The Laser Lounge Podcast at Pate Ranch

In this episode of The Laser Lounge, we’re talking about friction — the hidden inefficiencies, waste, confusion, and unnecessary steps that quietly cost your small business time, money, energy, and customers.

I’ll share a quick update on what’s new with Pate Ranch, lessons learned from running a growing maker business, and best practices that can help add value to your own shop. Then we’ll dig into what friction looks like behind the scenes: quoting issues, proofing chaos, file disorganization, inventory problems, shop layout headaches, too many product options, and the kind of busywork that makes you...

Sales are not dead, but the customer is changing.

In this episode, James and I are talking about the K-shaped economy and what it means for makers, small shops, and creative business owners trying to sell right now.

Some buyers are still spending. Some buyers are tightening up hard. And that means the “mushy middle” is getting harder to survive in. If your products are not clearly positioned as premium, practical, giftable, useful, or worth the money, they may be getting skipped over.

We’re talking about perceived value, product positioning, when to rebran...

James is back from Houston to kick off 2026 with some "real talk." We start by pulling back the curtain on our own 2025. What worked, what broke, and the numbers behind our business.

Then, we dive into the "K-Shaped Economy." The middle class "impulse buy" is disappearing, and the gap between survival and luxury is getting wider. If you sell handmade goods, this isn't just theory, it's your new operating system. We break down what this economic shift means for makers and why 2026 is the year you either pivot or get run over. No fluff, just survival.

In this episode, I sit down with Alison Todd from GS2 Awards for an inside look at their award-making business, the story behind it, and how they bring recognition to life through custom designs. We also discuss their role as a wholesale blanks supplier, the educational classes they offer for makers, and their position as official distributors for Trotec Laser USA and IkonicsImaging. https://gs2awards.com/

In this episode, we’re breaking down the Maker/Laser Business Plan Template—section by section—and showing you how to actually use it to shape your business, not just fill in the blanks.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or unsure about your next move, this is your roadmap. No expensive course. Just a clear, tactical breakdown of the plan every maker needs—especially if you want to stop spinning your wheels and start building with purpose.

We’ll walk through:
✔ Why each section matters (and what most makers skip)
✔ How this plan helps...

Today we’re digging into a conversation that every maker, laser owner, and creative entrepreneur needs to hear — the difference between a scrappy side hustle and a real-deal small business.

I’m your host, Alisha Pate, and James is here with me at the ranch as we break down the mindsets, the money, the misconceptions, and the messy middle of it all.

Is personalizing a blank really worth what we charge? Dang right it is — and we’re going to tell you why.
Spoiler alert: if you’re still treating your shop like a hobby, that...

Thinking about leveling up your shop with a big-ticket item like a UV printer? In this episode, I break down how I decided to pull the trigger on a major equipment upgrade—and what you need to consider before you do the same. From crunching the numbers to sizing up demand, we’ll explore the must-knows for making smart, regret-free investments in your business. Tune in for real talk from the shop floor!

Welcome back to The Laser Lounge at Pate Ranch, the podcast where we talk all things laser engraving, making, and running a successful business in the maker world. I’m your host, Alisha Pate, and today we’re diving into a topic that can make or break your business—opportunity cost.

Every decision you make in your shop—whether it’s taking on a new custom order, buying a new machine, or spending time learning a skill—comes with a hidden cost. What are you giving up by saying ‘yes’ to one thing over another? Are you making choices t...

"Welcome to today's episode of The Laser Lounge Podcast! I'm thrilled to have a special guest joining us — Jeff Stockton, an expert in the art of firearm engraving. With years of experience, Jeff has mastered the craft of transforming firearms into true works of art, blending precision, creativity, and tradition in every piece he engraves. Today, we'll dive deep into the world of firearm engraving, exploring the techniques, challenges, and stories behind his incredible work. Whether you're a seasoned engraver, a laser enthusiast, or just curious about this unique art form, you're in for a treat. Let's get started!"

Welcome to "Targeting Success: Strategies to Win Over Your Next Client" with James Pate! In this session, we'll dive deep into the art of client acquisition. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this livestream is designed to equip you with proven techniques and fresh insights to help you identify, attract, and secure your ideal clients. Together, we’ll explore targeted strategies that go beyond generic marketing, ensuring you can confidently connect with the right clients, build lasting relationships, and ultimately drive your business forward.

We're excited to have a special guest from the woodworking and laser community. Amanda Schwarz, recently added a UV galvo laser to her workshop, and we're here to dive into her journey with it. We'll explore how this addition has impacted her workflow, efficiency, and ultimately, her bottom line. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting out, you won't want to miss her insights and experiences. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of innovation in the workshop!

Mae Armstrong and I will be interviewing Erik Engström from FlowPaper. If you are not familiar with this tool it is excellent. Mae and I are both using this feature with our B2B clients. This is something you will want to see and a new great way to communicate with your client your shop offerings. You are going to want to watch this one lizards. https://flowpaper.com/ https://flowpaper.com/demo/#brochure

Excited to announce a live working session with Mae Armstrong tomorrow! She's a total rocktstar and whipped up a FREE Adobe Express template specifically for us laser enthusiasts (no need to reinvent the wheel!). We'll be diving deep into creating a killer catalog from scratch, then taking it to the next level with a special Flowpaper add-on. This is a hands-on project, so get ready to learn and create something awesome together! Want to unlock even more features sing Flow Paper? Erik from Flow Paper just dropped a sweet deal for Laser Lounge members – 40% off a subscription! Just complete your on...

Welcome to 'Glowing Creativity: Crafting Neon Laser Signs' Join us as we delve into the craft of making laser engraved neon signs. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Jenna Musgrave, a seasoned artisan in neon sign making, sharing her expertise with us. From design concepts to the delicate balance of art and technology, Jenna will guide us through the intricate process of bringing visions to life through laser engraving techniques. Whether you're a seasoned creator or an aspiring enthusiast, get ready to ignite your passion for neon sign making with Jenna Musgrave on 'Glowing Creativity: Crafting Neon Laser Signs'.

We will have as special guests two hat guru's and talk about the do's and don'ts for making a perfect hat. We will also talk about the upcoming trends in materials and hat selection. This is a great opportunity to listen in and hear some useful tips from two successful hat companies. You don't want to miss this one.

Come listen to Mae Armstrong and I chat about what material and uses we like for each different laser. We will cover the 2D UV, 3D UV, Fiber and both CO2's (Galvo and Gantry). We will dive into some of the differences and what we both like or dislike about each for certain materials. Leather, wood, glass, metal, acrylic etc.. Neither one of us are affiliates for these companies and we will not be talking about the brands themselves. We will be talking about the technology behind them.

James and I talk about our learnings of adding a new tool to our shop. We currently run 8 lasers and we recently added a CNC. We talk about some of the learning and buying process. Come take a listen. https://www.phantomcncsystems.com/pate-ranch

Howdy Lizards. We will have Michelle Mortman on a livestream on Friday to talk about working with influencers to highlight your products. She will highlight how to engage them, package your products for them to unbox and much more. Michelle has over 24 years of professional experience in strategic change management and also as a thought leader who helps clients achieve their goals and vision. She also has many years of running her own side business and a lot of experience working with influencers. Let's welcome her in the lounge and see what she has to share.

Do you want to hear how to make better social media posts - Insta & TikTok. Posts that resonates more with the younger gen? We will have Reagan in the house to show some things that grabs the viewers. She has also been explaining some new apps and tools to make your posts easier. She stays more on trend with what is happening in this space so while she is home for the holidays we are going to get her on the podcast and see what she has to say.

James and I talk about how we have transitioned our business from a sales based model to more of a business development based model with other companies.  We talk about the definitions of each, what we have done and the pros and cons for us.  Take a listen and I hope it gives you more insight to another option for other clients in your laser business. 

The laser engraving industry offers a dazzling array of possibilities, from personalized gifts to industrial applications. As a laser engraving professional, you possess a unique skill set that deserves to be showcased to potential clients. A well-designed digital portfolio can be your beacon in the vast sea of creative artisans, allowing you to highlight your expertise, creativity, and the stunning results of your craft. In this blog, we will explore the essential steps to create a compelling digital portfolio that not only showcases your laser engraving talents but also entices clients to choose you for their projects.  Absolutely, having a...

Please Join Mae and I as we speak with James about finding your target market or you "Who". Finding your target market can be critical to your business taking off and keeping continual clients. Lets spend the lunch house with James and learn more about how YOU can determine your target market or your WHO. A target market is a group of potential customers that you identify to sell products or services to.

Come join us as we start our "Company Spotlights" with two companies in the laser industry. We will chat with the team from Hydbond - your new adhesive for leather, embroidered, and PVC patches. Trust us, this stuff sticks. They have a GREAT product that is catching fire with many hat makers.

https://hydbond.com/

"Why" are you running your business?  Have you ever asked yourself?  Well you should.  Also, sometimes you need to slow down to speed up.  Slow down and identify your "Wastes" in your shop.  Fix them and be more productive.  

