Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Daudt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
D&D Custom Laser Designs, LLC started in 2006 when my brother, Kevin Deick, came to my door one day. He asked, “Do you want to go into business together?” I said, “What do you have in mind?” He had found a laser cutting and engraving machine that he was interested in and wanted me to go look at it with him. We went to look at the laser and we were super impressed by its capabilities. We realized that the sky was the limit to what we could create and design! Kevin had a degree in Manufacturing/Welding and I have a degree in Graphic Design/Art. We jumped in head first and started a business with no business plan! For the first three years, we did side jobs with the laser while working our full-time jobs.
After those successful three years, we decided to quit our jobs and do the business full-time. One day as I was doing sales for our business, a customer gave me an idea to come up with a different style of cribbage board. I went back to my brother and asked him what he could come up with. That started the first ever Lake Map Cribbage Boards that he designed. It was so unique and successful that several more Lake Map Cribbage Boards were designed, and customers just loved them! Kevin and I knew we had a niche market. He then designed the Minnesota Map Cribbage Board and several other states followed. Our product line expanded to the Military/First Responders, Animal/Wildlife, Travel, National Parks, and Landmarks, with uniquely designed custom cribbage boards. We also have framed and unframed Lake Art which can be used for home or cabin decor. Kevin was doing the designing, laser engraving, and managing our manufacturing facility. I was in charge of sales, marketing, accounting, and custom orders for our business. In 2018, Kevin passed away suddenly at the age of 36. It was such a loss because he was my brother, business partner, and best friend.
I didn’t know if I could keep our business going without him, but with the help of my husband, family members, and employees, we have continued to be successful. My sister, Cheryl, joined our business two years ago as Pre-Production and Marketing Specialist. Kevin had a goal to create all 50 State Map Cribbage Boards someday. Now with Cheryl taking on some of these roles, we have accomplished that goal! My parents are retired and find joy and happiness working in our manufacturing facility doing various jobs that they enjoy. It is such a wonderful memory of what their son had accomplished in such a short period of time.
My nieces also have worked for us cleaning and putting together the cribbage boards along with other tasks for their part-time summer jobs. I am so grateful that I was able to keep our small business going. I know my brother, Kevin, is still helping out from above and guiding us in different ways! We are a family-owned and operated small business in the heart of central Minnesota. I am excited to see what is next for D&D Custom Laser Designs, LLC and so very proud of what Kevin and I have accomplished! We appreciate you supporting our small business by visiting our website at www.ddcustomlaser.com.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Starting a business from the ground up is very hard! Also, when my business partner and brother, Kevin passed away suddenly it was devastating!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner and manager of D&D Custom Laser Designs, LLC. I graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Graphic Design and Art. As the only owner now, I have my hands in every aspect of the business. I oversee all main office and shop management details of the business. These include working with our sales representatives and designers, marketing, accounting, ordering inventory, and especially answering questions for our loyal customers. I am involved in every last detail of our custom orders including creative content, and graphics, and providing proofs to the customers before their boards are cut and laser engraved.
We specialize in making the most unique and creative custom cribbage boards that give our customers a sense of local and state pride. Most people want to display them in their home or cabin on a wall or coffee table. Our cribbage boards are well-known statewide, and I am very excited that our national sales on all of our fifty-plus state maps have been doing very well. I am most proud that we are in a national market, and that we have been able to keep our business family owned and operated.
I think my brother Kevin would be very proud of his family! What sets us apart is the quality, craftsmanship, and creativity of our cribbage boards. All of them are made with premium quality maple wood and are finished with a premium lacquer for an ultimately smooth finish. All of our cribbage boards have a saw tooth grove on the back of them for hanging on the wall in your home or cabin.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was quiet and creative. Loved unique things and I still do. I always wanted to do something unique and creative along with owning my own business. I loved playing sports and spending time with friends and family.
Pricing:
- $54.99 Two-Track Cribbage Boards
- $29.99 Travel Two-Track Cribbage Boards
- $62.99 Three-Track Cribbage Boards
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ddcustomlaser.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddcustomlaserdesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddcustomlaser
