Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of American Laser Cutter, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
American laser cutter custom laser cuts a wide variety of materials and products for professional industries and consumers worldwide! With over ten years of laser and fabrication experience, our staff is skilled and has the knowledge to get your project done. We offer both small-scale and industrial-scale production. With multiple industrial co2 laser cutters, we are able to accomplish projects in a fraction of the time of most laser cutter shops.
Tell us about yourself
My fondness for laser cutters began when I started in the product development domain. I have always savored creating things and having access to high-tech equipment enabled me to be taught the fundamentals of laser cutting. Shortly after, I picked up my first laser cutter and nearly took it all apart and reassembled it to comprehend more about the machinery itself. I relished in the inventive liberty that the laser cutter provided me and it didn't take very long until I commenced my own laser-cutting business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I work with some very large companies (fortune 500 level) making custom products.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Always finding the next thing. You need to constantly expand your product or service offerings without negatively affecting your core business. It is easy to go in too many directions at once so it is all about finding a balance that works with the core.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't give up to fast. Many people give up to fast if there are no instant results. Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Checkpoints come at a marathon pace.
- Go and intern at the kind of business you think you may want to run. Sometimes you will find it was never the correct fit for you or you may make lifelong contacts to help you in your career. Practical experience is more valuable than getting a degree.
- Learn a life/work balance that works for you. It is easy to overwork yourself and burn out. It is better to go at a slower pace than burn out.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.americanlaserco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Americanlasercutter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanlasercutter/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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