It's Time to Celebrate!!

Here we are readers, and its hard to believe, but a little over six months ago Bash Bays opened its doors for business. There have already been a fair share of the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Having said that, the lows have not really been that low. The lows really consisted of fears of the unknown, equipment failure and unexpected down time, and some time hanging in the balance.

The biggest low felt around the shop was around the glass crushing machine. Purchasing it through Amazon really saved the day. Back in March, the decision to move forward with investing in a machine to process the majority of the broken glass was made. This beloved piece of equipment sparked all kinds of joy and excitement around the facility. Then came the wait to have the electrical work quoted and completed. That in itself was a process. Finally the day came, June 9/2025 we were up and crushing. A week later, in an attempt to really give it a true test, the motor lasted a whole 37 minutes of operation....Oh no, pooof and up in smoke... The motor was sent to one of the talented shops in the city to have a look at it. It didn't take long for them to discover that the motor had been completely overloaded. The technician, who mentioned something when the motor was picked up, noted that the Hz rating was scratched off. And not the "oops" kind of scratched off either. So to the seller we went and began the conversations to have the unit replaced. Best the seller was willing to do was have us pay shipping on a new replacement motor. We also got Amazon involved. Did you know about the Amazon A to Z Guarantee?? It really saved us on this machine. Amazon opened a claim and reviewed the information in conversations. Within a few days Amazon made a decision and credited back our entire purchase!

Now, to find a replacement motor. What a process that was!! Our replacement arrived last Friday with a new pulley hopefully arriving tomorrow! Here is hoping crushing resumes by weeks end.

Okay, so if you made it this far, it is time to share the highs! First off, from Bash Bays to all of you that support us as a business in any way, shape or form, please let us thank you for your continued support. Community Votes Thunder Bay caught all of us way way way off guard! To all of you that took time out of your day to go online and vote for Bash Bays, Jeremy is extremely grateful! We only entered one category not really sure where else at this time we would fit in. Drumroll please!!!.......PLATNIUM in our category!! Thank you Thunder Bay!!! Watch out for posts in the coming days of our award hardware as we celebrate this huge success.

Another high, and maybe you've seen our vehicle around the city, was having our vehicle wrapped by the great and talented staff at Sign Design! Funny enough, the pictures of the wrap in the planning stages did not do it justice. It looks sooo good now seeing the wrap applied to our ride. Thank you Sign Design!

But wait there is more! When Jeremy started this venture, the search went high and low for start up funding for entrepreneurs. Our good friend Robbyn at Balloon Stylings made mention of the Startup Company Plus Program through CEDC Thunder Bay. Jeremy was able to apply in 2024 when all the background work started but was not successful at that time. Fast forward to January 2025 and applications had opened again for the same program. Our application went in and this time we were accepted into the program. It is an extensive program full of excellent knowledge, mentoring with professionals in different areas, and networking with other entrepreneurs that were also accepted into the program. More outstanding news came on July 16, 2025 - Bash Bays was approved for the grant!!!

Finally, to close out this entry with some much needed recognition to all of the participants of every session we have had in both smash and splatter rooms. Every session does not disappoint. Participants come in, when that first item breaks or the first squirt of paint flies across the room, the sheer joy that echos throughout the building is truly the best sound anyone can hear. From the laughter belting out like its been 20 years in the making, to the loud yells of "wooohoooo", and all the way to the loud colorful language you'd might expect when someone has some frustrations built up, it is all awesome to hear that energy being expended.

From Bash Bays to all of you, a million times over, Thank you so so very much!!!

Remember, it is OKAY to not be okay!