Schmucker humbled, grateful for growth of Star Laser

Star Laser may now be a staple of Holmes County for those seeking engraved items to celebrate accomplishments, anniversaries, family, faith and business, but its humble beginnings speak volumes about owner Wes Schmucker’s determination and faith.

Star Laser was honored by the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau as its Chamber Small Business of the Year for 2024, and Schmucker was humbled to accept the award.

“I consider this a real honor,” Schmucker said. “To say that I’m grateful would be a major understatement. I feel truly blessed.”

He ended by saying he was grateful to the county in which he was born and raised because of the faith values and the support.

“Even if I didn’t have a dime to my name, I’d be a rich man,” Schmucker said.

Star Laser began with a vision and a dream in one half of Schmucker’s two-car garage at his house. It wasn’t fancy, but it was the beginning of something that would blossom into more than he could have imagined.

“I started in that garage working on evenings and Saturdays,” Schmucker said. “My attorney told me to stick with what I know, and I told myself I didn’t know the laser engraving world very well, so I stuck with my job and kept doing the laser engraving when I could.”

Eight years later the opportunity to go full-time presented itself, and Schmucker was ready for a new challenge.

That was in 2006, and little did he know he jumped into a new business right as the financial world was ready to take a nosedive.

He said those next couple of years were difficult, but he was determined to make it work and had faith, continually focusing on the words of James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

“I literally built my business around trusting that verse,” Schmucker said.

He said he could share many stories of struggles in the early years but kept the faith and relied on God for guidance and wisdom. Eventually, Star Laser found its place in the world.

Just more than six years ago, Schmucker moved his business into the facility at 315 Walkup St. in Millersburg.

The growth continued, and Schmucker said he found that when you trust your employees and focus on doing work in a timely, quality fashion, that people will return.

Over the years technology has created extended opportunities for Star Laser to engrave on many different types of material like wood, metal and glass, and the creations include unique designs and personalized messages that create keepsakes that can last a lifetime.

For Schmucker, the most enjoyable part of his business is creating quality pierces that are appreciated by those who put their trust in him and his employees.

However, he said the most gratifying part of his work is building relationships with those people.

“I love the interaction and fulfilling the idea they have in their head in creating a product that makes them happy,” Schmucker said. “This business has brought so much joy into my life, and I don’t want to repeat myself, but it is all due to the graciousness of God.”

In serving the community through Star Laser, Schmucker and his staff have helped create keepsakes that encompass accomplishments and meaningful moments in people’s lives.

Chamber presenter Matt Miller of Killbuck Savings Bank said Star Laser exemplifies everything good about Holmes County businesses.

“This award is long overdue,” Miller said. “Wes Schmucker embodies all of the best qualities of a small business owner, and he and his team put 100% into every single one of their projects. It took a giant leap of faith for Wes to move into the commercial laser engraving business, and his work ethic has been driven by his faith and his family, and this shows in his interactions with clients.”

For a man who dove headfirst into a new business years ago armed with little knowledge of the engraving world but great faith, Schmucker said he has watched as God has directed him every step of the way along this path.

“It’s been a really enjoyable journey,” Schmucker said.