Thanks for all the encouragement. To be frank, I'm not worried beyond the amount I should be worried. This type of stuff rolled off me when I was younger, but now I have two kids in college and one more in the batting cage.
When I look back to other times when things seemed dire, something often came out of nowhere. I won't deny I believe a little bit in luck or fate or whatever immaterial influence one may describe.
As you know, I'm quite obsessed with 3D printing. I'm also fidgety. And my offspring are blessed with that as well. A while back I went to the Thing-iverse and found some small items that are good for busy hands. I printed some out. Gave one to my middle child (a student at U of MN) and didn't really think much of it. It turns out I stumbled upon a fad that seems poised to become the next pet rock.
Hand spinners are small devices containing 2 or more skateboard bearings. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Typically held in a fashion that allows you to flick it to make it spin. It's the next step up from twirling a pencil.
I made a bunch for Sonja and Celia (my 11 year old) to sell to their friends. $5 each (they cost me about $1.50). They were a hit. On the U of MN campus, they are quite popular. At Field Elementary, they are also quite popular. But what is not popular is an 11 year old pushing their wares in the halls during school hours. I soon received an e-mail that sounded as though she were getting busted for drug trafficking. We made it clear early on that these should only be vended after school. Ever the opportunist, she decided the market was bigger when everyone was in the halls. She is still able to sell them, just not during school hours.
I got the idea to pitch these to the bookstore at the U. Bingo.
At the moment I am the sole supplier of these things (and currently working on official branding with their certification office). Of course, school is almost out. So we are considering what the orders will look like for the fall. I'm anticipating a significant demand by then.
You might ask yourself, "I'm sure China is selling these, right?" Indeed. There really is nothing to them. But there is the beauty of 3D printing. I do not have a minimum order. And I can make it so each item is completely different from the next. This makes it possible to customize for any event. Plus, the U is really big on using local suppliers for their swag.
And there are several other large schools in the area. And several MAJOR colleges in the region. And spinners are just a single hot item. What other opportunities are there for on-demand 3D printed items?
This is a prototype with U of MN colors:
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This is the packaging I designed for retail:
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