The Imagination Corporation is a small family company, and we love working with other small family companies that share the same values and understand what it takes to make our businesses successful. The relationships we form aren’t just a flash in the pan, done for a quick buck. Instead, we build them over time, on trust, for the long haul, with the intent that each interaction benefits everyone involved.
We acquired our first CNC router and software about twenty years ago. I spent the first months creating samples and learning the software, determined to do what few others could imagine. I created twenty-six unique letter samples and then took the time to photograph them carefully. I then wrote an article and submitted it to SignCraft Magazine, excited about what was now possible with a CNC router. Jeff Hartman from Colorado, one of the software developers, subscribed to the magazine (published in Florida). When he received his copy, he immediately picked up the phone to chat and asked if he could fly up to meet with me. During his visit, he asked me to show him how I used the software. We also talked about the things I was dreaming up for the future. Then he went home and added features to the program that let me (and everyone else) do much, much more. It was a win/win relationship as we worked together over the years to improve the software and make it user-friendly. Jeff often came to our workshops and helped me teach others. We met regularly at sign trade shows, and I would help him at workshops they hosted. Through all of our dealings, we became great friends! In the last couple of years, we have been working together as his family builds a brand-new CNC Routing software called IBEX. This evening, Jeff, Donna, and I went to the FOX and Hounds Pub (a project we built about fifteen years ago, which Jeff has visited with us many times) to have a fun evening and some great food. Tomorrow we’ll fire up the computers and dream up lots of future adventures. Stay tuned…
