Founder of an online jewelry store. Serial Entrepreneur. Vocational Counselor. Startup Doer and Adviser.
I am a former vocational rehabilitation counselor, I worked with injured workers who needed a new career path after being badly injured. Next, I obtained a coaching certification and began with women over 45 who wanted to recareer when they became empty-nesters or divorced. Change is never easy but it is an inevitable part of life. A good plan and a well plotted path is all you need.
When I owned my jewelry business, I made everything in house until the number of orders exceeded what I could produce, in excellent quality. I contracted two local jewelry instructors to work in house for the overflow. I found that there were too many issues with quality and design when I outsourced. Having someone in house allows you monitor, speed, quality and offer your customers the best service.
If you already have a space that you can reorganize to add the laser and setter then you only have to absorb the cost of the additional employee and the cost of equipment. Of course looking for gently used equipment is always an option.
You said that you use several 3rd party services, I am wondering if one of them is a small shop that my consider joining your venture, that way you are working with someone you know, like and trust already.