Inside My Laser Business | A Big Upgrade, Growth Strategy and Surprises

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Laser Side Hustle - Video 1: • My New Side Hustle | W...
Laser Side Hustle - Video 2: • 3D Laser Side Hustle |...
Laser Side Hustle - Video 3: • Inside My Laser Busine...
My Etsy Shop: aprilwilkersonstore.etsy.com
My Entire Collection of Plans: wilkerdos.com/product-categor...
Subscribe: bit.ly/3gfe5YL | Website: wilkerdos.com
Watch the newest videos: bit.ly/3hBOdaf
Things I Used in This Project:
Thunder Laser: www.thunderlaserusa.com/ (My Nova 51 is awesome!)
Glowforge Pro: glowforge.com/aprilwilkerson (get up to $500 off!)
ISOtunes Hearing Protection: shop.isotunes.com/april (Use code April for 10% off!)
Website: www.wilkerdos.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=257047
Instagram: / wilker_dos
Facebook: / wilkerdos
Manufacturing and retail site: hillcountrywoodshed.com/
Welcome to the official April Wilkerson KZfaq channel. I’m April and I’m the creator of Wilker Do’s. I'm not professional or have any training, so I just pick the project I want to tackle and figure it out step by step. On this channel you will find a variety of content like DIY home improvement, How-To’s, construction and more.
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Пікірлер: 177

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

@user-lb5yy5uy1x 5 ай бұрын

I started my tool and equipment selling business with $5000, in the trunk of my car almost 37 years ago. I worked it up to a $1,000,000 business after about 15 years.

@TimFleenor 5 ай бұрын

As a daily laser user, if you're going to leave the lasers and not waych them, consider setting up at least a camera you can monitor. Fire can happen in an instant. Speaking from experience

@tinkerer4 5 ай бұрын

$50k revenue is great, but it really doesn't mean much without also disclosing expenses to show total profit and then time spent to show your hourly rate. I'd love to see behind the curtain in order to compare to other side hustles.

@nathantfloyd 5 ай бұрын

Agreed. Profit, taking labor into account is what matters. Yolou can have $50k revenue and be losing money.

@AngieWilliamsDesigns 5 ай бұрын

I’ve been a long time fan of yours. I’ve enjoyed watching these updates about your laser business. I have a Glowforge. And I have used and still have access to an Epilog which is amazing laser. It is available to me at a MakerSpace and it’s how I got started using lasers. When I went to buy a laser for my home I considered buying a bigger machine like the Thunder. I went with the Glowforge because of just how easy it is to use. Plus the size was attractive. It was perfect for getting started and testing whether I would be successful. For new laser people I would just add that if they are not staying with their laser… they really should have a camera to keep an eye on it and not go far.

@skillstacking 5 ай бұрын

I am :56 seconds into the video and I saw this comment and I want to thank you for saving my time. I was hopping she will disclose expenses and total profit. I didn’t even think about hour rate. 👊🏼

@retrogazele 5 ай бұрын

Laser products have a big profit ...

@AB-ol5uz 2 ай бұрын

It's always more costly at the beginning because of the learning curve in developing the layouts themselves, plus practicing the templates, etc. but she has a commercial woodworking business already in place so purchasing bulk material for the laser business likely gets a price break that a standalone start-up side hustle would not. Packing supplies are a basic fixed cost and she's not paying anyone else for labor at this stage of growth.

@BearCreekWoodworking 5 ай бұрын

You have a big heart April! You seem to be trying to help other people grow their businesses, so they can improve their lives. I truly admire and respect that about you April! 😃

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@craftingwithjean5599 5 ай бұрын

Yes, please keep sharing. I’ve learned a lot watching you for many years. Thank you for always inspiring and teaching.

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr 5 ай бұрын

This is a very interesting overview of your business! I appreciate you sharing your insights into each area. Congratulations on your success and I hope it continues. Thanks April!

@spocagain 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your insight. My wife and I have had serious discussions about trying our hand at the laser market. I appreciate hearing your experiences.

@thomasschmidt1836 5 ай бұрын

Wonderful information and great insights on your impressions and advice. Thank you so much for making your videos. All of them

@matthewthomas965 5 ай бұрын

I’ve been watching you do this laser engraving business and it’s pretty impressive. I’ve been looking for hobby-side hustle that I could do with my daughter and I think this is it. Thank you for being so transparent with your experience and business tips. Not everyone is as straightforward, and I really appreciate you for that. Keep on keeping on and continued great success.❤️🙏👍🏼

@Kevin-oz9fw 5 ай бұрын

April, can you do a video on your shipping fulfillment process. Thanks

@kallenyc 3 ай бұрын

Yes! Also, I see other ppl putting stuff in boxes. How many ppl do you have helping you and what are you paying them?

@dts1449 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the update on your Etsy adventure. This was very informative, all your videos are top notch and I look forward to all your installments.

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@Odin31b 5 ай бұрын

So much great info! Thanks for posting.

@pjh432 5 ай бұрын

Really appreciate this information April. Very helpful. I’m helping my 14 year old start a couple of businesses with our Lazer and this has been very encouraging to him.

@reubenca 5 ай бұрын

You talked about revenue but did not mention your costs. Net profit is the only number that matters. If your revenue is $50k but your costs are $55k you are losing money.

@stephenwire 5 ай бұрын

She didn't cover profit in her previous video. Nor did she mention hours of work for the given profit. Those are 2 key criteria for figuring out if a side hustle is worth it.

@Salmomlox 5 ай бұрын

Thank you April for taking the time to share your experience with side hustle. When you first started the series I was excited. I am happy you followed through and expanded. We appreciate and value your tips and tricks. You are awesome! Have a great day. 🥰🥰

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@edwardholmes91 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic update April, I'm so pleased that it's been a successful business venture for you. Please do keep the updates coming. I would love to see a deeper dive into the Thunder laser, it looks like a beast of a machine!

@T_B 5 ай бұрын

You are such an inspiration to others, including me! I love how you grab the bull by its horns and lead it in whatever direction YOU want that big monster to go!! You should be sooooo proud of yourself in what you have accomplished and JACKED UP in what's to come!! 💪💪💪💪

@billlathrop8764 5 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the update on this new venture of yours... an inspiration to be sure. Thanks 😊.

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@MrNiceGuyMEGA08 5 ай бұрын

Love all your videos because you take the time to explain things good or bad. Fun to see the success of a business person over time through these videos.

@RonaldDean-eq2cb 5 ай бұрын

Does anything you start ever fail? You are a fantastic business woman. You can be successful with anything. Good luck and great video. Thank April

@dalemciver7118 5 ай бұрын

I Love The Way You Lay things out You Make It Real Easy To Understand Keep Up The Great Work

@jamiekrautkremer9962 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video lots of very useful information. One thing I noticed (and you may already know this) around the 12min mark the laser was engraving some lettering on a bunch of parts. It was going line by line and traveling between the different parts in between. If you double click on your fill layer in light burn at the bottom you can change how it processes the fill and if you do it by group you can drastically speed up your engraving time. Check the preview to see what the fastest method is. I recently learned of this and it’s been a game changer so I wanted to pass it on just in case you weren’t aware.

@Alientcp 3 ай бұрын

Ok. I tested it. In the few I tested, i saw either an increase or decrease of time, not really meaningful. Say about a minute to 5 minutes. But, when I tested it on text, it actually reduced the time by half. So now that Im aware of this, i will check the different options to see if I can save some time. Thank you.

@stevenhockaday914 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing and great work. The information is fantastic and I wish you all the best as you continue in your latest venture.

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

@PeterAngelini 5 ай бұрын

Please keep these types of videos coming. This was fantastic.

@andrewupham4713 5 ай бұрын

Great stuff, keep it coming.

@DavidAlison Ай бұрын

This is super helpful April - thanks so much for creating this series

@AprilWilkerson Ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

@more.power. 5 ай бұрын

Thank you April you are awesome.

@bbmade 5 ай бұрын

We got a laser ma CNN one at my work and I knew nothing about them. It was a frustrating process learning everything the hard way. The machines are amazing and now the hardest part is being creative enough to make something people would want to buy. Kudos to your creativity 👍

@jkritselis 4 ай бұрын

That was an amazing inspirational video. You rock, thank you for being so professional and real! I will be following this for as long as you do them. Good luck with the business. I hope you make millions!!

