Engravings For Awards, Plaques etc.

I have been in the military for 9 years and I plan on making a career of it.  I started my business about a year and a half ago when the Military had to cut back funds as a way to provide awards and plaques for Soldiers that were going to a new duty station.  Unknown to me with limited business knowledge I failed to register a legal business name and thus not having a Federal EIN which in terms of owning a business means that everything up until doing that two weeks ago has been pretty much for nothing.  These gifts mean a lot to Soldiers and they symbolize all the hard word and dedication that was put into their time there.  The machine I use now to engrave is very basic and only carves into wood which is great but its a very limited market.  Laser engraving on the other hand has almost unlimited potential for my goal in the Military as well as local and internet sales.  I've researched the marketability for the products I could create and I know that with the correct equipment I could do extremely well.  I am not a stellar candidate for any assistance due to my poor credit and limited business knowledge but if that can be overlooked and with the right guidance I know I'll be a sound investment.  The average machine cost is anywhere from $10,000 all the way up to $80,000.  I put on my profile that I was asking for $25,000 but honestly due to my shortcomings I will take any deal or any solution to get my business rolling.  Lastly, I know that in today's society, in terms of loans and financing that a person's goals, character, values or morals are not considered very often rather a person's credit and income are the primary consideration.  I'm pretty desperate to make  my dream of getting my business up and running so any help with that will be greatly appreciated.