10 Insanely Crazy Business Ideas That Actually Worked!
Have you ever heard of a business idea that made you scratch your head in disbelief, yet was so brilliant that it worked? These are the kind of ideas that come out of nowhere and defy convention, but somehow they just work – and remarkably well at that. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most insanely crazy business ideas that actually worked and how they became successful.
1. The Million Dollar Homepage
In 2005, a college student, Alex Tew, came up with an idea that would change the face of online advertising. The idea was simple – create a website with one million pixels and sell them off for $1 a piece. The buyers could then use these pixels to display their ads, logos, or even personal messages. In just five months, Tew had sold all one million pixels, making a cool $1 million in the process.
2. The Pet Rock
In 1975, advertising executive Gary Dahl was having a drink with his friends when he heard them complain about their pets. Dahl joked that he had a pet rock, which was low maintenance and didn’t need any feeding or walking. His friends found the idea hilarious, and Dahl decided to turn it into a business. He packaged smooth stones (purchased from a building supply store) in a cardboard box with breathing holes and called it the Pet Rock. Within a few months, he sold over 1.5 million Pet Rocks, making him a millionaire.
3. Snuggie
Who doesn’t love being cozy? In 2008, Snuggie, a wearable blanket with sleeves, was introduced to the market. Initially, it was laughed at and criticized for its ridiculousness. However, its inventors used entertaining commercials and clever branding to create a viral sensation. Today, Snuggie has sold over 30 million units worldwide.
4. Santa Mail
During the Christmas season, children all over the world mail letters to Santa. In 2001, Byron Reese, a Texas entrepreneur, saw an opportunity in this and created a service called Santa Mail. The service allowed parents to have their children’s letters to Santa stamped with an official North Pole postmark. The idea was so successful that Reese’s small project brought in $50,000 in its first year.
5. Airbnb
In 2007, two roommates, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, had trouble paying rent, so they decided to put their living space on rent for a local design conference. After realizing that many people needed an affordable alternative to expensive hotels, they created “Air-Bed and Breakfast.” They renamed this project to Airbnb, and it quickly became a global phenomenon valued at $31 billion.
6. Potato Parcel
In 2015, entrepreneur Alex Craig came up with a bizarre business idea. The idea was to send personalized messages on potatoes. He called his business Potato Parcel, and it became an instant hit. The strange concept went viral, and he received orders from over a hundred countries worldwide. Craig still has customers who buy potato parcels for birthdays, weddings, and even divorce parties.
7. FitDeck
In 2007, former Navy SEAL and personal trainer Phil Black created a deck of cards that offered fitness activities. FitDeck was a simple, functional concept that used a standard deck of cards to provide users with exercises to keep them fit. It included activities such as squats, push-ups, and jumping jacks. FitDeck became a sensation and was even featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” bringing in over $4 million in sales.
8. The Wacky Wall Walker
In 1980, the Wacky Wall Walker toy was created, which was a small octopus-like creature that could be thrown against a wall. The idea was to see it crawl backwards down the wall, which it did using suction cups on its eight arms. It was inexpensive and disposable, yet it became a massive hit. It sold over 240 million units, making it one of the best-selling toys of all time.
9. The Millionaire Mailer
In 2013, self-help author Jean-Guy (J.G.) Francoeur launched a direct mail campaign to promote his latest book. The campaign consisted of sending out letters that contained a scratch-off game card with a grand prize of $10,000. The scratch-off revealed that every single person who received the letter was a winner. The catch? They had to purchase Francoeur’s book in order to claim their prize. The aggressive sales tactic worked, and Francoeur sold over $500,000 in books in just four days.
10. DotComGuy
In the year 2000, a man named Mitch Maddox came up with an idea to live on the internet for an entire year. He called himself DotComGuy and lived in a house wired with webcams that broadcast a live stream of his every move. He ate, slept and even used the restroom under the watchful eye of the internet. It was a bizarre idea, but it worked as Maddox’s idea made headlines, attracting advertisers and even landing him a book deal.
These are just a few examples of how some of the most absurd ideas became successful businesses. The key takeaway here is that anything is possible, and success can come from the most unexpected places. It’s all about having the right mindset and taking the leap of faith. So, what’s stopping you from thinking up your next crazy business idea?
