Send us a textIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we’re joined by Jessica Raba of Letters From Me TX — known as The Keychain Lady! Jessica shares how she turned her creative passion into a thriving Etsy shop with over 10,000 sales in just 16 months, all while juggling motherhood, a full-time job in the oil industry, and marathon training. We get into:⚡ How a hand-me-down Glowforge launched a full-blown laser business⚡ The genius “sample name discount” hack that boosted her Etsy engagement⚡ How she uses local suppliers like Houston Acrylic to perfect color matching⚡ Why product photography doesn’t have to be fancy—just consistent⚡ Real talk about balancing life, burnout, and building something sustainable⚡ The creative overlap between Keychain Thingies and her custom acrylic designsThis episode is packed with insight, laughs, and real maker hustle energy — perfect for anyone building a business from their passion.Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant 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.
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59:26
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59:26
Inside the CMB Open House: Makers, Machines & Community
Send us a textIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we’re back on the road for another unforgettable maker adventure—this time at the CMB Open House! 🎉From checking out brand-new laser gear to laughing with friends over late-night hangs, this episode is all about what makes the maker community so powerful: connection, inspiration, and hands-on experiences you just can’t get online.We cover:✨ Behind-the-scenes at CMB’s new space and their growing lineup of acrylic & machines✨ Why in-person meetups fuel motivation, friendships, and fresh ideas✨ UV printers, colorful tumblers, and how full-color customization is changing the game✨ Maker stories, from family road trips to hilarious “aha” moments with keychain demos✨ Shoutouts to our amazing patrons & community who keep this project alive 💪If you’ve ever thought about attending a maker meetup or just want to hear what the vibe is like inside this creative family, this episode is for you.👉 Catch us next at Printing United—and if you see us, say hi!Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant 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.
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21:50
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21:50
Why In-Person Maker Events Hit Different w/ Sumita & Anuj
Send us a textIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we hit the road to Atlanta for the Georgia Laser & UV Printing Business Meetup with Sumita & AnujWe dive into:✨ Why in-person events hit different compared to online groups and tutorials✨ The power of simple tools like Keychain Thingies—and why seeing them live makes it click✨ Lessons on outsourcing, staying organized, and investing in the right tools (like accounting & Shopify)✨ How makers are diversifying—from laser engraving and jigs to apparel, acrylic, and even video content✨ Real talk on balancing family, ADHD distractions, and scaling a creative business without burning outFrom hilarious stories to practical advice, this episode captures what makes the maker community so special: support, inspiration, and the push to keep creating.👉 If you’ve ever wanted to connect with other makers, grow your laser business, or just laugh at the behind-the-scenes chaos, this one’s for you.Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant 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.
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44:45
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44:45
From Piburn Light to Vertigo: The Future of Laser Rotaries
Send us a textIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we’re joined once again by our friends Len & Stan from LensDigital—the minds behind some of the most innovative rotary attachments in the laser engraving industry.We cover everything from the affordable Piburn Light (built for makers testing the waters with tumblers) to the Vertigo—a next-level rotary that’s turning heads across the laser community.Inside this episode:⚡ What makes the Piburn Light the perfect entry rotary for new makers⚡ How the Vertigo evolved from sketch to Kickstarter success (funded in under an hour!)⚡ Live demos, design details, and the “Iron Man” R&D energy behind LensDigital’s process⚡ Why shows like Next Level prove the power of live engraving and customer interaction⚡ Kickstarter perks, retail pricing, and what’s next for LensDigital innovationsWhether you’re running a laser side hustle, a full-time engraving business, or just geeking out on cutting-edge maker tools, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and big reveals.👉 Don’t miss your chance to back the Vertigo on Kickstarter and grab early perks before retail pricing kicks in.Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant 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.
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1:09:55
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1:09:55
Snarky Designs & Success on YouTube: Roy’s Industrial Fringe Story
Send us a textOn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Roy from Industrial Fringe to dive into his journey from DJ booths and Disney clubs to the laser world.Roy shares how he went from sublimation to lasers after picking up the xTool F1, and how documenting his learning process turned into a YouTube channel with 21K+ subscribers. We get into:How sublimation, tumblers, and snarky coaster designs led to building Industrial FringeWhat it’s really like to balance creating vs. selling products as a makerThe power of short-form content and YouTube monetization (the lessons nobody tells you)Affiliate marketing done right—why credibility matters more than commissionsRoy’s hilarious time as an extra on Miami Vice Why laser communities and conferences are game-changers for makersWe also talk gear—xTool F1, F1 Ultra, WeCreate Lumos, and more—plus why finding equipment you actually enjoy using is key to success.👉 Check out Roy’s designs at IndustrialFringeDesigns.com and his channel Industrial Fringe on YouTube.Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant 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.
Ireland