The more I learned about the project, the more I understood that the lighthouse's location was going to be the biggest challenge.

We walked everyone through installing a proper limestone patch. We also walked them through the mock-up/testing process of our Latex-Based Cleaner--for this we used their marble fireplace mantle in the main dining room.

That’s the funny thing about aged grime on stone: you never really know which product is going to perform best. My grandfather taught me to not just bring the tool you think you’re going to need, bring the toolbox.

I had the idea of awarding a company for the Best Craftsmanship many years ago, but I got busy and the award never made it to launch. The idea was always there, though. Fast forward to 2020…

He was at the shop every morning by 6AM—and he didn’t drive. I’d arrive, and he’d be sitting in the shop, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes—without fail. Except for three weeks a year, Frank never drank. He was sober as a judge for 49 weeks.

So I made one of the boldest business decisions I ever made: I sent another letter out, letting my customers know that while getting certified was voluntary, they had one year to come for training or I would…

By the 1970s the Watts Towers had become a cultural heritage site, and later a hybrid state park—with the City of Los Angeles responsible for its maintenance. In the mid 80’s the city began conservation work, but the repairs failed almost as soon as they went up. That’s where I came in.