We were lucky to catch up with Luke Spence recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Luke, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

It all started the year after I graduated high school, when I launched my business to sell suspension components for drift cars. I focused on parts for less popular chassis in the drifting market, intentionally going against the grain. Around the same time, I was applying to colleges and needed letters of recommendation from mentors and teachers.

One of my mentors wrote something that stuck with me: “Luke Spence is a unicorn in a sea of trolls.” That phrase captured how I’ve always felt about standing out—taking on unique challenges, being different, and approaching things with creativity and individuality.

When it came time to name my business, I wanted a name that reflected that ethos, so I went with Unicorn Racing Designs. Over time, the company evolved, and so did the name. We transitioned to Unicorn Design and Manufacturing to better represent the broader range of projects and industries we work in now.

Despite the name change, the mission has stayed the same: to create innovative, out-of-the-box solutions, tackle projects others might overlook, and embrace the idea of being different. It’s about being the “unicorn” in whatever space we occupy, and that’s a philosophy I carry into every aspect of the business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Luke Spence, the founder of Unicorn Design and Manufacturing. We provide precision machining, design, and engineering services to bring innovative ideas to life.

I started my business four years ago under the original name Unicorn Racing Designs, focusing on custom fabrication and automotive products for the drifting discipline. The business was born out of my passion for cars and creating things, and it all began in the back of a friend’s shop during my senior year of high school.

During the pandemic, with plenty of time on my hands, I bought a $70 flux-core MIG welder from Harbor Freight and taught myself to weld. I started fixing and upgrading my own car, eventually progressing to a TIG welder from Amazon. That TIG welder propelled my skills forward and opened the door to the idea of starting a business.

The first service I offered was modifying OEM suspension parts to improve performance, which evolved into my first product line: angle kits. These kits were designed to enhance the steering angle of drift cars, and they became a hit in the niche market. I dove deep into suspension design, learning about concepts like Ackermann geometry and roll center correction, which became integral to my products.

As my skills grew, I began teaching myself 3D modeling software, eventually mastering SolidWorks. I used these new skills to design custom parts for my car and other projects, often reverse-engineering existing components. My first major product was an angle kit for E9X/E8X BMWs. Thanks to support from a few key people who let me prototype on their cars, this product became a global success. Selling these kits worldwide introduced me to an incredible community of enthusiasts and creators.

The next big step in my journey came when I applied for an engineering role at a nearby company that specialized in manual conversions for Ferraris and Lamborghinis. They reviewed my designs and experience and took a chance on me, which turned into one of the most influential roles of my life. I started as their lead engineer, fixing manufacturing errors and designing new products.

Eventually, they wanted to bring manufacturing in-house and asked if I had machining experience. I didn’t—but I was eager to learn. They purchased a brand-new 5-axis Hurco CNC mill, and I took on the challenge of learning everything from tooling to programming and operations. After many late nights and a lot of YouTube tutorials, I mastered the machine. By the end of my time there, I could design a new part in the morning and have it fully machined by the end of the day. One of my favorite projects was machining a stainless steel shift gate for a Ferrari—a centerpiece requiring precision and complex machining that showcased everything I had learned.

Eventually, I left that company and bought my own CNC mill, launching the next phase of Unicorn Design and Manufacturing. Today, we specialize in:

Precision Machining: We handle small-batch and prototype machining for a wide variety of industries.
Design and Engineering Services: From concept to production, we provide creative solutions, including 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and custom part design.
Custom Automotive Projects: We recreate hard-to-find or discontinued components, supporting restoration and performance upgrades for car enthusiasts.
What sets us apart is our commitment to taking on projects others might overlook. Whether it’s reverse-engineering rare parts, designing innovative solutions, or simply bringing a fresh perspective, our mission is to stand out and tackle unique challenges.

I’m incredibly proud of the journey so far—from welding in a friend’s shop to building a company that solves real problems for clients around the world. For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that Unicorn Design and Manufacturing is all about creativity, quality, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Last year, I decided to broaden the scope of my business to include projects beyond the automotive world. Originally, my company primarily focused on creating products and parts for drift cars. While this niche was rooted in my passion for cars and innovation, I found myself constantly working on vehicles and dealing with a market that was both financially constrained and demanding.

The business was ruthless. I was offering high-end services to a market that often didn’t have the budget to afford them, making an already niche market even smaller. Additionally, every project was different, requiring significant trial, error, and research. This made it extremely difficult to get compensated fairly for my time. My plan to balance this was by developing and selling products, but the day-to-day grind of staying afloat left little room for innovation.

To create a more sustainable path, I made the switch—shifting my focus to clients with larger budgets and more ambitious ideas. This pivot opened up opportunities outside of the automotive industry and allowed Unicorn Design and Manufacturing to evolve.

Today, we specialize in precision machining, engineering, and design services for a broad range of industries. Our expertise includes:

Custom Machining: We handle complex, small-batch, and prototype projects with a focus on precision and quality.
Product Development: From concept to production, we help bring ideas to life using advanced design and manufacturing techniques.
Reverse Engineering: We recreate parts that are discontinued or hard to find, offering solutions for industries like restoration, custom builds, and beyond.
By transitioning away from exclusively automotive projects, I’ve been able to pursue more diverse and rewarding work. Now, my business is built on collaboration with clients who value creativity, quality, and innovative problem-solving—no matter the industry. This change has not only helped me grow as a creator but also allowed Unicorn Design and Manufacturing to stand out as a company that tackles challenges others may shy away from.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

While Unicorn Design and Manufacturing primarily generates revenue through precision machining, design, and engineering services, we’ve also diversified our revenue streams to create stability and expand our reach. For example:

Product Sales: In addition to offering services, we sell custom parts, such as suspension components, which were initially developed for drift cars. These products are now offered for a range of industries and applications.

Consulting and Design Services: We collaborate with clients during the early stages of product development, offering expertise in CAD modeling, prototyping, and engineering. This allows us to provide value beyond manufacturing, establishing long-term partnerships.

Reverse Engineering: We specialize in recreating discontinued or hard-to-source parts, which has attracted clients from restoration and custom vehicle markets, as well as other industries in need of legacy components.

Overflow Machining Services: By partnering with other machine shops, we help them manage their overflow work, ensuring their projects meet deadlines. This has proven to be a valuable supplementary income source.

Specialized EV Support: We provide design and manufacturing services for the growing EV conversion market, offering solutions like custom brackets and aesthetic components for retrofitting electric drivetrains.

These additional streams allow us to stay adaptable and resilient, while providing value to a wide variety of clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unicornmfg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicornmfg/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-spence-700a2a2a8/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unicornracingdesigns2510