“It all starts with an idea.”
As a co-founder of a small skincare brand, I fully support this quote. While most people will tell you having finances, a good team or even a solid execution plan is important, I believe an idea is the true hero of any business.
So, a great business idea will not just open new avenues for you, but it will also help you convince your investors to splurge and your clients to become hooked. Since business ideas play such an important role, most people think they will never have a winning idea that will help them make bank.
However, in real life, the weird and outrageous the idea, the better.
Take Uber for example, my boomer mother spent a lot of years teaching me not to trust people on the internet or to ride with a stranger. In fact, if I stepped into the shoes of an investor and had to consider Uber, I would have passed on it as well. Today, Uber is considered the epitome of tech startup success. It is not the only startup that started with a weird idea, there are so many others in the line as well.
If you are an aspiring business owner, keep reading as we discuss some weird business ideas that made banks. Before we get to the list, it is important to note that all these businesses are tech-related and part of the dot-com boom.
So, most of these businesses require the support of trusted internet providers. Since you are already an internet user, make sure to search about all these businesses and explore their business model, if you’re looking for inspiration for a unique business idea.
Craigslist
If you are thrifty, live in the USA, and enjoy buying second-hand goods, chances are you already know about Craigslist.
The idea of this platform is not outrageous because thrift stores have been in the business for a long time and the idea of this site is similar. However, the origin story of Craigslist is quite surprising. This platform was designed by Craig Newmark, who wanted to have an online garage sale.
Rather than taking the original route, Craig thought it was easier to make a basic bare-bone structure website and just list everything there.
The website later became an instant hit, earning a good reputation.
To scale the business, craigslist also started offering third-party listings on their website so that customers can also run garage sales via Craigslist. Even after so many years, 200 million monthly visitors, and spreading the operation in more than 70 countries, the website has not changed or revamped.
Even today, the website has the same vintage font along with the basic layout just the way it was launched.
I Do, Now I Don’t
For most people, this idea might seem crazy, but for me, it is pure genius.
This platform is designed to address two of the biggest issues within the wedding and event business. This website not only breaks the diamond and wedding jewelry monopoly but also helps customers recover money after a breakup.
The website was designed by Josh Opperman who tried to return the engagement ring after his fiancé left him. However, his $10k ring was estimated to be $3.5k.
The website aims to offer a platform for selling second-hand jewelry. Apart from working as a thrift shop for jewelry, it also helps the users get the right price for each piece by analyzing the quality properly. Each piece is properly checked, analyzed, and quoted based on the quality of the jewelry.
This way both seller and buyer get to enjoy the shopping experience without feeling cheated.
The Pet Rock
You want a pet but not the responsibility. Yes, please!
For most people keeping a pet rock might not make sense because we usually associate only living things with a pet. However, this small business coined the idea of keeping emotional support objects as a pet for the very first time.
There is no doubt that this sounds unconventional. However, this business ended up making more than $15 million in its prime. The business later paved the way for people who wanted unconventional pets i.e. snails, rats, insects, etc.
Task Rabbit
If you work as a handyman for your home and DIY projects, Task Rabbit is an exceptional website for you. It mainly helps skilled people short on cash to offer help to people in need. From basic tasks like assembling IKEA furniture to quick car washes, home cleaning, or plumbing work, the options and endless.
The best part of using this app is that you do not need to have exceptional skills. Take it as a freelancing website for people who have basic skills but don’t know how to sell their skills.
Overall, this website helps empower people who are struggling financially.
Simply put, no idea is weird enough to stop you from starting your business so if you are feeling discouraged just because your idea is not bright enough, then maybe you are thinking way ahead of your time.
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