The wheels in Schmucker’s head began to turn.
The machine was a laser engraver, and as soon as he saw it, Wes Schmucker knew he wanted one. Something like this could help him achieve his goal of becoming self-employed in a creative field. The problem? The cost of a laser engraver was about $52,000. Schmucker knew there was just one thing he could do.
“I started talking to the Creator of the universe,” Schmucker says. “I began to pray that God would provide.”
To help decide if making this significant financial and career choice was really where God was leading him, Schmucker laid out a fleece. He needed to have a laser-engraving order for $2500 worth of product. Never mind that he didn’t yet have the engraver. Never mind that he didn’t know how to operate one if he did have it. He just laid out the fleece and got to work learning how to run a computer and operate the required software. He remodeled half of his two-car garage, leaving space for the would-be laser.
His day job required him to visit suppliers. While in Findlay, Ohio, visiting one such supplier, Schmucker says the Lord gave him the idea to ask if there was anything they needed engraved or cut out. In fact, they said, they did. The supplier pulled out a product and, on his drive back to Holmes County, Schmucker came up with a way to modify and improve it. He called the supplier and explained his idea. Within two weeks—without a prototype or a drawing—the supplier ordered 500 pieces.
“When everything was said and done, the invoice was almost double what I had set out as a fleece,” Schmucker says. “It was the largest order placed for the next 10 years.”
The day Schmucker received the order, was the day he called to purchase the laser, borrowing every penny available against his house. He began cranking out orders on evenings and Saturdays for eight years before leaving his day job to go into laser engraving full time. He has never regretted the decision.
Star Laser was created with an innovative idea to create unique products that people can use as gifts, awards, and more. Unique products can be customized. Any idea is welcome, and it is Star Laser’s mission to provide top-quality products and superior service. One of their most popular items are custom baby blocks engraved with the child’s photo, name, birth date, and parents’ name. He also offers engraved ice cream spades, name tags, cheese slicers, ID tags for products, and many, many custom orders. Yoder Lumber has appreciated the pens, coffee mugs, and other promotional pieces Star Laser has created in addition to the beautiful five foot Ohio county wall art featuring all 88 counties on a variety of stained, solid woods provided by Yoder Lumber.
Star Laser can do big quantities with a quick turnaround time.
“We’re not afraid of large jobs,” Schmucker says. “Wood, glass, leather, marble, brick, plexiglass. We’ll try things that other companies won’t.”
Wes Schmucker says he’s very grateful for the opportunities he has been given.
“I’m an average guy who God has been exceptionally kind to,” Schmucker says. “God has allowed me to do what I really enjoy.”
Visit Star Laser at www.starlaserengraving.com or call Wes at 330-674-5900.
