One of My Favorite Parts of Running a Family Business

When I visit customers, I usually leave behind more than a business card.

I leave behind a miniature blower.

Most people assume it's something we had designed by a marketing company.

The truth is much better.

It was designed and built by my 10 year old son.

A few years ago, he got a 3D printer for Christmas and became fascinated with how things work. We have all sorts of industrial pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, and parts hanging around the office for tinkering, but he rarely sees any of it working in action.

It wasn't long before he decided to try building a miniature centrifugal blower.

What followed were countless design revisions, failed prints, wiring changes, and tests. Each version got a little better than the last.

Today, these blowers have become one of my favorite customer leave-behinds. Not because they're flashy, but because they tell a story about curiosity, problem-solving, and learning by doing.

It's been rewarding to watch him develop skills in design, engineering, and manufacturing.

As a business owner, it's a reminder that innovation often starts with a simple question:

"What happens if we try this?"

And yes, it actually works.

#Engineering #3DPrinting #STEM #Manufacturing #IndustrialSales #FamilyBusiness #BAAssociates #ProblemSolving #NextGeneration