The Riley Black Project

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we’re joined by Sara, the virtual assistant who has been saving businesses (and our sanity) one task at a time — and now she’s taking it to the next level with her new subscription service, My Social Companion. We talk about: How a VA can free up your time and streamline your business Why most makers and small business owners post sporadically...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we’re hanging out with Jess & Alex from JT Financial Studio — the power duo helping makers, laser owners, and small business hustlers finally get their books, taxes, and finances in order. From filing your LLC without falling for scams, to knowing when to switch from an LLC to an S-Corp, to avoiding the most common (and costly) tax mistake...

Send us Fan Mail In this wild episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with John and Mark of MakerFlo — two longtime friends turned laser biz legends. From being held at gunpoint at an international border (yes, really!) to building a thriving supply business for makers, their journey is full of laughs, lessons, and a little chaos. We dive into: Their insane border story (and how they got o...

Send us Fan Mail In this wild and hilarious episode of The Riley Black Project, we're bringing together two laser world favorites—Blake and David—for a bromantic showdown like no other. From Keychain Thingies to booth-building tips, trade show antics, crafting confessions, and an actual beard vs. beard charity battle, this one is packed with laughs, ideas, and behind-the-scenes hustle. We div...

Send us Fan Mail In this juicy episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Alyssa of Lemon Squeezy Brands, a powerhouse branding expert who helps small business owners turn chaos into clarity through bold brand strategy and killer websites. 🍋 Alyssa shares her wild journey from leaving the news industry to launching a wood sign business, going viral for all the wrong reasons on TikTok, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we catch up with the king of laser jigs and 3D-printed precision: Daniel of Alive Pixel Creates and Customz It! Daniel joins us fresh off launching his new brick-and-mortar maker shop—and let's just say, it's been a wild ride of jig design, shop setup surprises, and all the “what-the-heck” moments you only discover after openin...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Megan of Raymond’s Trophies — APA Volunteer of the Year, laser badass, and longtime industry pro. We dive deep into her journey from photography and corporate life to running a family-owned awards business, how Raymond’s evolved through decades of innovation, and why adaptability is the secret sauce to longevity in any maker b...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with D’ondra of Work Boots & Glasses, a self-taught maker whose business journey started by kicking her husband's car out of the garage—literally. From building furniture to launching a fresh line of earrings and glassware, D’ondra shares how she turned her DIY spirit into a full-blown brand. We talk chocolate stashe...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of The Riley Black Project, we welcome back our acrylic plug, Melody from CMB, for a long-overdue catch-up! 🎉 We dive into how her business has transformed since her first appearance (way back in Episode 78!), including her shift into Shopify expertise, scaling to a massive 14,000 sq ft space, and embracing the unpredictable pivots of entrepreneurship. 💼 W...

Send us Fan Mail Live from the Jamboree! This episode of The Riley Black Project is packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes chaos, and real talk as Crystal and John host a special live recording during a laser maker Summer Camp. We’re sharing takeaways from teaching classes, navigating tech fails, and connecting with the incredible maker community IRL. Hear about the unexpected moments, what worked...

