Meet Nick Hays | Business Owner/Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Hays and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, how does your business help the community?
I get the opportunity to work on projects for different organizations, schools, and individuals. From wedding gifts to memorials, awards to gag-gifts, there are a plethora of items people gift to each other, and I get to personalize those gifts that become mementos and heirlooms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Laser engraving is my art. Engraving was something I had only ever associated with tiny brass plates on trophies, plaques; various awards for recognition or achievement. I went to college for engineering, but changed course and majored in natural resources, with a minor in business administration. After graduating during the recession in 2009, I found few options for careers in my field, as soon-to-be retirees were clutching their pearls and riding the storm.

After another year working in retail, I decided to start my own business. Laser engraving piqued my interest. I accepted a small business loan and purchased my first Epilog laser. Set up shop in my spare bedroom at home. I dove into learning graphic design, with a focus on laser engraving. Everything is black and white; no colors. I studied the manuals and tutorials in online forums. I began engraving anything and everything I could fit in the machine to see what happened. Engraving on hardwoods has always been one of my favorite mediums, but I regularly engrave various metals, glass, leather, acrylic, and even stone.

I set my aim at engraving everything BUT trophies and plaques. There were already a few trophy shops in town, and I didn’t want to represent myself as a direct competitor, but rather, a colleague with a slightly different skillset.
I began making samples for local businesses, and delivering them with hopes they might need the services I was providing. I landed a few small jobs engraving pint glasses and growlers for a few local breweries, while I was still working from home.

Later, in 2013, I found an office space for rent only 3 miles from my house, and it suited my needs for a storefront/office for almost 7 years in Fort Collins. By that time my small business’s inventory was bursting at the seams, still operating out of a 200sqft office. In 2019 I took the biggest risk of my life, and moved my business from that small office in Fort Collins to a standalone building in Loveland, 12 miles away and nearly 10 times the size of my previous space.

I have since purchased 4 additional laser machines, and am still operating the business as sole proprietor. The majority of my customers bring in their own items, and once we have generated a digital mockup of the text or design of their choice, it goes into the queue, which is usually turned around within 3-5 business days. I don’t really advertise beyond passing out a business cards and the occasional social media post. Organic word-of-mouth advertising has worked well for me, and many of my clients are repeat customers.

The hardest lesson I’ve learned is to say no to a job when you’re not confident in your abilities. Don’t undervalue your time. There’s a learning curve for every new machine, every program, every material.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take a day hike up in Rocky Mountain National Park, and an evening in Estes Park. Maybe a motorcycle ride to the top of Trail Ridge Road. It would always be fun to catch a Rockies game in downtown Denver or a concert at Red Rocks. Poudre Canyon, Pingree Park, Vedauwoo, Redfeather Lakes, Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Lory State Park. We are blessed with so many great recreation options here in northern Colorado.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents were business owners throughout my youth, and instilled a strong sense of business ethic in me, and demonstrated how you get back what you put into your endeavors. Although being a small business owner regularly requires long hours and can be stressful, it has afforded me opportunities to meet new people and provide value to the clients who use my services.

Website: https://www.CoLaserEngraving.com

Instagram: @colorado_laser

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhays11