Ethan Brackin

Background

About Ethan Brackin

The story of my professional experience begins with an offer to work for a small startup doing corporate event design and architecture right out of college. I didn't know it at the time but I would end up spending 13 years at that small studio, helping it grow to close to a million yearly in revenue. I quickly realized I had a special talent for creating systems and processes; constantly looking to make our production pipeline faster and better through the use of better hardware and software. This would come in handy when I eventually stepped out on my own to create my own studio. I worked for myself doing the same type of work for a year with great success until Covid wrecked the industry and I was forced to look at creative ways to pivot. I took the opportunity to try something daring and new. I wanted to attempt to make a living while following a dream of making the highest quality replicas in the world. I used all of my CGI skills as well as stretched my own expert level experience in building and painting models and sculpture and working with 3D printing, CNC, and other blue collar tools as hobbies since I was a teenager. The gamble turned into a success and during the worst time in our world, I was able to build an incredibly difficult business model and slowly start making a small profit. It was enough to bring on a partner and together we built a very special business called Merlin Models. I eventually moved into overall product design, engineering, art direction, international vendor management, project management, and handled all of the physical production of building and painting prototypes and samples as well as doing most of the video content. Over the course of the last 5 years we have successfully developed, manufactured, and delivered to our clients more than 14 luxury products from 6 different categories. Prices for these items range from a mere $15 to over each.