More Than a Business: The Story Behind Boyd’s Gifts & Engraving

Welcome to Boyd’s Gifts & Engraving.

When you visit my shop, you may see laser-engraved gifts, personalized pieces, military keepsakes, farmhouse décor, and custom creations. But behind this business is a story that means so much more to me than simply making and selling products.

It is a story about family, hard work, love, and a promise I made to my dad.

Where It All Began

My dad started his business in 1970, before retiring from the United States Air Force in 1974. After leaving the Air Force, he continued running his business full time, building something with his own hands and determination.

Eventually, Dad decided to retire from upholstery and file for disability. He turned the business over to my mom, and in the early 1990s, she created Boyd’s Monogramming & Sewing.

Mom built that business into something special. She had contracts with Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, and for years, the business became a part of our family's life.

I eventually came into the building and started my own business under their roof, E&S LaserEngraving.

At the time, I never realized just how important that building and those businesses would become to my family's story.

When Everything Changed

Life eventually brought some difficult changes.

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and my dad was diagnosed with cancer. They retired and stayed home, and I stepped in to keep things going.

I found myself running my mom's business while also continuing my own laser engraving business.

It wasn't always easy, but family has never been something I take lightly. I wanted to do everything I could to keep what my parents had worked so hard to build alive.

In January of 2022, my brother closed their business.

But the story didn't end there.

A Promise to My Dad

My dad had always thought about the future. He knew there would eventually come a time when he would no longer be here, and he wanted to make sure my mom would continue to have what she needed.

He asked me to make him a promise.

He wanted me to keep the overhead going so my mom could continue to have her business.

That promise stayed with me.

Then Dad asked me for something else.

He wanted me to carry on the Boyd name, because his son was not going to do that for him.

That request meant everything to me.

So I went back into the building where my parents had operated their business for approximately 30 years. I changed the name of my business from E&S LaserEngraving to Boyd's Gifts & Engraving.

I did it to honor my dad.

More Than a Name

Boyd's isn't just a business name to me.

It represents my dad's years of hard work, my mom's dedication, and the sacrifices my parents made to build something for their family.

Every time I create something in my shop, I know I'm standing on the foundation they built long before me.

Today, I create personalized gifts, military pieces, farmhouse and home décor, memorial pieces, and custom creations for both military and civilian customers.

Some projects are simple.

Some are incredibly detailed.

And some carry a story of their own.

Those are the pieces that mean the most.

Because I understand that when someone asks me to engrave a name, a date, a military emblem, a photograph, or a special message, they're often trusting me with something that has meaning behind it.

I don't take that lightly.

Continuing the Legacy

My dad wanted his name to continue.

So I'm doing my best to make sure it does.

Boyd's Gifts & Engraving is my way of honoring where I came from while continuing to build something of my own.

I hope that when you shop with me, order a custom piece, or simply walk through my doors, you feel the heart behind what I do.

And if you have an idea that you don't see on my website, don't be afraid to ask.

Some of my favorite projects begin with:

“I have an idea… do you think you can make it?”

Let's see what we can create together.

Thank you for visiting Boyd's Gifts & Engraving and for allowing me to continue the Boyd family name.

This isn't just a business.

It's a legacy.

And I'm honored to carry it forward.