Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Herrera.
Hi Ana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We started in late 2019 as a family (husband and daughter) to just have extra income. I have always had a creative side that I did not know it would bring me as far as I am now.
My husband is a hat fan and always wears one, but he likes a specific style that was difficult for him to find one with the designs that he liked so decided, why not make them for him. When we got our first laser, one of the first things I made was a leather patch hat for him. That opened up opportunities for our business and started making custom hats for a few friends and even started making company hats for local business.
It was tough to get everything started because I had no experience in creating designs and had no clue how to work a laser. It took us a lot of research and practice to get it right (I am still learning), but we managed. By mid-2020, during a pandemic, business picked up quite a bit. Both my husband and I had a full-time job and our daughter in school, so that meant that we had to take care of our orders after work till late night often. This was becoming a little overwhelming as a family, so we decided I would make it my full-time job and leave my banking job in September 2020, and they would help me out when I needed it.
It has taken time to get used to working from home, but very grateful that, although we don’t work together full time in CAM Co as a family, I know I can count on my husband and daughter for support ALL the time. I couldn’t do it without them.
Although we started with mainly leather patch hats, we are so happy to work with so many local business owners now, bringing their vision to life, creating many items for them, from gear to acrylic signs and personalized gifts for their clients.
We started with one laser and, knowing close to nothing about it, to currently having 2 lasers and added a DTG printer to offer direct-to-garment printed shirts to our customers. We have added several products through time, but our top sellers are engraved cutting boards, butcher blocks, kitchen knives, business signs, and wood flowers bridal bouquets.
This year has been great so far, and having this business has opened up doors for us and helped me meet new people who have helped and encouraged me professionally and have become great friends.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not smooth at all!!! The transition from working in customer service around people all day to working alone all day at home really took a toll on me emotionally. If it wasn’t for my husband and my daughter constantly checking in on me throughout the day to make sure I was ok and to see how I was doing, I wouldn’t have been able to continue working alone at home. Another bump in the road is doing everything by myself. Designing, creating, taking care of sales and customers, controlling inventory, etc., for one person can get a little overwhelming and could cause someone to give up because of the pressure. Thankfully I have a great support system that don’t let me give up and offer their support in any way possible.
Managing my time to be able to take care of CAM Co. and take care of my wife and mom duties has been challenging. On top of that, trying to take care of yourself can be a struggle, but it’s not impossible. It’s something you will not have under control at all times, but accepting that we are human and not everything will be as planned or expected helps a little with the guilt and lets you give yourself the time and peaceful mind to find solutions or alternatives.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in laser work. Some of our main products are leather patch hats for companies and individuals. We do all our engraving in natural leather and all of our painting is by hand.
We also create acrylic signs for businesses. This has given me the opportunity to meet and work with many local businesses that have inspired me and have showed me so much support.
Personalized gifts like kitchen knife and cutting board sets have also been some of our top products. Our knife sets are a great addition to any kitchen, regular or professional, and have all received amazing feedback.
Another thing we offer is our wood flower bouquets. These are not offered by many locally and I have learned to maximize their beauty by dying them in any shade desired, creating beautiful fresh like bouquets that become a lifetime for any bride or Quinceanera.
That is only a few of the products and services among the many that we offer.
I am mostly proud of how much we have grown and also very proud of our finished products. We try to take care of the smallest details that are sometimes not even noticeable, we try to make sure every one of our product and item is high quality.
I would say what sets us apart from others is our passion for our work. That doesn’t mean that other colleagues don’t have passion for what they do, I mean that the passion I put into our work is unique and is something only one can show it in that way, everyone has their own passion and their unique way to show it. That is what makes our customers to continue coming.
What are your plans for the future?
For this year, I am considering hiring help and have in mind a possibility of a bigger place to work to fit a larger laser. I would also love to be able to become a supplier for local laser businesses in the future because I know we need one in our area. who knows, time will tell, and possibilities are endless.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camco.laserdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camcolaserdesign/
Image Credits
E. Symonds Photography
