My goal in telling this 14 year old story and all stories is simply to give real world vision into what really happens in our industry. If one of our stories can help someone else navigate along their path… then that’s a win.

You know like Henry Ford said though. “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay. “-

I'm sure you were working for someone else when you went off on your own. I learned a long time ago you are ALWAYS training your competition.

Best bit of advice I've ever had from an exec: Pay your people so much that they can't afford to leave. Best sales advice: Sell on price, lose on price.

This isn't specific to your industry. You taught someone enough to realize they shouldn't be working for someone else. Why would any skilled worker keep getting wages when they can own the business?

All owners of machine shops are owned and operated by someone who worked for someone else first to gain the experience necessary including Mr. Titan.

Funny how shops want somone that can do everything then are surprised when they do there own thing titan said when he started his shop he called people he used to make parts for in other shops and said he will make it for half the price....seems like kinda the same thing to me

I heard a similar story a few years ago and the outcome was that the ex-employee didn't succeed in the end. The guy telling me the story had a smile on his face and said to me "I taught him everything he knew". "What do you mean?", I asked. He just said, "I didn't teach him everything I know".

Ive mostly had the exact opposite problem when I worked for other people: I wanted to become an important part of the company, spending extra time and personal time learning the little things to make things go smoothly, make customers happy, etc... Then either someone gets scared that Im challenging their role, or (usually a family) decides that Im getting in the way of whomever they'd rather take a leadership role, even though they're not making the effort, or arent actually interested/dedicated... Lots of wasted time trying to take care of other people's babies instead of having my own.

This guy is a model for all machine shops. This industry is overloaded with low quality cut and run shops. He deserves his success.

"He wants to be there forever" Come on. No one wants to work for someone else forever. These owners want you to work for them to help them make their millions.

After 17 years and working in precision engineering since 1991 I finally took the plunge to work for myself. I know I’ll never be a massive workshop with banks of new machines, but i feel i done it right in myself. If I didn’t do it at the time i never would have. My proudest thing is i left on good terms and still have a good rapport with my old employer and we both sub work out to each other wether it be 5 axis work to them or turning work to me. Do it right and don’t burn bridges, you never know who you will need.

At the end of the day it's not just about business. Its about the golden rule, being a decent human being.

My previous employer encouraged me to start my own shop (2014). Since the quarantine I started programing working at another shop. My boss knows about my shop ( now hobby shop) . I only do work for people I know. And I expect a good relationship. My current employer sends work my way when they're trying to keep the schedule. Now I have guys running my shop for me while I'm out working a 40 hour gig.

Something similar happened to us, a few year before me. My grandfather had his previous boss to come work with him after his shop went bankrupt. He was a good sales person but a bit of a shoddy character and subpar machinist. He brought in the work though but took a fat cut, more than a sales person would get anywhere. My grandfather left the country to visit family and in the month he was gone this man called all of our customers and told them that they're out of business and basically took all the work away for his son who had just opened up another shop. That was maybe just under 10 years ago and my grandfather never really recovered from that but now we work together and I'm on track to put us further ahead than ever, one day, by the grace of the Lord.

My father had kind of a similar thing happen; a couple employees were actually stealing materials from his warehouse and using the info they had by working there to run their own business under his nose and underbidding all of his prices. They ended up losing a lawsuit over it and paying quite a bit for damages, were actually forced to share THEIR inside information with him going forward, and had to sign a non-compete clause for a whole bunch of years. It's a shame, because had they come to him and told him they wanted to go out on their own, he likely would have helped them get started. Instead, they took advantage of their position at his company and ended up paying a fairly heavy price.

I remember a few years ago you spoke at my local community college and you gave a lot of good insight on not just the cnc industry, but on being a hard worker and putting yourself out there. Because of you I got a job at a cnc shop and though I found that it wasn’t quite for me at that time, I have always kept keen interest in machining. I appreciate you Titan🔥

Always interesting how employers think they "own" a customer..

That's one of the reasons I retired and walked away from the trade after 30 years. Loyalty and vendor/customer relationships have fallen by the way side in favor of the bottom line. Tool and die is the very same as anything else. You get what you pay for. I get contacts almost weekly with job offers. There is no way I'd go back as cutthroat as its became. Fishing 4 days a week is way more satisfying.

I have a very long memory myself. I appreciate this story. Business management 101, the best way to create competition is to train them yourself.

These are so interesting to listen to. I’m a property flipper, so I know nothing about this space. But you rarely get to hear these business owner stories. So much to learn

That's why I work for myself by myself. I can't deal with the personalities. When I left a company prior to going on my own, I had signed a non-competition agreement that extended for one or two years. I gladly honored it, in fact I never entertained going to those customers. I'm known for starting late and taking longer on my repairs. I charge more than my competition. I can pick and choose my jobs because of the abundance of work. I'm known in my field as being true to my word.

Honestly I just love listening to Titan talk. It's so inspiring

Excellent content and review. Damn, I miss those machines, they out lived me. My designs and solutions are still alive and preforming well and training younger minds. Was a good challenge and run. Those blue 6s and 9s took me to the extremes of our country and edges of our knowledge at that time. I am truly blessed and thankful.

Thanks for posting these in the morning daily! This is some motivational stuff to wake up to!

When your content matches your character. Keep up the great work Titan !

This is a great topic. I'm a business owner. This is a real fear. You can't hold any one back at the end of the day, however you can't give too much information to one person, you can only give bits and pieces. At the end of the day in many ways you have to remove your heart from the game. Business is a M.F. It's always about the numbers, no loyalty. Workers are 99% about themselves. Customers are 100% about themselves. If you want to create leaders in your organization you have to do it in increments, little tests of character here and there. It's the game, don't over Trust. You will set yourself up for failure. Every one thinks they can be a boss

Don't worry titan... you can always solve problems he can't. You built the titan and you are it. You made it so I know you're not worried. You're a blessing for the industry.

I'm not yet in business as I'm still in my research phase but I love the introspective view this gives!

" I'm not crying" "I'm not crying" Sounds exactly like your crying!

This is beautiful. As I read this entire thread I find that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of people out there just like me. I had thought I was the only one.

You an I are in different engineering industries but I keep coming back to these videos for the overall business knowledge you have clearly worked hard to acquire. These vids really do provide insight into and often validate many of the situations I have come up against in what I do. Putting all that aside for a second, the other thing I love is, coming here as a distraction to watch CNC machines carving out insanely massive cuts at speeds that make wince in anticipation of it all going bad.

Here’s the opposite perspective as I’m going through similar things with the company I work at: Sure, you pay to train, teach and mentor! That’s the nature of how businesses of any sort go, but it’s not like she’s not doing his part or you wouldn’t be giving more responsibility. The expectation that he’s going to work for you forever is nonsense unless you offer him to buy in and have skin in the game otherwise he’s only ever going to be an employee, now some people are good with that, others not so. No for him stealing your “best” customer is a crock! First off, if they were your best customer, and a quality relationship they would’ve called you immediately that this was happening

Should do a video on employee not getting paid Correctly. Like never pay the new guy more then the guy you lean on for everything

Honesty I don't know why I watch these videos ! I'm not a machinist or inclined in any like area but I continually find myself here watching things made and listening to Titan speak and now a half dozen videos in I'm feeling like I wish I could please this guy or have him tell me good job well done!! Then later when I'm cleaning something in my house I feel inspired to go the extra mile to do the best that I can! I guess I'm impressionable but I can understand that being impressionable is good if the act or doctrine is sound helping not only yourself but everyone in your circle. I believe this guy Titan has everyone's best interest at heart in his circle...

I am 2 years into the industry of machining. I have no schooling only hands on training from my company. I’m solely a waterjet operator and have taught myself 2-d auto cad over the last 6 months. I yearn to learn milling and auto-cam. But I am kept on waterjet because in my 2 years I out worked and out grew the guy before me that was here for 6 years. I produce better,cleaner more accurate parts all from an understanding of that’s how businesses is kept no matter the product or customer. I don’t know that I’ll ever be trained on other machines. But I watch your videos (and have been for a long time) and keep hope that I’ll one day get to that elite level. Thanks for all your wisdom and encouragement 🙏

I remember when I was working CNC and I tought I could never open a shop. Ultra competitive pricing wise...

Well said Titan. I'm not in this field but I listen to you for inspiration when I'm down. For the last 7 years, I'm going through some challenges in my career and just hoping to come out of it very soon. Having been very successful all my life, I'm very shock to see where I am. But I listen to your stories and experienced which uplifts me to an extent. Keep up the great work.

Sad to hear brother but the cream always rises to the top. You are a great leader, a great teacher, a great person. Thank you for all you do.

