Meet Our Founders
With Women's History Month coming to a close, Jett 3D wanted to take time to share some thoughts from and fun facts about our two female cofounders, Katie Snediker and Alyssa Burris.
Katie Snediker
Katie is cofounder and CEO of Jett 3D. She was born and raised in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. She attended the University of Buffalo and graduated in 2011 with a degree in Political Science. She started her career as a political pollster in Washington, D.C., before transitioning to the commercial side of polling -- market research and data analytics. For the eight years prior to her work in 3D printing, Katie worked with clients in a variety of industries using stakeholder data to develop effective business strategies. She is taking the lessons and skills she's learned throughout her career into her CEO role to deliver high-quality products and services to Jett 3D's clients.
How did you first get interested in 3D printing?
I first got interested in 3D printing while researching its use in constructing homes, specifically 3D printing of concrete. Nearly my entire family works in concrete construction, so I've always been immersed in the industry. I was fascinated by additive manufacturing's efficient use of materials and labor. This made me look into other applications of the technology, and I started to learn more about the printers, materials, and software. It didn't take me long to realize that this is the future of design and manufacturing and that I wanted to be a part of it. Luckily, I found Alyssa and our other mentors, without whom Jett 3D wouldn't exist.
What are your expectations for the future of 3D printing?
If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we must be prepared for the unexpected. This is very apparent when it comes to manufacturing. Many businesses, governments, and individuals weren't able to access goods due to shortages and supply chain disruptions. 3D printing companies jumped in to help wherever they could, whether it was to manufacture PPE and ventilator parts or create tools and components for companies that didn't have insight into when their overseas orders would arrive.
I believe that with the rapid advancement of 3D printing technologies (such as MJF), we'll see more and more companies choose to manufacture low-volume quantities of parts closer to home. 3D printing will allow them faster access to parts and lower start-up costs, and provide companies with the flexibility to easily iterate their designs.
How did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
I was one of those kids who was always selling stuff. I sold pokemon cards and pogs in middle school, burned custom CDs for $5 each in high school, and sold my course notes to other students in college. However, I knew I needed to learn what it was like to be an employee before I could be a successful leader. What I learned during my time working is that I feel most confident when I can take a macro view of an industry or company and develop growth strategies around it. Being an entrepreneur allows me to build something from the ground up with a strong foundation of research. I also enjoy the excitement of trying new things and taking calculated risks I might not be able to in a less entrepreneurial environment.
What is the most important life lesson you've learned so far?
That perfection is the enemy of progress. You don't have to be perfect or an expert in something to be successful. You have to be willing to make mistakes so that you can learn and grow. 3D printers will force you to become comfortable with failures and mistakes, as any person who's ever worked with an FDM or SLA printer can attest.
Who is a (historical or not) woman that inspires you?
Sacagawea. She was only 16 when she joined Lewis and Clark' Corps of Discovery on their expedition to the American west, and without her, the Corps likely wouldn't have been successful. Her ability to translate and interpret for Native Americans and English-speaking explorers allowed for a diplomatic approach to the expedition. She also had expert knowledge of geography and was able to guide the team safely through the terrain. At one point, a boat capsized, and it was Sacagawea who jumped into the water to save the invaluable journals that documented the expedition. She received no compensation for her work (because she was a woman), while men in the Corps received land and money for their contributions.
Alyssa Burris
Alyssa is the cofounder and COO of Jett 3D. She was born in Taiwan and grew up in Oregon. She completed her bachelor's degree in Business at the University of Washington then attended the Pratt Institute's School of Industrial Design. Alyssa began 3D printing during her Industrial Design courses at Pratt and later gained experience working in additive manufacturing and project management.
How did you first get interested in 3D printing?
My industrial design professor, Henry Yoo, assigned a design project where we designed, 3D modeled, and 3D printed several organic forms. I created these abstract terrain-like models in white PLA about the size of your palm. They were barely printable, but I thought they were the coolest thing ever because it all started from an idea in my head to a tangible object in my hand in a matter of days. Ever since then, I've been 3D printing.
What are your expectations for the future of 3D printing?
If you think about the state of 3D printing right now - we can print houses, human ears, and bottle openers. The possibilities of 3D printing are so vast, and we've only begun to explore its applications. As more companies use 3D printing for new applications, it will fuel the development of higher quality parts and improved scalability. 3D printing has and will continue to change the way we create products. It will speed up design cycles, drive substantial material innovations, and produce highly custom parts on-demand. From prototypes to end-use parts, companies will use 3D printing throughout the product life cycle. Designers and engineers will be able to iterate faster, explore a range of materials, and reduce waste. Consumers will have access to products made for them and unique to them.
How did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
I don't think I had a definitive point where I decided to be an entrepreneur. Many of my family members and friends ran businesses, so I grew up around it. When I was 12 or 13, I started "Alyssa's Horse Water Cleaning Business." Say that tens times fast. I mucked horse stalls a few times a week to earn some money to pay for my horse, and I noticed that the water buckets would constantly build up algae. I came home and started designing business cards and flyers. I still remember the exact water droplet background I chose, along with a bright lime green font so you couldn't miss me. I took my mom's best dish scrubber and an old bucket - off I went. I asked each horse owner if they needed their water bucket cleaned and charged a whopping $3 per bucket.
What is the most important life lesson you've learned so far?
A family friend and mentor of mine Al VanNoy said to me, "that no well-worn path has ever led to discovery." I think this perfectly applies to many of the lessons I've learned so far. I've learned to be unafraid to do things differently and to explore with an insatiable curiosity. It's in that willingness to explore and take risks that you'll make the most important discoveries.
Who is a (historical or not) woman that inspires you?
Carolyn Burris - she's a great mom, successful entrepreneur, and the life of the party. She taught me to always keep learning and that you can teach yourself anything as long as you put your mind to it. I will never forget the day I came home and saw her reading a how-to plumbing book from Home Depot. I thought it was quite an odd literature choice. She told me that she wanted to learn how to fix things around the house herself. She had zero experience in plumbing, but she had the determination to figure it out. It was that determination and self-confidence that continues to inspire me.