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

@rickyt3961 5 ай бұрын

thank you for the advice!

@sygad1 5 ай бұрын

very interesting and thanks for sharing, would definetly be interested in more updates during the journey

@olddawgdreaming5715 5 ай бұрын

Best of luck to you April. That type of work is fascinating and very productive. Wishing you all the best. Fred.

@eatdrinkwineguy 5 ай бұрын

Keep going. Great series.

@markjohns4651 5 ай бұрын

Congratulations on your success so far. I love the information you have been giving throughout this series on the side hustle. I'd love to see more of the net success vs just revenue. I'm considering starting a laser/wood working side hustle but I am looking at the costs of materials as well as the creative aspect (this is where I struggle, once I have the plans in hand so to speak it's easy and fun to do the builds). I just have to figure out what I want to do in the end, then I'll have to just jump in. I can't wait to see how your journey continues in 2024.

@JayEs74 5 ай бұрын

Please bring us more of this content.

@Dustyone-ov5ds 5 ай бұрын

You are an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere. Thank you

@pattydewig5405 5 ай бұрын

Keep the updates coming.

@bluelightningdt607 5 ай бұрын

Please do keep us updated on your journey on side hustle. Thank you!

@johnnyhimburg6652 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for the information on the laser I have been looking into buying one. Jay Bates had talked about the laser and now you have so I'm definitely going to get one one soon thanks again for video.

@LaserNUG 5 ай бұрын

Thanks April. Excellent information and appreciate you sharing your experiences. I just started with a Thunder Laser BOLT a month ago. Same thinking. Small but capable at first and then gauge the growth forward. Cheers and best of success to you!

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Best of luck with your new business too. Thanks for watching.

@BearCreekWoodworking 5 ай бұрын

I’m sure you sharing your side hustle will inspire many other people to start their own side business. Your passion is very inspiring April! 👏👍😃

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Yes! Thank you!

@fivoasia64 4 ай бұрын

You're one of my heroes, April. Please keep the series rolling along!

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

Aw thanks!

@KeithHeilner 4 ай бұрын

Love your stuff. I dont know how you(and other successful KZfaqrs) keep cranking out quality content without burning out.

@kallenyc 3 ай бұрын

THIS! I just wonder if a biz like this is sustainable over time. These ideas are easily repeatable by others and you can't exactly patent them. It seems like whack-a-mole trying to continuously churn out successful products! That takes a special talent and persistence as well.

@retiredwithwood6586 5 ай бұрын

Recently purchased the Thunder 35/80 great machine. Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope to put it to great use.

@su-mu 4 ай бұрын

11:55 So, IOW, upgrade slowly: Invest in small machines first, and, as orders increase, go to the next/better one.

@StevePilgrim2013 5 ай бұрын

So many tips & so much valuable information. Thank you. Your knowledge gained through experience shows with every tip you provide. Wishing you all the best in 2024.

@rogerherrick8323 5 ай бұрын

Informative video. Anyone who is thinking about starting a business would be advised to watch this carefully.

@louroberts5567 5 ай бұрын

😲🤯 Nice! Good morning, April and Congratulations! Wishing you continued success and prosperity.👍

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! And thanks for watching.

@robertkerby2581 4 ай бұрын

April, I am constantly amazed at your level of commitment and follow thru to achieve your ultimate goal of being successful in business! I always enjoy watching your KZfaq video's! Well done, April!

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@IEnjoyCreatingVideos 5 ай бұрын

Good video April! Thanks for always sharing with us!💖👍😎JP

@TheMontwoodMakerCompany 4 ай бұрын

I'm convinced! Thank you for making this video. I will be purchasing a laser as soon as I have space for a laser late this year!

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@3Dgifts 3 ай бұрын

Would like to hear more about your journey.

@AGlimpseInside 5 ай бұрын

This is no joke laser cutting can be a real career path. Lots of truth in this video.

@HarresMakerShop 5 ай бұрын

It would be great to hear more about your laser journey. I’m just starting mine and more insight would be great.

@TJ-tb3xm 5 ай бұрын

very interested to learn more!

