The Architecture of Advocacy: Navigating the Economy and Launching the Connection Collection

UI updates in action: The newly redesigned NBGee Foundry storefront, featuring the "Shop by Intention" layout and our new Advocacy & Awareness section.

Content Note: This post discusses mental health and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

The Architecture of Advocacy: Navigating the Economy and Launching the Connection Collection

In a recent update, I talked about laying the "pipes" - getting our distribution networks flowing so that our creators’ books, audio, and art could reach a global audience. The infrastructure was built. The machine was humming.

But building in public means being honest about the landscape you are building in.

Earlier this week, Juanita Buckles (one of our incredible featured artists) shared some very grounded, strategic feedback with me regarding our store layout and pricing. It prompted me to take a hard look at the macro-economic climate we are currently operating in. With rising costs for essentials, economic uncertainty, and global instability, consumer confidence is understandably low.

Asking someone to drop $40 on a t-shirt right now is a high-friction sale. However, economic data shows that during hard times, people still seek out "affordable indulgences" - smaller, functional items that bring daily comfort. They also become highly conscious of where their dollars go, prioritizing real, human creators over faceless corporations.

Adapting the Machine: The New Shop Experience Taking Juanita’s advice, I spent the early part of this week completely overhauling the NBGee storefront. We shifted from a standard product grid to "Situation and People Selling." If you visit the homepage today, you’ll see our new "Shop by Intention" layout. Instead of just browsing categories, we are solving problems for the buyer. We added visual pathways like Home & Sanctuary, Wearable Art, and critically, a dedicated Gifts for Under $35 section to highlight our accessible, comfort-oriented products (like mugs, journals, and magnets) without devaluing our premium gallery pieces.

But the most important new tile in that grid is the one labeled "Advocacy & Awareness."

The "Connection Makes A Difference" Campaign Since day one, the mission of NBGee Foundry has been to build platforms that foster human connection. As creators, we spend a lot of time focusing on what we build, but it's just as important to focus on why we build it.

Mental health and suicide prevention is a topic that is incredibly important to me, and it feels more urgent than ever. So, I am putting the mission into action.

I am incredibly proud to announce the launch of the Connection Collection - an 8-piece premium retail line designed to turn everyday apparel and home goods into functional beacons of radical empathy.

Built strictly around the official "Safe Messaging" guidelines from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), this collection takes proven declarations of hope - like "Make Mental Health a National Priority" and "Talk Saves Lives" - and pairs them with our premium digital canvases.

The Tech Stack: Distributing Lifelines We didn't just want to sell awareness; we wanted to distribute lifelines.

Every physical item in this collection acts as a bridge to digital support. By utilizing custom tag printing and dynamic QR codes, these products instantly route anyone in need to hope.nbgee.com - a dedicated resource hub I built that provides direct, one-tap links to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, The Trevor Project, the Veterans Crisis Line, and AFSP support directories.

If someone sees our 32oz Tumbler sitting on a desk at the gym, or reads the "Suicide is Preventable" print in a waiting room, they are one scan away from immediate, professional help.

Radical Transparency: The Economics of Advocacy As an official cause-marketing campaign, 10% of the net revenue from this entire collection is donated directly to AFSP to fund crisis resources and research.

I believe in radical transparency, so I want to address a question upfront: Why 10% and not 100%?

NBGee Foundry is a self-funded, independent platform. The remaining revenue from this line goes directly into sustaining the project: covering the base manufacturing costs of high-quality goods, managing printing and platform fees, and keeping the lights on at the Foundry. Building a sustainable business model ensures we can continue supporting causes like AFSP for years to come, rather than just doing a one-off campaign.

(Note: AFSP is a highly-rated 501(c)(3) charity holding a perfect four-star rating from Charity Navigator. If you ever prefer 100% of your contribution to go to the cause, we have a "Donate Directly to AFSP" button right on the page!).

