Customer Introduction

I'm Sydney Stinson, the founder of SKS Design Studio. Growing up in my family's CNC machine shop, machines have always been a part of my life. In 2023, I combined that manufacturing background with my passion for creativity to launch SKS Design Studio. What started with stickers has rapidly expanded into a diverse brand. Now, with my Thunder Laser, I bring a personal touch to everything from custom apparel and housewares to unique drinkware and engraved gifts, constantly exploring new possibilities.

What inspired you to buy a laser?

My family has owned a CNC machine shop for 25 years, so I literally grew up surrounded by machines and lasers. The hum of the workshop was a constant in my life. Recently, though, I felt a strong pull to be more creative. I wanted to move beyond traditional machining and start engraving custom items, adding a personal touch to products. That's when the idea of getting our own laser really took hold.

Why did you choose Thunder Laser?

We did a ton of research before buying our first Thunder Laser, and we were incredibly pleased with what we found. There were a few key reasons that made Thunder Laser stand out:

Price Point: For the smaller, more artistic projects and part marking we envisioned, we simply couldn't justify the high price point of some other brands. Thunder Laser offered exceptional value without compromising on quality.

Documentation: This was a huge plus! Even before the laser arrived, we were able to access comprehensive documentation. This allowed us to research and learn about the machine extensively, making the setup and learning curve so much smoother.

Right to Repair: This was a non-negotiable for us. Our past experiences with Universal Laser and even Multicam had been tough. We wanted a machine that we could work on ourselves for smaller, simpler fixes, without having to pay for a service tech's travel and labor. Thunder Laser gave us that independence.

Warranty: We had a small issue with the red dot when we first got our Nova, and the customer service experience was fantastic. Warranty replacement parts arrived quickly, and it was a simple fix. We were very pleased with how responsive and helpful the team was!

How did Thunder Laser help you overcome those challenges?

The biggest game-changer for us was using LightBurn software instead of the proprietary software we were accustomed to with Universal Laser. LightBurn gives us access to regular updates and more features, making it incredibly user-friendly and easy to train new operators. This has significantly increased our uptime; we're now able to keep this laser running much more consistently. With our previous setup, we often found ourselves struggling to keep it operational, constantly battling maintenance issues, losing home positions, and software crashes. Having the Thunder Laser has been a massive boost to our productivity!

We also seamlessly integrated a rotary attachment, which would have been a costly and complicated endeavor with our previous Universal setup. This expanded our capabilities immensely.

How has your business grown changed since buying a laser?

The laser was initially purchased under Accurate CNC, our family business, and we immediately saw growth. The larger bed size and incredible reliability enabled us to take on bigger, more intricate jobs. But that was just the beginning! I then started SKS Design Studio as a sister company, and the growth has been tremendous! This business began with just stickers, and now, thanks to the Thunder Laser, we create personalized baking dishes, door mats, glassware, intricate topo maps, cutting boards, and so much more. It's been incredible to see the variety of products we can offer.

What do you like most about Thunder Laser?

Without a doubt, it's the community! We can easily find answers to our questions, and we love networking with other Thunder Laser users to bounce ideas off each other. It's an invaluable resource. I also really appreciate how Thunder Laser and Thunder Laser USA share posts they are tagged in. It makes a huge difference for small businesses like ours, helping us get more reach and traffic.

What advice would you give someone who is wanting to start a laser?