In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Dr. Eric Charles Maass, founder of Six Sigma Experts and one of the original architects of Six Sigma methodology at Motorola. With 30+ years at Motorola and 11 years at Medtronic, Eric shares how he transformed his corporate expertise into a consulting business that helps engineering teams optimize product development and manufacturing processes through Lean Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) training. He reveals why he launched Six Sigma Experts during the 2008 financial crisis, how his "retirement hobby" became a thriving consultancy, and his unique approach to integrating Bayesian networks and causal AI into process improvement.

Eric discusses the future of manufacturing in America, his innovative "OptMM" platform that goes beyond traditional Lean Six Sigma, and why enthusiasm is the secret weapon for entrepreneurial success. He also tackles the role of AI in quality engineering, explaining how his stochastic engineering methods (featured on his STOCHED.com platform) solve real-world problems that deterministic models miss. For founders, Eric's journey offers masterclass lessons on transitioning from corporate to consulting, monetizing expertise, and building credibility through thought leadership (including his books Flawless Launches and Applying Design for Six Sigma).