The 3rd Dimension

https://3rddimensionprints.wixsite.com/3dprint

Background

When I was in 7th grade, my engineering teacher recognized my love for CAD and 3D modeling after using Autodesk Inventor through out the first semester of school. He encouraged me to check out the 3d printer our school had just gotten and from the second I waked into our technology space, I was hooked. I was fascinated with the ability to make any thought or idea into a real, tangible object. I saw creativity, innovation, and passion come to life. I immediately got to work.

As a seventh grader, and like most other kids I knew, my main focus was toys. Soon after learning how to use the printer, I started designing different gadgets and models, only stopping for school and food. My favorite thing to design was fidget toys because my hands could never stay at rest, so I created two different fidgets ‒ an infinity cube and a gyroscope ‒ and started printing them right away. Walking around school with them, my new creations drew the attention of my friends, classmates, and teachers, who started wanting fidget toys of their own. My printing needs quickly outgrew the school printer’s availability. I contemplated sleeping at school to be able to use the printer more often, but knew that was too extreme. The second best option was to save up and buy a 3D printer of my own.

From the combination of babysitting, dog walking, and selling my printed items, I finally was able to buy my own 3D printer. The machine was running non-stop: printing fidget toys, birthday presents, and anything else my friends and family wanted. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to turn my hobby and passion into a real business. I made my way down to the municipal county clerk’s office, filed for a DBA (Doing Business As), and my new business, The 3rd Dimension, was born.

I had never imagined that playing around with computer design software would allow me to make money, but all of a sudden, my wildest dreams were becoming a reality. As I entered high school, my products needed to be extended beyond my immediate social circles. The next step would be getting my fidget toys out into the real world. I started running the printer 24/7, designed multiple new products, created my own online retail website, and began setting up booths at local makers markets.

Through a lot of persistence, and maybe a little bit of obsession, the business continued to grow. It was at my regular makers market in East Austin where I met Terisa, a therapist who was very interested in my fidget toys for her patients. As I told her my story and showed her the products, she knew that what I was making would help out her kids that had ADD, ADHD, and anxiety. Through this connection, a great partnership began.

Over the course of the next two years, I made over 60 fidget toys for her and her patients. Through this journey, I have created lasting relationships, helped many people in need, and was able to continue exploring and grow my passion for technology, business, and helping people.