Send us Fan Mail Interested in Laser Maker Con? Use our link to become a VIP and take advantage of the fast action pass! Discount lasts just 20 mins, so act fast!  Https://www.lasermakercon.com/?affiliate=crystal_aguila  This week on The Riley Black Project, we welcome back the one and only Emily — better known as That Mom With a Laser! In this episode, we dive deep into the highs, lows, and hilar...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode of The Riley Black Project, Crystal and John drop a huge update — they're launching a brand-new rentable podcast & content creation studio in Sebastian, Florida! 🎉 This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the wild journey that led to Riley Black Studios — from a simple DM to securing the perfect space, making hard decisions, investing in a dream, and p...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Collin from Stencil Stop to dive into the art and business of laser-cut stencils, custom designs, and viral content. From humble beginnings to creating jaw-dropping multi-layered stencil art that’s turned heads on social media, Collin shares the evolution of his laser journey and how he’s built a full-time business ar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we welcome Bill and Anne of  MBZ Designs to talk shop — from navigating laser upgrades and UV printing to the chaos of Amazon box piles and unexpected spider roommates. 🕷️ We dive deep into:  -The real-life realities of creating content when you don’t feel like it 🎥  -How the Glowforge “gateway drug” led to serious business upgrades 🔥...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Jess of Script & Grain — a former teacher turned full-time laser business owner, mom of five, and early riser (seriously... 4am!). She shares her journey from calligraphy and wedding signage to launching her own creative laser brand, all while juggling a big family and building a life of freedom. We dive into: -Her b...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we reconnect with Jason from LightBurn to talk all things LBX—the LightBurn Experience that blends community, learning, and laser innovation like never before. We dive into what makes LBX unique (spoiler: it’s not your typical expo), the evolution of LightBurn’s software, and what it takes to keep users excited and empowered in the maker...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we're joined by the unforgettable Steve from PDS — a man who's done everything from accidentally hooking his lip to his nose while fishing 🪝, to becoming the top Mimaki dealer in the U.S. five years in a row, and recently being crowned Supplier of the Year at APA! We dive deep into: 🎣 Wild stories (African water buffalo, anyone?) 🖨...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we’re hanging out with the dynamic duo Kim and Garrett — returning guests and makers turned event planners — as they drop the details on their upcoming Laser Jamboree 🎉 We talk all things: -How their cruise meetup inspired a full-on summer camp-style maker event (complete with loot bags and karaoke) -What it’s really like running a business w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we kick off our four-part series spotlighting this year's must-attend laser and maker events—starting with the fan-favorite: Next Level Laser Conference! 🛠️✨ Crystal and John are joined by Mark of Big Blue Laser Designs and MJ of Casa De Huevos lol (yes, she’s really starting a farm!) to chat about the conference that feels more li...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Melody of The Uncommon Melody to talk all things laser biz—real talk, real burnout, and real growth. 🎧✨ We dive into: 🧷 How Melody launched a successful earring bar experience 🧠 Dealing with imposter syndrome & burnout 💸 Learning to set boundaries and finally charge what you're worth 🎯 The transition from...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Diane of A Wee Bit Southern – a Scotland-born, North Carolina-living serial crafter who's turning creativity into community and commerce. Diane opens up about her health journey and how laser crafting became both a creative outlet and a business opportunity. We dive deep into: 🛠️ Her start with a WeCreate laser 🖼️ The tra...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 From Side Hustle to Thriving Business! 🎯 Cheyenne of Paisley Co. Designs Shares Her Journey In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Cheyenne from Paisley Co. Designs to talk about her incredible journey from the corporate world to full-time laser crafting! 🎨🔥 We dive into: ✅ How she built a successful laser business from scratch ✅ The power of craft sh...

Send us Fan Mail Hold onto your laser-cut hats—this episode of The Riley Black Project is a wild ride! We welcome back Stephanie and Dawn, the dynamic duo behind the Unhinged Maker Society, who have combined forces to shake up the maker community. From the struggles of branding to the untold chaos of setting up a business (Kajabi nightmares, anyone?), they spill the unfiltered truth about entrepre...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 From Hobby to Thriving Business! Meet Patricia of Tricia’s Reclaimed Signs, who turned a small craft into a powerhouse business! In this episode, we dive deep into her laser journey, her big moves in the signage industry, and how she’s scaling her business from local markets to e-commerce. 🎯 Learn how she built her brand through word of mouth, the challenges of juggling busine...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in celebrating Episode 200 of The Riley Black Project! 🎉 We reflect on our journey from humble beginnings to building an engaged laser and maker community. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and future plans for the podcast. Plus, special guest Will from Crazy Laser Dad joins us to share insights, laughter, and surprises along the way. 🔥 Highlights: The pod...