How I Got ALL of My Top Customers | Vlog #65

Titan breaks down his technique for securing CNC Machining Contracts.
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[@tomasnecas1683]

When you see owner of a big shop being, this much involved in the actual machining process, you know that's the right one to do the job. I am a big fan of you Titan. Keep being this awesome.

[@marktatara9545]

Titan, you speak the truth and the knowledge is greatly appreciated. I started my own small shop three years ago after my day job. Three years later and 105 hours a week and it's finally starting to take off. Keep up the inspiration. I am always looking forward to the next video. Since a lot of long hours are something every starting shop has in common maybe do a vlog about how to juggle time, priorities past making parts and family.

[@gerhardvictor5475]

Greetings from South Africa. Comfidance must not be confused with arrogance. Comfidance is earned by experience and arrogance comes from ignorance. Customers gets warm and fuzzy when their suppliers are confident, great vlogs.

[@thepretendgineer2288]

well said

[@davidracine869]

You still demystify the field, video to video you say the quiet part OUT LOUD! All of it. I love it. Tear down those walls. All the shops with their secret sauce, the things you wonder...hey how'd they do that. Or I wish I could do that, if I only knew how. There it is BOOM, here, this is how you do that. THANKS!

[@cullen3]

The beauty of these vlogs is that they apply to most businesses and life, not just CNC.

[@davidpahor467]

This is Christlike

[@moriam77]

you are such a genuine person, what a passion, your advice is perfect , well done.

[@jmanj9379]

This 2 part vlog fits other job types too. Not just machining. But obtaining customers for anything. Thank you for the life lesson

[@nbrowser]

Titan, I can hear the passion in your voice...that alone speaks volumes about what your about. Need more folks like you sir.

[@timothyabramoff8498]

Great video Titan, I can see God has given you a gift and you using that gift to lift others up. Thanks

[@danb3122]

We need more of this, as a struggling shop open since 1977 3rd generation shop. This trade is tough and ever evolving, Buyers playing games....

[@keithlane4343]

Great advice. Hard work, and persistence. I've been in this trade for forty years, and I've found the harder I work, the luckier I get. Excellent video

[@miguelacosta3099]

Keep the videos coming BOOM!!! Also on how to get customers when you are barely starting your shop and dont have any iso or as certification. Take it to the next level Titan. Thank you for all the information because no one is taking the time like you and your team are of working together to gives us all of this valuable info.

[@genesisprecisionllc4331]

The foundation in order... step by step... So good!

[@erpo1977]

Greetings from a Venezuelan 🇻🇪 in the 🇬🇧 Titan. I really enjoy the CNC Academy and all your videos. Huge thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would really like to see more videos on this subject, maybe with a step by step overview from RFQ through to delivering to your customer. I'm interested to know how you approach all these steps. Thanks and keep up the awesome 👏🏻 work. Looking forward to the Robotic/Automation knowledge

[@HathawayKnives]

Good morning Titan, I would like to thank you for all that you’re doing. Without your inspirational videos and advice I would not have had the confidence to stand back up on my feet and do what I know and love to do which is machine quality parts and progress. I was knocked down hard by MS but have stood back up, pushed very hard and started my own machine shop. I had worked with two local company’s to get them going strong and felt like my dream of doing this for myself had been takin off the table when I was diagnosed with MS. This was until I saw you speak with such confidence and I was reminded that this is who I am, and god willing nothing can stop me. Please do more videos on this subject! I’m in the process of finding customers. God bless brother, and I sincerely thank you! Gabe Hathaway GH Manufacturing Consulting, LLC

[@Mr_Zapzy]

How are you doing? have you been able to find customers and push through the struggles?

[@wilsonandsonsprecision136]

Absolutely loving the videos Titan. I'm in the process of opening my shop doors and find this vlog series invaluable and very confirming that I'm on the right path. Definitely gong to get my Linkdin profile gong asap. Keep the awesomeness coming.

[@aaronshepard3464]

Titan, I greatly appreciate the videos you provide on the topic.

[@chadgarcia9130]

Please keep these vlogs coming. They are gold nuggets.

[@gabrielmolina4966]

Hey Titan I’m a 20yr old machinist trying to climb to the top of the chain, and right now what’s holding me back is job setups. I want to get faster and more efficient at setups. It would be great if you could do a video with tips and tricks on speeding up setup times. Thank you!

