Change, Growth, and the Next Chapter for Aeon Laser

What the Aeon Laser Transition Really Means for the Industry and for Me

Earlier this week, Aeon Laser USA announced that it is being acquired by Suzhou Aeon Laser Technology Co., Ltd. (Aeon Laser China).

If you’ve been in the laser space for any amount of time, you probably saw the conversations unfold online. I’ve received dozens of messages asking what this means, how customers should feel, and where this leaves me.

I intentionally waited before sharing my thoughts.

As a courtesy.
Out of respect.
And because I wanted the company to communicate directly with you first without my involvement or influence. 

Aeon China deserves the opportunity to build rapport with customers during this transition, and I didn’t want to interfere with that process.

Now that they’ve had that opportunity, I’d like to share my perspective.

Unexpected News But Not Unexpected

As soon as the announcement was released, speculation spiraled.  Yet once the initial shock set in, everyone caught on to the fact that:

This is not a collapse.
This is not a crisis.
This is change.

And change is part of business.

Industries evolve. Markets mature. Companies pivot and ownership structures shift. That is not unusual, especially in a space as innovative and competitive as ours. 

If anything, this may simply be the beginning of a broader trend. We’ve already seen companies operate directly from overseas headquarters into the U.S. market without relying on third-party distributors. Consolidation and direct ownership models are not surprising in today’s global economy.

And unless you’ve been completely disconnected from the industry over the last year, you’ve probably noticed that the laser market itself is going through a period of adjustment.

Several well-known companies have faced layoffs, restructuring, or significant shifts in how they operate. It’s a reminder that even long-established brands are not immune to the pressures of a rapidly evolving market.

Innovation cycles are accelerating. Competition is increasing. New tech is making advanced speed and features more affordable. And companies are constantly rethinking how they position themselves for the future. Quite frankly, at the rate that innovation is happening here, the need to spend 50K on a laser is going to become a ridiculous thing of the past. 

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like every other day there’s a brand new machine, a new company, or another product announcement hitting my inbox. At a certain point you start thinking, okay… we get it.

The pace can feel exhausting.

But jokes aside, that’s simply the nature of a maturing industry.

As markets grow, innovation speeds up, competition intensifies, and companies push harder to differentiate themselves.

In many ways, what we’re witnessing right now is the laser industry entering its next phase. Companies are adapting and positioning themselves to remain competitive in a space that continues to quickly evolve.

Moments like this, while sometimes surprising, are often part of that larger evolution.

Honoring Where It All Began

When I first entered this industry, I was unknown.

Aeon Laser USA took a chance on me before I was “That Mom With A Laser.” Before Laser Launch Academy. Before Laser Maker Con. Before Mom’s File Club.

What made Aeon different in those early days? Lot’s of things. What initially drew me in was of course  the 

Innovation.
Speed.
Design.
Attention to detail.
Customer experience.

Aeon was thinking about things others were not. Smaller laser heads for higher speeds. Tool-less maintenance. Even QR codes on the machine that sent you directly to support. You know, the little things. Then of course their clean, all-in-one builds that felt premium without requiring the highest price tag in the industry. That at the time was a game changer. 

Im going to quote Alex Sellite from the Laser Everything podcast here because hearing him say this during their live this week hit the mark.

“The redline series is THE BEST, the absolute best, open hardware laser on the market. Period. There’s no doubt about that in my mind at all.”

Many of those developments stemmed from the extraordinary R&D team in China. I still remember meeting Mr. Wen and Simon for the first time. I was humbled to see the engineering vision behind the machines so many of us were excited about.

GPX Charlotte, NC 2024

It was a special moment in time.

And it created a ripple effect.

A significant portion of the laser influencer culture you see today grew out of that explosion of excitement back in 2020. Many of the educators and content creators in this space either emerged directly from the Aeon ecosystem or were inspired by what was happening within it during that time. 

It shaped the culture of this industry in ways people may not fully realize.

As a matter of fact, many of the relationships and leadership circles that exist today can be traced back to the networking opportunities that Aeon Laser USA created during those early years. At the time, there were no laser conferences or meetups or collective promotion to go to tradeshows. There wasn’t really a sense of community at all.

