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In 2024, I was like many makers: doing everything I could to find customers, engraving late into the night to finish orders on time, and hoping my business idea would work out.
I know what it feels like to be where you are right now, trying to grow, questioning decisions, doing it all yourself.
Fast forward to the end of 2025, and that same business became a thriving operation with a loyal customer base.
The difference wasn’t luck. It was learning how to work smarter, build community, and scale with purpose.
So if you want to find success and scale your business this year, keep reading. I’m sharing 7 habits of successful laser engraving businesses that can help you break through and find success in 2026.
Habit #1 - Seeking Connection Over Transactions
Customers will continue to look for genuine relationships in 2026. We’re seeing that people are 4 to 5 times more likely to buy from someone they already have a connection with.
For a while, the internet was all about quick, transactional orders, but that’s shifting.
When there’s a relationship, there’s trust, and when there’s trust, the entire buying experience becomes more meaningful.
But it doesn’t end with checkout. Buyers want to feel involved in the process, especially when it comes to product personalization.
We communicate early and often to keep customers informed, create realistic expectations, and help them feel confident in the final product.
One way we communicate is with a generic visual proof of the item. This helps them understand what the product will look like more than a verbal description.
This communication, paired with quality products and good service, is what has gotten us repeat customers and referrals. Everything comes down to trust.
Habit #2 - Staying Ahead of Market Trends
Trends will continue to move at lightning speed in 2026. We see new product ideas and new designs catch on quickly, thanks to social media. It pays to try out new products so you can ride the wave before it dies down again.
When it comes to seasonal products, brands develop designs and customers buy earlier than ever before. It’s important to plan ahead and get your products ready before the holiday buying season hits.
We learned this the hard way in 2025 with our ornament line. Most businesses design and plan ornaments in July or August, but we didn’t start until late October. By then, the season was already in motion, and our sales didn’t meet expectations.
It was a good learning moment, and we’ll be much more prepared for this year’s holiday season. In 2026, we will start planning and preparing in July instead.
That said, trends are very hard to predict. Sometimes we’re confident a new product will take off, but it doesn’t. Other times we try something completely random, and it sells. The market will always surprise you.
Which brings me to Habit #3…
Habit #3 - Getting Rid of Low-Margin Products Fast
The faster you experiment with your business, the faster you will find success.
That also means you’ll find plenty of ideas that aren’t worth your time. When that happens, it’s best to cut your losses and move on to something new. As I said, you never know what will work for you.
We tried making acrylic earrings last year. Between the cost of acrylic, the time it takes to cut the little pieces, and the time it takes to assemble them, it wasn’t a good fit for us.
I’ve seen friends who do well making beautiful jewelry, but it didn’t align with our business model—at least for now.
On the other hand, glass was a clear winner for us. Whiskey glasses, decanters, glass coffee mugs, and more. Another best seller was pocket knives. Cutting our losses with jewelry allowed us to invest more fully into successful product lines.
Knowing when to step back from something is just as important as knowing when to lean in.
Habit #4 - Investing Your Time Into Higher-Level Mastery
Education will be the biggest separator of successful businesses and those who struggle.
Most of us can learn to operate a machine, but it’s continued education that opens up new opportunities and keeps you ahead of the game.
The businesses that keep learning about materials, workflow, pricing, and strategy are the ones that will grow.
Where to start? Check out MakerFlo Pro resources like product sell sheets and tips to speed up laser engraving, APA webinars, and industry-led groups for world-class educational resources.
Habit #5 - Keeping Lean Overhead to Survive Market Shifts
I see new businesses make this mistake all the time.
They think they need a ton of stock, so they fill up their house with products right away. Yes, you need to practice, and yes, you need to invest in blanks to make money, but you don’t want to have excessive inventory.
Once you identify a product that consistently sells for you, it makes sense to stock it. Until then, it’s smarter to align yourself with suppliers you trust. Ones with consistent quality and reliable shipping times. That’s one of the reasons we’ve partnered with MakerFlo since we started our business.
Some MakerFlo products we always keep in stock: the Marble Charcuterie Board, Marble and Wood Coaster Set, Pocket Knives, 32oz Hydro Water Bottles, and 12oz Camper Mugs.
Habit #6 - Pursuing Corporate Clients to Scale Your Revenue
Our most reliable source of revenue is our corporate marketing strategy.
We make it a practice to meet marketing directors and business owners face-to-face, understand their needs, and build a relationship.
It’s been hard work to make those connections, but the numbers are reflecting all the hard work the team has put in.
Having corporate customers means bigger orders, bigger lifetime value, and bulk customization, which is faster and easier to deliver. If you’re mainly relying on one-off purchases, I recommend trying out some corporate clients to see how it works for you.
Make a phone call or send an email to set up a meeting with businesses in your area. Be persistent. Once you set a meeting, research the company to understand its interests and prepare your presentation, including sales samples that reflect the company’s needs.
And don’t forget the very first thing to make a good impression with the point person: a simple handshake.
Habit #7 - Building Relationships in Your Industry
By far, the biggest positive impact to our business last year came from the relationships and partnerships we’ve built in this industry.
Our partnerships with suppliers like MakerFlo, LogoJet, xTool, and others have provided us with so much learning, guidance, and support.
It’s been a joy to build friendships with business peers like Home Bound Custom Decor and Primary Market. Having friends who share insights, answer questions, and grow with you makes a real difference on the business journey.
These relationships have helped us make better decisions, move faster with confidence, and ultimately build a stronger business.
Who could you reach out to to build a similar partnership or friendship in your industry? I call it the “digital handshake”reaching out to someone online who might have a common interest with you and starting the conversation. Don’t be afraid to make the first contact!
Set Your Business Apart This Year
If you’re still in hustle mode, trying to make your business “work,” these 7 habits will help you get there.
Grab a notebook, jot down the first habit you want to work on, and write the very next action you need to take to make it happen.
I’ll leave you with one of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten as an entrepreneur, which is to “enjoy the journey.” It’s not always easy, but I can say that every order, business move, and learning opportunity has served a purpose. Every step helped shape me and my business.
The same is true for your journey. Let’s make the most of it.
Thank you, Joshua, for sharing your expertise with us!
Connect with MakerFlo by joining our free MakerFlo Makers Community and following us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Next up, find more great resources for growing your business by visiting our MakerFlo Pro resource hub.
