My personal opinion is to contact a local engraver and make a relationship with them. Have them engrave the items for you for now. Do the layout for them. Make their life easy. It's a learning process for you as well. Search the used laser market. If you find something worth buying, buy it.
Assuming 10 pcs a week over a 52 week year at a cost of out sourcing of $10 each, you're looking at $5200 for the year. That should be able to cover a used 30W western machine.
Equipment: IS400, IS6000, VLS 6.60, LS100, HP4550, Ricoh GX e3300n, Hotronix STX20
Software: Adobe Suite & Gravostyle 5
Business: Trophy, Awards and Engraving