Customer Introduction

I’m Jessenia Cosme, the founder of JC’s Art Designs. I started this journey five years ago with a passion for art and graphic design, turning a challenging time into an opportunity. My business rapidly evolved from a small home setup to a leading signage company in northern New Jersey. With my Thunder Laser, I create custom signage for everything from weddings to celebrity events, and I've even founded the Laser Focus Community to connect with other creators. My path has been one of unexpected growth and continuous learning.

What inspired you to buy a laser?

Five years ago, during the COVID pandemic, I found myself in the southwest room of my house, fully pregnant and facing tough times. I had just lost my job, and the situation felt incredibly challenging. It was in those moments of uncertainty that I reconnected with my first love: art. I’ve always had a passion for creating and graphic design. My husband saw my talent and encouraged me. “You should really capitalize on your talent and see what you can do with it,” he suggested. At first, I was hesitant and scared. I thought, “No, I can’t do that,” but eventually, I gave it a try. That’s how JC’s Art Designs was born. He bought me my first Cricut, which led to a Glowforge, and from there, I eventually upgraded to a Thunder Laser.

Why did you choose Thunder Laser?

When I first started, I knew absolutely nothing about lasers. I was completely new to the game. At the time, I kept seeing ads for Glowforge and thought, "Wow, this is really cool." My budget only allowed for a Glowforge, so I went ahead and bought it. I loved it at first! But soon, I realized I was growing too fast, and the Glowforge just couldn't keep up with my production needs.

I found myself needing a larger bed and faster production capabilities. The Glowforge was limiting the size of projects I could take on. While it did have a pass-through option, I was working in a small room. Trying to cut large pieces of wood meant hitting the wall or the window, and it just wasn’t practical. Aligning the material properly became a huge frustration – if I didn’t align it right, I’d lose an entire board of wood or acrylic. It was becoming really difficult to manage. About a year in, I started doing more research, staying up late at night to find a better solution. That’s when I found Thunder Laser. As soon as I saw it, I thought, “Oh my God, this is it.”

How did Thunder Laser help you overcome those challenges?

At the time, my budget only allowed for a smaller-bed model from Thunder Laser. I was set on getting it, but the sales lady suggested that, based on my growth, I might want to consider a bigger one. I was hesitant and unsure, so I stuck with the smaller option. When it arrived – a huge box on a massive truck – I could tell my husband was thinking, “What did you just do?” Honestly, I wasn’t sure either! We ended up setting it up in the garage, and it was like night and day.

What used to take me 20 minutes on the Glowforge now took 10 minutes or less on the Thunder Laser. I was amazed. I thought, “Wow, this is the way to go!” Sure enough, just as the sales lady had predicted, within a year, I started getting clients with bigger projects that I couldn’t fit on the smaller bed. So, I called her back and said, “You were right. I need the bigger one!” Luckily, I was able to sell the smaller one and upgrade to the larger model. A bigger truck came to deliver it, and my husband looked at me like, “Are you really doing this again?” And I said, “Yes, I really am!”

How has your business grown or life changed since buying a laser?

Everything has felt like a rocket ship. I had no idea how fast things would take off when I first started. I began my business while I was pregnant with my daughter, and after giving birth, everything exploded. There I was, feeding her with one hand while working with the other. I had a newborn and a toddler to juggle, so everything happened so quickly I barely had time to sit back and reflect on it. The first time I really took a moment to appreciate how far I had come was when I got featured in Paper Magazine. Seeing my name in print was surreal—it was a huge milestone, and that’s when I realized, "Wow, this is happening!" Since then, life has completely changed. The life I had before feels like it belongs to someone else. I now have full control of my life. I’m able to enjoy my family while doing what I love. Of course, not every day is perfect, but overall, I’m incredibly grateful for where I am. I used to worry about how to balance it all, but now I’m living my dream.

When I first got my Thunder Laser, I could never have imagined where it would take me. My business is now one of the top signage companies in northern New Jersey. I make custom signage for all kinds of events—weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and even celebrity events. I've had the privilege of working with brands like Nike and celebrities from Jersey Shore.

