Meet Nikos, our 10-year-old student who is an entrepreneur, teacher, and 3D printing enthusiast.

A Creator at Heart

When asked what he loves most about making things, Nikos didn’t hesitate:

“I like seeing my ideas come to life.”

His journey into entrepreneurship started with a wish to have a 3D printer. His parents’ rule was straightforward: use it to make things that are useful. And he has taken that to heart, building everything from prototypes to a custom card holder he proudly shows off.

From First Print to Full Business

It’s clear he’s not just tinkering. He’s designing with intention. "I wanted to make money, and this was after I received my 3D printer," Nikos explains. "I said, hmm, maybe I can sell keychains."

Shipping logistics, managing taxes, and the intricate process of packaging each keychain with three different papers might discourage many adults. "Sometimes people don't get their items and we have to reship," Nikos notes, explaining the realities of business. "We also have to pack each keychain with three different papers, package it, and tape the packing slip inside."

Yet despite these challenges, Nikos pushes through. The best moment so far?

“One day at school, I was walking behind a kid who had one of my keychains on his backpack. He had gone to a birthday party that gave out the keychains as party favors.”

Imagine being ten years old and spotting your creation out in the world. That’s impact.

Stepping Into the Teacher's Role

When we invited him to lead a 3D printing workshop for Ember students, he felt what every great teacher feels:

“Good. Scared.”

That combination is courage. And it showed. Teaching others what you know is intimidating, even when you're passionate about it. But Nikos did it anyway, stepping outside his comfort zone to share his knowledge with his peers.

Kids soon gathered around him as he explained how a printer worked layer by layer. He demonstrated designing a base plate, adding custom text, cutting a hole for the keychain ring, slicing the model in Bambu Studio, and the magic moment when plastic becomes form.

What excited him most about the workshop? "Watching the 3D printer print and watching them learn something new."

It's a simple answer that reveals a profound truth: the joy of creation multiplies when shared.

If He Could Make Anything

When asked what keychain he would make if he could create anything with no boundaries, Nikos didn’t think about viral products or commercial success. Instead, he said:

"So in class, me and a couple of friends drew stories about a teddy bear. I would make that teddy bear because it would be fun to have and give to the friend who made the design."

Whether it's a keychain for a customer halfway across the country, or a teddy bear for a friend who sits next to him in class, every creation has purpose and heart.

Part 1 was about a young creator. Part 2 is about the foundation that made him one. Read Part 2: A Father’s Perspective