“Excellent course! There is a reason I call you ‘The Godfather’. You know and love stone! Your passion is contagious!” Tom McNall

“Class was extremely informative. I really loved the huge amount of visual physical training we did.” Jose Perez

“Many thanks!” Ed Sheldon

“I would recommend a detailed outline so it makes it easier to take notes. They write less and listen more. Believe me: we tried to write down every word you said! It was great!” Drew Carney

“It was much better than I thought. Congratulations Mr. Maurizio!” Samuel De Suoza

“Exceptional!” Ed Evans

“I love your passion for teaching and your attention to details. Your trade secrets are incredible and will definitely give me an advantage over my competition! I plan to use your products daily! Joseph Gardner

“I just attended Maurizio's class (as a guest) and I must say - This guy knows stone! He has a passion that is needed in this industry. His knowledge of stone restoration is so abundant that it just oozes out of him during the 3 days. Those who paid for the course, in my opinion received more than their moneys worth. Let me explain.

As mentioned before, I have always believed in formal education for the stone industry and would not train those who have not had some form of this education through the NTC (including MB Stone, which is affiliated with NTC). I have always known that Maurizio was good, and I sometimes thought that he "stretched the truth" when it came to his abilities and his products. I guess that is why he invited me to Philadelphia. What he taught these "rookies" of the stone industry were abilities that many veterans of the stone industry do not possess. It was interesting for me to watch Maurizio polish granite and black and green marble all mixed together with clarity like that of brand new. Now some may say, “I can do that”. But can you do that after a 400 grit? On granite? On Black and Green together? I would not have believed it unless I saw with my own eyes! Here is what totally amazed me, those in the class who have never had any hands on experience were acting like this is a method that everyone uses, I had to explain that this is unheard of. I have been to many “product specific” courses and not one, not one can polish granite with such clarity as Maurizio could. Let alone it is laid right next to black and green marbles AND, he polished after 400 and 800 grit! Most of those companies tell you to either avoid granite and black and green marbles or to use diamonds only. Now here is the kicker, he didn’t say, “you have to use my system to achieve these results”. You can use anyone’s diamonds or machines. It is his powders (that he formulates on his own) that help him achieve such high quality results. I have tried many powders available on the market, and have not seen any that equal “the Godfathers” results. This is what makes his training so valuable. You do not get a sales pitch. Now, you CAN buy your equipment and diamonds from him (and he will say “Thank-you very much”), but he is not telling you that “if you don’t, you will not get the same results”. He is truly interested in seeing “young ones” get a fresh start and learn the trade the proper way. He is even encouraging me to train new ones more.

I hope that I was of some help to you in Philadelphia my friend. I feel that I got more out of the deal than you did. I heartily recommend that any that have or have not taken any other form of hands on training in the restoration business call Maurizio or Fred. You will DEFINITELY be getting your moneys worth. And any who say that it is too far East (or North, or South) to take the training, ask the 3 attendees from California who traveled to Philly what they thought.

Have Fun, eh?
Tom McNall
Tom's Maintenance www.tomsmaintenance.com Posted on the NTC Phorum (http://www.ntc-stone.com/phorum2/list.php?f=2) and Commercial floor board (http://www.i-boards.com/bnp/cfc/) on 02/02/’04.

“Well, I attended Maurizio's class, as I threatened that I would several weeks ago on these very same pages. If you don't want to read further, then "Yes," I recommend his class.

I would go again, knowing what I know now, and I suspect that I will probably attend any programs that he and his wife have input.

Here's some positive comments (I could go on and on, but I'm up late and the jet lag is slowing me down) and some negative comments.

I did learn a ton of stuff about stone, in general, and marble in particular. I love his agnosticism when it comes to stones -- each is unique in its own way and must be approached as a new, unique unknown.
His method, now mine too, recommends bringing education to stone care, leaving systems out because stone care is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.

Most important, my self-confidence increased mightily, thanks to Maurizio’s efforts as well as his wife's! She too knows stone and how to restore and polish. Both are a very effective team of educators in stone, stone chemistry, business ethics, business policies, and more.

Tom was available for off-topic advice and comments, which added to the over-all value of the class.

Anyway, I recommend this class to anyone with the intention of entering the stone trades, including concrete polishing, which we did. In fact, Mauizio's polishing process and machine surpassed my expectations. He had a concrete sample showing a reflection at 400 grit! If I said that I was very excited, I would be understating my enthusiasm. I went ballistic!

Without a doubt, learn to polish concrete and stone from this guy.

On the negative side, only negative because I'm an older educator out of the classroom with no one else to pick on, I note that there were no labels or legends on the walls or elsewhere idnetifying these stones.

He had a wide variety of marble tiles on the floor and on the wall. Many of these were verbally identified, and the known specifics of these stones were verbally pointed out, but Maurizio dropped the ball on this aspect of his stone academy – stand-alone visuals. This could have been done in print on the walls with legends without much fuss; I suspect that the idea did not cross his mind with everything else he has going on.

This is a tiny observation, when placed in perspective, though. Not a big deal, but something to note in terms of adult education.

My time was well spent and I have a new trade because of this experience.

Ed Evans
http://www.marble-polishing.com”  Posted on Commercial Floors board (http://www.i-boards.com/bnp/cfc/) on 02/02/’04.