This 10-Year-Old Saved Up for a 3D Printer and Built a Business From Scratch

May 18, 2026

Most 10-year-olds spend their free time playing video games, but Ernesto Gael Hernandez is busy running his own 3D printing business and dreaming of buying his mom a house someday.

Ernesto / Credit: KRGV News

What began as a fun way to make custom keychains for classmates has quickly grown into a thriving small business for the young entrepreneur from Brownsville, Texas. Now, with multiple printers running at once and products being sold in a local store, Ernesto is already turning creativity into success while most kids his age are still deciding what game to play after school.

Inside a small workshop at home, Ernesto spends his days designing and printing colorful creations including keychains, whistles, can openers, and fidget-style items meant to help people dealing with anxiety, ADHD, and stress.

“I would wake up early and set something to print while I’m at school or after school,” Ernesto said. “Before football practice, I would also print something.”

The idea first took shape just a few months ago when Ernesto told his mother he wanted to earn money through 3D printing. Instead of simply buying him a machine, she encouraged him to work and save for it himself.

“My mom said that I could save up my chore money and buy my own 3D printer with my money,” Ernesto explained.

After saving $500, Ernesto bought his first printer and launched Prestige 3D Labs. He taught himself how to create custom designs by watching online tutorials and quickly realized there was real demand for his products.

“I saw tutorials on YouTube on how to edit and make custom keychains for other people,” he said.

Business has grown fast. Ernesto says he has already made around $1,500 in profit, and demand became so strong that he partnered with a local Brownsville clothing store called Jungle to help sell his creations.

“The business is called Jungle and I wanted to sell my product there,” Ernesto said. “I told them if they wanted to sell my product.”

Now, three printers run regularly to keep up with orders coming in from across the Rio Grande Valley.

For Ernesto’s mother, Samantha Quezada, the business has become more than just a way for her son to earn money. It has also become valuable time spent together.

“It’s a handful, but honestly I enjoy that we get to do it together,” Quezada said. “It is part of our quality time.”

She admits balancing school, football practice, and a growing business can sometimes be stressful, but she believes the experience is teaching Ernesto lessons that will last a lifetime.

“As tiring as it may be, sometimes it’s a little bit stressful. Time management is hard,” she said. “But it’s been one thing that we enjoy doing. We get to do it together and it keeps him on the right path.”

And while Ernesto is already enjoying success at an age when many kids are just beginning to explore hobbies, his motivation is surprisingly heartfelt.

“I just like doing it because I want to invest in a house for my mom and me when I grow older,” Ernesto said.