There are some wild stories about how bad business ideas became overnight sensations.
It’s like a couple of buddies got together one night after a few too many drinks and thought, “Hey, this can make us money!” And surprise surprise, the rest is history as they say.
Unfortunately, it’s not smooth riding for every goofy idea that turns profitable.
For instance, the now-defunct dating website Ashley Madison was founded after Darren Morgenstern noticed that about 30% of people who visited dating websites were married.
The tagline, “Life is short. Have an affair,” attracted online users worldwide. By 2015, the platform had expanded to 40 countries with 37 million members.
A massive data breach and subsequent Netflix documentary uncovered a salacious tale of adultery and fraud.
Ashley Madison drama aside, a few startups placing their bets on outrageous ideas are still laughing all the way to the bank. Let’s dive in below.
I Want To Draw A Cat For You
When Steve Gadlin pitched his startup idea on “Shark Tank” back in 2012, viewers thought, “What sorcery is this?”
Gadlin walked out with a deal to invest in his cat-drawing company.
His concept started with a simple thought: If he created drawings of stick figure cats and sold them online, would people buy them?
Shark Mark Cuban obviously saw something in Gadlin’s proposal and offered him $25,000 for a 33% stake in the company.
Although Gadlin took a break from cat drawing in 2015, he restarted the venture seven years later.
Because of the high demand, he pivoted to drawing one cat per day in digital format.
Relying solely on his eCommerce store, Gadlin managed to scale the business by integrating tools that allow users to book online.
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Rent The Chicken
Soaring egg prices are dominating the news. Consumers are frustrated with the 15% hike over the past year, forcing many to consider other alternatives.
In steps Rent The Chicken. Started in 2013 by Pennsylvania couple, Phil and Jenn Tompkins, Rent The Chicken was based on a basic premise.
The Tompkins wanted people to experience having backyard hens for fresh eggs without the long-term commitment of owning chickens.
The business found a gap in the market and grabbed it with both hands.
And their hard work paid off. Rent The Chicken partners with farmers in the U.S. and Canada to service customers across the country.
Jenn Tompkins tells ABC News that since the egg shortage and price hike, their phones are “ringing off the hook”.
Potato Parcel
Another “Shark Tank” alumni, Potato Parcel is one of those quirky ideas that eschews tradition and turns it on its spud.
Inspired by a Reddit post of a potato covered in stamps, Alex Craig pitched his $50,000 investment idea.
Take an ordinary potato and inscribe it with personal messages.
The business model for Potato Parcel was centered on creating personalized spuds and marketing them as “the most unexpected gift in the mail”.
Customers loved the quirky take on conventional greeting cards. The company increased revenue streams by offering a basic Potato Parcel and full-photo Potato Postcard.
It has expanded delivery to include Canada, the U.K. and Europe and utilizes one platform for selling its products online.
The business model allows them to transform their global growth journey.
Potato Parcel is thriving, thanks to its multiple online channels. According to Insider Growth, the startup’s net worth was $1.75 million in 2023.
Drink Bizarre
As P.M. Dawn sang, “I drink bizarre.” So, why not take a sip from the bizarre juice and make a go at it?
The above accounts are proof that what was once thought of as silly gimmicks materialized into success stories.
Steve Gadlin didn’t think he was going to be taken seriously when he pitched his cat drawing idea.
Several years later his talents remain in demand. Potatoes as greeting cards? Who does that? Alex Craig’s Potato Parcel does that.
It starts with one crazy thought and then morphs into a vision. Don’t let your fear of the unknown keep you from making that vision reality by exploring different avenues.
With an online store and the right tools and partners, you can reach a global audience. Research various digital platforms and eCommerce solutions.
Whether you're a platform for selling SaaS or subscription management, punting an idea can be turned into a real viable business.
With the right branding techniques, valuable insights, and a unique marketing strategy, you could be onto something great.