I am retired now and 82 years old, but the business philosophy that you espouse should be taught in every business school in the world. This is the epitome of "do the right thing, no matter what". Thank you for an inspiring narrative.

Titan learns about NDA, Non-Compete, and Assignment of invention agreements

Great story Titan !!! So real and easy to listen to

You can never be sure of anything or anybody, but yourself. You rose above and beyond and prevailed. Your quotes and operation processes are well thought through. You knew, his 20% undercut was his future failure. Some time, people have no clue how much work it really takes to succeed. You do.

This channel is really great, also the motivation, passion and commitment that radiate from it. I have a 14 year old son who doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up, this channel motivates him to become a programmer and that would be a great job. Greetings from the Netherlands.

Seems like you failed with this guy, Titan. Also, customers don't get "stolen," they get better quotes and timetables elsewhere and use their free will to make the better business decision.

Your video popped up on my feed, so I clicked on it. I know almost nothing about your industry, or your backstory (yet), but now that I have listened to two of your videos, I am impressed with the wisdom and demeanor you seem to have. I can't jump from my job into something new right now, but man you have piqued my curiosity about machining and CNC. Thanks for the content, because even though it relates to a specific industry, the business acumen is what I'll keep watching for.

Good to hear people like you still exist

BIGGEST BOOM TO DATE!!! Man, Titan, words of wisdom! Keep up with sharing the knowledge. It IS power!! Thank you!

Given the fact that you opened up all the secrets to this guy, it's no surprise he left. Every day you work for someone else you're building their dream not your own. It looks like he had a dream.

You are a real master, Titan. Thank you for sharing your life experiences with us.

Your work ethic and business mentality are spot on. It is also the way I try to run my business.

Thank you for this channel, I'm 46 and just started as a cnc operator, I'm not trained fundamentaly but learning on the job. This has been a great resource to learn above my on the job training.

Should have paid the guy more

Thank you for telling your story Titan. The company I work for has a servant supervisor attitude. It is our mandate to help others achieve more, learn more, take pride in their work and reach for a higher level. It is all about producing high quality parts and high quality employees. As you say, some are only out for themselves. I have trained hundreds of people in the basics of set up and operation of CNC lathes. Some take, and run to another company for a little more money. Some have stayed and contributed to the whole. You never know which way the ball will roll but you still have to reach out and try. I am proud to have you in our neck of the woods here in Texas! Keep the faith and keep up the good fight.

Having integrity is hard at times. But Sr you have shown a great deal. Stay strong!

We ran into something similar about 8-10 years ago, except he was going to be the main boss/supervisor to one of our competitors. It didn't work out though. He also stole one of our employees in the process. When their bizz bottomed out they ended up wanting to come back and work with us again lol. The owner told them they'd have to think about it. In our daily morning meetings owner threw it out there and asked us as to what to do with them. I told him start their ass back from scratch, at base level. When they were with us he was making $19.25/hr and the other guy $18.75. In addition, any individual who reaches the level of shop supervisor/ or master machine operator, to switch them over from hourly to salary w/ a raise after a years worth of tryout/experience as supervisor. Then add in the contract somewhere a non-competing clause of any form [i.e. aid / design / build / render / troubleshoot either for theirself or a business partner] for 1 year, or risk a lawsuit. Which worked out for me since I ended up getting a raise and change in pay! LOL.

Brother Titan, great story I love it.. Not the bad part just your compassion. I am glad that the customer came back to you. You had the power to stand to your principles.. I been watching for a while. I keep saying I will call or email cad files. For quote. Then say your to big for me. Keep up the great work

I sure appreciate your perspective and wisdom. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m so glad you made it to Texas. Do you love Texas ???? I know Texas loves people like you

Your customer should have told you that they were considering another vendor who offered a lower price quote. They should have consulted you and allowed you to submit your bid. I worked as a machinist at UCLA for 22 years and my co-workers and I were laid off in January with no warning and no consideration. Our supervisor was lazy and scheming, and mean, and he got to keep his position in the Physical Sciences Machine Shop, while we got discarded like trash. I would have felt very blessed to have had the opportunity to work for such a considerate and talented man like you, Titan. I know you would never treat your employees with the thoughtlessness that I had to experience. You're a good guy and I am happy for your success, and I wish you all the best. Keep up the good work and great videos.

