How a Teen Made $100K with a Canon Printer

Entrepreneurship is often about spotting opportunities and taking action. This story showcases how one teenager combined creativity, minimal resources, and a smart business Idea to generate over $100,000 with a simple Canon printer. Here’s how it happened and what we can learn from it.

The Spark of an Idea

At around 16 years old, the individual stumbled upon a game-changing piece of technology on YouTube: the Canon Selphy printer, capable of printing high-quality, real-size images via Bluetooth. This was not just a gadget—it was the foundation of a brilliant business idea.

Living near a famous church, a bustling tourist hotspot, the teenager realized that tourists cherished physical souvenirs. Armed with this insight, a plan emerged: set up a mobile photography service offering instant printed photos to visitors. The investment? A Canon Selphy printer ordered from the USA, a smartphone, a $10 tripod, and the determination to make it work.

Launching the idea

The setup was simple but effective. Equipped with the printer and a tripod, the entrepreneur stationed themselves near the iconic church. The sales pitch was catchy:

“Get a picture with your loved one in just two minutes!”
“Capture a physical memory of this special place!”

They cleverly targeted couples and families, explaining the value of having tangible memories in a digital world. The response was overwhelming—on the first day alone, they sold around 50 images, earning over 200 Euros in just a few hours.

Scaling the Venture

The real breakthrough came when they partnered with local tour guides. With guides bringing groups of 30-50 people twice daily, the entrepreneur struck a deal: pay the guide 20 Euros per group to direct tourists to their photography station.

This strategy exponentially increased sales. Approximately 20 people from each group would purchase photos, netting the entrepreneur 50-60 Euros per group. Adding income from walk-ins, daily revenue soared to 400-500 Euros.

Challenges and Evolution

Success was not without its challenges. After 40 days, the church security team shut down their operation at that location. Undeterred, they relocated to other tourist spots, continuing to sell photos and adapt the business. Over time, the venture earned a total of $100,000 before being retired, likely due to the entrepreneur moving on to new opportunities, including a digital agency.

Why This Business Worked

Strategic Location: Proximity to a high-traffic tourist destination ensured a steady flow of potential customers.
Tangible Value: In a world dominated by digital media, physical photos offered a unique, sentimental value.
Lean Investment: A low upfront cost (a printer, tripod, and smartphone) kept risks manageable.
Smart Partnerships: Collaborating with tour guides created a reliable customer pipeline and scalable income.

Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Start Small: You don’t need thousands of dollars or complex tools to start a business. Identify a simple, immediate need and fill it.
Leverage Location: If you’re near a popular tourist spot or event, capitalize on the built-in foot traffic.
Think Creatively: Use technology in innovative ways to deliver value.
Partner Wisely: Collaborations can help scale your business and open doors to new opportunities.

Can This Idea Work Today?

Absolutely! The model can be replicated with slight modifications. Whether it’s photography or another on-the-go service, tourist locations are ripe for entrepreneurial ventures. With just a smartphone, printer, and some creativity, you could create a profitable business of your own.

This inspiring story shows how one Canon printer became the foundation of a thriving business and serves as a reminder that with ingenuity and hustle, anyone can achieve success.