Resources for Small Business Owners

Tools, tips, and guides to help you launch and grow with confidence

Introduction
This page is a curated collection of the tools, systems, and lessons that helped me build and scale my business. I believe in raising the tide for everyone—whether you’re across the country or right next door. Competition doesn’t intimidate me. Excellence inspires me. If these resources help you avoid costly mistakes, shorten the learning curve, and build a business you’re proud of, then this page has done its job.Everything you’ll find here is something I personally use, believe in, or have battle-tested in my own journey.

Start Here — Foundation FirstIf I were starting today, these would be my first steps before engraving a single product:➡️ (Coming soon: Beginner Checklist — “Launch Your Laser Business in One Week”)

A. Establish your business

Other than taking the leap to start a business in the first place, this is the most daunting task to take on. Do not worry, you can do it. Choose a name, register your LLC, set up your EIN, and open a business bank account. Make sure you contact your state too! You may need to set up tax accounts and licenses for your state, county, and city.

B. Dial in your niche

You don’t need to engrave everything for everyone. Start with one category, then expand. Pick an interest you enjoy or you have connections too. Some ideas are pets, weddings, or custom art work.

C. Build a simple, clean brand

Consistency beats complexity. Choose a color palette, a clean logo, and a tone of voice.

D. Create 3–5 signature products

Get good at a few things before trying to master everything.

E. Price with intention

Know your costs. Know your worth. Don’t race to the bottom.

Tools I Personally Use

Good tools save time, reduce frustration, and elevate your final product. Here are the essentials I rely on:

➡️ (Affiliate links are included in many of these links with no additional cost to you and more are coming soon — I only recommend tools I trust and use daily.)

Business Banking

Novo Business Banking - Easy to use and access on your phone or on the computer. Fee Free Business Checking is a plus. (This link can get you $40 for opening an account)

Design & Branding

Canva

Workflow & Pricing

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Sites, etc)

Laser Software

xTool Creative Space

Sales Platforms

Etsy

Facebook Marketplace

Point of Sale

Square (Easy to use and universally known. Use the link to get free sales processing.)

Venmo

Materials & Blanks

I do my best to find local suppliers and support local business when I can.
When I am left with few options, I look for high quality items on sites like Amazon. Links to my favorites can be found below.

Tumblers- Tumblers are a staple in our laser engraving business. They last a long time, can be personalized, and serve a lot of value and purpose for those morning coffees. Below are some (not an entire list) of the various tumblers we use and have alot of experience with:

20 ounce Unbranded Tumbler- These are great for organizations that resell to raise money. Various colors to choose from.
30 oz Stanley Tumbler- A classic with alot of online support.
40 oz Stanley Tumbler- Another classic. Very popular all-year-long.
40 oz xTool Tumbler- A great option for a budget-minded project. Engrave really well. Direct link coming soon.
64 oz Stanley Tumbler- Just did a big order of these! They were really nice.

Wood Sheets- Essential for daily operations. We do not do a whole lot with wood for daily customers, but making our own jigs has been a real time saver! Links to preferred sheets of wood will be down below as will be links to our jigs so you can make them yourself!

Finishing & Packaging

Premium boxes, wrap, labels, and protective sprays

Guides & Tutorials (COMING SOON)

I love teaching and sharing what works. Here you’ll find practical, step-by-step lessons to help you move faster and with more confidence.

Free Content (current or upcoming):

How to price your work for real profit
Preparing artwork the right way
How to streamline your engraving workflow
Tips for dealing with difficult materials
Branding basics for small shops

➡️ More tutorials and videos will be added regularly.

Templates & DownloadsPlug-and-play assets designed to save you hours:

Laser Pricing Calculator (now available)

Easily calculate accurate pricing for your laser projects with the EE Laser & Design Pricing Calculator. It includes built-in formulas for labor, materials, taxes, and profit — helping you quote jobs with confidence.To use:

Click the button below to download the calculator.
Open it in Microsoft Excel.
When prompted, select Enable Editing and Enable Content (this activates the buttons and macros).
Customize the settings to match your business.

Download Excel Version (.xlsm)Download Google Sheets Version (Make a copy)
⚙️ If Excel Blocks the Calculator ⚙️If you see a message saying “Macros have been disabled” or “Blocked by your administrator,” do this:Close Excel.Find the file on your computer, right-click it → Properties.Check Unblock, then click Apply and OK.Reopen the file, click Enable Editing and Enable Content at the top.This lets Excel run the calculator’s safe built-in features like saving and formatting your catalog.

Business forms and order sheets (coming soon)

Coming Soon

SVG bundles and engraving-ready artwork (coming soon)

Coming Soon

Stay ConnectedIf you want ongoing tips, tools, and behind-the-scenes insight, stay connected:

YouTube: Tutorials and walkthroughs (coming soon)
Facebook / Instagram: Projects, news, and shop updates
1. Facebook- @ee.lasers
2. Instagram- @ee.lasers
Newsletter: Business lessons, new resources, and discounts (coming soon)

Final WordBuilding something from nothing takes grit. But you don’t have to do it alone. If these resources help you avoid trial-and-error, grow faster, and run a business you love, then this page has served its purpose.I’m glad you’re here. Now let’s get to work.