Curtis Correll

📍Charlotte, NC | Lua

📝 Editor’s Note | Rob Belk

My wife and I got set up on a blind date (thank you Margaret Williams!). One of my close friends from college, John Gerhardt went to the same high school as my wife. Naturally, I went to him for background before the blind date.

The only diligence John shared was:

“She has cool brothers.”

Thanks, John. Very insightful.

However, many years later I can confirm that is the case. Top to bottom, my wife’s family has the same values, the same sense of humor, and somehow continues to tolerate me even though I’d rather read a book than go duck hunting. But this week, I want to specifically brag on my brother-in-laws Will and Grainger, because they did something I think is going to matter for Greensboro for a very long time.

They were part of the crew that launched the Pyrle Theater.

Will is one of several partners who bought an old community theater downtown and upfitted it into a several-hundred-person music venue. They paid attention to all the details.

Grainger built the bars. The center bar is, in my opinion, the jewel of the jewel. It looks like it belongs in a fancy coffee table book and also like it belongs in Greensboro, which is genuinely a hard combination to pull off.

When the Pyrle first opened, I went four times in four days. I live 25 minutes away on foot, which I suspect is going to be one of the best and most expensive facts about my life going forward.

The Pyrle is quickly becoming a halo for our downtown. I know many in town are appreciative of the vision and proud of the work, none more-so than I am.

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Without further ado…

Why Curtis?

He was recommended by Maddie Izard given the mutual Charlotte connection between the three of us. Maddie and Curtis are a part of the team building Lua, which is relevant for anyone trying to stay relevant in the AI agent space. Curtis previously founded UpRight Growth and is on a roll.

Self-Description

Endlessly curious entrepreneur and new girl dad. Currently helping people build AI agents that solve real problems. I’ve logged miles on four continents, but nothing tops a Charlotte greenway ride on a warm spring day.

Curtis’s 6 Recommendations

Written in Curtis’s own words…

1. Theo of Golden

I’m not crying - you’re crying! Easily the best new novel I’ve read this decade. The best character development in any book I’ve read since the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and with far fewer pages. You’ll leave the book feeling you know not only a cast of great characters but also feeling like you have a second home in the fictional Golden, Georgia.

2. Shokz OpenRun

Everyone’s starting to buy these, but when I first demo’d these a couple of years ago, it felt like the future had arrived! The best consumer hardware experience I’ve ever had. Makes my walks, runs & rides a great time to chat with friends, catch up on content or even brainstorm with ChatGPT.

3. A Microplane Zester

Do yourself a favor & buy a zester. Almost literally every meal tastes better with lemon zest in it. Lime & orange zest may surprise you as well.

4. Roger Day Kid’s Songs

His kid’s music is delightful. ‘I Like Yaks’ is a surefire way to stop crying on any roadtrip without driving yourself crazy. He plays concerts in the Southeast frequently including a number of free concerts at libraries & community centers in the Charlotte metro.

5. Florianopolis, Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil may be the greatest place on earth. It’s an island with amazing hikes, surfing, sand boarding, sky diving, incredible sushi (best salmon rolls I’ve ever had - they put truffle on it by default there). It’s a bit like the Big Island of Hawaii geographically but much smaller & more accessible but with lower prices and a healthy dose of Brazilian culture. If you’re going, reach out for recommendations!

6. Aventon e-bikes

Such a fun way to get around, and with the short cargo rack, you can carry groceries or haul a mini trailer.

Plug | Lua

Check out Lua & try building an AI agent that makes your business or your life more efficient!

If you love it, let me know! If you don't, also let me know - feedback is gold.

Want to get in touch with Curtis? Curt@heylua.ai or curtisjcorrell@gmail.com

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P.S. from Rambull — My wife’s store recently stocked up on these Weezie cover-ups. My fellas are going to be the envy of the pool scene this summer. Lindsey, Weezie’s co-founder is a friend of the program and did a profile way back. I’m really impressed by what she has built.