Young Galway brothers 'printing money' with sell-out successful business
Twelve year old Lewis and fourteen year old Robbie Williams were so chuffed with their success that they offered to treat their proud parents to dinner out that night to celebrate with their first grown-up earnings
The sons of Oliver and Jacinta Williams, from Loughrea, attend the local Gaelscoil Riabhach and have been turning their newfound hobby, 3D printing, to make all manner of things from toys to motor home door handles!
They spent the week before the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, their first official work gig, making sensory toys and bits and bobs for their stall, a bright display that really caught the attention of children and parents passing through the fair.
They were such a hit they had totally sold out by 4pm that afternoon, leaving the boys buzzing with excitement from their first taste of business success.
“They were absolutely thrilled,” said their father. “They’re so thankful and appreciative.”
Oliver had helped them set up a bank account, arrange insurance, and take card payments.
“The boys got a real kick out of being able to whip out their card machine,” he explained.
At the fair, he stood back as the brothers spoke confidently with customers, explained their products and handled the growing interest in their stall.
“People were just in awe,” he said of those visiting. “I mean, who taught these guys? How can they be so confident?”
One farmer approached them looking for a replacement cover for a camera at his home. Lewis found a matching design and printed the part while the man was still at the fair.
“The man came back 20 minutes later and got his part, and he just couldn’t get his head around it,” Oliver said.
At home, missing battery covers from three different television remote controls gave the brothers another problem to solve.
Their father asked them to sort it out, so they found suitable designs and printed replacements, turning a small household nuisance into a practical project.
Their creations have also helped their dad’s work. He repairs motorhomes, and the pair have made trims for older models that can be difficult to source.
They have also designed a holder that keeps a hose in place while a fresh-water tank fills, a simple device that has proved popular with customers.
“You can now just turn on the tap and walk away instead of standing there having to hold it for ages,” their father explained. “It’s simple, effective and cheap, and they have been flying out the door.”
With a background in aircraft building and an interest in computer-aided design and laser cutting, the 60-year-old has encouraged his sons to put their practical skills to use. He now enjoys watching them put their heads together, adapt designs and work through problems as a team.
“They’re naturally crafty, and I definitely see my own enthusiasm for making things in them.”
For the Williams family, the printer has also given the boys’ screen time a practical purpose. Instead of simply scrolling, they use digital designs to create colourful objects they can use themselves, solve everyday problems or make for somebody else.
Oliver hopes other parents will encourage their children to spend less time scrolling and more time making things.
“If they are looking at devices, let it be something productive,” he said. “Let it be something useful.”
The family is looking at Christmas markets for their next outing, with the brothers keen to build on their sell-out success and bring more of their designs to customers.
“Jacinta and I are so proud of them,” Oliver said. “They really have gained such confidence from this, and we’re looking forward to seeing where it goes.”
And for the Williams boys, every day starts with the same mantra: “Go out and get it.”