So the manager is an asshat, and owner not much better. I'm certain you had to work with similar people in the USAF and at EK. Did that put you off airplanes or taking pictures? So don't let them win this time either, okay?

As for roadies, I'm a roadie, I spent thousands at that shop, and you know how they screwed me on that wheelset. It's not a roadie thing, it's an asshat thing. They're everywhere, even on MTBs and 'bents.

For your nephew, point him to Velocipede Salon. It's a forum founded by framebuilders for framebuilders (and their customers). They're really big on sharing what it takes to build a successful framebuilding business. There's more to it than lighting a torch. In particular, direct him to the Smoked Out section, where builders are telling their individual stories and doing Q&A.