The Next Step This week was a massive sprint. From adapting to the economy, to overhauling the UI, to mapping dozens of product variants and building a digital resource hub.

But looking at the live shop today, seeing that grid of bold, uncompromising hope... it is exactly what this Foundry was built to create.

The digital pipes are flowing. Now, let's start some real conversations out in the physical world.

Shop the Connection Collection Here

Thank you all for being part of this Foundry. What you create matters, and together, connection really does make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available right now. You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

— George Bowden Founder and CEO, NBGee Foundry

The Pipes are Flowing: Hoopla, Substack, and Scaling the Collective

In my last update, I talked about laying the "pipes"—the unglamorous, backend distribution networks required to get independent art out of Portland and into the global marketplace.

For the last few weeks, my head has been down (and admittedly, fighting off a nasty cold—a harsh reminder of the very human side of the "indie label journey"). But while the studio was physically quiet, the digital machine was roaring to life.

Today, I am incredibly proud to announce that the pipes are officially flowing. We aren’t just building platforms anymore; we are operating them.

Here is an open-source look at the milestones we hit this week across the Foundry.

1. The Ultimate Proof of Concept: Hoopla Integration

When we launched NBGee Publishing with Trish Ginther’s Learn to Grow: Life Skills for Teens, the goal was never just to sell books on Amazon. The goal was to democratize access to vital knowledge.

This week, we hit a massive milestone: Trish’s book is officially live on Hoopla Digital.

Hoopla is the primary digital gateway for public libraries across the United States. This means an independently published book by a senior creator in our collective is now sitting in the national library ecosystem, accessible to millions of patrons for free, while still generating revenue for the author. This is the exact proof of concept NBGee Foundry was built to achieve.

2. NBGee Studios and the "Video Comic" Model

As the publishing wing expands, so does our visual storytelling. We are officially moving into full production on our next major property: Gus Tells Terry, an original manuscript by our featured artist and author, Juanita Buckles.

To bring this to life, we had to upgrade our tech stack. I spent the week building and deploying a custom upgrade to our internal NBGee Audio Lab. We can now direct and mix up to five AI voice actors simultaneously, allowing us to produce fully scored, multi-actor "Video Comics."

But making the art is only half the battle; you need a stage. We have officially launched a dedicated series channel for Gus Tells Terry over on our Substack (studios.nbgee.com). We are utilizing Substack's "Sections" feature to build a Netflix-style infrastructure. Subscribers can pay a single monthly fee to access our entire slate of upcoming shows, including the NBGee Alien Universe (animated stories based on our best-selling merch characters).

Most importantly, this subscription revenue will be split with the creators exactly like our merchandise model.

3. Scaling E-Commerce: Gallery Views & The Spring Collection

Over on the retail side, our 2026 Spring Collection is officially live. It features incredible new botanical and abstract pieces from Kim Poff and Juanita Buckles.

We also launched a fascinating hybrid product: physical artisan soaps by Carrie Taylor ("Neon Sugar" and "Indigo Salt") designed specifically to accompany her digital audio capsules.

To support this expanding catalog, I rolled out a brand new UI update: The Gallery View. Store visitors can now click on a specific piece of art and instantly see every piece of NBGee merch that features that image. It shifts the shopping experience from "browsing products" to "browsing art," which perfectly aligns with our creator-first mission.

4. Locking in the Financial Backend

You can’t run an indie record label without securing the royalties. Behind the scenes, I successfully completed our SoundExchange, DistroKid, and UnitedMasters audits. We officially cleared all past catalog disputes and have firmly routed our Master and Label royalties to the new NBGee Records and NBGee Publishing entities. The financial backend is fully locked in, legally compliant, and ready to scale.

The Next Chapter

The infrastructure is built. The royalties are routed. The creators are in the national library system.

Now, we make movies.

If you want to see the new audio lab in action, head over to studios.nbgee.com and subscribe. The pilot episode of Gus Tells Terry drops this week.