@mikgamer6519 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the ideas April! Definitely going to invest in one here shortly and try our luck. Thank you and God bless!

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Glad you found it useful. Best of luck and thanks for watching!

@billys1974fotd 5 ай бұрын

AW keep on keeping on. As an ol'fart retired I can't help but to love you and your heart. You are inspiring others (younger) folks to take charge of their life. To risk failure for the opportunity to live life! not just exists. It thrills me to see and to hear the American Spirit is alive still. God Bless and Keep you.

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.

@dddube12 5 ай бұрын

Yes please❤️

@mikejs2004 5 ай бұрын

I love the fact that April has all the numbers on the back of an envelope! Congrats on your success!

@AprilWilkerson 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@HoweGaming 4 ай бұрын

It has been a good watch this series 😊 FYI try using "fill" option when engraving where there are large gaps between where engraving is. It minimises gantry movements and speeds up your time to engrave. Hope this helps

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip! And thanks for watching.

@pizzawarlord9232 5 ай бұрын

Great video. Keep it going

@AprilWilkerson 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

@AcHNoT 5 ай бұрын

Hi April. Im missing information on how you produce/buy the thicker solid wood components.

@GeekRedux 5 ай бұрын

What are your expenses? The revenue amounts sound great, but without knowing your _profit_, this doesn't really tell us anything. How many hours a week are you working on this? There's not enough here to know if this is more or less viable than just getting a job somewhere.

@computercreationz 5 ай бұрын

I enjoyed your content, the Thunder Bolt is another consideration to entry level lasers.

@TigerWild1 5 ай бұрын

As always your videos are very informative. Will you be doing the videos of making things with wood?

@stevegrimes5105 5 ай бұрын

It looks like you probably had to learn another software package after buying the thunder. The thunder 24 is only a little more money and it gives you a bigger cutting bed, and 60W instead of 40W. Thunder provides material libraries for their lasers.

@jaimecastells9750 4 ай бұрын

April, thank you very much for all this information about your experience creating a biz around a laser. (or two!) Congrats on the success of that effort. Which model Thunder did you purchase? Any thoughts about going larger or smaller within the Thunder product line?

@CoffeeJake 5 ай бұрын

QUESTION- how does one begin designing from scratch? Can you do a video how to take an idea and bring it to life on Glowforge?

@norrisnetllc 5 ай бұрын

CNC or Laser. What do you like better?

@onestopfunstop317 5 ай бұрын

Nice....

@makingcrapwithscrap5701 5 ай бұрын

Love this. I actually jumped in with both feet and started as a hobby with this exact laser. Thunder 51-100w. It was amazing. Cost $12200. You can engrave cornhole boards on this big one. Learned a ton and made about $10000 my 1st year selling locally. Personalized charcuterie boards, ashtrays, signs. It was great. Had to move and lost my wood working shop and sold the laser on year 2. April, question, for a side hustle @$50k. Do you know kinda how many hours you had wrapped up in your projects? Congratulations!! Thunder also has great support. That's why we went with them.

@thesplinteredfinger 4 ай бұрын

She also has a team of workers who produce and ship her products. I think that number would be difficult for a one or two person business.

@tonycollins1278 4 ай бұрын

You do a great job explaining it. How much did it cost and how much do I invest in it . Both machines please.

@TheHobbyShop1 5 ай бұрын

Such a great video. In a future update would you share a breakdown of the cost of equipment and how much of the revenue was profit. If it’s too much information I understand but inquiring minds want to know. 😃

@makeorbreakshop 5 ай бұрын

This has been a blast to watch you journey! Great comparison of Glowforge and the Thunder NOVA, I'll throw out there if people are looking for a smaller desktop style machine but don't want to be tied to the Glowforge ecosystem that the Thunder Bolt is pretty awesome for around the same price as the Glowforge Pro. Also the OMTech Polar and or Gweike Cloud Pro are cheaper Glowforge alternatives, but you'll need to run Lightburn with them from the jump. For any future videos would love to get a general idea what your profit margins are like!

@EverydayArmyWife 4 ай бұрын

If someone is just starting out, do you recommend the Glowforge Pro over the Thunder Bolt? They are in the same price range and wasn't sure if you had to buy your first machine if you would still do Glowforge or if you would do Thunder Bolt.

