Customer Introduction

My name is Brittany Groener, and my creative journey began as a stationery designer. But everything changed the day I discovered laser machines. In 2018, I started exploring event décor as a side hustle, using a small laser. By 2020, after my family and I relocated, I took the leap and turned my passion into a full-time business.

What inspired you to buy a laser?

Like many others, my first introduction to lasers was through Glowforge’s marketing. Their ads were everywhere and really grabbed my attention. At the time, I had never used a laser machine and didn’t know anyone who had—but I just had this strong feeling it was something I could do, and I was so eager to try it.

So, I bought a Glowforge. It truly opened the door for me to start my own business. I learned how to create the kinds of signs I make now and how to run a business from the ground up. But as my skills grew and my client base expanded, the limitations of that machine became more and more obvious. I needed something faster, more powerful, and more reliable—something that could genuinely keep up with where my business was headed. That’s when I started exploring other options and realized it was definitely time for an upgrade.

Why did you choose Thunder Laser?

I started noticing a clear trend on Instagram and Facebook—nearly all the makers I admired most were using Thunder Laser machines. What really stood out was that none of them were trying to sell me anything; they were simply passionate about the product and kept sharing how much they loved it. That kind of genuine enthusiasm and real-world experience really resonated with me.

So, I dug in and did my own research. Thunder had the bed size I was looking for, along with all the features I knew I’d need as my business continued to grow. Choosing Thunder turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business—I truly haven’t looked back since.

How did Thunder Laser help you overcome initial challenges?

When my Thunder Nova arrived, I was so excited, but also completely overwhelmed. Even though I had measured everything and planned to put it in the garage like many people do, nothing truly prepares you for the moment it actually shows up. It was absolutely huge, and I remember standing there thinking, "What did I just get myself into?"

To be honest, it sat in my garage for about five months before I built up the courage to even turn it on. I was so intimidated; I didn’t know if I’d be able to handle such a powerful machine. But once I finally did power it up, I realized how approachable it actually was. Now, whenever someone tells me they just got their Thunder, I always say: “Don’t be like me. Don’t be afraid to start.” It’s not scary once you get past that first step—it’s actually really easy to use.

What do you like most about Thunder Laser?

When I knew it was time to upgrade, one of the top things on my list was reliable support. Coming from Glowforge, I had gotten used to the fact that if anything went wrong, support was nearly nonexistent. If I reached out via email, I was lucky if I heard back within a day—most of the time, it would be two days or more. And by the time I heard from them, I’d already made a list of everything I’d tried, just to make the process a little faster. But most of the time, they'd just ask me if I'd tried something that was already on my list!

With Thunder Laser, it's been a completely different experience. I’ve only had to reach out a couple of times for small issues, and every time, I'm amazed by how quickly they respond. Within five or ten minutes, I’ll get a reply—it’s like there’s someone just waiting to answer emails. They’ve even sent me video tutorials or offered to hop on a call to walk me through things. This level of support was so important to me when looking for a new laser, and Thunder has truly nailed it.

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

Do Your Research and Avoid Getting Sucked into Marketing Before investing in a laser, take the time to thoroughly research your options. There’s a lot of marketing out there, and it’s easy to get caught up in flashy claims. Instead, join Facebook groups, ask real users about their experiences, and if possible, see a machine in action. It’s a big investment, so make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.

Invest in the Best Machine You Can Afford When buying your first machine, aim for the best quality you can afford. Many people end up upgrading sooner than expected because their initial machine couldn’t keep up with their growing business. It’s worth it to invest in something reliable from the start to avoid the frustration and additional costs of upgrading later.

Explore and Find What You Enjoy Making Don’t feel pressured to pick a niche immediately. When you start out, it’s essential to try different things and see what you truly enjoy making. You may find yourself dreading creating certain items once you start, and that’s a clear sign that it’s not worth pursuing. Explore different categories, and over time, a niche might naturally emerge.

Build Relationships and Find Your Community Networking is key, especially if you're looking to expand. Social media is a great way to connect with others in the laser community. I’ve made real friends who’ve helped me out when I’ve had urgent orders and issues with my machine. Having someone you can reach out to for support makes a huge difference. These connections can also lead to referrals and business opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Start an Etsy Shop – Low-Risk, High-Reward If you're thinking about starting an Etsy shop, just go for it. Etsy offers a low-cost, low-risk way to get your products in front of a large audience. While there’s competition, the visibility Etsy provides can help you get noticed faster than if you were starting your own website from scratch. Be proactive by listing products often and sharing your shop everywhere—friends, family, and social media.

Can you briefly talk about how you transitioned from a side hustle to a full-time business?

For me, I was really lucky in a lot of ways. My husband has a job that can support our whole family, so I didn’t feel the pressure of having to reach a certain income every month to survive—though I know a lot of people do, and it’s incredible what they’re able to accomplish.

Honestly, a big part of how things grew was just luck. I started making things and posting them online. That’s really what opened up more opportunities for me. I began on Etsy, and I’m still there for now, but I’m in the process of having a website made, so I’ll eventually be selling through my own platform too.

Being on Etsy is great, but you’re mostly selling to people who happen to find you. What really made a difference was posting on Instagram—that’s what helped me connect with other people in the industry. I started building working relationships with stationers, who often need pieces made for their clients. That’s been incredibly helpful for me, because I don’t have to deal directly with customers as much. There’s no back and forth like there is on Etsy when you’re trying to finalize a design. The stationers just send me what they need—what materials, what timeline—and I get it done. It really simplified things and allowed me to stay productive. But without sharing my work on Instagram, they probably wouldn’t have found me.

What are your plans for expanding your business in the future?