Update 8.16.21
Events are unfolding faster than I can hope to record them weekly, but I have carved out some time today to share some recent developments. This post will record the progress of businesses under management by Coultrup Designs.
Coultrup Designs
This organization has become the de facto host to pretty much all other operations. It would be sufficient to say that Coultrup Designs assumes two roles: 1) the avenue for the sale of artwork by Grant and 2) a business management service. Let’s start with the second role:
Business Management has accidentally become a strong suit of Grant’s. Having worked professionally for the business management firm NKSFB, LLC directly after college, the routine and proficiencies stuck. Coultrup Designs is the entity through which he advises partner/client organizations regarding direction and provides legal and business framework. With the exception of TRC, the rest of the organizations in this blog post are all under partial or complete ownership by Coultrup Designs.
Art Sales are also accidentally significant. Begun as a relaxing hobby, the sale of paintings and digital artwork provide a decent income to the artist.
AMPEL
The Additive Manufacturing Prototyping and Experimentation Laboratory is going through growing pains. True to its name, the company still runs 3D printing operations and organizes design teams to produce detailed CAD drawings. More recently, operations have been based around the integration of small network devices and electronic components into 3D printed items (face masks, for example). This proficiency has earned the organization an unofficial label as an Internet of Things developer.
Q3 of 2021 has also seen an uptick in sales of both 3D printers and network devices, often sold together as an integrated machine. This kind of sale is difficult and necessitates extended post-transaction communication to ensure that the customer is using the equipment correctly. Customer first.
This organization employs freelancers as its primary source of labor, often turning to international engineers for guidance. This has pushed AMPEL to invest heavily into the legal infrastructure required to manage and pay this diverse group. “The investment is warranted,” says founder and project coordinator Grant Coultrup. “I’ve always maintained the intent to ‘invest in perspective’ as my personal motto, and this trickles over into every business I manage. Diversity can only bring greater insight.”
It is important to note the vast change of direction which this organization has experienced since inception. Review of early blog posts related to AMPEL reveal a desire to “lead the industry in additive manufacturing operations”, pinpointing areas like bioprinting and additive manufacturing in zero- or reduced gravity. Though these kinds of operations are still a desire, it is a rather unlikely one in the near future. Instead, the organization stays on the cutting edge of industry R&D by studying and practicing recent developments by the “major players” and drafting off of their efforts to optimize consumer grade machinery for use by the general public.
Recent new direction is in the sale of 3D printed figurines and game tiles, promoted by the production discussed below.
Twentynineteen Clothing
This organization has been plagued by procrastination and indecision. Q2 development saw an investment in social media though unaccompanied by any real clothing release. It is imperative that this happen soon. Grant plans to execute on this in the coming months with promotion through the production discussed below.
TRC
Falling into the family of organizations which Grant helps advise, The Rowing Channel and its parent Netrendity Networks has provided many great projects. In the downtime which occurred during the global pandemic of 2020-2021, Netrendity saw further investment in equipment and processes as well as some non-sporting event broadcasts. The organization is ready to hit the ground running as sporting events require.
Grant Coultrup Productions
The media wing of the Coultrup Designs family of businesses, GC Productions mainly produces content for a Youtube channel of the same name. From audiobooks to vlogs to DIY 3D printing instructionals, Grant takes pride in practicing media production.
A request for another season of Grantés World, a commentary show where Grant plays host as personality Granté, will likely materialize as soon as the organization can lock down a place to film it. Season 1 was produced in Grant’s own apartment and was equally frustrating to both him and guests.
Production proficiency has opened the door into another opportunity, one which will ultimately involve both AMPEL and Twentynineteen. Business partners have expressed an interest in monetizing an experiential gaming community by filming and broadcasting gameplay of Dungeons & Dragons. This operation will provide the following opportunities: 1) community building, 2) video production practice, 3) promotion and sale of 3D printed game items, and 4) promotion and sale of Twentynineteen clothing.
Current challenges to this opportunity revolve around securing a physical space in which the group can play and record the game, and inclusion of sufficient post-production skills to create a quality viewing experience.
Conclusions
Alongside all these organizational developments, I am concurrently furthering my education by pursuing a degree with Purdue University’s online program, studying chemistry to further my understanding of materials used in 3D printing, and studying law to solidify my ability to navigate this complex world. I look forward to all challenges! Better to live a life of challenge than one of complacency.
