How to Grow a Laser Business: Real Tips from Laser Community

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Building a laser engraving or cutting business isn’t just about owning the right machine—it’s about strategy, mindset, and knowing your limits. That’s the message from The Laser Guys—Brant (Bearded Builds Co.), Cam (Edmunds Wood Shop), and Josh (RIPO)—who recently hosted a livestream focused on how makers can grow their laser business realistically and sustainably.

The conversation, joined by guest business owner Bill, dove into the different stages of entrepreneurship: from hobbyists and part-timers to full-scale production shop owners juggling embroidery, DTF printing, UV printing, and laser engraving.

1. Growth Starts with Knowing Your Stress Tolerance

Brant opened the discussion with a hard truth: “You really have to know your stress tolerance.”

Running a laser engraving business demands time, creativity, and emotional energy. It’s easy to burn out when orders increase or when trying to balance a full-time job with production at home.

“If you’re not willing to put in the effort to reach your next goal,” Brant noted, “you may need to rearrange what you’re aiming for.”

He emphasized setting clear expectations—understanding what “growth” actually means for you. It might be a 25% sales boost, adding two new B2B clients, or simply freeing up more creative time without financial pressure.

2. Finding Your Niche: Creative or Commercial, Both Can Win

Each Laser Guy represents a unique phase of the laser cutting business journey.

Cam describes his shop as “a hobby that pays for itself.”

After 17 years in the Army Reserve, he found creativity through making custom plaques for military and first responder communities. His work—painted tri-layer acrylic on walnut wood—isn’t about volume. It’s about joy and purpose.

“I make things because I’m stressed out,” Cam laughed. “It relaxes me.”

He accepts select orders, focusing on projects that matter personally. This niche approach shows that not every business has to scale aggressively. Some thrive on connection and craftsmanship.

3. Diversify Your Revenue Streams: Josh’s 25% Growth Plan

Meanwhile, Josh of RIPO runs a full-time e-commerce operation on Etsy, specializing in golf accessories—engraved towels, divot tools, and ball markers.

His growth strategy? Product expansion and smart advertising.

“I’m aiming for a 25% increase this quarter,” Josh shared. “I plan to fill gaps in my product line so customers never need to leave my store.”

He runs paid ads on Etsy and Google, proving that targeted online marketing—combined with a clear niche—can deliver measurable growth.

Josh’s brand, once known as Wright’s Woodworks, pivoted away from wood to focus solely on laser engraving and UV printing—a bold move that simplified operations and clarified his audience.

4. Go Local: B2B Partnerships that Pay Off

For Brant, the focus isn’t Etsy—it’s business-to-business (B2B) sales.

He regularly knocks on doors (literally) to secure contracts with local companies. His success story with the Utah Highway Patrol proves that networking and persistence outperform cold ads.

“Sometimes I just bring a physical sample,” he explained. “That’s what gets me in the door.”

Brant’s next-quarter goal: add two to four recurring business clients through consistent outreach, personalized samples, and in-person networking.

This “door-knocking strategy” works especially well for engravers targeting corporate awards, signage, or promotional products—high-volume, repeat business that grows steadily over time.

5. Building a One-Stop Laser and Print Shop

Guest speaker Bill, a 13-year business owner, shared his evolution from mobile sports vending to a full-scale production company offering embroidery, sublimation, DTF printing, and laser engraving.

His philosophy: “Be everybody’s one-stop shop.”

“I don’t want a customer saying, ‘I’ll call Bill for shirts, but someone else for banners.’ I want them to just call Bill.”

Bill’s journey shows that diversification works—if you can manage it. He’s learned to handle equipment upgrades, staffing, and workflow systems while still keeping creativity alive.

He also underscored how technology—like camera alignment systems and gang sheet builders—improves efficiency and product consistency.

6. The Fast Eat the Slow: Stop Waiting for Perfection

Josh’s now-famous quote sums it up:

“It’s the fast that eat the slow, not the slow that eat the fast.”