Thank you for being part of this journey. The Foundry is officially humming.

— George Bowden Founder and CEO, NBGee Foundry

The Storm, The Voice, and The Machine

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for tools we use and trust (like ElevenLabs and CapCut). If you use these links to build your own studio, NBGee Foundry may earn a commission.

The Plumbing is Done

In my last update, "Going Global," I talked about plumbing—the unglamorous but vital work of laying the "pipes" to get independent art into the biggest marketplaces in the world.

Those pipes are now live.

• Trish Ginther’s Learn To Grow: Life Skills for Teens is finding its way into libraries and onto devices from Portland to Europe via Draft2Digital.

• Juanita Buckles’ "Sky Fire" collection is officially out in the wild, turning abstract art into wearable energy.

The distribution machine is humming. But a Foundry isn't just a shipping center; it is a place of creation. And right now, the hammers are ringing loud.

Today, I want to pull back the curtain on the next phase of NBGee: The expansion of the Guild.

Enter The Storm: Indigo Salt is Live

If Trish provides the roots (resilience), and Juanita provides the color (joy), our newest Artisan brings the atmosphere.

I am proud to officially welcome Carrie Taylor to the Foundry as our resident Poet & Artisan.

For the last month, Carrie has been building something entirely new for us. It isn't just a book, and it isn't just an audiobook. We call it a Digital Capsule.

Today, Indigo Salt (Digital Capsule 001) is officially available in the NBGee Shop.

It is a blend of spoken word, atmospheric soundscapes, and raw poetry that feels less like reading and more like weathering a storm. It is moody, it is grounded, and it is exactly the kind of brave work we built this platform to support.

> Listen to the preview and download the capsule here.

The Voice: Upgrading the Digital Forge

One of our core beliefs at NBGee is that technology shouldn't replace the artist; it should amplify them.

To create the immersive soundscapes of Indigo Salt, we needed tools that could keep up with Carrie's vision. I am excited to announce that NBGee Foundry has been approved as an Official ElevenLabs Affiliate.

ElevenLabs is the world leader in AI audio research. We gained access to the tools that allowed us to layer human performance with digital textures, creating a sonic depth previously reserved for major studios.

• Editor's Note: To ensure we heard every detail of those textures, DJ NBGee mixed this project exclusively on Steven Slate VSX Modeling Headphones, which allowed us to simulate world-class studio acoustics in our home offices.

The Machine: Reaching the Unreachable

While the art was being made, the machine was finding an audience.

The most exciting stat I saw this week wasn't a sales number; it was a "reach" number. Our latest video campaign reached over 7,000 people. But the stat that mattered? 100% of them were non-followers.

That means we are no longer just talking to our friends. We are talking to the world. We are proving that an indie studio in Oregon can hold the attention of a global audience.

How do we do it?

1. Creation: We produce our high-retention social clips using CapCut Pro, which allows us to edit music videos and add dynamic captions right from the studio.

2. Distribution: We schedule our cross-platform blasts using OneUp, allowing us to manage 10+ social accounts from a single dashboard.

The Studio Lot: NBGee Studios Goes Live

While NBGee Records is handling the audio and NBGee Publishing handles the text, we needed a dedicated home for our visual storytelling and "Building in Public" narratives.

We realized that social media is great for clips, but it’s terrible for context.

So, we have officially launched studios.nbgee.com.

This is the new digital headquarters for NBGee Studios. It is where we will post:

• NBGee Vignettes: Exclusive premieres of our new micro-cinema series—short, narrative films that capture the essence of the Second Act.

• Deep-Dive Journals: The real "making of" logs for projects like Indigo Salt.

• The Blueprint: Script developments, storyboards, and visual concept art.

• Director's Commentary: Honest breakdowns of the tech stack and tools we used to get the shot.

If you want the product, go to the Shop. If you want the process, meet us at the Studios.

