Shop Truths, Phrases, Tales; and Outright Lies

[Toolmaker51]

"...one has the biggest and fastest gun that you sign with. And never give up intellectual property rights to any of them. make them pay to lease those." Frank S.

Yes Sir. Don't recall being hunted down before the internet. Did some work, by referral, making projects for folks that I couldn't discern the connection. When you have a lathe.....apparently it gets around.
Yes, intel property won't be given away anymore; have to figure out the pitch BEFORE all the non-compete agreements these days.
Leads internet-wise are one of two flavors; hot or cold. I think due to 'keyword search programs'. A frequent email list pulled 'tools' and 'NSF' [national sanitation foundation] into Line Chef in local supermarket's buffet operation.
You can imagine my response to posting site. Distilled "machinists like Tool Makers make tooling using machine TOOLS" and one company I did "mold work for catering supplies adherent to NSF standards". The brand name, certain to be in the buffet area, was never mentioned. Guess that would have prompted offer for regional supervisor!