[@ClintCompton1]

If you haven't already, check out the Titans of CNC Academy "The art of fixturing" series. Never let anyone tell you that fixturing isn't the most important part of setting up any job in a high-volume manufacturing environment. It's what makes the difference between setups that take you 30 minutes or setup to take you 30 seconds. Fixturing is definitely an art form and it isn't easy to become good at it but once you do, you can interchange even very complex set ups in as little as 30 seconds or a minute. You spend all the extra time on the fixturing the first time to create it and make it easy to use and portable, so you don't have to spend that time each time you swap each setup out. Really well created fixtures allow you to be setting up the next job fixture while current job is still running, then when the current job finishes, you spend 30 seconds to swap the setup out with the already set up fixture, then start the new job, and while that new job is running, you replace the parts on the fixture you just took out. The challenge with fixturing is that it usually isn't cheap (think Mitee-Bite clamps) and it takes a while to master but you save so much time at runtime that it is really worth it. Good luck! And hang in there, you'll be glad you did.

[@BAUSER72]

Awesome stuff sir!! I vote for more videos about this!

[@boonefreeman5384]

Great advise Titan, I would love more videos on this topic....getting started seems overwhelming at times. keep up the vlogs. lots of good info.

[@roberttheunissen534]

Keep it coming!! I really appreciate what you do, you are a really big inspiration! I am starting my own shop after school hours and want to expand it so that when I finish my degree it will support me financially!! You help me a lot! BOOMMM

[@machfab434]

Hey Titan, GREAT VLOGS! I think a good topic for discussion is methods of keeping up with CNC Gcode programs. As the shop grows, they can become a BIG problem if not handled correctly. Revision levels, who is posting what etc etc. Thanks for all that you do! Blessings!

[@alexisvalderrama878]

Wow I am Alexis, incredible. I have your valors Mr Gilroy. The things that you say about confidence with costumers is really the most important thing for maintance them. I think that other important thing for reach customers is maintance a good communication and ever be ready for receive feedback about your work, because so many times customers will not feedback if you don't ask him. Thanks for the advices Titan

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

I agree with you 100% on everything you just said! I like the idea of hunting for work. It's primal.

[@bobbylepitre1383]

Thank you for these videos. I love your vlogs. I started my towns first job shop in decades and these videos are helping me through it. Not a lot of opportunity to learn the trade here.

[@jmanj9379]

Dude seriously this video is gold!!! True life strategies here. Like wow

[@joshuahedgepath5120]

Keep it coming! BOOM!! Taking it to another Level!!

[@joshuahedgepath5120]

Take your time to perfect your process, dial in everything before you are ready to take the next step. Start small...dream BIG..and achieve greatness. Remember quality over quantity every time, because it doesn’t matter how many parts you make, if you are riding the tolerances it may cost you a contract. These companies are expecting “perfect” parts every time from their suppliers. Perfect is a relative term and in this field we all know that perfection is sometimes impossible, but a perfect process will keep bringing in work.

[@guthriewoodford3040]

I started my first metal fabrication business at 18 years old (Ocel Metal Fabrication) it lasted 2 years and I had 5 employees at my peak a cnc plasma system, cnc mill, lathe, brake press, sawing and welding equipment. We did custom fab and alot of industrial installs of custom machine guarding and rails. A couple things I learned are; 1. Spend half of the day as the owner selling or meeting people. 2. Quote enough to make money and don't break even to get your foot in the door. 3. Presentation and quality are everything; both the parts, yourself, your shop, and your employees. 4. Subcontract work out to companies as long as you can before you buy the equipment yourself. 5. Most people will send you work but don't know you exist. Put signs up and meet secretaries and leave your card as much as possible. Someday I will start a business again but I will wait for right moment I am only 21 anyway so I got a bit of time!

[@istvanmeissler2238]

Guthrie Woodford You will be a successful business owner again, I can tell. And when you are, I hope to watch your KZbin videos telling us about your successful company! Best wishes young man.

[@MarcinKryszak]

Watching this video for third or fourth time, and hearing more stuff the first time

[@jussbuss89]

Humble and confident keep it coming Titan. Im building my resume on linkedin. Great advice! More more more lol

[@MachinedComponents]

Thanks Titan as much as you can on this subject please.

[@shreebalajienterprises7855]

Hello Titan CNC Sir I loved the dedication,level of concentration,level of communication,vision, direction shown is very precious and correct.I loved it Sir.

