I focused on one design and doubled down on one product.
1. How I started
I got into making my first mold and concrete coaster because I needed one for my desk.
The only two requirements I had were: it must be functional and serve as a decor piece.
I didn’t expect it to go beyond personal use but it did, and just like that, a business was born.
2. The design
I sketched and 3D-modeled a coaster prototype using Shapr3D, then had it printed by my local 3D printing guy.
The design stood out for both its aesthetic and its function.
I used that prototype to make a silicone mold, and then used the mold to cast a concrete coaster.
Bonus: the prototype was reusable; meaning I could make as many molds as I wanted from it.
3. Getting early feedback
I showed the coaster to friends, family, and posted it on social media to validate the idea.
I made a few casual sales on Facebook Marketplace before launching my own website.
4. Why I stuck with one Coaster Design
As a beginner, I didn’t want to overwhelm myself or get distracted. One design meant simpler production.
Focusing on one product also helped me build brand consistency and a clear presentation.
I became known for that one coaster (the Bubble Coaster), which built recognition fast.
5. Optimizing My Coasters
To add variety, I started experimenting with different colors.
I launched five color options—and customers loved them.
6. Building a Mini System
To scale, I needed a system for batch production.
Using the same prototype, I made one new mold per day. The more molds I had, the more coasters I could cast at once.
Today, I have 34 molds and spend just one hour to cast a batch of 34 coasters.
7. Marketing One Thing Well
I focused on one social media platform to promote (TikTok).
I posted behind-the-scenes content, process videos, and shots of the coasters styled in different spaces.
8. Scaling Slowly but Smartly
I reinvested my profits back into the business by buying better tools and higher quality materials.
And because I have one reusable prototype, scaling is simple: I just make more molds whenever I want to. More molds = more output.
9. Advice to Beginners
- You don’t need a full product line. You just need one good, reusable prototype.
- Simplicity wins every time. One product is enough to get started.
- Scaling doesn’t mean going big. It means going deeper.
- Start with one product. Learn from it. And then build from there.
If you want the exact prototype I used to scaled one 3D print into a small décor business click here to download it.