Thanks for sharing your story, that situation happening constantly lingers in the back of my mind but in the end you came out a head 👍🏼

Theirs NO friends in business

I'm sure the conversations went exactly like that

You did things right and being a solid person as you are, it all came back to you plus more. Keep doing what you do.... thx for sharing

That's a tough story, I have always wondered how that is gauged within companies like when to let the wall down so to speak and to bring someone else into the heart of the business, to me it always seems like a risky proposition but you came through and stood your ground through it all, I have nothing but great respect for you sir, keep up the great work 🙂

Just business, never personal. May have to have new employees sign some sort of agreement.

It's a shame he wasted that opportunity. I've been doing this 26 years, and I'd love to work with/for someone like you. I'm the type that is NEVER complacent with any process. There is always ways to save a little more money, make parts with a little higher quality. I'd move to Texas in a heartbeat.

I heard your story while I was doing breakfast this morning. You are a good man. Karma plays an important role in your life. You have great employees. Good luck to you.

Just started CNC Precision Machining class last week. Can't wait to get into the field!

Excellent advice and experience. Thank you

Man, i love ya Titan, if i was a few years younger, i would strive to work for you.

This story is very valuable to me and confirms that this is very common to happen. I also had the stories of that kind, but the fact is that YOU have a vision on how doing your business, you know how to navigate it. There are many capable people who can cope-paste... they might be even more effective in daily jobs, but as the situation changes and the business model needs adjustments, those "copy-pasters" fail, because the do not have a vision. Thank you

great words , being loyal and confident in your talents will always shine through , its not always about the money , integrity is everything

You will lose every customter sooner or later. Must work everyday to find more.

Titan, you have the same moral compass I follow. Act with integrity no matter what the most profitable path may be. You may lose in the short term but you will win in the long term.

I told john (my old boss) i said when he hired me, "i mean to start my own shop, i mean to learn from you and one day own your shop, or one like it." He was mad when i quit, and now I still work at his shop when he needs a hand, and he helps me sometimes. If you dont rob someone as you walk away, there wont be a problem.

Wow, always loved to just watch CNC machining, but these stories have a lot of value for a lot of people! Thanks Titans! Last year I finished my studies Industrial Engineering, but I would love to maybe work in this sector later on!

I pray God may continue to bless you as an individual, to keep your integrity even when things go south. May God bless you and your business 🙏 I wish I could work for your company, as I can see your success reflects your character. Blessings

Excelente trabalho... Parabéns

Thanks for your videos, i love your works with this huge cnc machines i run a 40x40' Inch cnc and it's awesome to see the real industry ( i run a low cost diy machine for wood made with aluminum) you can see some of my works in my hobby channel with 3D reliefs carvings in woo and little by little with your videos and others i learn a lot and try new things. Great work and thanks.

Am a mechanical engineer by training and I love your videos, very informative, keep winning!

Titan, I stumbled onto some of your videos and as a businessman myself I truly admire your standards and drive and ability to roll with the flow. Stay focused and continue the your high standards. The world needs more businessmen like you.

Reducing an already competitive price by 20% is just financial suicide. Even a gross margin of 50% on a project typically ends up around 10% net by the end of the fiscal year.

Mr. Titan! Thank you. Your story has inspired me. I am a teacher in the Bronx. I am going to tell my principal about you. I don't know it we can have a shop, but maybe we can teach CAD . . . my young men are struggling, they want to work but the colleges prep curriculum is causing them to drop out. Continued blessings to you, Mr Titan!

i ewnt to school for a machining pre apprecnticeship. it was mostly from watching your videos, i havea degree ion autocad. but iver never worked on the machining side. i just gota job a month ago at an awesome place. you led me to this l;ine of work, i love my job, next year i get to start my apprenticeship. Right now im mostly running mannual lathes and mills, and brazing etc. Cant wait to start on the cnc stuff, i dont want to be just a button pusher, my goal is to be taking these drawings and writing the programs, and your videos help me grab a huge jump on it.

Employee-Ownership stakes prevent most of this. Finding golden ones is hard enough, keeping them is harder.

Betrayal... is the hardest thing that I've been through, and 95% of my friends and/or family have been involved in same. I'm DONE with people for the most part. I hate it but it's just the way it has to be... in "my reality." The mileage of others may vary... but for me... "The Love of Money is the root of all E-v-i-l"... as is written 1 Tim 6 : 10 ...