Overthinking kills momentum. Makers often wait for the perfect website, product photo, or prototype—but while they hesitate, someone else captures the market.

Brant agreed: “If you’ve got an idea, just do it. We can sit and plan all day long, but if you never take that first step, nothing’s ever going to happen.”

Their message is clear: speed and execution beat perfection every time.

7. Collaborate, Don’t Compete

One of the strongest themes of the livestream was collaboration over competition.

Cam, Josh, and Brant routinely share posts, projects, and Reels through Instagram’s collaboration post feature. A single video reaches three audiences at once—tripling exposure with no paid ads.

“We all run separate businesses,” Cam explained, “but we share content and help each other grow. There’s plenty of food on the table for everyone.”

This collaboration mindset also extends beyond social media. The panel urged laser makers to network with local shops—even competitors—to trade work, cover overflow orders, or subcontract specific materials (like tumblers, glass, or metal tags).

You might be surprised, they said, how many “competitors” are happy to become partners when capacity is tight.

8. Marketing That Works: Post Every Day (Even If It’s Not Perfect)

Bill admitted he struggles with consistent posting—something many laser engraving business owners can relate to.

The advice from The Laser Guys: post daily, even if it’s not perfect.

“It might be the dumbest post, but just put it out there,” Brant encouraged. “The simplest clips sometimes go viral.”

Short Reels showing engraving processes or product reveals consistently outperform static photos. Authenticity beats polish. And don’t worry about follower counts—Josh reminded everyone: “I’d rather have 400 loyal followers than 100,000 who’ll never buy.”

9. Upsell Every Customer

Josh’s 50% upsell success rate proves how powerful simple communication is.

“If someone orders golf divot tools, I always ask, ‘Do you need hats or tees with that?’ Half the time, they say yes.”

Laser shop owners can apply this logic anywhere—plaques + banners, tumblers + gift boxes, or patches + apparel.

As Bill said, “Most customers want a one-and-done shop. They don’t want to call four companies for four products.”
Make it easy for them to say yes to more.

10. Network Like Your Business Depends on It (Because It Does)

From trade shows to firehouse events, networking drove every success story in the livestream.

Bill shared how a single conversation at his daughter’s softball game turned into a 500-hat corporate order—followed by shirts, banners, and patches.

Brant called it “relationship marketing at its finest.”
Each contact is a potential referral, collaboration, or long-term B2B contract.

The takeaway? Whether online or offline, talk about your business constantly.

“If you’re not talking about your business,” Brant said, “nobody else is.”

11. Measure Your Goals the Smart Way

To actually grow your laser business, vague ambitions aren’t enough.
Brant recommended using “leading goals”—specific, measurable actions that drive outcomes.

For example:

• Knock on 4 new business doors each week
• Send 5 follow-up emails to past clients
• Post 3 Reels showcasing recent projects
• Add 2 new product listings per month

Small, consistent actions add up to tangible growth.

12. Work Hard, Stay Balanced, and Love the Hustle

Every business owner in the talk shared how demanding—but rewarding—the laser journey is.

Josh summed it up best:

“You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to grow.”

Despite long hours, each creator agreed the work is deeply fulfilling. Cam calls it “therapy through making,” and Brant admits he loves “the hustle more than the rest.”

Their motto: Hustle like a crackhead.
Meaning—get creative, get resourceful, and do whatever it takes to make progress every day.

Final Thoughts: Growth Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Whether you’re running a full-scale laser cutting business or a side hustle in your garage, the lessons from The Laser Guys apply to everyone:

• Know your limits—but push them.
• Act fast; don’t wait for perfect.
• Collaborate and build a network.
• Keep posting and showing your face.
• Talk about your business everywhere.
• Focus on meaningful, measurable goals.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built from hundreds of small, consistent actions—and a community willing to share what works.

As Brant closed the livestream:

“If you want to grow, you’ve got to hustle like a crackhead. Figure it out, make it happen, and don’t stop talking about your business.”