First Aeon Gathering For Staff and Partners 2021

First Aeon Holiday Party 2021

But Aeon Laser USA was creating opportunities for people to meet, connect, and share ideas. Those moments brought together many of the voices that would eventually grow into the educators, influencers, and leaders you see across this industry today.

And honestly, I have to laugh when I think back to those early events. Have you ever seen a group of people so excited about a company that they were constantly coordinating group photos together?

Probably not.

That’s because the Aeon family culture was real, and people on the outside looking in could feel it. There was a sense of excitement and community that was contagious, and a lot of people wanted to be part of that energy.

It’s something I’m very proud of when I attend conferences now and look around the room. So many of the speakers, teachers, and community leaders on those stages were, in one way or another, shaped during that season inside the “Aeon bubble.”

And while most people didn’t see it happening behind the scenes, it’s important to remember that Aeon China was always part of that story as well. Even from overseas, they were watching, supporting, and cheering on the growth of the community that was forming around their machines.

Together, Aeon Laser USA and Aeon China helped spark a movement that would go on to influence the entire laser industry.

So What This Means for Customers?

If you are an Aeon customer, you are still in good hands.

The R&D strength that has always powered innovation remains.
US-based support remains.
The commitment to customer experience remains.

I have the privilege of seeing behind the scenes, and I can tell you confidently that development is ongoing. There are exciting things coming. 

A Note About Quality Control

I'm going to quote Alex Sellite again here from @LaserEverything because he said it best on the LE podcast earlier this week where they too discussed the announcement.

“When Kyle says that these companies buy up lasers and then get them to the level they are happy with them, that level where they’re happy with them is different for different companies, and I think all three of us would also agree that Aeon Laser US, former, by FAR, had the highest bar for what that meant.”

For many years, Aeon Laser USA was known for receiving machines from the factory and performing an additional round of quality checks here in the United States before they went out to customers. That process gave people a lot of confidence, and understandably so.

What many customers may not realize is that over the past few years, the collaboration between Aeon Laser USA and Aeon China became extremely close when it came to quality standards.

As the teams worked together, the goal was always to bring those standards fully into alignment. Over time, the factory adopted the same expectations and processes that the U.S. team had been applying.

Eventually, that meant something important: the quality control process could be handled directly at the factory using the same standards, without needing to duplicate the process again after the machines arrived in the United States.

In fact, many customers may not even realize that for quite some time now, machines have already been shipping directly from the factory after going through that unified quality control process.

And those machines have been some of the best and most consistent delivered.

The intention behind that shift was simple. It allowed Aeon to maintain the same quality standards while also reducing unnecessary delays in getting machines to customers who were often waiting weeks or months for delivery.

In other words, the goal was never to lower the bar.
It was to bring both teams to the same bar and make the process more efficient.

Per Simon Lau, Vice President of the Aeon Laser headquarters, the company is continuing to strengthen the QC process at the factory level.

According to Simon, the plan includes expanding the number of team members dedicated specifically to quality checks within the factory, as well as involving Lek Camaj, former VP of Aeon Laser USA and head of research and development, to help oversee and guide those standards.

I’m sharing this simply to pass along the information that has been communicated to me during this transition.

What About Customer Service?

People want to know if the same support team will still be there or if an entirely new team will be stepping in. The honest answer is that it will be a combination of both.

Some members of the existing U.S. support team will continue on as employees working directly with Aeon headquarters. Those individuals bring years of experience supporting Aeon customers, and they will play an important leadership role in the transition.

They’ll be helping guide the next phase of support by training, mentoring, and coaching new technicians who will be brought on as Aeon China continues building out its U.S. operations.

In other words, the knowledge and experience that customers have come to rely on isn’t disappearing. It’s helping shape the next generation of Aeon support.

And that kind of continuity is incredibly valuable during a transition like this.

What Happens to EMP?

The answer is actually pretty straightforward.

EMP will continue operating as its own company, just as it has been. They will remain focused on their core business of selling metal fabrication equipment and serving their customers in that space.

And while I’m on the subject of EMP, I want to take a moment to recognize the leadership of former President Danny Martinez and former VP Lek Camaj. Their tireless work helped establish a level of customer care and operational standards that simply didn’t exist in this segment of the industry before they set the example.

