Who we are!

HOW IT ALL STARTED:

The journey into business came when a small boy went hiking in the mountains of North Carolina with his Dad. It was here a promise was made to him to help tackle any mountain and climb them together simply as father and son.

For Matt's 13th birthday, he asked for a 3D printer kit. Seeing his spark for engineering, that kit evolved into a 3D printer farm, a CNC router farm, and eventually a laser farm creating our own jigs for items we wanted to personalize. His very first 3D printed CNC/Laser jig was for a Dogbone-shaped pet tag for our three dogs. These personalized dog tags became popular with our neighbors and launched a separate laser engraving business focused on creating unique laser-engraved accessories. That business required jigs for tumblers, lighters, wallets, keychains, and so much more. We filmed our lasering process, and the Maker Community took note, starting to ask for our jigs. Patents were filed, LLCs were formed, and here we are today.

OUR BACKGROUND IN ENGINEERING AND ADVENTURE:

"Dr. Don" (aka, "me") is a retired Navy Nuke and Submariner who qualified on the USS Parche, SSN-683. I was injured in my late 20s and was medically retired. Matt was born the same year my Navy career ended. While in and out of an Army hospital, I completed my first undergraduate degree in Applied Science and Technology. The necessity of fatherhood, needing to provide for my family, and having service-connected disabilities caused me to engineer ways to do regular tasks for everyday life. To support my family, I used my VA education benefits to complete advanced degrees at Charleston Southern University, being one of the first people to earn a doctorate at the University. I serve my Navy as an engineer. In my "free" time, when not doing cool things with Matt or engineering new Dogbone kits, I give back by mentoring PhD students through their research, chairing dissertations, and serving on missions with my church.

Matt is a current Engineering student at Charleston Southern University, graduating in May of 2026. He is an expert in CAD/CAM, 3D printing, design, and so much more. In 2021, he was invited to be part of a medical expedition to Mt. Everest Base Camp hospital. In the middle of COVID, Matt and I went. I've taught him how to scuba dive, ride a motorcycle, rappel, and more. He's taught me so much about just being a Dad as well as all the things he assembles, maintains, modifies, and makes when I need something. He teaches 3D printing and CAD/CAM as a volunteer each summer for local area students. Together and individually, Matt has traveled around the world for both pleasure and mission work. Needless to say, his mother and I are extremely proud of our son.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY:

Matt and I have found ways to engineer our passions, and we have hiked, climbed, and adventured across the world from the tops of the highest mountains to the bottom of the oceans. The spirit of adventure, grit, determination, and finding a way is at the heart of everything we do. I've taught my son not to live in fear and not to be afraid to do risky things. But, it is our faith, family, engineering, and a spirit of adventure that keeps us moving forward.

On behalf of Matt, my wife, my other sons, and I, I want to sincerely say, "thank you," for moving forward with us! We are humbled by the support of the Maker Community.