Robert Craig Lenney, the creative thoughts behind Gutterglove, revolutionized house upkeep along with his stainless-steel micro-mesh gutter guard. However Lenney’s story is about greater than entrepreneurial success. It’s a story of development, reinvention, and a deep dedication to social influence. In the present day, Lenney channels his vitality into philanthropy and filmmaking, utilizing his new enterprise, Robert Craig Movies, to shine a light-weight on homelessness and encourage neighborhood motion.
The Early Years: From Tree Companies to Gutter Guards
Within the early Nineteen Nineties, lengthy earlier than Gutterglove turned a family identify, Robert Craig Lenney ran a tree service enterprise in California’s San Francisco Bay Space. It was throughout this time that Lenney started growing an curiosity in movie. “I attempted to make motion pictures again in 1988, however it didn’t work out — I didn’t actually know what I used to be doing,” Lenney stated. “Nonetheless, it was enjoyable, and the fervour for filmmaking by no means left me.”
His path took an surprising flip in 1996 when, whereas nonetheless operating his tree service firm, Lenney began a gutter cleansing enterprise. This sideline enterprise finally led to his most well-known invention, Gutterglove gutter guards, in 2003. “We started by providing gutter repairs and installations, and I knew there needed to be a greater solution to shield individuals’s houses from clogged gutters,” he recalled. The end result was a stainless-steel micro-mesh gutter guard that solved owners’ issues whereas probably saving lives by lowering ladder accidents and stopping debris-fueled fires.
A Return to a Lifelong Dream: Founding Robert Craig Movies
At the same time as Gutterglove grew into a number one identify within the house enchancment trade, Lenney all the time remembered his ardour for movie. “It by no means went away,” he stated. In 2018, as Gutterglove’s management staff expanded, Lenney noticed a chance to lastly pursue his dream. He stepped again from day-to-day operations and launched Robert Craig Movies—a manufacturing firm named after his center identify, Craig — to create significant and impactful movies.
“This inspiration is my calling, and it drives me each day,” stated Lenney.
Tackling Social Points: The Mission Behind “No Tackle”
Considered one of Lenney’s most vital initiatives below Robert Craig Movies is No Tackle, a characteristic movie highlighting the struggles of homelessness in America. The movie is greater than only a artistic endeavor — it displays the core values which have formed Lenney’s life and profession. Robert Craig Movies has additionally created the Massive 5 Giveback, a dedication to supporting organizations and church buildings that fight homelessness by pledging 50% of the web proceeds from their 5 No Tackle productions.
“At Gutterglove, we have been defending houses, and in a means, I really feel No Tackle is doing the identical factor — defending lives,” Lenney defined. “We hope the movie will encourage individuals to have interaction with their communities, assist native organizations, and assist get individuals off the streets.”.
Drawing parallels between the 2 ventures, Lenney stated, “Simply as Gutterglove retains individuals protected by stopping harmful ladder climbs, I imagine No Tackle can save lives by elevating consciousness and inspiring motion on homelessness. It’s not about promoting a product; it’s about serving to individuals.”
Constructing a Legacy of Care: Gutterglove’s Group Values
Although Lenney has shifted his focus to filmmaking, the legacy of care and neighborhood he constructed at Gutterglove stays. “Each Gutterglove and Robert Craig Movies have comparable core values, despite the fact that they’re in fully totally different industries,” he stated. “It’s not in regards to the product; it’s in regards to the individuals. Each corporations are like households — staff members look after one another, assist one another, making a optimistic work atmosphere that extends to how they deal with clients.”
Gutterglove’s emphasis on glorious customer support stems from Lenney’s philosophy of treating individuals with empathy and respect. “I imagine within the Golden Rule — deal with others the way you need to be handled,” he stated. “That’s one thing I instilled in Gutterglove, and it’s one thing I carry with me in my work at Robert Craig Movies.”
At Gutterglove, Lenney created a tradition of giving again to the neighborhood, a mission the corporate has continued to embrace and increase right this moment. Gutterglove units apart funds every year to assist its Pay It Ahead program with donations to native organizations just like the Nashville Rescue Mission, Vanderbilt Youngsters’s Hospital, and the Second Harvest Meals Financial institution. On the coronary heart of each Gutterglove and Robert Craig Movies is a shared dedication to caring for individuals. This alignment of values shouldn’t be a coincidence however a mirrored image of Lenney’s deep dedication to giving again, which guides each ventures.
The Energy of Partnerships: Gutterglove and Robert Craig Movies Be a part of Forces
As Lenney expanded his philanthropic efforts by way of Robert Craig Movies, he additionally discovered methods to align his two corporations’ missions. “We’re collaborating on initiatives to boost consciousness about homelessness,” Lenney stated. At commerce exhibits throughout the nation, Gutterglove now options banners selling No Tackle, sparking conversations with owners about how they will make a distinction of their communities.
“It’s all about leveraging each platforms to create an even bigger influence,” Lenney defined. “When individuals come to find out about gutter safety, they’re additionally studying a couple of vital social problem, and that’s precisely the form of synergy I hoped for.”
Trying Forward: Philanthropy, Movie, and the Future
For Lenney, the way forward for Robert Craig Movies is about extra than simply producing motion pictures. It’s about fostering empathy, sparking dialogue, and provoking motion by way of storytelling. “We’ve began the Robert Craig Movies Basis, a nonprofit dedicated to creating consciousness and bringing communities collectively,” Lenney stated. “The muse permits us to proceed supporting social accountability and neighborhood care, which has all the time been a precedence for me.”
Regardless of shifting into a brand new trade, Lenney’s movie manufacturing strategy mirrors the identical dedication to high quality that made Gutterglove profitable. “Once I was inventing gutter guards, I didn’t cease till they have been excellent. I’ve introduced that very same philosophy into filmmaking. If the purpose is to assist finish homelessness, I have to create as many attention-getters as attainable — whether or not that’s by way of a movie, a documentary, a ebook, or perhaps a music soundtrack,” he stated.
Companies as a Pressure for Good
Lenney is enthusiastic about the concept that companies have a accountability to present again. “I imagine all companies ought to assist out of their native communities the place there’s nice want,” he stated.
His imaginative and prescient for the long run consists of persevering with the collaboration between Gutterglove and Robert Craig Movies, with each corporations advocating for social points and inspiring others to do the identical. “If each firm and each individual helped out of their neighborhood, we might make an actual distinction,” he stated. “There’s no cause we will’t considerably cut back homelessness if all of us do our half.”
From Gutter Guards to Giving Again
Robert Craig Lenney’s story is considered one of innovation, reinvention, and deep-rooted compassion. From his early days of fixing owners’ gutter issues to his present work elevating consciousness about homelessness, Lenney’s journey is a testomony to the ability of following one’s ardour and utilizing success as a platform for good. As he continues to construct Robert Craig Movies, his focus stays steadfast: to create significant, high-quality productions that encourage change and make the world a greater place. “It’s all about serving to others — that’s what drives me,” Lenney stated.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Each day. He’s answerable for overseeing different editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and masking breaking information.