> Subscribe to NBGee Studios (It’s currently free)

What’s Next?

The pipes are built. The storm has been poured into them.

1. Go listen to Indigo Salt. It’s unlike anything we’ve released before.

2. Join the Studio. See how we built it.

3. Watch this space. February is only getting louder.

— George Bowden Founder and CEO, NBGee Foundry

P.S. Want to build your own "Machine"?

People ask how we manage books, music, and film simultaneously. I just launched the Foundry Tech Stack—a transparent list of the exact software and hardware we use to run NBGee. See the full list here.

Beyond the Walls: Taking the Mission Global

In my last post, "The Spark Has Caught," I shared a quiet, profound moment: sitting with Trish Ginther (trWolf) as she held the very first physical proof of Learn To Grow. It was the tangible proof that a "Second Act" is possible.

Since that day, the Foundry has been anything but quiet.

If December was about igniting the spark, January is about spreading the fire. We made a strategic decision early on: we weren't just going to launch this book; we were going to democratize it.

Today, I am proud to announce that Learn To Grow: Life Skills for Teens has officially left the neighborhood and gone global.

Choosing the Hard Road

In independent publishing, there is an easy path: hand everything over to the biggest retailer in the world, sign an exclusivity agreement, and let their algorithm do the work.

We chose the hard road.

NBGee Publishing was built on the belief that vital stories belong to everyone. Trish didn’t write this book just for the teenagers with Prime memberships. She wrote it for the kid reading on an old Android phone using public library Wi-Fi. She wrote it for the grandmother in Europe who reads on a Kobo.

To honor that mission, we spent the last few weeks building a massive distribution infrastructure. We bypassed the "walled gardens" of exclusivity to ensure accessibility.

The Result: A Global Footprint

As of this week, the "pipes" are officially live. Learn To Grow is propagating to over 50 retail and library channels worldwide.

• For the Digital Native: The eBook is going live on Google Play, Apple Books, and Amazon Kindle.

• For the Community: We have opened channels to OverDrive and Hoopla, meaning soon you will be able to request this book at thousands of local libraries.

• For the Traditionalist: Listings are populating on Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Bookshop.org.

We took a manuscript from a drawer in Portland and made it available to billions of devices around the planet. That is the power of the Second Act.

Fuel for the Spirit: New Art from Juanita Buckles

While Trish provides the tools for the mind, our Featured Artist, Juanita Buckles, is providing the fuel for the spirit. Just as the book launches, we are unveiling Juanita's latest "Wearable Art" drops—tangible pieces of resilience and joy.

• Wearable Energy: The new "Sky Fire" Organic Cotton Tee transforms dynamic abstract art into high-end streetwear. With "Sky Fire" on the front and the intriguing "Mystery" piece on the back, you become a walking gallery.

• A Daily Reset: Start your morning with the "Kitchen Calm" Art Mug. Whether it’s coffee or tea, wrapping your hands around this rustic artwork offers a daily reminder to breathe.

• Customizable Inspiration: The "Abstract Energy" Sticker Sheet lets you peel and stick a masterpiece anywhere, from laptops to water bottles.

The Lighter Side: Aliens & Magnets

Finally, because we believe life shouldn't be all serious business, NBGee Charters has returned with something… unexpected.

We dug around in the cargo hold and found the "Galactic Stowaway." This new Graphic Tee features our resident Alien Octopus rocking a shade of red lipstick that can be seen from orbit. Is it from the deep sea? Deep space? We aren't sure, but it’s definitely fabulous.

And for those of you who just want to keep it practical, we’ve launched the Official Team Magnet. It’s heavy-duty, weatherproof, and features our custom "Role Reversal" art (yes, the fish is catching the fisherman). Perfect for the truck, the boat trailer, or the garage fridge.

The Heart of the Foundry

While seeing our logo on major retail sites is a thrill, the heartbeat of NBGee remains our direct connection to you.

