{
  "id": 14939237,
  "title": "US high school graduate makes $808,000 a year from 3D-printing side hustle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/us-high-school-graduate-makes-808-000-a-year-from-3d-printing-side",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T11:08:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/us-high-school-graduate-makes-808000-a-year-from-3d-printing-side-hustle-10924092/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seventeen-year-old Mike Satterlee, who recently graduated from high school in the United States, has achieved remarkable success with his 3D-printed can coolers. His venture, Cruise Cup, has become a multimillion-dollar business in just three months since its inception, despite Satterlee never anticipating such rapid growth. A simple Instagram video showcasing him enjoying a Dr. Pepper while using his insulated cooler went viral, garnering over 50 million views and catapulting his business to new heights. The video, which demonstrated his ability to \"reload\" a fresh can into his hard-shell insulated coozie, quickly gained widespread attention.\n\nSatterlee started his entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 13, initially selling a sand-repellent lotion. Since then, he has expanded his product line to include 3D-printed items such as shoe accessories and car cup holders. His current production facility is equipped with over 160 3D printers, enabling him to manufacture a wide range of products. Despite working an astonishing 80 to 85 hours per week, Satterlee remains incredibly motivated, stating that every day he wakes up excited to work. He genuinely enjoys his line of work, finding it far from being a chore.\n\nCruise Cup's annual revenue reached approximately $601,000 until September of the current year, increasing to an impressive $800,000 by the end of 2025. The primary sources of revenue for the company include sales through its website and TikTok Shop, with a smaller portion coming from Amazon. The majority of the revenue is reinvested into acquiring more 3D printers, running targeted social media advertisements, and developing new products. Even though Satterlee lives with his parents and doesn't pay rent, he earns between $500 and $1,500 a month, with most of the revenue being reinvested into the business.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Seventeen-year-old Mike Satterlee founded Cruise Cup at 13",
    "3D-printed can coolers generate $800,000 annually",
    "Instagram video went viral with 50 million views"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}