Spencer Guinn, one of KCARD’s business development specialists, took some time to answer a few questions about himself and one of KCARD’s new services, AutoCAD drawings.
Q: What is your role at KCARD?
I’m a business development specialist at KCARD. I meet with our clients to talk about where they are in their business. We discuss their goals, structure, marketing plans, and organization. The last piece is my favorite, digging into financials. For new businesses, it’s a blank sheet usually. An existing business we go back a couple years before we look to the future. With the addition of AutoCAD, I’m looking forward to helping clients work through their building designs.
Q: What is AutoCAD and how can the design work from AutoCAD be beneficial to a farm or agribusiness?
Computer Aided Design is used to create 2D drawings. Home floor plans are what several people have had experience with. Those are 2D drawings the homeowner can use to envision how they will organize and live in the house. Then the builder uses the drawings to make sure all the owner’s plans are built accordingly. The plans I create with AutoCAD work that same way to envision your space. However, rather than living in the space, this may be a creamery, meat processor, or vegetable packing shed.
Q: What drawings/drafts can be done for Kentucky’s producers and agribusinesses?
My work will be to help get your ideas on paper and determine building layout and product flow (with the help of my KCARD colleagues’ experiences). An architect or engineering firm will still be needed to make building blueprints that meet building codes and are ready for a builder.
KCARD can help with several types of building layouts: A dairy considering a creamery, business building a meat processing facility, vegetable farm wanting to build a packing shed or an on-farm store, or a city council looking at a new farmers market or commercial kitchen. All of these are examples where KCARD can help lay out your building. The nice part is KCARD has experience working with these types of businesses all across the state and can bring years of expertise on what has or has not worked for other businesses.
Q: When is the best point in the design/build process to contact you regarding an AutoCAD drawing for a farm or agribusiness?
I think KCARD should be the call you make after you have an idea in your head of what you want to do, but before you sit down with an architect or engineer (design firm). We can help with initial layout, floor plan, and equipment you may have. Then you will have an electronic file to take to a design firm or Licensed Engineer for refinement and hopefully save you some time and money.
Q: Which local donut shop do you like better – Magee’s or Burke’s?
I’ve got to go with Burke’s Bakery. However, a good ice cream really gets my attention!
To learn more about KCARD and its new AutoCAD drawing services, contact us at 859-550-3972 or via email at kcard@kcard.info.