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: 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.

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.