“If you’re not going to do it well, don’t do it at all.”
That belief didn’t come from a textbook; it came from experience.
When Joe Inglis reflects on the early days, he doesn’t idealize them. “Challenges, huh? Trying to survive,” he says plainly. It was a different world then, one that demanded sacrifice in ways that are hard to imagine today. “If you can imagine… you’ve got two kids and a wife that didn’t work… and you’re making two bucks an hour.”
There were no shortcuts, only the responsibility and the pressure that comes with it.
Before there were high-tech certifications, specialized aerospace projects, and the Lynn Welding, you know today there was a small, family-run operation in a garage. To look at Lynn Welding today is to see the physical manifestation of a "school of hard knocks" education earned in the 1960s. For Joe Inglis, success wasn't about titles or boardrooms; it was about the quiet, relentless work of showing up, partnering with his brother, and navigating a world that demanded perfection.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to establish a career in the 1960s?
“I went to trade school; that was a long time ago, it was back in the 60s. There was no money in those days for college, you know, my generation. You know, some people obviously had a lot of money in their family or whatever, but we didn't. I went to trade school and progressed from there. I went to Capital City Machine in Hartford, which was my first job, at 2 bucks an hour, which was a lot in those days.”
At a starting wage of $2 an hour, that humble beginning set the stage for a lifelong career in machining and aerospace, proving that dedication and skill could open doors to a successful career.
What Started It All: Machining
Machining was more than just a job; it was the foundation for Joe’s career.
After trade school, he entered the workforce ready to learn, taking on hands-on work that demanded precision and discipline. Over time, those early lessons shaped not only his skillset but also his mindset, one rooted in accountability, quality, and consistency.
When he joined the family business, it was already underway, started by his brother, Jim Inglis, but still evolving. “All he did was welding and wanted to diversify the business… by adding a machine shop.”
That’s where Joe stepped in.
By building out the machine shop, Joe helped transform the business into something more, laying the groundwork for long-term success with the values that shine through today.
Family was never separated from the business; it was part of it. From the beginning, Lynn Welding was built as a shared effort between Joe, his brother, and their partner Bob Schomberg, with support also coming from Joe’s wife and sister-in-law in the day-to-day operations as the company grew.
It was a hands-on environment where everyone contributed in different ways to keep things moving. Nothing was overly structured in the early days; it was about stepping in, solving problems, and building something together from the ground up.
Looking back, Joe sums it up simply: "We each had our own domains.” He focused on the machine shop while his brother handled welding, while others supported the business wherever they were needed.
That early structure was built more than just a company; it built a mindset. Responsibility, trust, and doing things the right way became the foundation of how the business operated then and how it still operates today. The expectation of ownership in your role and respect for everyone else's carried forward as the company grew and became more established.
The People Behind the Path
In terms of mentors, Joe doesn’t point to big-name figures or well-known leaders as his role models.
Instead, he credits the people who were right in front of him, teachers in trade school, coworkers, and the everyday individuals who helped him learn the craft. It wasn’t about theory; it was about experience.
“It’s a school of hard knocks,” he says.
That mindset carried throughout his career and into the way he approached others. Whether it was working alongside his team or helping guide younger employees, Joe believed in passing down what he learned just as it had been passed down to him.
In an industry where precision matters and mistakes are costly, the kind of mentorship that comes before you isn’t optional; it’s essential for those connections.
Built on Trust and Precision
In manufacturing, especially in an industry like aerospace that demands precision, skill isn’t the only defining factor; it's trust & reliability.
Joe understood early on how important relationships were. "[His brother] had connections with a lot of the aircraft companies already, and so they would give us some machining. That was a big thing,” he explains. Without those connections, getting started would have been nearly impossible. “If I just walked in there by myself and said, 'Can you give me some jobs? That doesn’t happen. You have to have some connections.” The process was expensive and time-consuming but necessary.
And through it all, one standard remained:
“There's only two ways… it’s either right or it’s wrong.”
There was no in-between. That commitment to quality, and the people who upheld it, “kept us out of a lot of trouble over the years.”
From the Shop Floor to Something Bigger
Consistency, hard work, and leading by example, that same mindset carried into the way he built both his business and his relationships, especially with his brother. When asked what it was like working together, Joe doesn’t hesitate: “It was the best.” There were differences, of course. "He had his opinion on things, and I had mine,” but they never let that get in the way. “Basically, things worked out great,” he says.
They weren’t chasing big profits in those early years. “We didn’t make a lot of money,” Joe admits. Instead, they focused on building something steady and sustainable. Little by little, they grew into the aerospace space, working toward the certifications that would define their future. Certifications aren't easy. "It's very hard to do that…if you don’t have these guys helping you along, forget it," but with persistence and the right support, they made it happen.
But there’s no bitterness in any of it, only perspective. Because when Joe talks about his family, there’s a quiet pride that comes through. The years he spent building the business weren’t just about growth; they were about creating opportunities. Today, he sees that payoff in the paths his grandchildren are able to pursue. One is training to be a pilot, while others have stepped into fields like marine biology and medicine. And in the same grounded way he’s approached everything, he sums it up simply: "That's what they like to do…so let them do it.”
It was how he raised his own children. He watched the world shift from an era of lifetime loyalty to a single company to a fast-moving, digital, and global landscape. He’s the first to admit that the world today is unrecognizable compared to the one he started in.
Yet, there is a distinct, quiet joy in his voice when he talks about where his family has landed. He spent his years growing a business so that his grandchildren had the opportunity to dream.
A Legacy of Progress
Joe doesn’t talk about success in big, flashy terms. He talks about progress.
From a garage to a full facility built at 75 Rockwell Rd. From $2 an hour to a thriving business. From limited opportunity to limitless possibilities for the next generation.
“That’s a journey,” he said.
And it is.
It’s a reminder that behind every established company is a story of persistence, of people who showed up, learned the hard way, and built something that lasts.
And that is the true legacy: not just a company that is thriving, but a foundation for the future. Joe’s journey proves that while the industry changes, the values of grit, integrity, and supporting those coming up behind you never go out of style.