The Riley Black Project

Send us Fan MailBreaking news in the laser world… and a powerful conversation you don’t want to miss.In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Brandon of Szuch Design to talk about:• The acquisition of Aeon Laser USA by Aeon China — and what it could mean for the industry• Building a woodworking and CNC business from scratch• Turning upcycled black walnut rounds into scalable, profitable products• Transitioning from hobby → CNC → laser → UV• Selling to the laser community through Facebook groups• The realities of...

Send us Fan MailWe’re back at APA Expo 2026 — and this year hits different.In this special on-location episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Josh Perry to talk about what can happen in just one year when you show up, shake hands, and lean into community.Last year, Josh walked into APA alone, looking for direction.This year? He’s speaking. He’s upgrading machines. And he’s up for Retailer of the Year.This...

Send us Fan MailJ.R. is back.In this special episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with their son J.R. for a follow-up conversation years after his first appearance on the podcast. What follows is equal parts hilarious, emotional, and eye-opening.From talking about school, Pokémon cards, football dreams, and YouTube creators like MrBeast… to opening up about what makes him proud, nervous, and excited for the future… this episode captures something rare: a real, unfiltered time capsule of childhood in motion.</p...

Send us Fan MailIn 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...

Send us Fan MailIn 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...

Send us Fan MailIn 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<...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal dive into a real-life business and mindset update after returning from a private maker meetup in Amelia Island, Florida—where content creation, follow-up, and community took center stage.This episode is a mix of life, business, teaching, anxiety, growth, and clarity, as John reflects on stepping into more content-creation authority, navigating an identity shift, and realizing that knowing what to do isn’t the same as actually doing it.We talk about:Teaching a content workshop and...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal are joined once again by Megan of Raymond’s Trophies & Awards to talk all things APA Expo, maker events, community, and why showing up in person still matters.With APA right around the corner, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually makes industry events valuable beyond just buying supplies. From procrastination confessions and teaching classes, to discovering new vendors, building real relationships, and learning things you never would’ve found online—this episode is a must-listen for makers, engrav...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down for a raw, unscripted conversation about real life, business pressure, community, grief, and navigating uncertainty when things don’t go according to plan.What starts as a casual catch-up quickly turns into a deep reflection on survival vs thriving, the emotional weight of January, and the reminder that nothing is guaranteed. From losing someone whose message still echoes loud, to questioning every next move, this episode captures what it feels like to keep showing up when the path fo...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Tanastadi for a powerful, honest conversation about identity, reinvention, sobriety, and building multiple businesses without losing yourself along the way.From growing up immersed in music, landing a number-one radio show for nearly two decades, and DJing massive clubs and festivals… to watching everything disappear during COVID and choosing a completely new path forward—Tenacity shares what it really looks like to start over without a backup plan.We dive into:Growing up fast...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Whitney of Whitney's Crafty Tings for a wildly inspiring conversation about resourcefulness, maker growth, and doing whatever it takes to get started—even if that means using a magnifying glass before you ever own a laser. 🔍🔥Whitney shares her journey from burning designs by hand to running a full laser setup out of her garage in Florida, juggling machines, markets, dogs (yes… Great Danes 😅), and real-life constraints that every maker can relate to.We get into:<br...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John & Crystal sit down with Jeff and Anna of Lancaster Supplies for a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes world of laser blanks, sourcing, scaling, and what it really takes to build a supplier brand from scratch.From waking up at 4 AM with no alarm, bowling in the 200s, and balancing multiple businesses… to accidentally engraving on your spouse’s belongings (we’ve all been there 😂)… this episode blends business strategy, maker humor, and real-world insight from a supplier gr...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Stephanie of Pretty Pitty Design for one real maker conversation — covering craft shows, pricing pressure, brand loyalty, machine obsession, and why markets are about more than just sales.From starting with a Cricut and Glowforge to running multiple lasers, Stephanie shares the behind-the-scenes truth of doing vendor shows in different seasons, choosing machines you trust, and navigating an economy where customers are spending smarter than ever.We talk about:- How vendor markets ha...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Lanie & Alex of Hialeah Fine Jewelry for a raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about building a business, raising a family, and navigating entrepreneurship as a couple — all while welcoming a brand new baby into the mix. 👶💍From launching a jewelry brand without formal training to selling out at conferences and moving across states to find balance, Laniey and Alex open up about the real side of creative entrepreneurship.We get into:✨ How Hialeah Fine Jewelry wa...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Joshua Perry, the award-winning creative behind Perry Design Tulsa — a laser business born from a long career in the salon industry. ✂️➡️🔥Joshua shares his inspiring transition from 22 years as a salon owner to running a thriving design and laser engraving studio known for its next-level branding work, stunning shop décor, and signature custom pieces.We talk about: ✨ How a salon background built the perfect foundation for client trust and design success<br...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal share a real-life business update—talking openly about burnout, shifting gears, and keeping momentum through the slow seasons. From dealing with canceled trips during the government shutdown to landing their biggest tumbler order ever, this episode is full of truth bombs and laughs. They also dive into: ✨ How a simple print-shop contract changed their business trajectory ✨ The emotional rollercoaster of testing materials and chasing perfection ✨ Why customs can drain your energy (an...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal catch up with Desiree Townsend of Yay Gifts & Cards — a laser maker, designer, and longtime community member who’s taken her business to the next level with her first real studio space! 🎉We talk about the highs and lows of expanding your creative business — from working out of your house (and spilling into every hallway 😅) to signing that first lease and making it official.Inside this episode: ✨ Desiree’s journey from beginner to Mira 9 pro ✨ How she we...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we’re switching things up—recording from Riley Black Studios instead of the garage! 🎥Join John and Crystal as they take you behind the scenes of Printing United 2025 in Orlando, one of the biggest print and laser industry events of the year. From mind-blowing UV printers to massive laser machines and live sandblasting demos, this episode is packed with new tech, vendor insights, and real talk about what’s next in the maker world.We cover:✨ Our favorite finds and vendors fro...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Tess from Wealth With Tess, a former aerial acrobat turned investing educator, who’s helping creatives, makers, and small business owners take control of their money and build long-term wealth. 💰✨Tess shares how she went from performing high above cruise ship decks to buying her first investment property after a single Google search—and eventually creating an entire brand to simplify investing for self-employed entrepreneurs.We talk about:⚡ The biggest money myths holding creatives back⚡ How to start...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Cindy from Saltwater Stitches & Hat Co., who went from bartender and busy mom of four to running a booming hat patch and leather business that’s making waves in the laser community. 💥Cindy shares her incredible journey from buying her first laser while pregnant to building a loyal customer base, growing through local markets, and ultimately scaling her business online — all while balancing family life and major moves across the country.Inside this episode:✨ How a single ma...