The growth hasn’t just been about business—I've been featured in Paper Magazine twice, and I’m working on another potential feature for an upcoming event (still unconfirmed). I also had the chance to be interviewed by Rabin and featured on Channel 11 News for co-founding an entrepreneur group. It’s been an incredible journey, one I never saw coming. In addition to my business, I founded the Laser Focus Community, a network of like-minded creators. I organized an event here in New Jersey where artists flew in to meet, connect, and collaborate.

What you like most about Thunder Laser?

When I first started my research into laser machines, I have to say that Thunder Laser stood out to me for a few key reasons. One of the main things that really caught my attention was their responsiveness. Whenever I had a question or needed help, Thunder Laser was always there to support me. I could find answers quickly, whether it was through their website or the Thunder Laser Facebook group, which is a fantastic resource. If you post a question at 8:00 PM, you’ll likely have an answer by 8:30. Someone from the community or the support team is ready to hop on a call, whether it’s by phone, FaceTime, or Zoom, and that level of support has been invaluable to me.

I can’t really speak to the experience with other laser companies because Thunder was one of the first I came across, and I’ve stuck with them ever since. The truth is, when something works well, you don’t feel the need to look for alternatives. My experience with Thunder Laser has been nothing short of excellent. Their customer service and the relationships I’ve built with them have been incredible, and I haven’t felt the need to explore other options.

what advice would you give some who is wanting to start a laser?

Do Your Research One of the most important things I always tell people who are thinking about getting into the laser business is: do your research. I can’t stress this enough. So many people think they can just buy a laser, plug it in, and start engraving right away. But it’s not that simple. You can’t just ask every single question and expect to get quick answers. I love helping others, but there are only so many hours in a day. This business is hard work. It’s hours and hours of research, trial and error, and finding your own path. I can’t tell you everything I’ve learned because that’s my personal experience. You have to create your own. And let me be honest—it’s not going to be easy. There will be sleepless nights, moments when you question what you’re doing, and times when it feels really frustrating. But if you stick with it, it gets better. The best part? When you find the right community, the right Facebook group, or surround yourself with the right people, you’ll find your way. It’s all about doing the homework, having the patience, and believing in yourself. This isn’t a hobby you can just pick up overnight—it’s going to take dedication. So, research is essential. Don’t skip it.

Embrace Growth, but Know When to Ask for Help When I first started, I never imagined I’d be where I am today. I never thought I’d be considered one of the best. But I’ve learned that burnout is real, and I hit that point when my business was growing so fast that I couldn’t keep up. I’m a mother, a wife, and a perfectionist. I thought I could handle everything myself, but soon, I realized that wasn’t the case. I was working from morning until midnight, trying to fulfill orders, and it wasn’t sustainable. The truth is, I couldn’t scale up on my own. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I finally admitted I needed help. I didn’t have much to offer, but I shared my vision, and two incredible women joined me on this journey. Since then, everything has changed. We’ve been able to grow together, and I’ve regained a better work-life balance. Now, I’m able to switch off from business and focus on my family when I need to. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can’t do it all by yourself. And if you’re at that point where you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to step back. There’s no shame in needing assistance, and it’ll help you grow faster in the long run.

Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout As my business grew, I had to learn how to set boundaries—and that was a hard lesson. Burnout is real, and it’s something I had to face. I had to accept that it’s okay to say no to some orders, especially if you’re overwhelmed. If a client truly values your work, they’ll understand, and they’ll come back when you’re ready. People often expect things to be done at the last minute, but that’s not realistic. I’ve learned to set clear turnaround times and stick to them. It’s important to communicate your limits to customers. When they know your process and respect your time, it makes for a much healthier relationship. Remember, you’re building a brand, and it’s important to convey that to your customers. For example, JC's Art Designs has a two- to three-week lead time, and we don’t rush the process. Clients who appreciate the quality we offer will respect that.

Keep Learning and Growing Even after all this time, I’m still learning. I’m human, and I mess up, just like everyone else. Every day is a new lesson, and I don’t want anyone to think I’ve got everything figured out. The truth is, I’m still learning how to navigate this business, just like you. No day is perfect, but that’s okay. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve. So, my advice is simple: Don’t ever stop learning. Keep improving, keep growing, and keep pushing forward. And don’t compare yourself to others. Every journey is different, and you’ll get where you want to be if you stay dedicated and keep working hard.