The Emporia Gazette

February 12, 2012

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Ask Rick Robidou if he can laser a photo onto marble or laser cut a wooden pendant, and he’ll tell you he can do it. He also can laser etch a glass, an ornament or make a custom award. He can even make a custom name tag using a laser machine.

Robidou owns and operates Flint Hills Laser Expressions, along with his wife, Rhonda. The two originally opened the business in July 2007.

Robidou decided to start the business after Lenze shut down in Emporia. He had used a laser machine there and had hoped to retire and eventually start his own business. He and his wife decided it was time to get it off the ground earlier than planned after Lenze shut down, he said. Robidou took a class, “Starting Your Own Business,” through Flint Hills Technical College and received assistance through the Small Business Development Center at Emporia State University.

The Robidous work out of a shop located at their residence at 876 Road 240. Rick Robidou spends his days running the business and his wife still works during the day while the business is getting off the ground.

Flint Hills Laser Expressions has grown since he started it, Rick Robidou said. It started out with doing laser images (including photos) on marble, then granite because granite holds up better outside, and the mirrors.

“My wife likes mirrors so we started doing mirrors,” he said.

Things took off from there, and now the business offers a complete line of products to suit just about any desire. Robidou said he can laser an image or laser cut on wood and do just about anything people request. The business also is licensed to make products using the logos for Emporia State University, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. Robidou said he sees the custom awards and plaques taking off in the near future. He’s done plaques for the Flint Hills Beef Fest and other events in the area. The business also produces pet memorials and can laser images onto gravestones.

Robidou has a variety of items displayed in his shop as examples of the work the business is capable of. These include pens, name tags, business card holders, wood frames and wooden pocket knives. Scattered around the shop are ornaments, jewelry and examples of the many products Robidou is capable of producing with the laser machine. The business puts out an ornament of the month, which is carried at Granada Coffee Co. Robidou said the monthly ornaments are a popular item.

“We try to listen to what people are looking for,” he said. “We just keep trying to expand.”

Robidou also does smaller scale items for fundraisers. He did some fundraising items for schools, including dog tags for Northern Heights High School. The school sold the dog tags as a fundraiser item.

“We try to work with local schools and help them out,” Robidou said.

The process is a simple one — once the laser machine is configured, Robidou said. An image is brought up on a computer and sent to the laser machine. The machine has to be programmed properly for the product. Leaded glass will react to laser differently than other types of glass, Robidou said.

“Once you program it, it really works itself,” Robidou said Wednesday as he watched the machine laser an image onto a glass. “The programming is what takes the time.”

Robidou said he enjoys his job.

“It’s fun, we have a blast,” he said. “I have never had so much fun and called it work.”

The business is a family affair, Robidou said. He and his wife can often be found in front of the television stringing necklaces at night. Their two daughters, Kari Wedel, 24, and Kristy Robidou, 22, help out as well. Wedel lives in Wamego and Kristy Robidou is a student at ESU. Other family members help out with the business as well.

“We’re having fun with it,” Rick Robidou said.

This is a busy time of year for the business too as the holiday season nears and craft shows are starting up. Many products can be found in merchants in Emporia as well including Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply, 2611 W. Highway 50; Granada Coffee Company, 809 Commercial St.; The Help Desk, 717 Commercial St.; and Madelynn’s, 511 Commercial. St.

“I cannot say enough about the good people of Emporia,” he said.

Flint Hills Laser Expressions:

Where: 876 Road 240

Contact: (620) 443-5501 or FHLE@fairpoint.net

On the Web: flinthillslaserexpressions.com