We were lucky to catch up with Kariz Zozaya recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kariz, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The primary challenge I encounter in achieving profitability within my industry is setting prices for the custom and personalized items I create. Many of these pieces are my own designs, and I often struggle to find a balance between affordability and profitability. At times, I have engaged in lengthy discussions with clients about a design, which can be quite time-consuming as I adjust colors, elements, sizes, fonts, and more. Additionally, I must consider the time required for the laser machine to produce the design, as well as the wear and tear on the equipment.

Kariz, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always had a passion for creativity and found joy in crafting as a hobby. It all began when I got a Cricut machine, which I used to create projects for my daughter’s birthdays and eventually for my wedding. For some time, I had been eyeing a laser engraving machine, eager to elevate my hobby and start producing items to sell. In November 2023, I took the leap and invested in one, just in time for the holiday season. My small business launched with great momentum.

My daughter’s father works as a real estate agent, and most of my clients have come to me through his referrals. My primary focus is on creating personalized closing baskets for realtors to gift their clients on closing day. These baskets include customized items such as decorative cutting boards, wooden or slate coasters, candles, kitchen towels, small plants, and wooden gift tags featuring the real estate agent’s name or logo.

I was fortunate to secure a significant deal with the City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability. They were seeking sustainable Fiesta medals and reached out to a friend who owns a medal-making company. She referred them to me since they wanted wooden medals. After several weeks of finalizing the design, they ordered 250 wooden medals, and even the Mayor wore one during this year’s Day Parade! This was my first foray into any business, and I was thrilled.

As you can see, I handle a variety of custom laser engraving orders based on my clients’ needs and desires. I’ve also tapped into my creative side by making jewelry and setting up at various markets around the city to sell those creations. I’m grateful I took the plunge to start this business, as I’ve had numerous returning clients. There’s no better marketing than word of mouth, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those satisfied customers!

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

A life-threatening moment I faced with my business occurred when my first machine completely failed. No matter what I attempted, it simply wouldn’t power on. Given that laser machines are quite expensive, I was in a panic, especially with Mother’s Day approaching and a backlog of orders to fulfill. Fortunately, I had purchased a warranty for the machine, allowing me to file a claim, and a replacement machine was promptly sent my way. However, I was without a machine for two weeks. Though I felt disheartened during that time, I was grateful for the replacement at no additional cost. Since then, I have been diligent about maintenance to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The most effective source of new clients for me has been my existing clients. A significant number of my new customers come from referrals by those who have made multiple purchases from me. Balancing my full-time job as a nurse with marketing and outreach efforts has proven challenging. I truly appreciate my clients for their referrals, as this approach demands no additional time or cost on my part.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eclipse-creative-design-studio.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eclipsecreativedesign/profilecard/?igsh=MTM2ZWlxc2sxcW5tcg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eclipsecreativedesign?mibextid=LQQJ4d