We recently connected with Jay Lauck and have shared our conversation below.
Jay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
The Risk That Changed Everything
The Moment I Bet Everything on Myself
It was 2023, and I was staring at a decision that terrified me: should I invest thousands of dollars I didn’t really have into laser engraving equipment for a business that didn’t exist yet? I had no customers, no experience, no safety net. Just a gut feeling that I could build something real in Pryor, Oklahoma—a town most people have never heard of.
I was about to risk financial security for a dream I’d taught myself from YouTube videos.
The Backstory: Starting From Absolute Zero
Before Engravings by Jay existed, I had zero engraving experience. I’d never operated a laser machine, never run a custom product business, never even sold anything online. But I kept seeing these incredible personalized gifts—engraved wood signs, custom tumblers, wedding keepsakes—and thinking, “I could do that.”
So I did what any reasonable person does when they have no idea what they’re doing: I watched hundreds of hours of YouTube tutorials, joined online forums, and taught myself laser engraving from scratch.
Then came the real risk. I had to buy equipment. A quality laser engraving machine wasn’t cheap, and I had no proof anyone would actually pay me for this work. However, I couldn’t start without the equipment, and I couldn’t attract customers without getting started.
Classic catch-22. So I took the leap.
The Fear Was Paralyzing
That first investment felt massive. I was betting on my ability to learn a completely new skill, build a customer base from nothing, and turn a profit before the money ran out.
The doubts were relentless:
What if nobody wants custom engraving in Pryor?What if I’m unable to figure out the technical side?What if this is just an expensive hobby that bankrupts me?
I had no employees, no business plan, no marketing budget. Just me, a garage, and a machine I was still learning to operate.
But I made that first investment anyway. I named the business Engravings By Jay, set up social media accounts, and started taking orders.
The Early Wins and New Challenges
Those first few months were a blur of learning curves. I took on every project I could get—wooden signs, engraved tumblers, custom plaques, personalized gifts. The work was steady but slow. I was making enough to cover materials and pocket a little profit.
Then came the projects that really tested me.
A church needed a memorial stone for their deacon, Bobby Armour. The timeline was incredibly short, and the pressure was immense. This wasn’t just another custom order—it was a tribute to someone’s life. If I messed it up, there was no do-over.
I delivered it on time. It was perfect. And I realized I could handle pressure.
Then came the trophy project: three identical engraved wood bases for horse sculptures. It was the most technically challenging project I’d ever worked on. The precision required, the need for perfect consistency across all three pieces—it pushed my skills to the limit.
I figured it out. And with each challenging project, I got better.
The Pivot That Changed Everything
By mid-2024, I was doing okay with custom orders. But I kept noticing a pattern: wedding inquiries were coming in, and they were worth more than my typical projects. Brides wanted custom seating charts, engraved guest books, personalized table numbers, and wedding party gifts.
The wedding market was calling, but I had zero venue partnerships, no established reputation in that space, and no guarantee it would work.
So I made another risk: I pivoted hard into weddings.
I invested in a second laser machine so I could handle multiple orders simultaneously. I bought a portable 5″x5″ unit for flexibility. I redesigned my entire business strategy around wedding services, created package pricing, and started pursuing venue partnerships in the Tulsa metro area.
I had no proof that venues would work with me. I had no portfolio of wedding work. I was a guy in a garage in Pryor, Oklahoma, asking event venues to trust me with their couples’ biggest day.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Here’s what nobody tells you about taking risks in business: it’s not one big moment. It’s a thousand small moments where you choose to keep going when quitting would be easier.
It’s saying yes to the memorial stone project when you’re not sure you can deliver on that timeline.
It’s taking on the technically impossible trophy project because turning it down means staying comfortable.
It’s investing in a second machine when you’re not sure the wedding market will respond.
It’s cold emailing venues with no guarantee they’ll even respond.
It’s redesigning your entire website to focus 80% on weddings when that’s not where most of your revenue comes from yet.
Every single one of those decisions felt risky. Every single one could have failed.
How It Turned Out
Today, Engravings By Jay specializes in wedding services. I offer complete stationery packages—custom seating charts, table numbers, engraved guest books in multiple sizes, and personalized wedding party gifts. I’m actively building partnerships with venues across the Tulsa area.
More importantly, I built this from nothing. I taught myself a skill, invested when I had no guarantees, took on projects that scared me, and pivoted when I saw an opportunity.
(We offer services beyond weddings, including corporate branding products, awards, and more.)
The Real Risk Was Believing in Myself
Looking back, the equipment wasn’t the real risk. The real risk was believing I could teach myself a trade, build a business in a small Oklahoma town, and compete for high-value wedding clients without any formal training or industry connections.
The real risk was choosing to start when I had every reason to wait.
Every time I load a project into my laser machine, I remember 2023—when I had no customers, no experience, and no idea if this would work. When I bet on myself anyway.
Best risk I ever took.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
You want your day to feel uniquely yours, not cookie-cutter. We create custom wedding details that reflect your personality, your love story, and your style. From the moment guests see your seating chart to the keepsakes your wedding party receives, every piece is designed specifically for you.
For anyone seeking meaningful gifts: Generic store-bought gifts don’t carry the same weight as something personalized. We help you give gifts that show thought, effort, and genuine care—whether it’s an engraved tumbler for your best friend, a custom whiskey decanter for your groomsmen, or a memorial stone honoring someone’s legacy.
