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In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Victoria of The Bar Society for a deep, honest, and surprisingly relatable conversation about starting in the laser world, overcoming fear, finding your niche, and building a business rooted in community—not comparison.

Victoria shares her journey from feeling completely overwhelmed by her first laser (the beeps, the keys, the nerves 😅) to growing The Bar Society into a trusted space for vendors, makers, and small businesses—while constantly balancing the temptation to “just buy one more machine.”

We dive into:

How Glowforge made lasers feel less scary for beginners

The jump from hobby machines to industrial lasers (and that panic moment)

ADHD crafting and the fear of investing too much too soon

Why comparison on social media is dangerous for makers

The truth behind “effortless” content you see online

Why testing off-camera matters more than perfect posts

Supporting other makers instead of doing everything yourself

When it does make sense to outsource vs buy new equipment

Combining mediums (laser, sand carving, UV, print & cut) to stand out

Finding unexpected niches that completely change your business

Building a vendor society based on trust, intention, and real relationships

This episode is for makers, engravers, and creative entrepreneurs who:
✔️ feel overwhelmed by options
✔️ compare themselves too much online
✔️ want to grow without burning out
✔️ believe community beats competition

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want more info on Aeon Lasers?? If so, show me some love by clicking on my partner link below and then hit the "Get Started" button! If you found my content helpful,
and decided to call or DM instead, make sure to mention "Crystal Aguila" as the referral.

Send a text

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Blake from Great Lakes Laser Supply to talk about the Michigan Maker Summit—how it started, why smaller meetups matter, and what really happens when makers get in the same room without the pressure of massive expos.

What began as an idea on a 17-hour drive home from Next Level turned into a full-blown summit planned in just three weeks—and it worked. This conversation digs into the power of community, intimate breakout sessions, real conversations, and why these smaller events often create bigger breakthroughs than giant conferences.

We cover:

How the Michigan Maker Summit came together in record time

Why smaller, more intimate events create safer spaces to ask questions

The difference between learning online vs learning in person

Why not everyone can make it to Vegas, APA, or massive expos

How meetups help newer makers avoid feeling “stupid” asking questions

Why teachers learn just as much as attendees

The hardest part of events: implementing what you learn after you get home

Maker burnout, travel exhaustion, and real-life constraints

This episode is for makers, creatives, and small business owners who want real growth, real connection, and real implementation—not just motivation that fades when you get home.

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want more info on Aeon Lasers?? If so, show me some love by clicking on my partner link below and then hit the "Get Started" button! If you found my content helpful,
and decided to call or DM instead, make sure to mention "Crystal Aguila" as the referral.

Send us a text

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Becky of Get On Board Signs & More for a heartfelt, practical, and surprisingly funny conversation about community, creativity, resilience, and building a business that fits real life.

Becky shares her journey from kindergarten teacher to creative entrepreneur, running mobile sign parties, opening a brick-and-mortar studio, navigating COVID pivots, and even walking through a cancer journey while continuing to show up for her customers and community.

This episode covers:

Transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship

Pivoting during COVID with DIY kits, virtual parties, and mobile workshops

Opening a studio and learning what actually works

Why community support matters more than algorithms

Running a business through illness and uncertainty

Building a studio model that works for families and real life

Paying yourself, setting systems, and avoiding burnout

Why Facebook still matters for local small businesses

The value of in-person connection over faceless online orders

Balancing growth, joy, and sustainability as a creative business owner

This is an honest look at what success really looks like when you stop chasing someone else’s version of it and start building a business around your life, not the other way around.

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want more info on Aeon Lasers?? If so, show me some love by clicking on my partner link below and then hit the "Get Started" button! If you found my content helpful,
and decided to call or DM instead, make sure to mention "Crystal Aguila" as the referral.