Time to pay for all this stuff. Open for business.

[abdulloh21]

For the more production-oriented minds, think garden stakes, coasters, or even customized high school senior pictures. You could be the go-to for quantity sales, especially if you can snag deals with businesses like car dealerships or restaurants.

Talking about restaurants, imagine coasters or utensils with their logo – a classy move that might just work. And for the retail game, be ready for a markup dance of up to 50%. Yeah, retail math can be a tad wonky.

These are just a few brainstormed nuggets, and I'm sure there's more to uncover. Feel free to share your thoughts; after all, there's no one-size-fits-all in this game!

Oh, and by the way, if you need a breather from engraving adventures, anyone know of any bingo games that pay real money? Just looking for a bit of extra fun on the side!

[joejones]

The covid zombie apocalypse change America. People's attitudes about spending money have changed. I have so many machines, and tools, and computers ... the only thing I am lacking is motivation.

Joe

[MikeH]

I have sold quite a few things by going to local craft stores and Knickknack places. Even furniture stores need thing to display on tables, end tables, things like that. I make just enough to pay for materials. So that's not too bad.

On Etsy and places like that there is so much stuff up there it makes it difficult to standout. There is the option of your own website but you really have to stay on top of that. My kids have told me I should get my own website but I'm retired and that's more work than I want to do at this point in my life. Going to local places I can do.

As far as equipment, well that's another story. The hobby makes me happy, keeps me busy and out of the house! That makes my wife happy lol. Priceless!

I owned a business myself for many years, retail sales and service so I know that running your own business requires real dedication. But if that's the goal go for it, keep plugging away till you find your niche.

Good luck

MikeH

[SteveJDMin]

My wife reminds me that I didn’t retire so I could get a job. I bought my laser for the fun of it, making it pay for itself was never really a goal. But it is very rewarding and that is enough for me. I could have paid a whole lot more for some other hobby!

[joejones]

One thing you can make, is custom condiment racks for local family restaurant tables. They hold the catsup, syrups, steak sauce, sugars, etc. Make a slot on the back to hold the menus. Make a tall card holder to display specials. Make a generic insert for table numbers, etc. Make a series of SEASONAL table numbers, for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc.

You can design a basic wooden rack and then customize it with the restaurant's name, logo, or whatever.

Make them out of 3mm Birch plywood, glue them together and spray coat them with some sort of sealer so they can be wiped clean easily.

Follow through with matching "Order Here", "Cashier", "Men" and "Women" restroom signs, etc. Don't forget "OPEN" and "CLOSED" signs for the front door.

Add a set of TAKE-OUT numbers they can hand out to customers who are waiting for TO GO items.

Add in a few generic wall art pieces, the steaming cup of coffee, a plate with three donuts, the tall old school chocolate sundae, etc.

Make a matching tall rack with a few shelves for the DOOR DASH, GRUB HUB, UBER EATS crowd too!

Don't forget a couple of decorative wall clocks, and some business card holders (wall mounted, or??)

Once you get SOMETHING into a family restaurant that is NOT a corporate chain franchise, they will ask you to make more, as their imagination reels.

Joe

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[TankSGM]

Consider/research Michels Maker Place.
May be good way to sell and the fees are reasonable.