Primary Market Gifts and Goods

Take us back to where this all started! What do you create?

During the quarantine of 2020, we needed a teacher appreciation gift for our daughter's preschool teachers. Everything was closed, and we were desperate to find something. We bought a succulent, added a cute tag, and looked at it with amazement. It was easy to make and so cute! We listed it on local garage sale sites and sold over 100 within days.

Tell us about your business and how it has evolved into what it is today.

We knew we were on to something when the plants took off. Our customers loved gift-giving! We evolved beyond teacher appreciation gifts. The convenience of grabbing a gift on the go was very appealing to busy moms in our area. Therefore, we started making gifts for all occasions!

What were you doing before you had your laser?

Before our laser, we were buying pre-made gifts at wholesale prices and designing boxes with themes. We did everything from movie night boxes, school spirit boxes, princess and unicorn boxes, and everything in between. We even made potty-training boxes!

What inspired you to buy a laser?

We knew we could make more profit if we created and assembled our own products. We didn't really know what that would look like. So we thought, why not buy a laser and see how that goes! We really had absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We just thought we'd give it a shot and see where it went.

How has your business grown or changed since buying a laser?

Oh, has it grown! We cannot believe the growth that's occurred. We started with a Glowforge. It helped build our business, but we quickly realized we needed to go commercial. The 444 leatherette hat patches on our little Glowforge took WAY too long. Since getting an Aeon Mira 9, our business grew exponentially. We are profiting beyond six figures while both still working full-time. One of the best purchases to supplement our business was buying our 5-watt UV from EMP. We've done so much with that little laser in the past few months, and the profit is unbelievable.

How has your life changed since buying a laser?

We started our business during the 2020 quarantine when life was so uncertain. My husband was laid off from his job indefinitely. We didn't know what our future held. All we really wanted was to have some extra spending money for ice cream for our little girl. Also, all I wanted was an extra $150 to buy some annuals to beautify our back deck. This business led to so much more! We've always had a goal of owning our own home. Because of our hard work and dedication to Primary Market, we are on track to own our home by this May. Paying off our home loan is a dream come true!

What advice do you have for people interested in getting a laser?

Do research. Talk to anyone about their experiences. I believe that customer service is one of the most important aspects of owning a laser! There is nothing worse than something happening and you have a list of orders to complete. It's inevitable that with use, something could go wrong. I highly recommend Aeon and EMP due to their level of customer service.

Looking back, tell us about your significant turning point, or perhaps even an obstacle you had to overcome to get where you are now.

A turning point was hiring help! Our employee Serenity is such a valuable asset to our business. Her eye for detail is impeccable. She is trustworthy and dependable! When she departs for college, we will surely feel her absence.

What is your superpower?

I teach! Whether it's in the science classroom or in my laser partner group, I teach, and I've come to find out that I am good at it!

Where can people find you?

Primary Market - Facebook Page
Primary Partners Laser Partners - Facebook Group