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From pyrotechnics at Universal Studios to becoming President of the Awards & Personalization Association (APA) — Justin’s journey is one you don’t hear every day.

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Justin Varner of Awards4U to talk about growing up in the awards industry, stepping into a family business, and eventually becoming APA President.

But the story goes deeper than that.

Justin shares the emotional moment when his father presented him with APA Speaker of the Year, making history as the first father and son to both serve as APA President.

We also dive into:

• What it’s really like taking over a family business
• The pressure of being “the owner’s son” and earning respect
• His background in live show design and pyrotechnics at Universal Studios Orlando
• How entrepreneurship impacts family life
• The power of betting on yourself
• Balancing business, parenting, and leadership
• ADHD, entrepreneurship, and learning differently
• How AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming the awards industry
• Why embracing AI now will give makers a massive advantage

Whether you're in the laser engraving, awards, maker, or personalization industry, this conversation is packed with insights about leadership, technology, and the mindset required to build something meaningful.

And yes… we also talk about kids helping with orders, the chaos of entrepreneurship, and how family businesses really work behind the scenes.

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 a text

Breaking news in the laser world… and a powerful conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Brandon of Szuch Design to talk about:

• The acquisition of Aeon Laser USA by Aeon China — and what it could mean for the industry
• Building a woodworking and CNC business from scratch
• Turning upcycled black walnut rounds into scalable, profitable products
• Transitioning from hobby → CNC → laser → UV
• Selling to the laser community through Facebook groups
• The realities of bulk pricing, website strategy, and scaling smart
• Balancing National Guard service, deployments, and entrepreneurship
• Running a family business while raising young kids
• Navigating insurance battles and legal stress as business owners
• Why mindset and the Golden Rule matter more than any machine

This episode is real. It’s not just tools and tactics — it’s about resilience, flexibility, and doing business the right way.

You’ll hear how Brandon built a business model around upcycled materials, how a single Father’s Day product turned into 500+ units sold, and why community support inside the maker world changes everything.

And yes… we also talk tariffs, bottle opener chaos, and website frustrations.

If you’re in the laser, CNC, or personalization space — this one hits.

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 a text

We’re back at APA Expo 2026 — and this year hits different.

In this special on-location episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Josh Perry to talk about what can happen in just one year when you show up, shake hands, and lean into community.

Last year, Josh walked into APA alone, looking for direction.

This year?
He’s speaking.
He’s upgrading machines.
And he’s up for Retailer of the Year.

This episode dives into:

• How attending APA changed the trajectory of Josh’s business
• Why connections — not machines — are the real investment
• The unexpected power of sand carving vs laser engraving
• What it feels like to go from attendee → speaker → award nominee
• Why events like APA set the tone for your entire year
• The difference between your first APA and your second
• Behind-the-scenes of vending, content creation, and collaboration
• Launching new sports-based product lines at the show
• How partnerships and wholesalers are expanding Keychain Thingies
• The reality of building momentum in the personalization industry

You’ll also hear John share what it’s like working APA as a videographer this year instead of being stuck behind the booth—and why capturing the story matters just as much as living it.

If you’ve ever wondered whether attending events like APA is worth it… this episode is your answer.

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 a text

J.R. is back.

In this special episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with their son J.R. for a follow-up conversation years after his first appearance on the podcast. What follows is equal parts hilarious, emotional, and eye-opening.

From talking about school, Pokémon cards, football dreams, and YouTube creators like MrBeast… to opening up about what makes him proud, nervous, and excited for the future… this episode captures something rare: a real, unfiltered time capsule of childhood in motion.

You’ll hear J.R. talk about:

• His favorite subject in school (and why math somehow won)
• His dream of becoming a DJ, content creator, and football player
• Why owning a business sounds better than working for someone else
• His thoughts on money, mansions, and secret rooms
• The influence of friends, gaming, and YouTube culture
• What makes him proud, nervous, and happy
• His favorite memories with mom and dad
• The reality of growing up in a creative household

This episode is funny, honest, and deeply meaningful for any parent, creator, or entrepreneur trying to balance business and family.

