Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Wallace.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2022, when my son, Victor, was 10 years old, he found a small 3D printer under the Christmas tree. Neither of us had ever 3D-printed and both became instantly hooked. As we printed non-stop over the next week, I thought about how STEAM kids like Victor tend to do the things they love alone…..for Victor this was drawing, editing videos, gaming, and I assume many kids with 3D printers must print alone too.
I was walking from my office at the local courthouse to my car one day when I had a cartoon-style lightbulb moment and thought: What if I could socialize something like 3D printing for kids like Victor?
We could offer 3D printing classes, walk-in printing sessions, birthday parties, season/special events, and even summer camps.
Within roughly two weeks, I secured a retail lease on Main Street in Flemington and we opened our doors just two months after that fateful Christmas morning.
It was an instant hit. In fact, before we even officially opened, our classes were sold out and several birthday parties had been booked. It helped that I previously founded and owned Flemington’s Chirp Workshop (which I sold in 2020), so many community parents knew and trusted me already.
While still working full-time, I ran classes, events, and parties at The 3D Lab during my evenings and weekends.
Classes and events continued to sell out.
Seven months later, we moved to a larger retail unit on Stangl Road and increased our workstations.
Within our first year, we were hired by The Philadelphia Eagles to pack up the studio and bring it to their annual holiday party at Lincoln Financial Fied. (Spoiler: they’ve hired us every year since!)
By the end of 2023, I was able to leave my 20-year legal career to purse The 3D Lab full-time.
In 2024, we were named Hunterdon Happening’s Best New Business.
That same year, we added larger multicolor 3D printers to our studio and launched advanced classes.
In 2025, we launced adult classes.
We are now preparing to franichise so kids everywhere can experience The 3D Lab.
Our goal was to create a warm, inviting, fun place where STEAM kids feel at home and I’m so proud that I feel we’ve accomplised exactly that. We’ve been blessed with an extremely supportive and loving community of clients and fellow business neighbors and could not feel more lucky or grateful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I previously owned Chirp Workshop and learned most of my business mistakes there, which made for a MUCH smoother ride owning The 3D Lab. We’ve been extremely fortunate that this business has gone incredibly smoothly. We are a lean, efficient business with a booming customer base.
However, the biggest shock for me personally has been going from a steady 9-5 job to literally working every moment my eyes are open. The never-ending to-do lists and inability to “disconnect” are truly astounding and you don’t know what that’s like until you’re truly “in it.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I came up with this idea, I heavily researched nearly non-stop for 48 hours. I could find nothing like what I was envisioning. We are truly unique and I’m so proud of that.
I also love that this beautiful business was organically inspired by my love for my son and his interests. He was not interested in sports or traditional extracurriculars and many STEAM kids are isolated in their pursuits. I can’t even tell you how many parents approached me and thanked me because they had a similar situation and feel like their child has found their “place” at The 3D Lab.
It’s also been an amazing experience to share with Victor (who is 13 now). He helps at events, he’s taught me 3D design and video-editing, encouraged me to launch our YouTube channel, he’s been hired for design/print jobs for nearly $900, he’s got a Roth IRA started, we’ve tried out for Shark Tank several times together, and have been interviewed together. The 3D Lab has exposed him (and me) to so many cool and sometimes unusual experiences.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Most of my childhood memories revolve around traditions with my many, many cousins: days spent at the beach and nights spent crabbing at the Jersey Shore….all of us going bowling every year the day after Thanksgiving, or to Seaside’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year.
Pricing:
- Walk-In 3D Printing: $30 per hour
- Birthday Parties: $450
- Classes: starting at $135
- Summer Camps: starting at $315
- Events: $30 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flemington3Dlab.com (this will be changing by the fall)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3dlabflemington/ (handle: the3Dlabflemington)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flemington3Dlab (handle: The 3D Lab Flemington)
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Vics3DLab
