BOY O BOY WAS I WRONG LOL

A friend of mine started a business building cars about 20 years ago. He was always broke because he was using his own money on customer cars.He was always asking for a payment to keep going but many didn't pay for several months and he had to let the car sit. That only caused space problems. Finally he now asks for $25K up front.Don't have it ? Go somewhere else. If agreed, a monthly statement will be sent( after a total estimate is also agreed upon) Keeping the $25K as down payment till the end and will be deducted from the final figure.Now he is doing daily work from the $100's to well over $100,000.Small jobs to major high end customs.
He so didn't want to ask in the beginning but now has a good business and customer base.