17-year-old Michael Satterlee turned his passion for 3D printing into SoleFully, a thriving shoe accessory brand.
While most high school students are busy with homework, 17-year-old Michael Satterlee is running a business that brings in five figures every month.
The New York teen, who once earned £12 an hour washing dishes, now makes around £15,000 in monthly sales through his company, SoleFully, which designs and sells shoe accessories.
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Michael’s entrepreneurial streak began with 3D-printed calculator cases, but it was his quirky shoe charms that took off.
From practical flashlight charms to gag gifts like fake toes, his creations have resonated with customers.
“It wasn’t overnight,” he told Hype Daily.
“It took a lot of trial and error to find the right product and the right way to market it. I’m grateful that something I started out of passion has turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.”
Balancing business with school means long days. He wakes at 5am to work in his warehouse before class, then returns after school until 8pm.
Weekends can mean 13-hour shifts, though he still carves out time for family.
Despite the profits, Michael keeps spending low-key.
Much of his income is reinvested into new printers, equipment upgrades and expanding his team.
Friends and professionals now work alongside him as the business grows.
Homework still comes first during school hours, and Michael says grades remain a priority. His family and friends are supportive, encouraging his drive to succeed.
Looking ahead, the teen is weighing his options between scholarships for university or doubling down on his business.
“The process is going to be hard and very time consuming, but if it were easy, everyone would do it,” he said.
With plans to branch further into 3D printing, Michael is showing that ambition, hard work and a little creativity can pay off before you’ve even graduated.
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