Popular Post caserri Posted November 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) 8 years. Wow, that's a long time to run a forum. Actually, a "community", not just a forum. I'm here today to offer up my final post and to say goodbye to all of my good friends and adversaries I've made along the way. Before I do, let's take a little trip down memory lane... Here is what my little vision looked like a mere month after launch in August 2007. I started TVF because the vending forum I was a member of (VendingTalk) abruptly closed and I missed being a part of an online community dedicated to vending operators. Some of you may remember VT and if you do, you would certainly remember me. Although I posted under a different name, I was one of the more active members there. Once VT shut down and I started TVF, I had no idea it would grow to what it is today. I thought I could get a handful of old VT members together and maintain a small, humble website to continue our conversations. Much to my surprise, TVF took off and flourished. The rise in popularity was both a blessing and a curse. I very much enjoyed the rise but loathed dealing with the issues that arose when you are tasked with managing so many members, all with varying opinions and agendas. The daily grind started to wear on me emotionally. I started taking everything personally and that bled into my personal life. There was a time when this forum consumed so much of my time and thoughts that it turned me into a different person. I lost sleep and even lost personal connections with people who were close to me. Between the technical issues, the member relations, and the idiots attacking me here and other places around the web, I reached my breaking point in late October of this year. To make a long story short, I almost lost everything dear to me. My wife, children, my home and even my mind. Due to this, I made the decision to close the forum and walk away forever. When the forum was closed for about a week, only one person decided to reach out to me and see if everything was OK. That person was Alex, (Performa). That solidified my desire to walk away. After 8 years of dedicating my life to this joint, enduring all of the criticism and other garbage that no one will ever know about, only one person wondered what happened? Just one? After that, a few people encouraged me to at least try to sell the forum. Not for the sake of letting the forum continue but the thought process was that after all this time, I should at least get something out of it. So that's what I did. At the time, letting go was one of the hardest things I had to do. But now, I see it as the best thing I've done in 8 years. I'm on the road to recovery. I'm fixing what TVF broke. The hardest part was letting go but now I'm past that. So I made the decision to sell the forum to William (The Mage). William is a good guy and will be a great admin. He's been a supporting member of TVF since 2009 and has the forums best interest at heart. Alex (performa) is a wonderful pick for moderator. My only word of advice for the two of them is to not lose sight of what is really important to them. If they have a real life, with living and breathing people that they care about, never put this place before them. I know it's easy to say and seems like common sense but this forum can wear you down over the years and turn you into a person you are not. With that, farewell to all! I am off to reclaim my life. Edited November 27, 2015 by caserri Thank 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunCandy Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks caserri! I've never got the chance to meet you! You must do what you need to reclaim your life! May God bless you and your family. cajun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lake Cities Vending Posted November 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 27, 2015 You will be missed. I think a lot of us wanted to get in touch with you and find out if everything was ok but we just didn't know how. Thanks for all you have done and wish you happiness in all that you do. Lynn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post The Mage Posted November 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 27, 2015 I agree, you will be missed. In fact I ask that you do come back. Maybe take a little break, than come back, and just be a member, not as somebody who needs to, but just to enjoy yourself. Even if it is just to pop in and say hi. But thank you for everything you have created, and all the work you have done. There are a lot of successful members because of this site, and they have you to thank. You did ask that I demote you, but I created a new member category just for you. Founding Member will now appear under your name. Good luck, I wish you the best. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orsd Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks caserri. You will be missed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mage Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 And lurtsman sent me an email, and asked me to send you his regards. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_John Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Haven't been around for a long time and been out of the business entirely for a while. You're a good man, thanks for your support for all this time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDERSONVENDING Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks Casseri for everything. I've been dealing with cancer while you had the site shut down so I didn't even notice. Like you I've tried to keep this to myself and handle it the best I could.I wish you the best and hope things work out for you. Stop by once in a while just to let us know how things are going. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PerformaVending Posted November 29, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 29, 2015 It has been an honor and a privilege to have been here during the good times Steve. You put your heart and soul into this place, and it really does show- there are a great many of us that owe you a tremendous debt for all this place has done for us and our respective businesses. Looking back, even the bad times were never as grim knowing you were at the helm of this great place- we always knew you'd come through for us, and I can't tell you how thankful we are for all the times you steered us through the storms so to speak. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the TVF is without a doubt the greatest resource the bulk vending industry has. Nowhere else can you find so much good, accurate information in a business that more and more seems to be brimming with empty biz-op promises. Though we are sorry to see you go sir, hold your head high, the site you founded is and always has been the best. It couldn't have been successful in the slightest if you hadn't been there keeping the lights on one way or another. Thank you again for everything you've done sir, we shall never forget it! Though you're stepping away, this place will always be "yours" in a sense. Please don't be a stranger, feel free to hang out with us anytime you like sir. The Mage and I are working on a plan to maintain the TVF long into the future- we won't let you down sir! Wherever life may take you from here, good luck Steve, and rock most awesomely on! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firetad4 Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Casseri, you will truly and always be missed and remembered, without your efforts I am most certain I would have never made it as far I have. I not always vocally active but I just never feel I have enough knowledge to add to all the extremely smart veterans such as yourself. Thanks for all you have done and God bless you and best of luck in your future endeavors. Stop by and say hello every now and then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Same here Firetad. Of all the thoughts I have the most important is that I NEVER would have dipped a toe in vending without this community. For that I am forever grateful to Steve and I wish him peace. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 You will be missed. I think a lot of us wanted to get in touch with you and find out if everything was ok but we just didn't know how. Thanks for all you have done and wish you happiness in all that you do. Lynn Yep, once the forum goes down we have no way to contact anybody. However, I did contact Bill at Technivend to see if he had any info as he's in Steve's general area but he had no clue as to what was up. I wish you all the success you deserve Steve and thank you for all the effort put in here over the years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Snacks Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks, Steve, for starting and maintaining TVF for all those years. Best wishes to you and your family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Hi Mate! I know i am late (better late than never) but I just wanted to say Thanks for all the work/effort you have put in over the years to create the TVF Forum not just for those in the US but for those who live internationally... I know it hasn't been an easy ride for you & I can understand the pressure it put on your personal life. I know that this site meant alot so I take my hat off to you for putting your family first. I hope things are working out for you & your family which I am sure they are.... Thanks again... not just for the valuable knowledge resource that this site is for vending but also for introducing me to people that will remain friends for life. Vending can be a very lonely business so having people to turn to is in my opinion.... PRICELESS!!! Thanks for also playing a part in introducing me to Fantasy Football (not sure if my wife agree's though ) If you ever needed anything or just need to chat... just reach out. Cheers Kiwi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnycman Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks and good luck to you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toad Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Seriously? Almost lost your family? Its just a vending group! You think too highly of this group and take yourself way too seriously! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Seriously? Almost lost your family? Its just a vending group! You think too highly of this group and take yourself way too seriously! For some reason. I don't think Steve will miss you very much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidsurvz Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Wow. I remember the good ol days. I was one of the OG group. I learned a TON and Steve actually personally helped me out once when ordering a machine. Steve was a great guy. Hope he gets everything back on track for his personal life. I am 95% out of the business now. I did very well for a while. Got burned out and now We have a small farm and I work in sales day to day. No time to grow the vending business I have other businesses and investments I'm working on these days. I'm planning to give what's left of my vending route to my kids when they are older. I spent a lot of time on this forum. A lot of good people here. Good luck to all. Happy vending!!! P.S. Rental properties and dividend stocks are like big vending machines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mage Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 P.S. Rental properties and dividend stocks are like big vending machines. That's funny, I always thought of vending machines as miniature versions of rental real estate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now