Customer Introduction

I'm Glennallen Trotti, and alongside my wife, Penny, we run GT Engraving. For years, we dedicated ourselves to a family-owned storage company, living and working on-site. When our jobs were abruptly terminated in December 2021, right before Christmas, it was a shock. But this challenging period opened the door for us to turn my long-standing hobby of laser engraving into a full-fledged business. From a friend's basement, with our Thunder Laser, GT Engraving was born. Nearly four years later, we reflect on our journey with immense gratitude. Our small business continues to grow, supported by a loyal customer base that has truly become like family. Through faith, resilience, and the kindness of others, Penny and I have turned a challenging chapter into a story of hope and success.

What were the main issues or pain points faced before purchasing a laser?

Honestly, there weren't really any challenges before I made the purchase. I'm a researcher by nature – I like to thoroughly investigate things before making a big investment. So, by the time I pulled the trigger, I knew exactly what I was getting into. What I've found is that this meticulous approach has truly allowed my creative vision to flourish, changing everything for the better.

I've been an artist my entire life, ever since I was a child. I even attended a prestigious art school. As I got older and my income grew, I built a fantastic woodshop, equipped with almost every tool and machine you could imagine – except a laser. After a few successful years as a woodworker, people started asking for personalized engravings on my creations. That's when I began my research into lasers, and I ultimately chose Thunder. Learning to use it was a joy, and the more proficient I became, the more I realized I could engrave my original artwork directly onto my woodworking pieces.

I was doing all of this as a hobby, at night, after my "real job." But then, a few years ago, Corporate America sacked both my wife and me, and we lost everything, right before Christmas. The only things I was able to hold onto were my truck, a very limited selection of tools, and most importantly, my Thunder Laser! I seized the opportunity to turn my hobby into a full-time business, and Penny and I have been doing great ever since.

Why did you choose Thunder Laser?

I first heard about Thunder Laser while researching lasers online. What really drew me in to look closer were the consistent stories of their superior build quality, excellent customer support, and competitive pricing. Ultimately, those were the main reasons I chose Thunder over other brands.

What do you like most about Thunder Laser?

Without a doubt, it's the customer support. Last year was a challenging one for GT Engraving. We faced numerous hurdles, including medical issues, a slow economic environment, equipment failures, and we even had to sell our prized Indian motorcycle to keep the business running and invest in new equipment.

When our Nova 51-100, which had an incredible 12,000 hours on its original tube, needed refurbishing, we reached out to Thunder Laser USA. Chris Myers, their head technician, promptly traveled to our shop in Blairsville, GA. He efficiently and expertly restored our machine to perfect working order. Chris’s professionalism, expertise, and dedication were evident throughout his service. His ability to address every issue without hesitation or delay was truly impressive, and we were genuinely inspired by his work ethic. This kind of hands-on support, especially after our machine had been out of warranty for almost four years, is incredibly rare in the industry.

Since acquiring our second Thunder Laser, a Nova 51-130, our business has seen significant improvements in both workflow and production capacity. Thunder Laser’s commitment to customer success is truly unmatched, and their fast response times continue to exceed our expectations.