What a mad amazing company!! So jealous!! Massive respect to Titan, best wishes from the UK

Good for you Titan. Even though you invested all your heart n soul into old mate and he did the Liberace on ya its still a long shot to go out on your own when you consider start up costs (cnc machinery, shop space, materials, running costs, overheads) its no wonder that back stabber even got off the ground, did he rob banks or win lotto or something??? Full respect Titan. Keep up the mentoring. U rock!!!

Isn't the dream of any good machinist to use the skills gained years of grinding to open a shop.

I've heard stories you did the same thing in the Bay Area Titan when you got "better" and your cut throat prices. I know your old tool rep and he knows things about you he's shared and I don't think he made it up either. So don't act so surprised bro. It still sucks the loyalty and trust was broken. It's only just business when you don't respect your competition. Money will always be the root of all evil.

Business is Business.....but there's also quality and honesty

Hoping my small dream can be run like you run yours titan. Fantastic story and a lot of lessons here. Thank you.

The exact same thing happened to me. I had customers leave to my competition because they undercut my prices. They were just starting out and what's typical for new businesses is to slash prices of existing vendors to gain a market share. One by one every customer came crawling back with horror stories about my competition. One line stood out with me. The competition was supposed to provide a specific service on a time and day critical event. When they asked my competition why they didn't deliver that service & product they said, " I didn't think you really wanted it" Every customer that left and came back, I doubled my prices to them for the next 20 years as punishment for leaving my great service for a cheap alternative. I made so much more money because they left that if they stayed because now I knew my customers would never leave again and they didn't.

Laser paint removing on the Golf ball is a nice touch! So awesome. How many Golfers do you have in the shop, Titan? Always appreciate your wisdom! Thank you so much!

I worked personal private sector jobs and owned several businesses while doing government contracting. One of my businesses was a full service landscape 8nstallation and maintenance and sprinkler and fish pond business. I had 54 yards that I cut, some of them up to an acre. The guy who I put in charge of the maintenance end of it was constantly trying to sell Amway to my customers and I was always talking to him about it and writing him up. He would always try to direct the conversation to how good of a Christian he was, as I told him "Christian is as Christian does." Then, as I was starting to take losses in my maintenance division, I investigated. I took video of my "manager" doing some of the work and taking cash for it. He also borrowed my equipment to work on Saturdays and Sundays with it. I presented him with the evidence and said, "you can go to jail for this. If you resign, I won't press charges." I sold my maintenance division to an other business owner, and he began to realize the profits I made before I hired the idiot. In time I ended up selling all the businesses as I was hearing down to retirement. I found out the guy went to another company claiming to have been part owner of my business and that we'd had a falling out, so he could het the highest non-salaried position in that company. Laws prohibited me from telling the owner of the other company exactly every detail, but 8 was allowed to 5ell him "I fired him for theft. He worked here as an employee then as a manager for a year, I wrote him up over 10 times for attempting to sell Amway toy customers. He was given the option of jail or be fired. Beyond that I am not allowed to say any more." The other company owner let him go that same day. Not sure where he's at now and I don't care. People are very slick. Especially if they're not saved. Beware!

Works both ways. We had an outside company poach one of our machine shop managers. The other company offered him a lot more money even though he didn't want to leave. They gave him everything he needed to get that shop running in a year. After that they said thanks. You did a such a great job anyone can run this shop, and let him go. He had 3 years left to get full retirement benefits with our company. They basically used him and his years of experience as a budget consultant and got rid of him when everything was up and running and dialed in. I understand business is business but it still stings when people pull this.

I always watch what people do and not what they say. when someone says "I will never quit this thing" Or "I am going to be here forever" my Spidey senses perk up. I've been around enough people to know warning signs and I always nip them in the bud. I become hyper focused on what they are working on. If we have an employee who is exhibiting substandard performance, we have a serious talk about needing to shape up. if it happens again we put them on a Performance Improvement Program. If they screw up between that time period they are gone. You don't have time nor energy babysitting bad employees they can bring down a shop or worse a company and if you are the manager they will come after you. Remember everyone has two reasons for doing things. 1. The good Reason 2. The real reason, 99% of the time it's number 2. The real reason. Employees are never yours and neither are the customer. if you don't take care of the customer they will find someone who will.

So now you are just doing education no production/ manufacturing for Other companies? You should do a video on how do you afford all these machines or the partnerships with the machine builders and tool makers. Great story as always!💪✅

Awesome, thank you Titan I needed to hear this. I went through a similar experience with someone I trusted too much…

Great recount of what happened and not only a great experience for you but the customer as well.