[@MK-tu1zh]

I started machining as an operator at an aerospace company that had everything documented and understood their industry. I moved to the Midwest and I was blown away at the incompetence of the companies around here. I learned G-code by reading programs. I bounced around a lot and picked up a lot of skills and got a lot of exposure, because even though the companies were poorly ran there was still talent that had good ideas. Wages are low, I can program and I am only making $21 with 10 years of experience. I lost hope for a little while so I went into construction, but I love milling, I love CNC. I am using your website to learning CAD/CAM, because that is my weakness in CNC. It would obviously round me out as a machinist. I was finally able to buy a house in a small rural town. When I gain enough confidence and am able to sell some programs, I want to put a HAAS or a Tormach in my garage and start selling parts. I can not express the depth of gratitude I have for you and your vision. So many people in the industry hide what made them successful, but you are different. I hope I can follow in your footsteps and do some good in my impoverished community.

[@punkdudex69]

Thanks you as always for insight. These videos are priceless. I think you hit the head on the nail. Look foward

[@spivzit8754]

Boom. Still can't wait on that quality manual

[@chrisean888]

Greetings from Malaysia. Great video. You are right the quality is very important. Thanks

[@liammiller9296]

You are a real teacher titan

[@leerichmond1459]

Titan Is AMAZING! I love the videos!

[@BareBonesMotorcycles]

Hi Titan, im from the UK, and ive been watching your videos for a few years now. Ive been an engineer for nearly 20 years now, ive got a family i want to provide for, and i want to branch out and start my own shop to produce fasinating and interesting parts for other companies. Im lucky to live in an area with a wide range of engineering companies who all sub out work, and your videos like this are just perfect for getting the advice i need to get my plans in order. Fingers cross in the next few years il have a shop to call my own. Thanks for all the tips and advice.

[@mattmonger2192]

Thank you so much for everything you do Titan!! you inspired me and i've taken this and inspired my friends to get into this trade and challenge their self's everyday! Working toward great things!y! w

[@josemoscoso3047]

Thanks man, great video, we look forward for more, Boooom !!!!!

[@ClintCompton1]

I had to pause the video at 1:30 to comment on the "hardest trade" disclaimer. Agree 100% that this needs to be in your soul if you want to succeed as a shop owner, however, it can also be one of the most rewarding when you "make it". I spent almost 7 years building our manufacturing business and I only now feel like we're really accomplishing what I started out to do. The key takeaway I have for anyone considering starting a shop is that this is like having a $1 million baby, just like real children, they test your patience, your resolve, and you might even (at least once) question whether you were cut out for it, but just like real kids, even though it's one of the hardest things you can do, it's also so worth it when you see them grow into what you hoped they would. Something I always tell my own child and even my employees is that if something is really worth it, I mean really valuable, it will be hard. If it isn't hard to achieve, then it probably isn't as valuable as you first thought. Keep up the great work Titan.

[@helicopterjohns]

I see the VISION word is again the center point. BOOM!!!!! LISTEN is a another great word. So many people tend not to listen. I can see you have great listening traits. John

[@beydlercnc]

A very valuable video here.

[@jylmachineshopvb]

Thank you for such important information!

[@bartomiejsabat6185]

Great video. Keep it comming. I like to watch more.

[@costin72ignat]

Excellent info, more videos like this please

[@CAN182403]

Thanks TITAN As always lot of information and advice who want to start a small cnc shop😊🙏👍 Very less people have a broad mind to help and lift people up, even while running a business with lot if things to deal with you allot time for these kind of motivational vlogs🙏

[@berntinulkshredder]

There is no reason I shouldn't watch. It is just crystal. Keep going Titan.

[@173roberto]

Make a blog simulating you (better if real), in a real selling process and real negotiation 🙂. At the end of the day all entrepenueurs are sellers and that is something many of us never thought would do it for a living!

[@miketurner8519]

Keep these vlogs coming

[@anilsavarkar3637]

Keep posting more videos like this

[@jdaz5462]

I feel like you are speaking directly to me. I dove in head first!

[@richardjames1405]

I once worked for a company that would make commitments to customers that we had no chance in honoring. The sales manager told me that telling the customers what they wanted to hear would get the job. The problem I had was the blame would come down on me as the manufacturing manager. How companies like this stay in business is beyond me. I love your blogs.

[@majinkaos]

Do you have any vlogs on how you got your FIRST customers? And how much machining experience you had, from where by the time you started your business? Just diving into your videos to be followed with your academy! Too excited already!

