It’s easy to picture the scene Doug Cupid and Gordon Lim have been working toward: lights buzzing, cameras rolling, a full crew bringing a client’s vision to life. In their minds, the set is busy but seamless — the kind of polished production they’ve always known they could deliver if they had the structure, resources, and support to go all in.
That vision is closer than ever.
What began as two creative entrepreneurs crossing paths and teaming up for a few gigs has now evolved into a focused plan for Tri.Angle Media, their newly solidified venture born out of CLTRE’s EveryDay Creative Program. Only weeks after graduating, they are channeling their energy into laying the legal and operational groundwork, upgrading equipment, and positioning themselves for bigger opportunities in Sacramento’s growing creative economy.
“We’d talked about working together more seriously for a while, but it was the Accelerator that gave us the time, space, and structure to actually make it happen,” Gordon said.
Before CLTRE: A Meeting of Creative Minds
Doug and Gordon’s paths first crossed through Sacramento’s creative circles. Doug, known for his striking photography and visual storytelling, and Gordon, respected for his video production and directing work, quickly recognized a shared approach to their craft: meticulous attention to detail, a deep respect for story, and a drive to elevate local creative work to professional, competitive levels.
They started with small collaborations — a photo shoot here, a short video project there. Even in those early gigs, it was clear their creative styles complemented each other. But while the chemistry was undeniable, the logistics of merging two separate businesses were daunting.
“We both had our own brands, our own clients, our own way of doing things. It wasn’t just a matter of saying ‘let’s work together’ — we needed to figure out what that would actually look like,” Doug explained.
For months, they kept up the conversation, tossing around ideas between projects. The concept of a joint venture — something bigger than either could do alone — remained a recurring theme.
CLTRE as a Turning Point
When they learned about CLTRE’s EveryDay Creative Program, they saw an opportunity to finally put structure to their ideas.
The EveryDay Creative Program, supported by the City of Sacramento, Creative Startups, and SMUD, is designed to help creative entrepreneurs turn passion into sustainable, scalable enterprises. Rooted in culturally relevant programming, it brings together a diverse cohort of artists, makers, and innovators, pairing them with experienced mentors and a supportive peer network.
For Doug and Gordon, it was the perfect environment to not only develop their business model but also work through the challenges of combining forces.
“The program gave us a safe space to iron out the kinks, and to have the hard conversations about roles, responsibilities, and vision,” Gordon said.
Through workshops, pitch preparation, and real-world assignments, the program provided both the accountability and flexibility they needed. Instead of squeezing joint planning into stolen moments between gigs, they had dedicated time each week to focus on Tri.Angle Media’s future.
The Impact of Mentorship
One of the most impactful moments came during a mentor session with Tiffani Sharp, founder of T. Sharp Legacy & Wealth Counsel. Known for her no-nonsense yet deeply supportive approach, Sharp encouraged everyone in the cohort to take her up on a free one-on-one consultation after her session.
Doug and Gordon accepted the invitation.
“That meeting was a turning point,” Doug recalled. “Tiffani gave us specific steps and resources that helped us start the process of becoming a joint entity.”
From that consultation came a clear to-do list: establish the legal framework for their business, outline financial systems, and create operational processes that would allow them to scale without losing creative control.
Pitch Night and the $5,000 Seed Funding
The EveryDay Creative Accelerator culminated in Pitch Night — an evening where each participant presented their business to community stakeholders and supporters. For Tri.Angle Media, it was their first formal introduction as a united venture.
Their pitch combined a sharp business plan with a clear sense of purpose: using their combined skills to tell powerful stories, hire local talent, and contribute to Sacramento’s creative economy.
When they received their $5,000 seed funding, it was both a validation and a launchpad.
The funds will go toward two critical investments:
- Legal compliance as a joint entity – so they can operate with clarity, protection, and access to new opportunities.
- Upgraded production gear – to enhance the quality and scope of their client projects.
“We’re treating this like seed money,” Gordon said. “Every dollar is going into setting up the business right and making sure we can deliver at a higher level.”
Doug’s CLTRE Keeper Milestone
Doug’s journey with CLTRE extends beyond the EveryDay Creative Program. Through the CLTRE Keeper Program — an initiative helping creatives achieve homeownership and build generational wealth — he recently purchased his first home.
For him, the achievement isn’t just personal. It’s part of the foundation that will allow Tri.Angle Media to grow.
“Owning a home gave me stability I didn’t have before,” Doug reflected. “It frees up mental space to focus on the business and make long-term decisions.”
Building for the Future
While they’re only weeks out from graduation, Doug and Gordon are already in motion. They’re finalizing their legal structure, mapping out service offerings, and reaching out to potential clients.
They’re also thinking strategically about how to position Tri.Angle Media as a hub for creative collaboration. By hiring local freelancers, partnering with small businesses, and telling culturally resonant stories, they aim to strengthen the fabric of Sacramento’s creative economy from within.
“Sacramento is full of untold stories, and we want Tri.Angle Media to be the lens that brings them into focus,” Doug said.
The CLTRE Ecosystem
Tri.Angle Media’s story is also a testament to CLTRE’s approach. By combining business development training with culturally relevant mentorship and city-backed resources, the organization creates conditions where creative entrepreneurs can succeed on their own terms.
Programs like the EveryDay Creative Program and CLTRE Keeper Program aren’t isolated — they’re part of an intentional pipeline, ensuring that Sacramento’s creative economy grows in both scale and diversity.
“Our role is to create the conditions where creatives can thrive in their craft, build stability, and expand their impact in the community,” Latanaya Geter, Board President of CLTRE, explained.
The Road Ahead
Doug and Gordon know the next chapter will be both exciting and demanding. They’re clear-eyed about the fact that building Tri.Angle Media into a sustainable, impactful business will take time, persistence, and adaptability.
But they’re starting with a solid foundation: a shared vision, complementary skills, and the momentum of a community that believes in them.
“We’re at the beginning, but we’re ready,” Gordon said.
For Sacramento, their journey is a reminder of what’s possible when creativity meets opportunity — and how the city’s creative economy grows stronger when its entrepreneurs are supported from idea to execution.
