The story starts as a high school sophomore in engineering class, where we learned the basics of 3D modeling and CAD (computer aided design) with a program called Fusion 360. In no time, I was captivated with the idea of using CAD as a creative outlet and I would spend my lunch periods in that classroom creating extra models. As a student with ADD (attention deficit disorder), there weren't many subjects which held my interest as much as Engineering, so I decided to enroll at the University of Illinois majoring in mechanical engineering.
As a college student with ADD, I would fidget with toys such as fidget spinners and clickers in order to help me focus in class. If I wasn't fidgeting, I was shaking my leg or clicking my pen. However, I found that many of these toys were so loud and distracting, that they would actually pull my focus away instead of aiding it.
Around December of sophomore year, I decided to do away with these fidget toys and create a quiet one for myself. I figured it wouldn't be so hard since I had a good background in CAD and 3D printing. Boy was I wrong! I began sketching some of my ideas down on paper, and decided to go with a scissor-like pinching device. I thought this would take a few weeks to make but the entire prototyping process took 9 months and over 20 prototypes. I went back and forth between my apartment and the UIUC innovation studio 3D printers to keep continually improving the design.
By early junior year, the final design was finished at last. I naturally named it the "Pinchy" because it's a pinching fidget toy. My friends liked it as well and recommended I start selling them, so I invested in my own 3D printer and opened an Etsy Shop. The timing couldn't have been better because the 3D printed fidget toy market was growing on Etsy. Immediately these began selling and customers were nice enough to leave great reviews. Here is an example of one of my favorite reviews:
★★★★★ "Okay I usually don't leave reviews but... I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ITEM!!! I have always been a fidgety and anxious person, I have severe anxiety and fidget toys help me alleviate at least some of that anxiety. Recently I decided to purchase some fidget toys and stumbled upon this gem. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but the instant I tried the Pinchy, it became my go-to fidget toy. It's super satisfying, the spring movement and the build of the pinchy is awesome, fits right, it's quiet, it has everything! Other than an awesome product, the customer service from this shop was so nice and you can tell this fidget toy was engineered with passion in mind to help people like me."
-Yarilis
Seeing these types of reviews was very rewarding because it made me realize I was actually helping people not just focus, but also to relieve stress and anxiety. Even though running the business was tough given my course load, the aspect of putting out something positive into the world really motivated me to keep going at it.
Since then I've expanded into other sales channels including my website (www.pinchyfidget.com) and TikTok Shop (@Pinchyfidget) through my business RoysToysCo LLC. As of now, I am focusing on sending samples to "affiliates" on TikTok, who review the product and receive a commission from every sale coming from their TikTok.