Just wanted to provide an update on where I am at. There appears to be a lack of progress on restoration threads and machines. This is partly true. I'm into my fourth year and spent most of my time learning how to run a business, as well as restoring pinball machines. There have been some valuable lessons learned and I've had some personal setbacks along the way.
An analogy of how I became overwhelmed with work was described to me that explains my biggest mistake. The day APR started, I spoke to 100 customers and said "yes" to everyone. I told everyone that their machine would be ready "in 1 year". At the conclusion of that year, I had 10 happy customers and 90 customers that were expecting games. I learnt a HARD lesson, but as it was pointed out to me, it didn't COST me my business or my sanity. The personal issues were HARD to deal with. Some outstanding issues are complex, and need attention.
But the last two weeks has seen some breathing space. As mentioned in another thread, my wife is basically going to do most of the legwork on the RTBB side of things. RTBB is a HUGE undertaking. It would take a very long winded post to explain what we have gone through to keep it going. It is thriving, but hugely demanding. It IS fair to say that RTBB has taken a lot of MY focus away from restoration work. That's my fault. But the only way I know to run RTBB, was the same approach I use for restoration work. Every minor detail is micro managed. There is still a long way to go until I get it where I want it to be. There's been some fantastic support from friends who have turned up with tools in hand and helped out with "fit out" and organization. You know who you are.
Two weeks ago, I re focused my attention back on APR. With some AMAZING help from Tim and Stu at HRP, they have worked on aspects of my High End Restorations. These huge undertakings are now the focus for the rest of the year. I know some of you are currently waiting for completed games. They are all being worked on. There will be a flood of restoration updates. There will be a HEAP of new restorations starting soon. I'm not taking on ANY NEW work unless collectors are willing to wait 2-3 years. I'm not going to rush my work.
A decision was made to cease onsite repairs. We now do NOT do ANY New workshop repairs. We are not reconditioning games any longer. Out focus is Restorations work, or High End Restoration work. That's all we are doing. There's a heap of news I want to share, new developments, ideas, business relationships and a heap of recent arrivals. I can guarantee that APR have made plans to be around for a very long time.
Anyway, I just wanted to let people know that things are "back to normal" with some important lessons learned.
Four years ago I had a dream and a garage full of pinballs. So much has changed, with a VERY steep learning curve.
