So you’ve been wondering about how to build your online store with a laser cutter. Maybe you’ve seen one in a Facebook ad. Or perhaps you’ve seen some really cool engraved products and would love to be able to put your own spin on them.
Edye Wagstaff is someone who understands you and all those questions nestled in the back of your mind. Because at one point, she had them too.
Edye hasn’t always had things easy in her life. But she’s a super hard worker…and I should know, because she used to work for me at a company I owned called Pick Your Plum!
Her decision to start her own business was like jump-up-and-down, spin-around-the-room kind of exciting. And that’s why I invited her to be on the How to Sell Online podcast.
She struggled at first…which is kinda normal, to be honest. She needed to figure out the right product for her. Not just one that would sell, but one she could be passionate about.
What Edye recognized is that she was drawn toward helping people have wonderful experiences while building great memories together. (Isn’t that beautiful?!) And she saw an opportunity to do both with…drumroll…charcuterie boards.
Can we just take a moment here to give her some jazz hands for finding an amazing trending product—because charcuterie boards are so incredibly popular—and making them unique? THAT is genius, my friend.
But following her dream and building her online store meant buying a quality laser cutter. With it, she’d be able to personalize her products by laser engraving names and other items on her products.
Edye’s customers LOVE her personalized charcuterie boards, ornaments and other engraved items because they are GORGEOUS. And her attention to detail and willingness to try new techniques has helped her build a solid 6-figure business.
She’s even purchased a second, larger laser cutter and is looking for warehouse space right now to handle her growing inventory.
But the COOLEST part is that Edye’s work has allowed her husband to retire just so that he can work with her growing company. She’s also able to fulfill her goal of employing adults with special needs so that they can learn important work skills and earn a living.
How phenomenal is that?
Edye was a wonderful guest to have on the How to Sell Online podcast, and when you listen, you will learn a LOT. Not just about the ins and outs of having a business built on laser cutting and engraving, but also about great business practices for ecommerce entrepreneurs.
Here are the top ten takeaways:
- A business can give your children—even adult children—self-esteem as well as skills they can use throughout their lives.
- Money is a great motivator, but so are other, deeper reasons.
- Look to sell products you know something about.
- What can you do with an existing product to make it more valuable to customers?
- Thinking of buying a laser? DO YOUR RESEARCH.
- Offers help your business grow—quickly.
- Prepare to hire for time-consuming jobs.
- Make a plan .
- Listen to your customers.
- You will get tired, you will get frustrated, but don’t give up.
Additional Resources
Shop at Edye's online store: Boulton and Grande Special Offer: Enter BecauseICan at checkout to save 30% (limited-time offer)
Find Edye on Facebook @boultonandgrande
Find Edye on Instagram: @boultonandgrande
See Edye and her charcuterie boards featured on Good Things Utah.
Connect with Alison
Find Alison on Facebook @alisonjprince
Find Alison on Instagram @alisonjprince
Click here to learn about the 0-100K System and how you can launch and grow your own online business.
