How Three Threads Came to Be: A Journey of Faith, Family, and Laser Beams
It Started With a Single Click
Every business has an origin story, and ours began in the most unexpected way—with an impulsive click on an Amazon “Buy Now” button. I’m not even sure what possessed me to purchase an Xtool M1 Ultra 10 Watt diode laser. When the box arrived at my doorstep, I stared at it with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. What had I just done?
The First Project: A Dog Tag for Mac
We unboxed the laser, and honestly, I needed to justify this spontaneous purchase. The first item we created was simple but meaningful—a dog tag for my brother’s dog, Mac. Watching that laser etch into stainless steel was mesmerizing. The precision, the speed, the ease of it all… I was hooked.
I spent hours experimenting with all the free samples that came with the laser, testing different materials and settings. But as my excitement grew, so did my impatience. I found myself thinking, “Wow, this is slow.”
The Upgrade Bug Bites
That thought led to my next purchase—another Xtool M1 Ultra, this time with a 20 Watt diode laser. The difference was significant. I could cut and engrave faster, which meant I could create more. I started making engraved cutting boards, intricate tri-layer maps, and various other items that people actually wanted to buy.
But there was still a limitation: the 12×12 cut area. My ambitions were growing faster than my workspace allowed.
Enter the Beast: The Omtech Maker 2028
After considerable research, I took the plunge and purchased an Omtech Maker 2028 90-Watt CO2 laser. When I say this machine was a BEAST compared to my two Xtool M1 Ultras, I mean it literally sat in my workspace for weeks because I was intimidated by it.
It was big. It was powerful. And it used Lightburn software—a whole new learning curve that presented its own set of hurdles. I had to force myself to finally fire it up and learn. Now? Lightburn is second nature to me.
That initial fear turned into expertise. I’ve since become an Omtech demo host, helping many people set up and get their lasers up and running. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping others overcome the same intimidation I once felt.
Building the Arsenal
When Omtech released their Polar series—a 12×20 cut area with a 50W CO2 laser—I saw the perfect middle ground between my M1 Ultra and the 2028 Maker series. I purchased it and fell in love. Now I could run two lasers simultaneously, which was a game-changer for productivity.
The Lightburn Conference That Changed Everything
After about a year of running three lasers, my wife and I attended a Lightburn conference in Manhattan, NY. It was there that I witnessed the quality of Thunder lasers firsthand. Not long after, I purchased a Nova Plus 51 80W RF laser.
This machine is an absolute unit—1,700 pounds and nearly 8 feet wide. It handles everything I throw at it with ease.
But the conference gave us more than just knowledge about lasers. My wife and I attended a session about embroidery, and on the drive home, we couldn’t stop talking about the possibilities. That conversation sparked our interest in both embroidery and DTF (Direct to Film) printing.
Expanding Beyond Lasers
After further research, we took another leap and purchased a single-head 15-needle embroidery machine and a DTF printer. We got them up and running quickly, and the response was overwhelming.
Within our first month, we received orders for over 1,000 shirts for DTF printing and over 80 items for embroidery. We were blown away by the support from our community and the trust our customers placed in us.
The demand kept growing, so we invested in a Ricoma 6-head embroidery machine to keep pace. It seems that just when we’re close to finishing one large order, God provides another opportunity. We’ve been incredibly blessed.
A Family Business
One of the most rewarding aspects of Three Threads has been involving our kids in the business. They ask questions, learn to run the machines, and help with orders. Watching their minds work as they learn about business, customer service, and craftsmanship fills us with hope. We’re not just building a business—we’re building something they might one day take over, a legacy they can make their own.
What’s Next?
Honestly? I’m not entirely sure what’s next for Three Threads. But I know God has a plan, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us.
What started with an impulsive Amazon purchase has grown into a thriving business that supports our family, serves our community, and teaches our children valuable life lessons. We’re grateful for every customer, every order, and every challenge that’s helped us grow.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