James Pate talks with us today on how and why we should find our "Why" and also what "Wastes" exist in business and how can you take those and start looking in your own shop where your wastes are.  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/laserlounge1

Enjoy this Podcast as Mae Armstrong shows us the new trends in Graphic Design for 2023. Mae will be bringing her knowledge and expertise as an Adobe Brand Ambassador. We always learn new things from her. We will step through illustrative examples and be taking questions.

LInk to Firefly: https://firefly.adobe.com

Feel free to join us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@PateRanchCreations

or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laserlounge1

This is a great conversation video with Jason Dorie, Owner and Creator of Lightburn. Join us as we get to know who he is, how he started, and what the next plans are for Lightburn. https://lightburnsoftware.com/ We also have a great online community so please join us.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/laserlounge1

Come join us Monday at lunch time where Mae Armstrong and I will have a chat with a active real estate agent in the south Houston area. Melanie Mikulenka. We are going to ask her all the things you would want to ask a agent to start getting their business. We will also ask her what closing gifts she thinks work best from a home purchaser perspective. How is the market doing right now from her perspective of the Houston area. What might be the best way to approach a agent if we wanted to grab their business. How...

Come join us Monday the 6th as Mae Armstrong and I chat with Grant Burrage (Sales Manager) from Thunder Laser USA. We are going to talk about where Thunder Laser USA sees the laser industry going over the next few years. We will ask them if they will be growing more into the galvo space. They recently released the Thunder Aurora 8 fiber machine, and we will expand on that a bit more. We will also get into specific differences in their product lines (Aurora vs Nova vs Odin machines). We will talk about their new facility that they just...

Hey Lounge Lizards, please join Mae and I as we talk about this past years wins and losses for our own business. We are going to have a discussion about some decisions and actions that we made this last year that will help us prepare for 2023. A retrospective discussion is what it will be. This will foster some thought for you as you have your own discussion about your business. The retrospective is the first step and performing a "SWOT" Analysis is next to get us ready for 2023. I will go over in detail what a SWOT analysis is...

Join Mae and I as we chat over lunch about our own experiences with our shop tools. We will be discussing how we use our gantry (CO2) and Galvo (CO2 / fiber / UV) lasers. We will highlight what materials and methods we like to use for each. Hopefully this will help you understand how each tool is different and which ones have similarities in what areas. We will also be talking about the challenges that we have experienced with each. We will take questions from the live chat as well. Come and learn and listen to our learnings. Alisha

Come listen to Mae and I chat about whats going on as we get ready for the 4th qtr holiday rush and also how to really up your game with packaging your products in a more polished way.  Coffee talk with Mae and Alisha. 

Come join us on facebook in "The Laser Lounge" or on YouTube at The Laser Lounge at Pate Ranch.

We have a special guest this week. Sarah is a Community Events Manager in North Carolina where she plans and executes several large scale community events within and around her community. She is going to chat with us about what all is entailed and share some insightful information that makers will love to hear. If you have ever wanted to attend a major event and be a vendor, this one is for you. Some events she has planned include; Brewgaloo, NC’s largest craft beer festival and two-time winner of USA Today’s #1 Best Beer Fest; and Falling for Loca...

Have you ever thought about the many ways you could potentially make money in the laser space? Selling digital files is one of the ways and some people are knocking that ball right out of the park. Come listen and learn the story of how one very successful designer (Robin Marsh) has perfected her design skills and been successful in the digital file sales market. We can't wait to share her story and knowledge on designing and selling files to the maker community. https://welcomehomecustom.com/ Come join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/laser...

What are the social media trends that's happening that small business should understand and use. Learn about content creation tools to help fuel your social presence as a business/maker.  Please join us for this great podcast with Jordan Dene Ellis - Adobe Express Community Manager, whom will share her knowledge and learnings with us.  She uses these practices in her own side business as well.  If you are wanting to expand your game in social media, this is the podcast for you.

Other ways to join us online:

https://www.youtube.com/c/PateRanchCreations

On today's episode we talk about when is the right time to scale your laser business.  What do you need to think about when you want to go from a hobby to a full time business with employees.  Mae Armstrong and I interview Lenny Huiras in "The Laser Lounge" and hear his experience and learnings.   It is a great episode that I think you will learn something from.  

Mae Armstrong is a maker, designer and laser owner. She is based in Raleigh, NC and is a brand ambassador for Adobe Express joining their creative forces world wide. Boom! She has an extensive background in her previous professional career in design and commercial marketing for several large firms and it really shows in her own company product line. We will be talking during this time about branding and marketing your products.