How the NZ tiny home iPamp was born.
His Story (history).
Important announcement
It's important to note that my story merely serves as the foundation for iPamps' remarkable journey, as the reins were eventually handed over to the talented iPamp team.
How the NZ tiny house iPamp was born.
My name is David Crout. Apparently, I possess a rugged charm, an unwavering sense of purpose, and a fervor for designing things. However, Throughout the years, I have ventured into diverse business endeavors, including my insulation company, which employed over 40 skilled individuals and had branches in Auckland and Wellington. My unwavering dedication to sustainability has always been the driving force; before that, I spent a fulfilling 12 years as a furniture joiner, as my love for the artistry of wooden furniture has consistently been a constant in my life.
Around 2014, life presented an unexpected, life-altering challenge.
It was then that I realised that I had strayed from my core values and lost sight of what truly holds significance. While indulging in extravagant travel may boost one's ego, it begs the question: What truly matters in life? This epiphany compelled me to reassess every aspect of my existence. It proved to be one of the most arduous periods I've faced, and in many respects, I had to embark on a journey of rebirth.
During my journey of self-discovery and reconnecting with my core values.
I made a decision that some might consider unconventional: I enrolled in a kickboxing match, where I faced some serious beatings. Surprisingly, that didn't deter me. I signed up for a second fight and emerged victorious. Additionally, I undertook ambitious projects like building a high-performance 600hp car, designing a custom motorcycle, and restoring my home. However, I soon realised that merely pursuing these endeavours wasn't enough. I no longer desired to be just another follower; instead, I aspired to become the most exceptional version of myself.
The quote, "Be yourself as everyone else is taken," has always deeply resonated with me.
I aspire to create something that leaves a lasting legacy, an original creation that genuinely enhances people's lives and leaves a stamp on society.
When I first entered the business world around 2005, I was uncertain about the path to follow.
However, I was sure it had to bring genuine benefits to people, society, and the environment. During a three-day business conference in Auckland, I received several business cards. During this time, I experienced a serendipitous moment: I dropped a card, picked it up, and discovered it belonged to an insulation company. At that instant, a strong connection was forged, and I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue.
How I came up with the name ipamp.
In 2019, I decided to reenter the world of business. While uncertain about the specifics, I took a moment to reflect on the underlying motivation that initially led me into this realm. I intended to invest my time, knowledge, and resources in the people and the planet. I jotted this down on my goals board, and as I pondered a name, the acronym "ipanp" emerged. Interestingly, whenever I spoke about it on the phone, people inadvertently added an "M" and referred to it as "iPamp." Considering that people had organically embraced this variation, I changed it.
Our logo.
Our logo showcases a figure standing on top of a majestic mountain, enclosed within a ring that represents unity with the earth.
Why NZ tiny homes?
Like discovering my passion for the insulation industry, I stumbled upon a video about NZ Tiny Homes that instantly resonated with me. It became evident that I was meant to pursue this path as it allowed me to utilise my skills and background in business, insulation, joinery, furniture craftsmanship, and mechanical engineering. It was the perfect fit; I have collected images of treehouses and various caravan tiny homes over the years, fueling my inspiration. I am a naturalist at heart, In my teens and 20s every weekend I was either in the NZ bush or out fishing and diving.
However, I must confess my love of engineering has led to an appreciation of Ruff custom V8s and classic custom motorcycles. Initially, I considered building an NZ tiny home like others on a car-styled trailer. Yet, this didn't align with my true self. Maybe I have a little touch of autism, I embarked on a journey of continuous design, spending nine months on a plan only to start over when I found a way that would be better for our clients. This process repeated until I was satisfied that I had created something truly unique—a product that stands apart from the ordinary and truly benefits the people.
Then came the real challenge.
I boldly decided to sell my home and invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in computer-aided machinery. However, I faced a setback when the machinery took six months to be built and delivered, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. The house I had just sold doubled in value, and with no turning back, the lockdown added complexity to my research and development project. Despite these obstacles, I persevered, working tirelessly to bring my vision. It was a three-year process that tested my sanity, but in the end, I knew I had to see it through to completion.
Now it is up to the iPamp team to build upon this foundation.
As - Charles Bukowski said, "Go all the way".