Cathy Dobson
July 23, 2018 – Cathy Dobson, The Sarnia Journal
Seventeen-year-old Jared Waller has a unique opportunity to do something he loves while running his own business this summer.
Waller is one of three high school students in Sarnia approved to operate their own companies, assisted by the Ontario government’s Summer Company Program and facilitated by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
They each receive $1,500 at the beginning of summer for start-up costs and another $1,500 at the end if they work a minimum of 280 hours at it.
Waller is a self-professed computer geek who has spent hundreds of hours teaching himself how to operate 3D printers. His business can provide plastic 3D products to individuals and commercial customers.
“I can make just about anything with my 3D printers,” says Waller. “If you like tinkering in your garage and you need a part that you can’t buy online and costs a lot to make from metal, I can make it for you.”
His customers might also include board game enthusiasts who want him to make playing pieces.
“I also make one-of-a-kind decorative accessories,” said Waller, holding up blue lion he made.
“I can do unique Christmas ornaments, toys or candle holders,” he added. “If you come to me with an idea I’ll work with you to make it happen.”
He is planning to approach local manufacturers to see if his services might be of use to them.
Waller is entering Grade 12 at Northern Collegiate and is on the school’s Eco Team, a group of students who built a fuel-efficient car and were the only Canadian high school team to compete in California recently.
Waller used the school’s 3D printers to make brackets to hold the car’s electrical components in place.
His fascination with Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs grew from his involvement with Northern’s Eco Team.
When he applied to participate in the Summer Company Program, Waller already had two printers. Now he has two more purchased with the start-up money and a workshop in the basement of his home.
His first customer paid $68 for Waller to make her four caps to replace the worn ends on her baseboard heaters.
To contact Radiant 3D Printing, visit www.radiant3DPrint.ca, email Waller at radiant3Dprinting@gmail.com or call 519-466-3172.
Other summer companies operating in Sarnia this year include Du’Beehive, which makes small beehives, and Robinson Multimedia, which runs the sound at special events and entertainment venues.
Operators of each company are required to attend seminars co-ordinated by Storm Astolfi, the student entrepreneurship coach at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
In the county, the Summer Company Program is also supporting Cole’s Canteen at the Alvinston Baseball Park, Hayter Family Produce in Alvinston and Green Ridge Corn, a produce stand at Egremont Road and Oil Heritage Road in Plympton-Wyoming.
Do you have a great idea for the Business Journal? Contact cathy.dobson@thesarniajournal.ca.
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