From Floater to Owner: Melissa Ramos’s Journey at M95 Machining

I do everything from programming and setup to delivering parts. My daily routine shifts from exciting to demanding, yet each task adds value to our customers.

I have two vertical three‑axis mills. I focus on rapid prototype machining, offering same‑day or next‑day delivery. I also oversee most of my dad’s in‑house production, which is streamlined and consistent. His shop has over 30 years of experience and serves more than 200 clients in public transit, automotive, and semiconductor industries.

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Melissa Ramos is the owner of M95 Machining. Photo provided by Melissa Ramos.

My dad’s a fabricator. I’ve been working for him since I was 13. I began as a floater, and once I could drive, I handled deliveries and pickups for various shops and vendors.

After high school I knew college wasn’t for me. I wanted to help my dad in the shop. I expected a desk job, but when the mills arrived he told me, “Here you go. This is what you’ll do.”

My dad initially did the CAM programming while I set up the machines and produced parts. Early on, software crashes were common.

My first part was a learning moment. I showed it to my dad’s business partner—my grandfather—and he said, “That looks rough, but you made it.” Months later, after refining the process, he asked, “Did you make that?”

I programmed my first part, but the Haas machine didn’t read the file. A training session with Angelo Juras revealed I was using the wrong post. After correcting it, the part came out flawlessly, and I realized I could master any design.

My Instagram profile gained traction because I share my process openly. Some admire my long‑nail work style, others criticize it, but I remain authentic and approachable.

I choose not to engage with negativity. I focus on staying true, honest, and vulnerable—qualities I want to continue fostering.

Messages from aspiring engineers have been heart‑warming. “I’m entering engineering because of you.” “I’ll take a CNC class because of you.” If my work inspires others, that’s a meaningful reward.

Last year my dad became the sole owner of his company, and my goal is to take over. I plan to expand our capabilities with a five‑axis machine, a lathe, and automation tools, keeping all machining in-house.

Seeing a finished part that fits perfectly and solves a customer’s problem is incredibly rewarding. A recent client email praised our quality, saying, “I heard you guys are a really great shop.” Knowing that trust has been earned is the highest compliment.