with progress. If I could go back, I would have asked my dad more questions about his long-term vision for the company. It’s hard to talk about succession planning, but those conversations are what help us create the legacies we want to leave.
We’re two years into this new chapter, and I know we’re building something that would make my dad proud. My advice to anyone in a similar position is to be open, be willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. View tomorrow’s possible challenges as today’s priorities.
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Ashley Parent serves as the President and CEO of Mills Machine Works in Lawrence, MA. Ashley leads the company alongside her younger brother and sister, fostering a family-driven atmosphere within the business. In her role, Ashley oversees the day-to-day operations of the machine shop, ensuring that the company continues to deliver high-quality products and services. Beyond the business, Ashley is a devoted wife and mother, balancing the demands of being a business owner with the joys of raising her daughter and son.