Nineteen-year-old Mike Satterlee quickly turned his passion for 3D printing into a thriving business after high school. In August 2025, just three months post-graduation, his company CruiseCup faced overwhelming demand following a viral Instagram post about a new double-can cooler design. This innovative "tactical reloader" could reload cans from top or bottom, unlike competitors’ models, boosting monthly revenue to $100,000 and propelling the business to generate $808,000 in gross revenue for the year.

Satterlee operates CruiseCup out of a 3,000-square-foot warehouse in Clifton Park, New York, managing 160 3D printers full-time alongside a single employee. He initially learned 3D printing in high school and launched his first business, Solefully, selling Crocs shoe charms, which brought in about $250,000 in 2024. However, CruiseCup’s product appeal and higher profit margins led him to close Solefully in 2025 and focus exclusively on drinkware products, including plastic and stainless steel coolers sourced from abroad.

The young entrepreneur reinvests most of his profits—typically earning $500 to $1,500 monthly for personal use—into expanding the company’s printer fleet, marketing efforts, and product development. He holds two patents pending for CruiseCup’s design and plans to introduce UV printing and additional drinkware styles. Satterlee also aims to scale up marketing and break into retail shelves to further boost growth.

For Satterlee, the journey reflects a clear passion for building innovative products rather than just financial gain. Despite some peers heading to college, he chose to dedicate himself full-time to his venture, which benefits from the growing popularity of 3D-printed goods on platforms like Shopify and TikTok. His excitement for his work shines through as he views entrepreneurship not as labor but as a fulfilling creative pursuit.