MANSFIELD, Ohio — Ontario 2010 graduate Ben Shaum has a tendency to work his way out of trouble, according to his mother Toni Shaum.
In March, Ben decided to start his own business. So he went to the bank, took out a business loan and bought a computer numerical control machine from EZ Cut CNC for $35,000. Headquarters for his new business: dad’s shop.
His father, Mark Shaum, was all for it.
“I was as excited as he was about it. I actually pushed him to spend the money and buy it,” said Mark.
When the equipment showed up, Ben and his dad went to work at putting it together. As part of the purchase, the company out of St. Louis offers professional consultation for installation and training. They send someone knowledgeable to help with the hefty set-up process.
Ben didn’t need it.
“I had it set up and running before they got there — I have very little patience,” said Ben with a chuckle.
When EZ Cut CNC President Steve Dinsmore, went to check up on Ben’s newly purchased CNC, he was impressed with Ben’s energy and work ethic. In fact, he and Ben hit it off as soon as they met.
“He (Ben) gave me the impression that he wanted to do something more in his career,” said Dinsmore.
“The next day I got an email with an offer,” said Ben. The start-up company with clients all around the country, Mexico and Canada wanted to hire their next Field Technician. Ben accepted the job offer, which included a financial plan to pay off his debt to the CNC that still inhabits his parents’ shop in Ontario.
As a Field Technician, Ben travels the states to help install and train clients how to use CNCs, a widely used piece of equipment in today’s manufacturing arena. The company also has clients in Canada and South America.
Using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing programs, the CNC processes encrypted codes to produce specific components made of metal, making the sophisticated machinery user-friendly and cost effective for the manufacturing industry.
Still, training and experience in the field is necessary. Ben went to a trade school after graduating from high school. He then punched in three years at PR Machine Works in Ontario; and during that time, he bought and refurbished used equipment for resale.
Whether he knew it or not, Ben was building a clientele base and developing the passion it takes to owning a business.
That explains the seemingly whimsical purchase of a $35,000 CNC machine as a 23-year-old.
“Before I just wanted to work for someone. I was never introduced to business owning. But college opened my eyes — anyone can do this,” Ben said.
“And that’s the big thing I want to stress. Anyone can do it. You can do anything you want. When you’re in high school or not, go for it. We have the perfect climate for it here in Mansfield,” he said.
North Central State College Adjunct Professor for Entrepreneurship Heather Tsavaris agrees.
“There are exciting things happening in this area. There are young folks leading the way and it’s inspiring to watch,” said Tsavaris, who had Ben as a student a few years back. She taught a cohort entrepreneurship course to a diverse swath of students ranging from high school aged to senior citizens through the college’s Urban Center. She remembers Ben’s zeal for owning his own business.
“He realized that (machinery) was a great skill and ability to have in this area. So he made a business plan and I’m so excited for him,” she said. “It’s great to give folks that chance to unlock strengths because that’s when magic happens.”
As a young man in his early twenties, Ben has traveled all over the country and to Canada for the job.
“The traveling gets old,” said Ben. But he said the experience is giving him the opportunity to see how the business works, because ultimately, he aspires to run his own business selling machinery.
Whenever his time comes to launch his business, Ben intends on staying in Mansfield. It just makes sense, he said.
“Everybody wants to go to Columbus. Columbus is great, I love Columbus. But at the same time, your cost of living is higher, there’s so many more people to compete with in the job market,” Ben said.
“And that’s the big thing I want to stress. Anyone can do it. You can do anything you want. When you’re in high school or not, go for it. We have the perfect climate for it here in Mansfield,” Ben Shaum said.