[@TITANSofCNC]

19,20 and 21

[@thainguyen-tt9wf]

Thank you.

[@conceptsken1]

Hey Titan Very well explained, please don't forget the saying "you are only as good as your last job"

[@martinlegue1036]

Great blog, great attitude Titan. I use Fusion 360 programming my machines. How do you calculate the right price for single complex parts. Programming and setting it up on the machine determines most of the price. I produce and sell complex parts for high powered model racing engines.

[@josha9620]

That is some of the best advice iv heard in a long time please keep the videos coming. I have a question for you Titan, totally off topic but really would love your input on it. We have a major issue with cell phones on the shop floor right now. What is your protocol on cell phone use during work hour up at your shop?

[@mikeballard1788]

saw your question as someone who had the same issue, here is what I did. I got the team together and we had a conversation about cell phone usage, I told them if it was emergency or work-related (information etc) I would allow but if I saw anyone abusing the right they would be written up. stick to your guns on this and make sure you or the supervisor is walking around and watching and enforcing. we lost a lot of time due to cell phone use, you be surprised how much efficiency went up once corrected.

[@alejandrosimsags]

Hi Titan, great videos you make... Let me share that in Mexico sometimes it's kind of difficult to get customers. Corruption it's a hard thing to be aware in the way you do bussiness. It's a common trade sadly, no matter if customers are local or international companies. Here we have companies from US, Japan, Germany, French and local and it't really hard to deal with this practices. I have this question for everyone, how do you deal with this kind of companies or people?

[@nathanthomas8184]

Congratulations on 300K My engineering life comes from a famous person. It's neither wealth or spendor BUT tranquillity & occupation which give me happiness, Titan who said this ??

[@jmanj9379]

Confidence is something i lack. Im learning. My vision is big. I dont not have the space to quantify my energy in a direction that multiplies all of our lives in a positive direction. My thoughts in my head think in complexities that few match. I can feel that in the way you talk in these vlogs

[@simranjothunjan5075]

Very nice

[@alexkern9134]

MOARRRR

[@liveonflow6976]

Greetings from India

[@GuyFawkes911]

could you talk more on the beginning steps. In this video you are telling subsee qualified you for aerospace... but what types of business should you start with to first get into the industry? (start from the beginning if you got a single maschine)

[@tharunkg8277]

You can tell how to approach an part which any company from draw to finished part

[@kylehofmeister6906]

Great stuff here! If you could, I was wondering if you could make a video on how to start a company in the modern day sense. I feel like you can't just but a manual lathe and a Bridgeport and be competitive these days. I know in the past you talked about the loans you got denied and how a friend of yours lent you money but without either of those, what advice could you give a 28 year old on buying and starting a company. Thanks for the great knowledge!

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

Pay for time on someone else's machine. If you are in Cincinnati, then I can direct you to the resources. If the rate is too high for you to profit, then make deals that buy more time on the machine at a lower rate.

[@BaldurNorddahl]

Do not quit your day job. Make savings. Get the best machine you can afford. Start in your garage. Work the days at your job to pay the rent, and the nights to build your company. It will take time, but if you keep at it, you will eventually make enough to quit the day job and buy better machines.

[@ProfessionalAmateur22]

Can you do a video on employees and what I should be looking for and especially for beginners?

[@carbonfibercreationswashin7213]

One piece of advice I have as a 10 year business owner is ....YOU are going to get knocked down by things out of your control. Get Up and reenergize yourself!

[@dcinnovationstexas5910]

More videos on this Sr. Austin Texas

[@joeymorgans]

Titan, can you do a video on how you calculate the price for each job, and give us some examples? And how much extra can you charge when selling to higher companies?

[@TITANSofCNC]

Yes

[@chancellor170]

He did, but you have to consider the cost in your area for outside services, Plating, Passivate Etc.

[@jeromelick1988]

How are you navigating around the fact that a lot of customers don’t want to meet/speak with their vendors personally. It’s hard to relay all the information of what you’re about and what you can offer to some of the younger buyers when they don’t want to communicate in that manner. We’ve been focused on completing our website (vision/mission statements are hard!) but we excel in person to person interactions which they just don’t want to do anymore. I’d also like to see how you maintain the culture in your shop... maybe some of the tough decisions you’ve had to make with employees for the sake of the companies success and how you approach them. We have a hard time maintaining a good positive attitude throughout an entire week of work without 1-2 people bringing the rest down.

[@TITANSofCNC]

Documentation and performance!

[@rrhyne22]

How do you price a job?

[@anilsavarkar3637]

From India 👍

[@rickyburton4642]

All ways open for more information ℹ️ 😃👍👍🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@martintobias6319]

Titan what machine should i buy to make small bolts, nuts and bushings... its only less that 2 inch product for my invention product.... i need to produce atleast 1000 to 5000 pcs a month... thanks

[@enderasielingereh1398]

Buy lethe machines

[@karanthummar2691]

Another video plse

[@yogeshakolkar2978]

Thanks Titan, I have gage manufacturing setup in india. I am facing biggest problem of manpower. Everybody wants to work on cnc machines and gage manufacturing on cnc its not economical. Tell me something about how to handle manpower.

[@gettnmyown219]

I love your stuff!!! All of it. Videos, I'm doing the building blocks. But what about San Quentin? Can we get an update video on them? How they're doing? Who's still there, new guys? How's the shop? Thanks man, keep it coming!!!

[@TITANSofCNC]

Charlie, Chris and Fernando got out and are doing great!

[@liveonflow6976]

Boom boom boom

[@DagoVillarreal]

I hit the subscribe button, the like button, and I left my comment below... BOOM

[@samkumar486]

Need courses on turnmill machining

[@alexroman197]

Hey Titan, how are you? Get me a HAAS "swiss" and I'll programmed it before the Auto design is complete..."BOOM" ( Titan of CNC)

[@kennymcfadden266]

Those are basics of how i got a job at a tool and die making shop with near no machining epx.

[@CynHicks]

A guy (very successful) once told me that you should tell people what you do. Not your title but in simple language what you do. If you're a "terrain specialist" tell them you cut grass and move dirt. Stop with the crap. Let people know what you actually do. Some of the best advice I've heard for hungry business owners. You'll get your big-boy britches once you can afford them. Until then ... yeah

[@billcorrigan8456]

No one can lay any other foundation... Boom

[@sivabalanr4900]

Hi sir your Academy joining please

[@bocajr88]

Sub C?

[@hk-bp5ku]

i am 55yo. if i wa 20 years younge i be moving to US from Canada just to work with you.

[@mirsidorov5112]

Uhhh, love your stuff man, but the hardest trade? I would give that to a special forces soldier, a roofer in July, or a coal miner over a dude standing in a climate controlled environment pressing buttons, thinking real hard, and lifting things every so often.

[@VaporHoningTechnologies]

Vapor Honing Technologies Owner Johnathan Wise was 22 years old and started this wet blast business in his garage and for the next 2 years it was up to him to get the world to see his vision of how this Process will save time and money and give the most amazing finish and prep for coatings. Will you give us a little bit of your time for him to show you how this works and how it is great for the cnc world. I emailed your office and messaged you on Facebook. Call us at 828-202-5563 x 103

[@BaldurNorddahl]

You should have used Twitter to get to Elon Musk.

[@TITANSofCNC]

It wasn’t what it is now back in 2007

[@l3d-3dmaker58]

DID YOU WORK FOR ELON? WHAT?

[@kailebbrettrager3474]

knocking on doors and getting work is very difficult, ive looked for a lot of help, i have emailed many places no replies most of the time. im only 21 years old but im so stuck in the mindset that i am capable of have a small business, and i do not want to work my life away for someone else who will not give me my worth and or never appreciate the work i provide. Getting the machine and financing isnt the difficult part its the fact that no one will give me that chance to prove to them that my quality will never fail me or disappoint a customer i would have. I do not know where to begin to achieve my goal for my life. I need that guidance and help to be able to do so, i might not ever be able to have a conversation with titan but i would be blessed and for him to know it wouldnt be wasted. im a pretty determined person willing to do what it takes to be succesful as i can be.

[@alejandrosimsags]

Hi Titan, great videos you make... Let me share that in Mexico sometimes it's kind of difficult to get customers. Corruption it's a hard thing to be aware in the way you do bussiness. It's a common trade sadly, no matter if customers are local or international companies. Here we have companies from US, Japan, Germany, French and local and it't really hard to deal with this practices. I have this question for everyone, how do you deal with this kind of companies or people?

[@173roberto]

Hola amigo, estoy en México también y sigo a Titan, sería genial que podamos contactarnos y apoyarnos. Tenemos un centro de maquinado, un torno CNC y máquinas convencionales.

[@alejandrosimsags]

@@173roberto Hola, comparte un modo de contactare y con gusto.