From Dream to Reality: How a Laser Engraver Helped Me Start My Creative Business

From Dream to Reality: How a Laser Engraver Helped Me Start My Creative Business

The idea of owning a small business—one where I could create meaningful products that people truly want—has always been a dream of mine. Over the years, I explored different creative ideas. Some worked reasonably well, others didn’t, and a few simply required more time than I could give once I became a mom and began homeschooling my children.

Like many makers, my journey took a turning point online. I started following several crafters on Facebook who were using laser engraving machines to cut and create their own materials. Watching them turn raw materials into finished products was inspiring. I found myself researching different laser engravers, comparing machines, and imagining what I could create one day.

That dream became reality during Christmas 2024, when my husband surprised me with a Longer Ray5 10W laser engraver. I was beyond excited—but also a little intimidated. With his help, I got the machine set up and began experimenting with LightBurn software. I managed to cut a few projects over the next couple of months, but eventually the laser sat unused. The software learning curve felt overwhelming, and I wasn’t confident enough to keep going at the time.

Everything changed in the fall of 2025.

I remembered all the ornament design files I had purchased after getting my laser engraver. Around the same time, my family planned a volunteer trip to help victims affected by Hurricane Helene. I wanted to create something meaningful to give back—personal, thoughtful pieces that carried heart behind them.

So I dusted off the Ray5, committed myself to learning, and started watching tutorial videos step by step. I’m still learning every day, but the progress came faster than I expected. That season, I successfully held a Christmas ornament sale, opened my own Etsy shop, and even signed up to attend my first craft show this April.

At the moment, my setup is fairly simple. Along with my Ray5 laser engraver, I use a honeycomb bed and air assist. With the profits from my ornament sales, I invested in the XY extension kit. For Christmas this year, my husband surprised me again—this time with an air filtration system and a rotary attachment. We’ve already installed the filtration system, and he’s planning to build a full enclosure for me soon.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. The projects I create now look polished and professional—something I never thought I’d say when I first powered on the machine. What started as curiosity has grown into genuine confidence.

This laser engraver has completely changed how I see my creative future. It’s honestly become a bit of an obsession—in the best way possible. Every morning, I wake up thinking the same thing:

“What can I cut or engrave today?”