We are building an ecosystem where the creator—not the middleman—reaps the reward. When you buy directly from the Foundry, you ensure that artists like Juanita, authors like trWolf, and even our weird Alien Captain are supported directly.

The infrastructure is built. The book is live. The art is ready. The aliens are dressed.

Now, the real work of growing begins.

Explore the New Releases: 👉🏾 The Book: Get Learn To Grow Direct 👉🏾 The Art: Shop Juanita’s Collection 👉🏾 The Fun: Meet the Galactic Stowaway

— George Bowden Founder and CEO, NBGee Foundry

The Spark Has Caught: Igniting the Second Act

It has been a while since I last wrote. In my previous post, "From Dots to Triumphs," I talked about connecting the dots of my life to form a picture of what comes next.

For the last few weeks, the Foundry has been quiet on the outside, but inside, the fires have been burning hot. We moved from connecting dots to building foundations. And today, I am proud to say that the "Second Act" is no longer just a theory.

It is a reality you can hold in your hands.

The First Book is Here

This week, I experienced one of the most profound moments of this entire journey. I sat with Trish Ginther (trWolf) and watched her hold the very first proof copy of her debut book, Learn To Grow: Life Skills for Teens.

Trish isn’t just a "senior." She is a poet, a mother, and now, a published author. Her book is a guide to resilience and self-sufficiency that the world desperately needs. Seeing her wisdom go from notes to a professionally published trade paperback proved everything I believed about this mission: Creativity has no expiration date.

Art in Motion: Juanita Buckles

While we celebrate Trish’s book launch, the Foundry is also igniting the visual arts. Juanita Buckles, a talented artist who paints to find her "Happy Place," is now officially in the shop.

We aren't waiting for the future; we are launching it now. You can support Juanita today by bringing her vibrant, resilient energy into your daily life. We have just released a curated collection of her signature works:

• Carry the Art: The "My Happy Place" Eco Tote Bag is live.

• Transform Your Space: Her stunning "Summer Fun" Poster and "My Happy Place" Art Print are available for order.

Every purchase directly supports Juanita and proves that art is a vital form of human connection.

The Lighter Side: NBGee Charters

The Foundry isn't just about serious art and memoirs; it's about listening to our neighbors. Sometimes, that means publishing a book on resilience. Other times? It means fulfilling a request for a fishing buddy.

By popular demand from "Big John," we’ve launched the NBGee Charters collection. It’s fun, it’s irreverent, and it features our legendary Alien Captain.

• For the Fisherman: Check out the hilarious "The Big Catch" Poster—perfect for the garage or man cave.

It’s a reminder that while our mission is serious, we never forget to have fun along the way.

Igniting New Narratives

NBGee Foundry was built on the belief that everyone has a vital story to tell, but not everyone has the platform to tell it. We are changing that.

We have officially launched NBGee Publishing with a crowdfunding campaign to fund our entire 2025 slate. We are raising funds to produce Trish's full print run, expand Juanita's art projects, and launch a photography collection by Chuck Alexander.

We are calling this campaign "Ignite New Narratives."

Why? Because these stories have been sitting in boxes, in drawers, and in the minds of my neighbors for too long. They are ready to catch fire. But a fire needs fuel.

Join the Founding Family

We are looking for Founding Supporters to help us bridge the gap between "manuscript" and "market." By backing our Indiegogo campaign, you aren't just buying a book; you are proving that independent voices matter.

How you can be part of this chapter:

1. Back the Campaign: Visit ignite.nbgee.com to secure a signed First Edition of Learn To Grow or limited-edition art.

2. Read the Book: Order an early-access copy of Trish's book directly at grow.nbgee.com.

3. Shop the Art: Visit the shop to see Juanita's latest releases (and the Alien Captain!).

From a fishing boat captained by a fish to the quiet resilience of a grandmother’s advice, we are building a universe of real stories.

