A 3D printing side hustle I started

Delighted to share the genesis of one of my ventures and shed light on my journey.

One day, while enjoying some beers 😂, I had the notion to delve into the realm of 3D printing just for kicks.

Exploring the costs, I found that 3D printers could demand a hefty price tag. However, I opted for the Anet A8, an affordable Chinese model priced at around $160.

The assembly proved to be a learning curve, but the experience paid off immensely.

After dedicating hours to fine-tuning the printer, I successfully crafted a 3D case for my Raspberry Pi, utilizing an STL file from Thingiverse — a Nintendo 64 case, to be specific.

Contemplating the potential, I envisioned various products that could be created with the 3D printer. For instance, a 3D-printed phone case costs approximately $0.25 in filament but can be sold for $25. The allure of the profit margin was instantly apparent 😂.

Intrigued by the magic behind STL files, I discovered Tinkercad, a free platform that facilitates the design of STL files.

Equipped with the necessary tools, I pondered what to print. Glancing at my snowboard, I wondered why it wasn’t displayed on the wall. That’s when I conceived a design for a snowboard wall hanger and promptly brought it to life 💥.

Designing a simple wall hanger took only a few hours for me, and likely just a few minutes for a seasoned designer.

This marked the birth of my inaugural product. I listed it on eBay and Etsy, and lo and behold, sales started pouring in. Before I knew it, a business had taken shape.

Today, I have ten printers operating around the clock, producing over 150 different products that I sell.

Perhaps this tale will ignite inspiration in someone else 🤷‍♂️.

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