Jorge Cancel, CGB
President of Titan Homes, LLC, Mobile, Alabama
Year Founded: 2005
Number of Employees: 2
President of the Home Builders Association of Metro Mobile
Type of company: New construction and remodeling
Who started your company? Me
When and how did you choose this career? After following in my father and grandfather’s footsteps as a cabinetmaker for 21 years, I found that I enjoyed coordinating the entire project for the customer. I decided to become a builder and made the transition with three generations of customer base to surround me.
What did you do before becoming a remodeler? I worked as a cabinetmaker and as a partner of a granite fabrication company.
As you were growing up, what did you want to be? I always wanted to be a cabinetmaker. I remember going to jobsites as early as seven years old with my father. When I was 15, I told my father that I wanted to start working for him as a vocational training program student during high school. Cabinetmaking came natural to me, and I never looked back. I enjoyed every day waking up to go to work with wood.
How has the remodeling profession changed since you’ve been involved? Since the housing market took a dive, remodeling has increased. Most of my customers are repeat customers who love their home and its location, so we continue to make it more like home for them every year.
What have you done to grow your business during the current economy? I have opened my door to general maintenance work for my customers. I put the word out that I will change light bulbs if that is what it takes. Through this motto, I have been encouraged from my customer base and have even had the opportunity to perform work for free to the needy.
What does being part of NAHB mean to you? The NAHB is my security blanket. I am not wise enough to have a global vision. The NAHB keeps me grounded in the ever changing building industry. It keeps me on top of codes as well as politics.
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career? This is a hard one. Currently I am chewing on “if you refuse to change, you will stop growing.” I have applied this to every aspect of my life.