Thank you for being part of the spark.

— George Bowden Founder and CEO, NBGee Foundry

The Journey: From Connected Dots to Tangible Triumphs!

Hello, NBF Tribe!

Remember our last update, "When The Dots Start to Connect," where we talked about vision, strategic planning, and the exciting potential bubbling within NBGee Foundry? Well, hold onto your flight helmets, because since then, those dots haven't just connected – they've exploded into a vibrant tapestry of action, creation, and major milestones!

It’s with immense pride and gratitude that I share how far we’ve soared in such a short time.

NBGee Publishing Takes Flight: Our First Author Signed!

The biggest news on the publishing front is truly monumental: NBGee Publishing has officially signed its first author, Trish Ginther! This isn't just a signature on a piece of paper; it's the formal launch of our mission to empower unique voices and bring inspiring stories to the world. Trish's upcoming book, "Learn To Grow: Life Skills for Teens!" is exactly the kind of impactful content we envisioned. This foundational partnership means we're now moving full steam ahead into the exciting world of editing, design, and preparing for launch. Get ready to be inspired!

Project Hatchling Blooms: A Holiday Showcase!

Our commitment to our community and supporting local talent is also taking a huge leap forward with Project Hatchling. We're thrilled to announce that NBGee Foundry will have a presence at the Solista Milwaukie Holiday Bazaar! This is more than just an event; it's our first public showcase, bringing the NBF Tribe directly to the community.

You'll get a sneak peek at:

• Trish Ginther's "Learn To Grow" merchandise: Imagine beautiful ornaments, magnets, and other unique items, all designed around the wisdom of her upcoming book. These aren't just gifts; they're daily reminders to live a life of purpose.

• Juanita Buckles' stunning visual art: We'll be proudly displaying prints and perhaps even some original pieces from this incredible Solista Milwaukie artist. Her work is vibrant, soulful, and truly captivating. You'll have the chance to see her talent firsthand and even take a piece of it home.

This bazaar is a tangible step in connecting creators with their audience, fostering local commerce, and introducing NBGee Foundry's multi-faceted vision to the world.

An Urgent Call to Our Angel Gifters: To make our debut at the Solista Milwaukie Holiday Bazaar truly impactful, we have an immediate need for financial support. Your generous contributions will directly cover essential costs for booth setup, professional signage, display materials, and initial merchandise samples. Every gift helps us showcase our incredible creators and launch NBGee Foundry with the presence it deserves. If you're able to help us make this first public appearance a soaring success, please consider becoming an angel gifter at fundraising.nbgee.com. Your support makes all the difference!

NBGee Records on the Rise: "Apex Ascent" Takes Shape!

But wait, there's more! The NBGee Records division is also making incredible strides. We've officially finalized the master sound recording for our first major track, "Apex Ascent," featuring the phenomenal talent of Reeko Law and DJ NBGee!

This track is pure energy – a powerful blend of hip-hop and cinematic vibes designed to inspire and elevate. We’ve meticulously crafted the stems and are now in the process of stamping them with our official BWF MetaEdit metadata, ensuring every detail is perfect for sync submission. This means "Apex Ascent" is primed and ready for the world, set to make its mark on the airwaves and in sync licensing.

The Foundry is Forging Ahead!

Beyond these exciting project-specific updates, the "Foundry" aspect of NBGee is constantly at work:

• Infrastructure Building: We're diligently setting up the backend systems – from ISBN acquisition for our growing publishing arm to researching professional scanning solutions for future projects like the "SMR Residents: A Life in Pictures" coffee table book.

• Strategic Planning: Every step is calculated, every decision deliberate, as we lay the groundwork for a robust, creator-centric ecosystem encompassing publishing, visual arts, music, and future tech innovations.