For businesses needing branded items: You want promotional products that people actually keep and use. We create high-quality engraved and printed items that elevate your brand and leave a lasting impression.
What Sets Us Apart
1. Genuine Family Craftsmanship Engravings by Jay is a true family business. While I handle the engraving and design work, my wife and other family members support various aspects of operations—from customer communication to production assistance. There’s no assembly line, no outsourcing, no cutting corners. When you order from us, you’re working directly with a family that cares about your project. We inspect every piece before it ships, and we stand behind the quality of our work.
2. Flexibility and Problem-Solving Being self-taught means I’ve had to figure out creative solutions to technical challenges. That memorial stone for Bobby Armour with the impossible timeline? We made it work. Those three identical trophy bases that required perfect precision? We figured it out. When clients come to us with unique requests or tight deadlines, we don’t say “that’s not possible.” We say, “Let us figure out how.”
3. Wedding Specialization: While we can engrave just about anything, we’ve deliberately focused on becoming wedding specialists. We understand the pressure couples face, the importance of timelines, and the need for flawless execution. Our wedding packages are designed to take stress off your plate while adding beautiful, personalized touches to your day.
4. Equipment Capability We operate multiple laser engraving machines, including a 15″x20″ bed with pass-through capability for long items and a portable 5″x5″ unit for flexibility. We also have access to UV printing technology for full-color, vibrant designs. This means we can handle everything from small, intricate engravings to large-scale wedding installations.
5. Local Roots, National ReachWe’re proud to be based in Pryor, Oklahoma, but we ship nationwide. You don’t have to be local to work with us—couples and clients across the country trust Engravings By Jay for their custom projects.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Honestly? I’m most proud that we built this from nothing—as a family.
I didn’t inherit a business. I didn’t have industry connections or formal training. I taught myself a trade, invested when I had no guarantees, and with my family’s support, turned a garage operation into a thriving business specializing in one of the most important days of people’s lives.
I’m proud of the memorial stone we created for Bobby Armour—a tribute that honored someone’s legacy under intense time pressure. I’m proud of solving the technical challenge of those three identical trophy bases. I’m proud every time a bride tells us her custom guest book was her favorite detail at her wedding.
But mostly, I’m proud that we kept going when it would’ve been easier to quit—and that I get to build this business alongside the people I love most.
What I Want You to Know
If you’re a couple planning your wedding: We understand how overwhelming wedding planning can be. Our goal is to make the custom engraving part easy, beautiful, and stress-free. We offer complete packages, clear timelines (most wedding items delivered within two weeks), and direct communication. You’re not just another order—you’re working with a family that genuinely cares that your day is perfect.
If you’re looking for a meaningful gift: We believe gifts should tell a story. Whether it’s a custom-engraved piece for a loved one or a corporate item that represents your brand, we’ll work with you to create something that matters.
If you value craftsmanship: In a world of mass production and drop-shipping, Engravings By Jay is a real family workshop creating real handcrafted pieces. When you order from us, you’re supporting a small family business, American-made craftsmanship, and people who genuinely love what they do.
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together
Engravings By Jay isn’t just about engraving items—it’s about creating pieces that carry meaning, celebrate moments, and become part of your story.
Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, searching for the perfect gift, or need custom-branded items for your business, our family would love to work with you.
Tagline: Personalized Engravings That Tell Your Story
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
The Honest Truth: We’re Still Building This
I’m going to be completely transparent here: client retention and brand loyalty are areas where we’re actively growing and improving. Like many small family businesses in their early stages, we’ve been so focused on delivering quality work and fulfilling orders that the follow-up and relationship-building side hasn’t been as systematic as I’d like.
Here’s where we are and where we’re headed.
What We’re Doing Now
Post-Order Follow-UpAfter completing orders, we follow up with clients via email or text to ensure they’re satisfied with their custom pieces. We also include a link to leave a Google Business review if they’re happy with the work. Getting feedback—both positive and constructive—helps us improve and lets potential clients see the quality of our work.
Social Media EngagementOur primary connection point with clients is through social media, particularly Facebook, which generates most of our inquiries and sales. We post regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, sharing completed projects (with client permission), behind-the-scenes looks at our process, and updates on new offerings. This keeps us visible and top-of-mind for people who might need custom engraving in the future.
Direct CommunicationBecause we’re a family business, clients work directly with us throughout their project. They’re not dealing with a call center or automated system—they’re texting, calling, or messaging real people who care about their order. That personal touch creates a connection that goes beyond a typical vendor relationship.
The Reality: Room for Growth
Here’s what I’ll admit: we’ve only had three repeat customers in the past year. That’s not where I want to be.
Part of that is the nature of our business—weddings are typically once-in-a-lifetime events, so couples aren’t coming back for another guest book. But there’s also a bigger truth: until recently, we didn’t have a formal system for staying in touch with past clients, encouraging referrals, or nurturing those relationships beyond the initial order.
We were operating in “fulfillment mode”—get the order, create something beautiful, deliver it, move to the next project. We weren’t thinking strategically about how to turn one-time customers into brand advocates or repeat buyers
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Facebook, hands down. It generates most of our inquiries and sales—all organic, no paid ads. We post regularly, share completed projects, and engage with our community. The platform just works for us. People see our work, tag their friends getting married, and the inquiries roll in. It’s been our most reliable source of new business since day one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.engravingbyjay.com/
- Instagram: @engravingbyjay
- Facebook: @Engravings By Jay
- Other: TikTok: @jay.the.engraver
