It all started with one phone call during the summer of 1982. The call would ultimately change the course of history for one 15 year old with a penchant for the greatest creative sports entertainment ever… written. The sport could only be professional wrestling. The call could only be from Bill Apter.
An avid amateur photographer since childhood, Garrett began photographing professional wrestling matches held at a crumbling dinosaur in the heart of downtown Salem, Oregon. The Grand Theatre was no longer grand, and no longer a theatre, yet each Thursday night this abandoned movie house of the 1930’s held promoter Sandy Barr’s wrestlers in bloodbaths featuring unknowns such as Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, Playboy Buddy Rose, Rick Martel, Jessy ‘The Body’ Ventura, Curt Hennig and Billy Jack Haynes. At the time, Portland Wrestling was the largest independent promotion in the U.S. and would soon receive the attention the exciting product clearly deserved.
Earlier that summer Garrett sent a series of pictures to be considered for Amateur Photographer of the Month by a national magazine. Unfortunately, the photographs were returned with a curt note saying, “Your pictures have the quality of a professional and therefore will not be considered.”
A similar submission to a much larger publication would receive an entirely different reaction.
“I’d like you to come work for us,” Bill Apter said to the stunned teen. During the 1980’s Apter was considered the Donald Trump of pro-wrestling magazines. Apter expected, and received, access to anyone who wanted to be someone in the industry.
For the next 10 years, Garrett’s work was routinely featured in Apter’s G.C. London Publishing empire including: Pro Wrestling Illustrated, The Wrestler, Sports Review Wrestling and Inside Wrestling. During this period Garrett also authored several newsletters including “Scotty The Body’s Official International Fan Club Newsletter.” Ironically, his biggest accomplishment with the series came after relocating to Phoenix in 1989. Garrett’s final work featured a 10 page spread with over 60 pictures in Sports Review Wrestling from 1991’s highest rated PPV entitled “War Games.”
While attending ASU, Garrett began a 5 ½ year career with Sprint where he continued focusing on writing, changing the direction from entertainment to timely customer service subjects as editor of a newsletter for a local customer service group, and a Sprint in-house publication entitled “As The Pin Drops.”
Garrett also created an independent monthly newsletter entitled Garrett’s Gossip which included humorous anecdotes about college life, as well as celebrating successes of family, friends and associates. The following for this publication grew so large that in 1999 to save on increasing administrative expenses Garrett’s Gossip was transitioned to its own website. Remaining popular with readers after 12 years, the newsletter now features an eagerly anticipated annual update.
In 1995 Garrett joined U.S. West, now Qwest, serving home and small business customers. Growing his loyal client base quickly, Garrett was recognized five consecutive years for superior customer service and outstanding sales at the exclusive President’s Club. Garrett went on to manage a sales team in Qwest’s Small Business unit where he immediately set a challenge to improve strategic product results issuing a pro-wrestling themed “Hair vs. Sales” challenge. Within three months sales increased 212% and true to his word, Garrett has his head shaved at a monthly sales meeting to the rabid cheers a standing room only crowd.
In the spring of 2002, Garrett left Qwest to “spend more time with my family and pursue other opportunities.”
Y2G: The Experience, Inc, was created shortly thereafter focusing on development and support of national call centers, creating sales and marketing strategies, new business development, improving customer service and an entertainment division for 2 new exciting projects: a semi-autobiographical tale about his career within professional wrestling, and a fictional suspense-thriller involving the telecom industry.
Most recently, Garrett contracted with a major van line agency to create a successful Telesales program implementing unique strategies to prospect new business with Fortune 500 companies. In 2003, Garrett anticipates the grand opening for a franchise of Java Dave’s of Arizona. Java Dave’s serves a unique award winning coffee and naturally flavored coffee and tea. For more information, please visit www.coffeeadventureclub.com.
Graduating in 1992 with a B.S. in Agribusiness from Arizona State University, Garrett went on to complete coursework towards a Master’s degree in Agribusiness: Marketing & Management. A resident of Moon Valley, in his free time Garrett enjoys spending time with his family and 4 dogs, visiting tropical destinations and, of course, professional wrestling.
