Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Maldonado.
Hi Adrian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A slice of a 4×4 post, a $200 laser, and a little encouragement from my wife, along with support from family, close friends, and neighbors who have become like family, sparked what would become an unexpected passion.
I had been experimenting with woodworking and started making coasters from pieces of a 4×4 post. I wanted to personalize them with monograms, but nothing I tried such as vinyl, paint, burning gel, or stencils gave me the clean look I had in mind. My wife suggested trying a laser engraver, so I found a small $200 machine online and decided to give it a shot, even though I had no idea how to use it.
Once I started experimenting, something clicked. I taught myself everything through trial and error, researching techniques, testing materials, and spending many nights working well past midnight. Along the way, I probably earned an unofficial degree from YouTube as well. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a passion.
In the early days, I walked into local restaurants and bars with samples of custom engraved glassware hoping someone would give me a chance. Most passed, but a local winery eventually trusted me with an order of 500 engraved wine glasses featuring their logo. I sourced the glassware, created samples, and completed the order myself. That project was a turning point because it showed me this craft could truly become something more.
Since then, that first small laser has grown into professional grade equipment and the ability to work across a wide range of materials. Today I create custom pieces on wood, glass, metal, slate, acrylic, fabric, and other materials, from coasters and cutting boards to tumblers, wedding glassware, jewelry, hats, and branded pieces for businesses.
I work with families and businesses in Austin and the surrounding areas, and I have also shipped many orders out of state. I also enjoy meeting customers at local markets and creating seasonal pieces that keep the creativity flowing.
I am still a one man shop who pays close attention to detail when engraving a customer’s watch, a tumbler, or whatever keepsake I am trusted with. Every piece is handled with precision and care.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. In the beginning, a lot of the struggles were internal. I sometimes got in my own way. I was nervous about the products I was creating and unsure if people would actually like them. Walking into businesses with samples and hearing “no” more than “yes” can be intimidating, especially when you are just starting out.
There was also the cost of materials and equipment. Learning laser engraving means a lot of trial and error. You have to buy materials just to test, experiment, and sometimes fail before you figure out what works. Every mistake was really part of honing the craft and learning how to create something a customer would truly want.
Over time I realized that rejection and mistakes are just part of building something. Each project helped build confidence and sharpen my skills. Those early challenges are actually what pushed me to keep improving and take Ram Engraving to the next level.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ram Engraving is a custom laser engraving business based in Round Rock, Texas, where I specialize in turning everyday items into meaningful keepsakes. I work with materials like wood, glass, slate, metal, acrylic, and leather to create personalized pieces such as tumblers, wedding glassware, cutting boards, hats, jewelry, and branded items for businesses.
What sets Ram Engraving apart is that I am a true one-man shop. Every piece is handled personally, and precision matters. Whether I am engraving a watch, a tumbler, or a family heirloom, the goal is always the same: clean, professional engraving that people are proud to give as a gift or keep for years.
One thing I am especially proud of is the integrity behind my brand. Of course everyone likes making money, but honesty and integrity come first for me. If a project is not something I feel confident engraving, I will not oversell myself just to take the job. I believe in being upfront and transparent with customers from the beginning. Many times that honesty has meant turning down a project or explaining the risks before moving forward, and customers have been very appreciative of that approach.
At the end of the day, Ram Engraving is about craftsmanship, attention to detail, and treating every customer’s item with the care and respect it deserves. My goal is to create pieces that people are proud to give, proud to keep, and that will last for years to come.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is not just about money or how many orders I complete. Success is when a customer trusts me with something meaningful and I am able to turn it into something even more special.
One moment that really stayed with me was when a client brought me a wine glass and asked if I could engrave her initials on it. After I finished and handed it back to her, she told me that the glass was about 15 years old and had been left behind by her mother. She said that by engraving it, I had made it ten times more meaningful. Seeing the look on her face in that moment was an incredible feeling.
Moments like that are what define success for me. It is about taking something that already has a story and helping turn it into a keepsake that means even more to the person who owns it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ramengraving.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ramengraving
- Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SzL3WWzHv5uLWhrR9
