Trying to make a living off traditional archers ain't easy, especially if you aren't one of the big boys and/or have the money on hand to make it through the tough times. Making a living off archery period isn't easy, then cut it back to serving something like 5% of the total archery crowd...you about got to be nuts.
We are a naturally frugal bunch, like to do our own thing, and although some won't blink at dropping $1,000+ on a bow we tend to try to save a couple of bucks on everything else.
It would be nice if everyone could make a living doing what they love, but unfortunately that's usually not the case.
I consider myself to be super lucky to have been able to stay in the string game for the last 20 years or so--seen a lot come and go--but there's been some really lean times. Folks with more sense than me would have given it up for a real job, but I never claimed to have a lot of sense.
Hopefully he can get it all together and get everything straight with folks. A fellow can get overwhelmed quick.