They raised the bar.

By prioritizing service, support, and the overall customer experience, they helped redefine what people could expect from a high-end yet still accessible laser system. In many ways, that shift pushed the rest of the industry to step up as well, because if competitors wanted to stay relevant, they had to begin raising their standards too.

And that kind of impact shouldn’t go unrecognized.

Where This Leaves Me

For years, I’ve had the honor of serving as the Brand Ambassador for Aeon Laser USA. That role was never something I chased. It grew organically from genuine enthusiasm and an authentic partnership. 

But even when I was asked to come on board back in 2022 it was always on the condition that I would never let what I had already built, That Mom With A Laser Inc., behind.  By the time I was asked to go on payroll, That Mom With A Laser®, Inc. itself was a massive and well established brand. In tandem, I represented a company that I loved while also building my business very intentionally. 

Almost every year I’ve added another layer.

2022 Laser Launch Academy

2024 Laser Maker Con

2025 Mom’s File Club

Not to mention the consistent balance of offering free YouTube education, running my physical shop and product development.

Ever heard the old adage “never putting all of your eggs in one basket”? Because of that philosophy, I stand firmly on my own foundation. 

So what about me, you ask?

Pfff… I’ll be fine, guys.

This transition actually gives me something incredibly valuable: time and flexibility.

I finally get to explore ideas that I simply didn’t have the bandwidth to pursue before. It gives me room to build, experiment, and grow in new ways, which many of you know is something I absolutely love to do.

Will I still be the Brand Ambassador for Aeon?

The answer is no, not in the same official capacity.

Mr. Wen and Simon graciously invited me to stay on in that role, and that meant a great deal to me. But as I mentioned earlier, this transition opens up something that is very meaningful to me right now: the opportunity to reclaim some time and creative freedom.

And I’m excited to see where that flexibility leads.

Will I still collaborate with Aeon in the future?

Absolutely. One hundred percent.

My respect and appreciation for the company, the team in the United States, and the incredible engineering leadership in China remains unchanged. I fully expect that our paths will continue to cross in meaningful ways.

This simply marks the close of one chapter and the beginning of another.

And if you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you already know…

I’m always building something new.

What We Know Right Now

Before I wrap up, I want to address some of the biggest questions I’ve been receiving since the announcement was made.

Keep in mind, I’m no longer employed by Aeon, but I know many of you are looking to me for clarity. Based on the information that has been shared and the most common questions I’ve been seeing, here’s what I can tell you right now:

• New U.S. sales are now being managed directly by Aeon Laser China as of March 2, 2026.

• Existing quotes and open invoices will continue to be handled by EMP during the transition period.

• Orders that were already placed will still be fulfilled as planned.

• Current customers will continue receiving support and parts from the existing EMP support team while the transition moves through its next phases.

• Aftersales support, warranty services, and parts distribution will transition gradually once Aeon’s U.S. infrastructure is fully built and staffed.

The key takeaway is that this is a phased transition, which is exactly what you would expect when a company makes a structural shift like this.

If you are an existing Aeon customer, the most important thing to know is that your machines are still supported and the transition is being handled step by step.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, industries evolve, companies adapt, and leadership shifts. That’s the natural rhythm of business. What matters most is the people, the innovation, and the community that continues to grow around it all.

I remain incredibly grateful for the role both Aeon Laser USA and Aeon China played in my journey. It’s where I got my start in this industry. And my start with Aeon was nothing short of amazing.  I mean heck, its not every day you have such an impact on a company that the slap your face on a van. 

Ahhh the memories… 

But just like in any business, roles change and people evolve. I just happen to be in the unique position where a lot of people are watching that happen in real time.

No pressure, Em.

What I can tell you is this. I’m incredibly proud of where I came from, and I’m equally excited about the opportunities ahead for both this industry and my own next chapter.

If there’s one thing you should know about me by now, it’s that I believe deeply in building, teaching, and helping others succeed. That part of my mission isn’t changing.

So stay tuned.

The story isn’t ending here.

If anything, it’s just getting interesting. 😎