Episode 110: Built from the Ground Up (Featuring Jeff)

Welcome to Episode 110 of The Endless Growth Podcast! This week, Alex and Edgar sit down with Jeff, owner of Elite Machine, for a powerful conversation about betting on yourself, building from the ground up, and the grit it takes to walk away from comfort in pursuit of purpose.

Jeff opens up about his journey from working long hours under empty promises to launching a machine shop with no formal training — just determination, late nights, and a loyal friend who believed in the vision. What started as machining parts in a garage at 2 a.m. turned into a full-fledged business fueled by hustle, sacrifice, and belief in doing things the right way.

This episode dives into the realities of entrepreneurship: learning through failure, taking calculated risks, and why mindset and loyalty matter more than flashy tools or fast success. Jeff shares raw stories of working 46-hour shifts, missing time with family, and the emotional moment his young son asked, “Why do you work so much?”

The conversation also explores the world of CNC machining, automation, and what it really takes to train a team without cutting corners. Jeff and Edgar break down the challenge of onboarding new hires, managing quality control, and the delicate balance between delegation and excellence.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, someone stuck in a dead-end job, or just curious about what it takes to build something from scratch—this episode will hit home.

Tune in as we talk shop, sacrifice, and the long road to owning your time.

00:45 How Jeff Met Edgar
02:23 Jeff's Background in Machining
03:34 Starting the Business
06:32 Challenges and Support
12:18 Building Relationships and Scaling
17:36 Reflections on Entrepreneurship
37:54 Parental Doubts and Influences
39:29 Balancing Work and Personal Life
40:26 Maintaining Quality in Business
43:52 Hiring and Employee Management
51:28 Pride in Company Achievements
01:02:02 Customer Service and Business Challenges
01:08:36 Caller ID and Early Cell Phones
01:09:07 Keeping Up with Technology in Machining
01:10:26 The Evolution of CNC Machines
01:12:25 Conversational Programming vs. G Code
01:16:53 Automation and Robotics in Machining
01:33:43 Challenges in Training and Scaling Up
01:41:45 Paranoia and Late-Night Thoughts
01:42:02 Guest Introduction and Conversation Dynamics
01:42:29 Impact of Tariffs on Business
01:45:30 Quality and Customer Relationships
01:58:36 Challenges of Maintaining Routine
02:00:57 Balancing Business and Personal Life
02:12:46 A New Beginning: Personal and Professional Growth
02:13:22 The Struggles of Business Ownership
02:14:31 Balancing Work and Personal Life
02:26:34 Confrontation and Communication Challenges
02:30:34 The Importance of Support Systems
02:35:30 Future Plans and Reflections
02:41:00 Closing Thoughts and Farewell