Michael Satterlee, a 17-year-old high school student from Clifton Park, New York, built a successful side hustle by using a skill he learned in class. After learning 3D printing in his design and drawing for production class, he bought his own printer and began searching for product ideas. He eventually discovered a niche in 3D-printed accessories for Crocs and created Solefully, a business that now earns around $20,000 per month.

When he first started, Satterlee was balancing school, a dishwasher job, and his new business. His early focus was finding a strong product that was easy to make, simple to market, and not already oversaturated. Once he found his idea, he focused on content. He posted three TikToks and Instagram Reels every day, using creativity and consistency to grow his audience.

His marketing strategy relied completely on free platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Instead of paying for ads, he built organic attention through short-form videos. Over time, this helped him reach millions of monthly impressions and bring in steady sales.

However, growth also created challenges. One viral video brought in more orders than he was ready for. He ran out of supplies, struggled to respond to customers, and had delayed shipments. That experience taught him the importance of planning ahead, stocking materials, creating systems, and getting help when needed.

Satterlee later moved the business into a warehouse, which helped him become more organized and productive. He says he wishes he had made that move earlier because working from home became chaotic.

His best advice for entrepreneurs is to start with content before spending too much money on a product. By testing ideas online first, entrepreneurs can see if people are interested. His story shows that creativity, consistency, and smart social media use can turn a simple skill into a real business.