EP. 32 NASA, 3D Printing and Beyond

Samantha Snabes, Co-Founder of re:3D, is paving the way and democratizing the ability for folks to build what they need and when they need it. Her company, re:3D is an innovative 3D printing company that wants to bring this technology to all folks, especially in countries that would typically not have access to this capability. Samantha talks about her journey to starting a business and how it was somewhat by accident. Her goal was (and still is) to become an astronaut, but her involvement with startups and NASA along the way, took her down a different path. By helping others solve other people's problems, she found a path that moved her toward positively impacting social initiatives. Running a bootstrapped company allows her Team to stay focused on educating and providing this technology to those who need it most. Samantha also shares her philosophy of letting the end user decide how to create value with the tools her company makes. She says that dictating solutions prevents companies from actually helping people solve their most critical problems. Samantha shares stories during natural disasters where 3D printing came in handy, but you’d be surprised what folks actually needed. Growing up in Detroit, Samantha also talks about the days of manufacturing and how she remembers hearing stories of working hard and building things. This migration away from US manufacturing has created challenges for businesses like re:3D in finding folks willing to work with their hands. Increase in cost of living and wages, makes this a difficult and constant issue for this entrepreneur. Samantha shares that she is hopeful and will continue to find creative ways to build that old-fashion manufacturing company, that generations of families work for - In the meantime, she will keep aiming for the stars.