CONCORD, Ohio — A Lake County garage is the world headquarters of the Infinity Laser Engraving Company. Its owner, 18-year-old Jeremy Coller, grew up fascinated by lasers.
“It's something that sounds so distant and future when in reality it's a technology that's here and now and it can be applied in everyday life,” said Coller.
Coller showed 3News the three high-powered industrial CO2 laser machines he owns. He started the company a couple of years ago. Rolling it out slowly at first, but now business is taking off, with 2023 marking its first year of full-time operations.
The day 3News visited he was engraving trophy plates for a client. Gifts, promotional items, and signs make up a large chunk of his business. Before Infinity Laser, Coller had other plans.
“I originally was going to sell typewriter oil is a business that I wanted to get into and I was looking into having some laser engraving done and it was just exorbitant,” recalled Coller. “And I'm like, well, I think I can do better than that. So I'll pick one up and see what I can do. And I've been doing it ever since.”
That entrepreneurial spirit is in his blood. He credits his family, especially his grandfather who owns an industrial supply company and distillery.
“It was just always kind of ingrained in my mind, you know, I want to go out there. I want to do something for myself and, you know, do it all on my own terms,” Coller said.
Following his grandfather’s advice, Coller joined the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce. And yes, he joined as their youngest member. becoming its youngest member. Workshops on public speaking, finance and marketing have helped the teen owner.
“And those are the elements that can assist Jeremy as he's growing into this successful business,” said Dana Wolfe, the Executive Director of the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce. “And Jeremy is already getting business from our other members. So people are utilizing him because of the unique things that he can do.”
Expansion is already part of the plan for Infinity Laser.
“Eventually I'd like to expand in other areas, plasma cutting, powder coating. We have the sandblaster set up, which is something we're trying to get into a lot more,” explains Coller.
That means outgrowing his current shop, but he doesn’t want to go too far away. Coller is content staying close to home, and following the family philosophy that’s served him well.
“You just got to keep trying. Just keep going at it all the time. Even if things are slow, things will pick up again,” Coller said. “It's just one of those things just got to keep rolling with it and see what happens.”
In September the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Chamber Student Membership program with Lakeland Community College. The program gives young college entrepreneurs a chamber membership and a business mentor. Dana Wolfe says Coller helped inspire the program.
