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I never set out to design music theory tools. Back in 2015, I was just a self-taught musician struggling with the same challenge many of us face - spending more time wrestling with theory than actually creating music. One night, thinking about my late grandmother Ruth and her belief that learning should open doors rather than build walls, I started sketching what would become "Rooth."
Named in her honor, this first design came from a simple dream: to create something that would help my kids spend more time making music and less time decoding it. I wanted them to have what I didn't - a clear path through the complexity of music theory. That first version was far from perfect, but like a rough demo that captures the heart of a song, it held the seed of something special.
Theo
What started as musicians asking for their own Rooth wheel sparked something bigger. I knew the original design could be simplified, so I went back to the drawing board. The breakthrough came with a simple window system - a way to show musicians exactly what they needed to see while hiding the complexity. This streamlined version became "Theo." Even better, the simpler design dramatically reduced production costs, making it accessible for students and school music programs.
But I wanted it to be more than just functional and affordable. I connected with an incredible artist, Christi Du Toit from Cape Town, South Africa, whose vibrant artwork brought personality to what's typically seen as dry music theory. Together, we transformed Theo into something that wasn't just useful, but beautiful - a tool that musicians would be proud to keep on their pianos or writing desks, and that music teachers could actually afford to put in their students' hands.








Struggles
Watching Theo find its way into recording studios and writing rooms across the country was incredible. But life had other plans. An aggressive cancer diagnosis turned everything upside down, and I had to make the heart-wrenching decision to sell the rights to help tackle the astronomical medical bills that were piling up.
During those difficult years that followed, I found purpose in unexpected places. Teaching music to kids who might not otherwise have access to arts education became my mission. Between volunteering at churches, coaching basketball, and working with non-profits in the Pacific Northwest, I discovered that sometimes our detours have their own purpose. All while my family and I lived on faith, carrying the weight of medical debt but trusting in God's timing.
Earlier this year, during prayer, I felt a clear calling to shift my focus back to my family's needs. The medical debt wasn't going anywhere, and it was time to face it head-on. What happened next still gives me chills - within a week, my phone rang with a Utah area code. It was my old business partner, asking if I wanted the rights to Theo back.
But the story wasn't over. After discovering a competitor had copied the design, I went back to prayer for guidance. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous - I sat at my computer, and it was as if my hands were being guided. The new design for Chordii emerged in a flow of inspiration that felt bigger than me. Every element worked better than before, solving problems I hadn't even realized existed in the original.
Chordii
When I took the designs to my manufacturer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, God's plan became even clearer. Not only did we get production rolling immediately, but they offered me a position at double my teaching salary. It was like every piece was falling perfectly into place.
Today, each Chordii represents more than just a music theory tool - it's a testament to faith, perseverance, and the mysterious ways that life's hardest moments can lead us to exactly where we need to be. When I look at Chordii, I don't just see a chord wheel. I see my grandmother's encouragement, years of prayers, countless helping hands, and proof that sometimes our greatest setbacks are just setups for an even better comeback.
This isn't just my story anymore - it's become part of something bigger. And every time a songwriter picks up a Chordii, they're not just holding a tool for making music - they're holding a reminder that with faith and persistence, anything is possible.

Andrew S. Wellman
Believer, Husband, Father & Donut Lover.
