A high-school student in New York used a classroom 3D-printing lesson and TikTok to build Solefully, a Crocs-accessory brand now earning $20 K every month.
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1. A Skill Learned in Class Sparked the Business
In 2023, Michael Satterlee’s design-and-drawing class introduced him to 3D printing. Fascinated, the 17-year-old bought his own printer and searched for products with untapped demand. When he noticed viral snow-plow attachments for Crocs, he spotted a niche: quirky, functional add-ons for the wildly popular clogs. Solefully was born.
2. Validating the Idea Before Spending Big
Find a “winning product.” Satterlee looked for items that were easy to produce, simple to explain and not already flooding the market.
Prototype fast. Because 3D printing requires little upfront tooling, he could test designs in hours, not weeks.
Post content first. Instead of perfecting branding, he uploaded quick demos to TikTok and Instagram to see whether strangers would stop scrolling.
3. The Content-First Growth Playbook
The result? Roughly 50 million organic impressions a month and a steady stream of orders—without paying for ads.
4. Growing Pains and the Warehouse Upgrade
Early success swamped Satterlee’s bedroom with printers, boxes and filament. One viral video triggered more sales than he could fulfil, leading to delays—and a lesson: scale your space before you absolutely need it. Moving production to a small warehouse restored sanity and boosted efficiency.
5. By the Numbers
Monthly sales: ≈ $20,000
2024 revenue: $250,000
2025 projection: $300,000+
Age of founder: 17
6. What Aspiring Teen (or Adult) Entrepreneurs Can Steal
1. Leverage classroom skills. School projects can be profitable side hustles.
2. Research micro-niches. Even a single shoe brand can inspire a six-figure accessory line.
3. Content is your MVP. If short videos can’t hook viewers, revamp the product before scaling.
4. Prepare for virality. Stock extra materials and streamline fulfilment now, not later.
5. Reinvest in infrastructure. A dedicated workspace separates “hobby” from “business.”
7. Quick-Start Checklist for Your Own 3D-Printing Side Hustle
1. Identify an underserved fandom (pets, gamers, runners, etc.).
2. Validate demand on TikTok with concept sketches and polls.
3. Invest in an entry-level 3D printer ($300–$500) and free CAD software.
4. Publish daily vertical videos showing prototypes in action.
5. Open a lightweight e-commerce store (Shopify, Etsy, or Woo).
6. Track inquiries and scale production—upgrade to a micro-warehouse when home space maxes out.
8. Final Takeaway
Michael Satterlee proves you don’t need venture capital—or even a college degree—to launch a profitable brand. Combine a niche idea, rapid prototyping and relentless social-media storytelling, and a side hustle can out-earn many full-time jobs long before graduation.
