No I will never tell the whole story on this. Because, in the end, there are many reasons that I am exiting the business and will never even entertain the thought of getting back in.
TPBW/TPK is dead. The company that was interested in buying the company forwarded an offer that would have me personally financing it and shouldering almost all risk. That’s not going to happen, I’ve been burned too many times in this business. Let me make this COMPLETELY CLEAR. Since the offer to buy was ridiculous and I declined, the molds will be destroyed sometime next month. There will be no speculation about where the molds are. The designs are intellectual property of Nick Schade, he and I have decided the best way to ensure his designs are safe is to cut up the molds.
Now that I don’t have a company to protect, my filter is now gone. Paddledog, you seem to thrive on gossip and other people’s difficulties. “Corporate gig”? Again spouting off about something you know little about. I’ve put on a a happy face and endured your repeated attempts to rile me up on YouTube and here. Not anymore. You can speculate all you want, I am working alongside the owner of a shop that builds Class II APBA race-boats for clients that have very deep pockets. I was offered the job because he saw value in my particular skillset and is paying me accordingly. I have full benefits and am appreciated for my work ethic. For the first time in years, I can take time off. I don’t get texts from customers at 10pm on a Sunday. I don’t have to worry about employees or timelines. I did it for me, my family, my daughter. If you have something snarky to say, do yourself and everyone else here a favor and just keep quiet. I’ve watched you troll anyone trying to do good in this community. You ordered a paddle from someone I know, paid for expedited shipping and then trashed their reputation on Facebook because USPS failed to deliver in an expedited fashion. The seller did everything they said they would, USPS dropped the ball and you took it out on a small business from the anonymity of a keyboard. You have trolled Adventure Otaku, spouting they you did not think he was qualified or skilled enough to be an instructor. Who the hell are you to judge anyone? Brett is contributing something to the community, what is your contribution?
Sorry folks if this comes off as hateful or mean-spirited. I’ve played the nice guy in the face of constant prodding and negativity for too long.
Again what to you bring to the table that is constructive. Nothing, and if I said “corporate gig” at any time, it was done so jokingly. Brett is a good guy and has never said he was an expert. He was a NOLS Kayak Instructor, which has a completely criteria than ACA. Again, you have the choice to not say anything or be critical. YOU seem to always choose the low road and try to smear reputations.
That speaks volumes.
I chose to tell only the part of the story as not to smear anyone else’s reputation. I got screwed over hard and will never name names, especially online. So, I will choose the high road every time, but it is both. The story is the story and you have no f’n clue as to the back side of it. Dave knows more than he is willing to broadcast which speaks to his values and ethics.
Here is something you can speculate and gossip about. Every and I mean every manufacturer in the paddlesports space is hurting. The number of reputable companies that are 60 days past due on terms is shocking. The proposed tariffs will have a significant impact on paddlesports. I thought we had reached the end of the “Race to the Bottom” ( a phrase that has been around for a while), but I was wrong. I made the choice to stop fighting and go live a little FOR MY REASONS.
One day we will meet and we will see if you are as bold as you are behind a keyboard. I can promise you this, I am the same behind the keyboard as I am in public and I am done taking crap from you.
I don’t hide anywhere, never did. Taking crap? It’s all what you said on your video’s not me. Don’t want to be in the public eye don’t make public videos.
Hmm, maybe not intentionally, but you spend so much time commenting here and on YouTube I seriously doubt you have any time left to paddle!
I have gotten so many positive responses on my videos. In fact YOU are the only person that has been negative. But thank you for trolling me, because it really helped my engagement! Now that I am not going to put much out, I don’t have to play nice with you anymore and I will speak my mind and start heckling you… Nah, I’ve got better things to do now that I have “sold out”. do yourself a favor, go outside and get off the internet.