@joebrown1382 5 ай бұрын

You've come a long way from an orbital sander & a jig saw.

@Gerstcustomwoodworks 5 ай бұрын

I really want a Thunder laser , but I can’t get enough sales and inventory made with the glowforge to get the Thunder

@Matthew-bp9yd 5 ай бұрын

Do you purchase bulk sheets of material or buy pre-cut sheets from somewhere?

@patwicker1358 5 ай бұрын

April, please continue with your updates. I find them very informative. My only question is what is your overhead.

@firedesignguy 5 ай бұрын

Can the Glowforge do custom pistol grips?

@trev0r15 5 ай бұрын

Regarding the Hole in One products, did you cut the "Hole in One" with a CNC or something? Wondering if you engraved that with a laser, how you efficiently sanded off the burn marks on the sides. Thanks, great video!!

@dachip50 5 ай бұрын

Can you get a measurement from the wall to the front of the Nova 51 for me? I’ve asked in different groups but never got a definitive answer. Trying to see if it fits infront of cars in the garage.

@steveferguson1232 5 ай бұрын

Very good information. I have two diode lasers and once revenue is constant I will be adding a co2 to help with speed in production and ability to cut clear acrylic

@kallenyc 3 ай бұрын

What happens if you try to cut acrylic with a diode laser?

@steveferguson1232 3 ай бұрын

@@kallenyc I can cut opaque such as black, red, green but you can’t cut clear or white. I have engraved clear but I had to mask the clear by painting it with black tempura paint

@kallenyc 3 ай бұрын

@@steveferguson1232 Gotcha. This is helpful because I have a project now where I need to cut clear acrylic or polycarbonate. Thank you!

@waynemetcalfe4353 5 ай бұрын

What design software do you use? And, thanks for producing these videos.

@timhahn7542 5 ай бұрын

Just a friendly suggestion, maybe upgrade to a wireless lapel mic for your shots. Kinda tinny and hard to hear you sometimes.

@martiahevener9918 4 күн бұрын

Hi April! Thank you for sharing your journey. Do you mind me asking you a couple questions as I figure out if I’m going to embark on this journey or not? 1) you mentioned this is a side hustle. Is your full-time job a 40 hour week job? 2) your golf store what is your lead time for delivery? Do you feel like because this is a side hustle you’re still able to make your leadtimes? So much more “two day delivery”. I asked these questions because I have a 40 hour job and I really would like to get into this work on the side.

@AprilWilkerson 4 күн бұрын

Actually, my full time job is my KZfaq Channel. Check out my Channel. I'm a DIY Woodworker but it's certainly not a 9-5 type job. I typically get orders out the day they come in, but within 2-3 days max they are on their way. It is a commitment to be sure but so satisfying people are receiving an product that I myself made with pride. Thanks for watching.

@renaagustina6230 4 ай бұрын

Mau dong untuk belajar d workshopny

@hdebrieder5681 5 ай бұрын

Nice

@meccaofmecharoboticscorp.134 2 ай бұрын

You should put affiliate links to the CNC machines

@rowlandcrew Ай бұрын

What are some other outlets similar to etsy that you are plausible and why to avoid some? what are your thoughts about an amazon outlet? What is your estimate of the significance of youtube driving traffic to etsy? Thanks for the information.

@spareamintz8708 5 ай бұрын

I'm curious, have you done any plaques of hunting and fishing that have done fairly well?

@botjimllfixthatellis4805 4 ай бұрын

You never cease to amaze me with your energy. Can you bottle some up and send it to me, please.😊

@francis8145 5 ай бұрын

Best wishes for 2024 🙂

@Matt_Hatt3r 5 ай бұрын

You've inspired me to want to create my own business like this! Is there a way I could contact you privately to ask some questions? Thanks!

@rayvanacore4889 5 ай бұрын

What software do you use.

@aperson7624 5 ай бұрын

If you think Thunder is impressive, wait until you get a 1000+ watt fiber laser with a galvo gantry. You'll need to load a stack of plywood with an auto-feeder to keep it running. hehe.