It’s not just a podcast.

It’s a snapshot in time.

And one day, J.R. will listen back to this.

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 a text

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Victoria of The Bar Society for a deep, honest, and surprisingly relatable conversation about starting in the laser world, overcoming fear, finding your niche, and building a business rooted in community—not comparison.

Victoria shares her journey from feeling completely overwhelmed by her first laser (the beeps, the keys, the nerves 😅) to growing The Bar Society into a trusted space for vendors, makers, and small businesses—while constantly balancing the temptation to “just buy one more machine.”

We dive into:

How Glowforge made lasers feel less scary for beginners

The jump from hobby machines to industrial lasers (and that panic moment)

ADHD crafting and the fear of investing too much too soon

Why comparison on social media is dangerous for makers

The truth behind “effortless” content you see online

Why testing off-camera matters more than perfect posts

Supporting other makers instead of doing everything yourself

When it does make sense to outsource vs buy new equipment

Combining mediums (laser, sand carving, UV, print & cut) to stand out

Finding unexpected niches that completely change your business

Building a vendor society based on trust, intention, and real relationships

This episode is for makers, engravers, and creative entrepreneurs who:
✔️ feel overwhelmed by options
✔️ compare themselves too much online
✔️ want to grow without burning out
✔️ believe community beats competition

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 a text

In this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Blake from Great Lakes Laser Supply to talk about the Michigan Maker Summit—how it started, why smaller meetups matter, and what really happens when makers get in the same room without the pressure of massive expos.

What began as an idea on a 17-hour drive home from Next Level turned into a full-blown summit planned in just three weeks—and it worked. This conversation digs into the power of community, intimate breakout sessions, real conversations, and why these smaller events often create bigger breakthroughs than giant conferences.

We cover:

How the Michigan Maker Summit came together in record time

Why smaller, more intimate events create safer spaces to ask questions

The difference between learning online vs learning in person

Why not everyone can make it to Vegas, APA, or massive expos

How meetups help newer makers avoid feeling “stupid” asking questions

Why teachers learn just as much as attendees

The hardest part of events: implementing what you learn after you get home

Maker burnout, travel exhaustion, and real-life constraints

This episode is for makers, creatives, and small business owners who want real growth, real connection, and real implementation—not just motivation that fades when you get home.

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, John and Crystal sit down with Becky of Get On Board Signs & More for a heartfelt, practical, and surprisingly funny conversation about community, creativity, resilience, and building a business that fits real life.

Becky shares her journey from kindergarten teacher to creative entrepreneur, running mobile sign parties, opening a brick-and-mortar studio, navigating COVID pivots, and even walking through a cancer journey while continuing to show up for her customers and community.

This episode covers:

Transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship

Pivoting during COVID with DIY kits, virtual parties, and mobile workshops

Opening a studio and learning what actually works

Why community support matters more than algorithms

Running a business through illness and uncertainty

Building a studio model that works for families and real life

Paying yourself, setting systems, and avoiding burnout

Why Facebook still matters for local small businesses

The value of in-person connection over faceless online orders

Balancing growth, joy, and sustainability as a creative business owner

This is an honest look at what success really looks like when you stop chasing someone else’s version of it and start building a business around your life, not the other way around.

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, John and Crystal dive into a real-life business and mindset update after returning from a private maker meetup in Amelia Island, Florida—where content creation, follow-up, and community took center stage.

This episode is a mix of life, business, teaching, anxiety, growth, and clarity, as John reflects on stepping into more content-creation authority, navigating an identity shift, and realizing that knowing what to do isn’t the same as actually doing it.

We talk about:

Teaching a content workshop and watching makers take action immediately

Why you don’t need to post every day to grow

The relief of permission: 2–3 posts per week is enough

Analysis paralysis and the fear of sounding salesy

Why follow-up is everything (and how not doing it costs you money)

This episode is for makers, creatives, and small business owners who feel stuck between knowing better and doing better—and are ready to move forward without burning themselves out.

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.