The energy at NBGee Foundry is palpable, and this progress wouldn't be possible without the foundational support and belief from our tribe.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Stay tuned for more updates, and prepare to witness the continued "Flight" of NBGee Foundry!

George Bowden Founder & CEO, NBGee Foundry, LLC

The Journey: When the Dots Start to Connect

The mission of NBGee Foundry has always been clear in my mind: "Building Platforms for Human Connection." For a long time, that mission was a north star, a guiding principle I was building towards. But in the past couple of weeks, something has shifted. The mission is no longer a destination; it’s the ground beneath my feet. The theoretical has become tangible, and the dots are starting to connect in ways that are more exciting than I could have imagined.

It started with an idea for a new pillar for the Foundry: NBGee Publishing. After a series of inspiring conversations, I secured a verbal commitment from a brilliant local historian to publish her much-needed book on essential life skills for teenagers. Just like that, the publishing house was born.

Almost immediately, my work with a local retirement community showed me how powerful this new venture could be. What began as a simple hybrid newsletter to bridge the digital divide for residents has become the heart of the Foundry. It led me to a wonderfully talented resident artist. Our conversations about selling prints of her artwork grew into a 50/50 partnership for a new art gallery. But then she mentioned she'd written content for a children's book series years ago but got stuck on the illustrations.

It was a lightbulb moment. The publishing house wasn't just for traditional authors; it was a platform to empower creators in every facet of their work.

And that's when the most powerful connection of all revealed itself. I thought about the historian's book on life skills. I thought about the artist's children's book, which teaches good manners. I thought about my own song, "Eight Things", and the lessons I was trying to share in it. A theme, completely unplanned, had emerged from the ether: Imparting Wisdom for Future Generations.

This is the unifying thread. This is what connects a historian, a painter in her 70s, and a Gen X music producer. We're all, in our own unique ways, trying to leave a legacy of knowledge and kindness.

This realization has supercharged everything. The vision is no longer siloed into Music, Publishing, and Community—it’s a synergistic ecosystem. It’s even led to fun, off-the-cuff ideas, like a "Relaxation Package" that would be a complete sensory experience, bundling art and poetry from one creator, handcrafted soaps from a friend's business, and my music.

While all of this has been happening, the foundation of NBGee Records continues to strengthen. My collaboration with the rapper Reeko Law on our track "Apex Ascent" is moving full speed ahead, with his vocal session just a few days away. And for any other artists out there, the "Project Phoenix" open verse challenge is still going strong. You can check out the beats and the videos here: DJ NBGee Beat Duets on TikTok

It’s an overwhelming, humbling, and electrifying feeling to see the blueprint become a reality. I'm putting together a short video to talk through some of these updates in a bit more detail, which I’ll be sharing on my socials soon. For now, thank you for being on this journey with me. The dots are connecting.

Three Weeks In: What I've Built (and What I Forgot)

It has been exactly 21 days since NBGee Foundry was officially formed. Three weeks. And in that time, I learned a classic founder's lesson: don't get so busy building the business that you forget about the art.

Last Friday, my new cinematic track, "Luctus Inanis," was released on all streaming platforms. I had almost no idea it was happening. There was no promo, no countdown—just a surprise release that I nearly missed myself.

Why? Because for the last 21 days, I've been completely immersed in the unglamorous, essential work of turning a vision into a reality. While the music was waiting in the digital queue, I was:

• Building Our Home: I designed and launched the official nbgeefoundry.com website from scratch, creating a professional hub for our entire mission.

• Fostering Community: I've been pouring energy into the SMR project, launching a printed newsletter for our non-connected residents, and receiving the most incredible, heartwarming feedback—from residents enjoying the word games at dinner to a legally blind neighbor who can now enjoy the newsletter through its new podcast-style audio version.

• Developing Technology: I built our first internal tool, a "Podcast Generation App," to streamline the SMR audio production—a real, tangible product from the Foundry Technology pillar.

• Starting the Right Conversations: I reconnected with a small circle of trusted, brilliant former colleagues—people who could form the foundational leadership team for this company—and began the pivotal conversations that will shape our future.

I was so focused on laying the foundation that I forgot a finished piece of architecture was about to be revealed.

It's a perfect, real-world example of the "Indie Label Journey." It's the constant balancing act between being the artist and being the CEO. And while I'll definitely be adding "check the release schedule" to my weekly Trello board, it's a mistake I'm happy to have made. It's proof that we are moving, building, and making real progress.

This is the journey, messy and surprising as it is. Thank you for being here for it. I'd be honored if you'd take a listen to the track I almost forgot.

The Digital Foundry is Open: The NBGee Foundry Website is Now Live!

(A look at the new NBGee Foundry homepage.)

After a marathon session of planning, writing, and configuring, I'm thrilled to announce that the official website for NBGee Foundry is now live.

This is more than just a website; it's the digital home for our entire mission. It's the platform from which we'll share our music, our stories, and our journey of building a new kind of media and technology company.

For those visiting for the first time, here's a quick tour:

• The Journey: You're reading this on our official logbook, where I'll be documenting the process of building this company in public—the wins, the lessons, and the strategy.

• Sync Licensing: For filmmakers, content creators, and music supervisors, you can now browse our growing catalog of instrumental music.

• About: To understand the "why" behind it all, you can read our mission and my founder's story.

This is a huge milestone, and it wouldn't be possible without the early support and engagement from my growing community. Thank you for being here from the beginning.

The paint is still fresh, and there's so much more to build, but the doors are officially open.

Welcome to NBGee Foundry.

My First Action: Why I Launched with a Split Sheet

After the paperwork was filed and the Foundry was officially born, the first question was: what now? A new beat? A new song?

No. My first public action was to release a tool for artists.

True collaboration in the music industry starts with clarity and fairness. Before a single note is sold or a song is uploaded, everyone involved needs to be on the same page about ownership. The split sheet is the most fundamental document for this, yet it's something many new artists overlook. It’s the simple contract that defines who owns what percentage of a song, ensuring everyone gets their fair share of any future royalties.

To kick off my 'Indie Label Journey' series—where I build NBGee Records in public—I created a short video explaining exactly what a split sheet is and why it's non-negotiable for any serious artist.

I believe in empowering creators, not just with music, but with knowledge and resources. That's why I’ve made the exact split sheet template I use available as a white-label digital download (https://nbgee.gumroad.com/l/splitsheet).

This is my philosophy in action: providing real-world tools and transparent insights for the independent artist community. It's the first step of many.

Logbook Entry 001: The Accidental Founder

(Click the image to view and engage with the original post on TikTok.)

I accidentally started a media company.

There’s a strange and surreal feeling when a dream you’ve held for years suddenly becomes tangible, official, and written on government paper. One minute you're just a person with a laptop full of beats and ideas; the next, you’re looking at formation documents and an EIN from the IRS, thinking, "Well, I guess this is real now."

There’s definitely a little imposter syndrome, but mostly a whole lot of excitement for what’s next. So, what’s the big news? Last week, I officially founded NBGee Foundry, LLC.

Think of the LLC as a strong umbrella. Under that one umbrella, I have my two main public-facing brands: DJ NBGee, my artist and producer name, and NBGee Records, my independent record label. And in a move of ultimate efficiency, the label has already signed its first artist… me. 😉

Jokes aside, this has been a long time coming. NBGee Foundry is the official home for everything to come, built on the mission to engineer systems and platforms that connect people for innovative and positive shared experiences. It’s a venture built on a 25-year career in technology, a lifetime of making music, and a deep-seated belief in the power of storytelling.

The first steps are already in motion with Project Phoenix (the "Glitch in the Script" open verse challenge) and the "Gen X Confessions" series on TikTok.

Thank you for being here for the journey. The foundation is laid. It’s time to build.