The Story of Munday Scientific and Microscope Marketplace
Let’s talk about how Munday Scientific and Microscope Marketplace came to be—and how we’re still at it today, four decades later.
It all started back in the 1980s, when Scott Munday was working for Micro Precision Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Scott’s old friend and mentor, Klaus Dern, a former Leitz/Wetzlar mechanic from Germany, helped him learn the craft. They worked closely with Vashaw Scientific, the Leitz/Leica dealer for the southeastern US, where Scott gained hands-on experience servicing high-end scopes. After years of working in Atlanta, Scott got sent up to Chapel Hill, NC, to run the service department.
By 1985, Scott decided it was time to go out on his own. He moved his family to Sanford, NC, set up Munday Scientific, and started offering microscope service. In Sanford, Scott got to know Lenwood Cleaton, the Olympus sales manager at the time. Lenwood opened the door for Scott to get formal Olympus training at their US headquarters in Long Island, New York. That’s where Scott met Mike Gallo, the Olympus service manager, who later jumped ship to Nikon. Mike, being a solid guy, later gave Scott the opportunity to train on Nikon microscopes too.
Fast forward a bit, and Scott’s running the business out of his house—literally. The "office" was the master bedroom, the "warehouse" was the garage, and the family all pitched in. His wife, Terri, worked as a histotech during the day and helped with the books at night. It wasn’t fancy, and it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing all the time (what family business ever is?), but it worked.
Enter Chad
In 2011, Scott’s stepson Chad Potts was working at a local bank, trying to move up the ladder but running into roadblocks. On top of that, Chad was also working the early morning shift at the family restaurant, Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, starting at 4 AM—baking cakes, brewing coffee, and learning the ropes from his grandmother, Faye Schulz.
Scott and Terri would come through the bank regularly, casually suggesting Chad consider the microscope business. After a few too many hints and a few too many “no” answers at the bank, Chad finally gave in. He figured he’d give microscopes a shot—and hey, if it didn’t work out, he could always go back to the restaurant grind.
Chad started working three days a week, eating pizza with Scott and traveling around spinning q-tips across North Carolina. He learned the accounting side from Terri, picked up microscope repairs from Scott, and gradually shifted from part-time help to full-time dedication. Those three days a week turned into four… then five… then Chad’s famous “25/8” schedule—one more hour and one more day a week than anyone else.
The Team Starts to Grow
Eventually, the business outgrew the master bedroom and the single-car garage, and the team started growing too. Chad’s younger brother, Walker, began helping out after high school—turns out he’s a natural with electronics and can fix just about anything.
Then there was Brandon, Chad’s buddy from Mrs. Lacy’s, who brought an eye for detail and an artistic touch to the listings and photography—plus he could handle repairs too.
Cody Palmer, Chad’s brother-in-law, joined next. Cody’s an artist with a knack for mechanical work, and he fit right in.
Alex Johnson (aka “Big Al”) came in as the ultimate utility player—a jack-of-all-trades who can fix just about anything, microscope or not.
And then, in 2017, something big happened: Danny Duncan—a legend in the industry and the brains behind Triangle Instruments—decided to close up shop and focus purely on repairs. Danny joining the team was a game-changer. His knowledge, skills, and experience elevated the whole operation.
The Office Backbone
While the repair side was growing, they needed someone to keep the business running behind the scenes. Enter Maria Mirales, a former medical professional who took on the role of office admin. When Maria decided to step away to be a full-time mom, she gave the team an unheard-of six-month notice. That’s when Melissa Tate, another Mrs. Lacy’s alum who had worked with Chad for 20 years, stepped up. Melissa had been working as an optician assistant but wanted a change—something closer to home, something that gave her more time with her kids. She joined the team, and it was another perfect fit. Melissa keeps the office humming, the orders flowing, and the team on track.
And let’s not forget Michael Bos—“The Bos”—a family member and key part of the crew. Michael joined in 2022, and the guy’s a machine: super mechanically inclined, sharp as a tack, and a true asset on the repair floor and with incoming shipments.
From Microscopes to Marketplace
By 2022, it was clear the microscope side of the business was growing fast, especially in Olympus and Nikon pathology/clinical microscopes. That’s when Chad launched Microscope Marketplace, an online e-commerce platform where customers can easily find microscopes, parts, and lab equipment. Thanks to a strong partnership with Mike Phillips at Spectra Services, they’ve expanded their offerings into lab equipment too.
Where We Are Now
Today, Munday Scientific and Microscope Marketplace are still family-owned and operated. It’s not perfect—there’s still some yelling, some spilled coffee, and the occasional microscope that just refuses to cooperate. But it works.
We’ve got a mix of old-school gas signs, oil and tobacco ads, microscope posters, and lens objectives decorating the shop. It’s a little bit of chaos, a little bit of family charm, and a lot of dedication to the craft of microscopy.
That’s our story—built on hard work, long hours, and a whole lot of family. And we’re still going strong.