#53 Jim Belosic, Founder & CEO of SendCutSend
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
This episode features Jim Belosic, founder and CEO of SendCutSend, discussing his journey from a software entrepreneur to building one of America's fastest-growing manufacturing companies. Starting with a single laser in 2018, Belosic has grown SendCutSend to serve 250-300,000 customers with millions in revenue, all while maintaining a bootstrapped, customer-first philosophy. (26:38)
• The conversation explores the resurgence of American manufacturing, the power of generosity in business relationships, and how constraints can drive innovation and sustainable growth.Speakers
Jim Belosic
Jim Belosic is the founder and CEO of SendCutSend, a leading on-demand manufacturing company based in Reno, Nevada. Starting as a software entrepreneur, Belosic transitioned to manufacturing in 2018 when he couldn't find quality parts for his own projects. He bootstrapped SendCutSend from a single laser purchase and has grown it to serve hundreds of thousands of customers across multiple facilities in Nevada, Kentucky, and Texas, all without taking venture capital funding.
Key Takeaways
Treat Suppliers Like Partners, Not Servants
Belosic emphasizes building genuine relationships with vendors based on mutual respect and generosity. (04:04) He uses "fun coupons" - cash bonuses distributed to delivery drivers and partners who go above and beyond. The test is simple: "Would we want to have a beer together?" This approach has led to incredible loyalty, with FedEx drivers putting on chains during snowstorms just to make deliveries to SendCutSend. The lesson is that generosity in business relationships creates a competitive moat that's impossible to replicate through contracts alone.
Be Frugal, Not Cheap - Invest in the Right Things
There's a crucial difference between being frugal and being cheap. (10:19) Belosic's motto "Don't save money" means investing in experiences and quality that create long-term value, even if they cost more upfront. For example, they include candy in packages and pay for overnight shipping when customers need it urgently, because these investments in customer experience generate lifetime value that far exceeds the immediate cost. Being cheap means cutting costs that hurt the business; being frugal means spending wisely on what matters most.
Constraints Force Better Decision Making
Starting without venture capital forced Belosic to make careful, intentional decisions about every purchase and hire. (18:38) He argues that having unlimited money would have led to buying wrong equipment and hiring wrong people. Constraints force you to think deeply about priorities and move cautiously, which ultimately builds a stronger foundation. When you're constrained, you spend time thinking "is this the right move?" rather than just throwing money at problems.
Hire Based on Proof of Work, Not Credentials
SendCutSend hires customers and makers who can demonstrate what they've built rather than focusing on degrees or traditional experience. (91:36) Belosic hired a software engineer who showed him an app on his iPhone at a job fair, and another engineer who built a robot to automate bacon quality control at his previous job. The key question is: "What challenges were presented to you and how did you solve them?" This approach brings in problem-solvers who can adapt and innovate rather than people stuck in traditional ways of thinking.
Focus Only on What You Can Control
When facing challenges, Belosic focuses entirely on constraints within his control rather than external factors. (62:29) His motto is "I don't have a time machine" - you can't change what went wrong, only what you do moving forward. For things outside their control (weather, supplier issues, shipping delays), they build redundancy with multiple suppliers, backup shipping methods, and distributed facilities. This mental model prevents wasted energy on things you can't influence while maximizing impact on areas where you have agency.
Statistics & Facts
- SendCutSend serves 250-300,000 customers and processes thousands of unique SKUs per day, making it one of the highest-mix manufacturers in the industry. (16:25)
- The company carries approximately 7 days worth of metal inventory at any given time, requiring millions of dollars in working capital to maintain surge capacity. (66:17)
- SendCutSend operates with 350 employees across multiple facilities, with the company paying $40/hour wages compared to industry standard of $13/hour to ensure quality and retention. (99:29)
