The world has come a long way from the women’s suffrage movement back in the mid-nineteenth century. Although there are still certain issues and problems surrounding the equality of women in various arenas in the world, one thing is for sure: when it comes to starting a business, men AND women both have equal opportunity.
Women nowadays can run a startup company just as much as the next business-savvy guy, and it’s all thanks to how the business landscape has changed. Legislations regarding who can put up a business have done away with gender, but numerous avenues for funding a business have also leveled the playing field. Business financing sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe have allowed women to support other women. Sites like these have made the dreams of business-minded women possible.
So it’s no surprise that other advancements have also made life easier for women in the business of business. Industrial lasers for example, have slowly come to the forefront as a piece of technology that has numerous applications when it comes to businesses. Below are some of the ways that industrial lasers can be used in small businesses.
Paper products
Back when it was at its earliest stages, a lot of moms took to blogging. Most of these women didn’t just start their blogs as a way to keep themselves busy, it was also a way for them to connect with other like-minded individuals and share their parenting tips and tricks. Soon this network of blogs featured do-it-yourself crafts and projects. While most early DIY projects involved a lot of handiwork, nowadays many bloggers put up shops on Etsy and on their own blogs selling their laser-cut crafts. Some of the applications include cutting paper using laser machines, creating beautifully filigreed wedding invitations that are a dream for brides-to-be.
Haute couture
Fashion has certainly come a long way from the hand-sewn embellishments and highly luxurious masterpieces that Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada have championed across the industry. Although these techniques are still largely used today, laser technology has also wormed its way into the clothing world. Designers like Iris van Herpen and Martijn van Strien have utilized laser cutters to create architectural fashion garments.
Jewelry
In the spirit of modernization, the process of producing intricate designs on metal accessories like rings, bangles, and pendants has moved on from manual smithing work. Laser machines are also being utilized to etch or mark minute patterns on rings. Another technology that can be applied in the jewelry market is laser welding. This makes the finish cleaner and more seamless than the conventional welding method.
The majority of these markets are dominated by women, and it is important to remember that businesses survive through innovation and reinvention. Adapting, not just to new business practices but also to new methodologies, can help ensure the success of any business. Lasers are just one of the many pieces of machinery that have gone beyond engineering products in a warehouse or factory setting. If you’re planning on creating a business with the aforementioned markets in mind, it may be a good idea to look into new technology like laser machines.