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Forget the lemonade stand! A Georgia 12-year-old—with the help of his twin brother—used a family loan from his parents to launch a thriving 3D-printed toy business. Now, the twins are selling their customized creations to friends and classmates, showing that with a little tech savvy and big ambition, age is just a number.
The dream-turned-reality all started when Aaron Osirus, 12, noticed his classmates carrying fidgets—colorful pocket-sized sensory gadgets—CBS News reported. As the toys filled the hallways, Osirus saw the frenzy firsthand, and a lightbulb immediately went off.
“One day at school I was just looking around, and then I saw that a lot of people had fidgets or toys,” Aaron said. “I was like, if all these fidgets are plastic, why can’t I make them?” With a $600 loan from his parents, his custom 3D-printing business, A3D, was born.
According to CBS News, Aaron used the $600 loan to buy a high-tech 3D printer featuring an automatic material system—a tool capable of seamlessly swapping colors mid-print to bring his vibrant, multi-colored designs to life.
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Today, Aaron creates and sells fidgets and other toys to classmates and neighborhood kids, including a four-color kitten that takes about a full day to print for $5 a pop. He customizes each order based on the customer’s preferred color, size and design before setting a price and expected delivery time.
As the business took off, Aaron brought in someone he trusted completely: his twin brother, Alain Osirus, who now helps manage and run A3D.
“I’m a designer for A3D. Sometimes I make the toys, and I also help with marketing. I check the time, how long it takes, the cost, fulfillment and everything,” Alain said.
Like seasoned entrepreneurs, the young brothers calculate supply and labor costs and offer repeat customers a discount. To keep costs down, the twins also ask friends to volunteer for A3D before bringing on paid staff. They currently generate a monthly profit of $200 each, according to CBS News.
Ultimately, A3D has done more than generate income—it has strengthened the twins’ bond while teaching them firsthand how to manage money, serve customers and grow a brand from the ground up.
“My brother Aaron is actually very cool because we’re able to spend time together. It’s really special to own a business with your brother,” Alain said.
They also shared advice to other young entrepreneurs interested in starting their own businesses. “Follow your dreams. Just try your hardest,” Aaron said. “You’ve got to save up the money. You’ve got to plan for everything.”
Alain shared a similar message for aspiring young founders: “Chase your dreams. Outcompete everyone else in your business. Show them what you’re made of.”
