Solfully
A business started by a teenage entrepreneur selling 3D printed croc charms.
Why It Works
The business leverages low material costs for 3D printing, allowing for high profit margins on creatively designed products that appeal to a niche market.
Revenue & Traction
On track to do $300,000 in revenue this year, selling charms priced at $9.99 for a single pack and $16 for a two-pack.
Founding Story
Started by 17-year-old Michael Satterley, who initially sold charms to classmates.
Business Playbook
Utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to promote products, tapping into trends for viral marketing.
Why this works now
Teenagers aged 13 to 18 who enjoy customizing their footwear represent Solfully's target market. The business capitalizes on the affordability of PLA filament for 3D printing, enabling a production cost of less than $1 per charm. Michael Satterley initially gained traction by promoting his charms through Instagram, where he showcased unique designs that appealed to his peers. A challenge Solfully faces is the reliance on a single 3D printer, which limits production capacity and poses a risk of downtime for maintenance.
Additional Information
The business has received 390 reviews, with the majority being five stars.
Source
Podcast: The Side Hustle Show
Episode: 699: Creative Side Hustles That Make Real Money - Part 8
Creation Date: October 2, 2025
16 more ideas and case studies from this episode
This was one of the case studies discussed on 699: Creative Side Hustles That Make Real Money - Part 8. See every idea and case study pulled from this episode in one place.
See all 17 from this episode →Ideas worth reading next
Founding Member Promotions
This business idea revolves around offering exclusive deals to the first few customers who sign up or purchase a service, providing them with initial incentives to drive early adoption.
Agentic Drop Shipping
A drop shipping business model leveraging AI agents to find and purchase fragmented products online, such as fruit trees or specialty goods, automatically managing inventory and customer orders.
Gourmet Hermit Crab Food
A specialized line of gourmet food for hermit crabs, catering to a niche market of pet owners looking for high-quality, unique food options for their pets.
More case studies
Walter's Storage Tote Shelves
A business that builds and sells wooden racks for storage totes.
ETFs
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are investment funds that are traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks.
Gas Stations
Gas stations are retail establishments that sell fuel and often convenience store items.