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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 (and how to fix it)

The real benefits of batching content vs. posting daily

Why email marketing is still king — and how it can save your business

Pricing, planning, and perks of a done-for-you social media content calendar

The behind-the-scenes reality of creating and managing content

Plus, plenty of laughs, a few dog stories (shoutout to Joel 🐶), and some eye-opening talk about finding time for marketing when you’re running everything else.

If you’re a maker, entrepreneur, or small business owner looking to stay consistent online without losing your mind — this episode is for you.

Website: www.MySocialCompanion.com
FB: @MySocialCompanion
IG & TikTok: @My.SocialCompanion 

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 mistakes — they break it all down in plain English.

We talk:

The real startup headaches no one tells you about

How to protect yourself from “official looking” business scams

Missed deductions makers are leaving on the table

Why bookkeeping isn’t just for “big” businesses

What it’s really like starting a new business with your bestie

Plus… a few laughs, a MySpace throwback, and some very questionable bikini marketing ideas.

📌 If you’re a maker, small business owner, or creative entrepreneur who hates dealing with numbers — this episode will save you time, money, and sanity.

🎧 Listen, learn, and laugh with us — and maybe get inspired to finally get those finances handled.

Website: WWW.JTFinancialStudio.com

Socials: @JTFinancialStudio

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 out of it 😳)

How their business started by accident (and what they learned the hard way)

The behind-the-scenes of sourcing products from China

Tips for laser makers thinking about sourcing their own supplies

Growing pains, unexpected costs (hello battery warning labels), and warehouse upgrades

Whether you're a laser maker, small biz owner, or just love a good entrepreneurial origin story, this episode is packed with gold. Stick around for life updates, laughs, and a sneak peek at what’s coming to Next Level!

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 dive into:

The origin of David joining the Keychain Thingies dealer squad (and announcing it... months later)

Their upcoming head-to-head at Next Level😬

Hilarious trade show booth stories and tips to make setup a breeze

Sourcing unique laserable blanks, running B2B gift shows, and stepping up your vendor game

Political-style “hate ads” and safe-cracking giveaways?! 😂

Plus…  forgotten barcodes, unmade pins, and questionable eyebrows 😅

@GreatLakeLaserSupply
@CreativeCutSupplies
www.DavidVsBlake.com

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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, and turning it all into a thriving branding studio that makes it easy peasy for makers, creatives, and laserpreneurs to stand out with purpose-driven branding.

We dive deep into:

Why your Canva logo isn’t cutting it

What makes a logo "laser-friendly"

The emotional (and financial) cost of underpricing

How to attract clients who actually respect your value

The importance of pivoting when life throws lemons 🍋

Red flags in DIY branding (and what to do instead)

Building a brand that matches where your business is headed

Plus, Alyssa drops a ton of actionable tips for makers, Etsy sellers, and entrepreneurs who are ready to level up their visuals and stop hiding behind generic logos.

🎙 Whether you're one year in or fully scaling, this is a branding masterclass in podcast form.

🔗 Learn more at: https://lemonsqueezybrands.com
📱 Follow Alyssa: @lemonsqueezybrands
💥 Ready to rebrand? She’s booking for post-maternity projects NOW!

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 opening your doors.

We dive deep into:

The unexpected lessons from launching a laser + maker retail space

How Daniel builds next-level custom jigs 

Trademark pitfalls and why you won’t find Mickey Mouse in his shop

Customer curveballs, cash payments, and the shipping chaos we ALL hate

Tips on retail hours, pricing custom work, and handling licensing legally

If you've ever dreamed of opening a maker space or just love hearing behind-the-scenes biz lessons with a healthy side of laughs, this one’s for you. Plus, we reveal some of our own hiccups with Riley Black Studios and what we’re learning as we grow too!

Website: www.CustomzIT.com 
Facebook and Instagram: @Customzit

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 business.

We talk gatekeeping in the early laser days, the Glowforge “lightbulb” moment, COVID-era entrepreneurship, and the beautiful mess of balancing life, business, and community support. Megan also shares how the APA is finally bridging the gap between the OG engravers and the rising maker generation — and why that matters more than ever.

• Instagram- raymondstrophyandawards   
• FB- Raymond’s Trophy & Awards 
•  web – raymondstrophy.com

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 stashes, market wins and fails, creative chaos, and how documenting your journey (even the messy parts) builds true connection and community. Whether you're in the maker space, thinking of starting a side hustle, or love a good "accidental business" story—this one’s for you.

📲 Follow her at @WorkBootsandGlasses

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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. 💼

We talk shop about the importance of diversifying beyond Etsy, the power of community and networking events like Next Level, and how building genuine friendships in your industry can lead to your next big move (hello, podcast studio!).

Whether you’re deep into laser making, dreaming of quitting Etsy, or just need a real conversation about growing pains and glows ups, this episode is full of relatable gems, laughs, and real talk.

🔥 Topics Covered:

Growing a laser business through connection

Pivoting from vinyl to acrylic to Shopify expert

Shopify Collective & apps every maker should know

Etsy warnings and why you need your own site

How networking events can change your business

The truth about trying and quitting product lines

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.

Send us a text

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 (and what really didn’t), and the magic that happens when online friends become in-person family.

Whether you were there with us or are just catching up, you’ll feel like part of the crew in this laid-back, laugh-out-loud recap of our biggest live audience yet. Plus, sneak peeks at what’s next for the community. Don’t miss the outtakes, the honesty, and the fun

Support the show

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProject

Check out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlack

Want 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.