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