As practice shows, with a competent approach, even the strangest idea can turn into a profitable project. After all, even in the near past, what now seems to us to be a simple routine was unimaginable. For example, as an online casino, the ability to play new games like book of dead demo directly from your phone. So sometimes strange ideas at first glance, in fact, can be a breakthrough not only for you, but for all mankind.
To create a successful business, it is not necessary to have a large initial capital. What is more important is an unusual idea, perseverance and thinking of an entrepreneur.
Breeding Jellyfish
Alex Candon, a graduate of the Faculty of Marine Biology, has found a way to apply his knowledge in business activities. He decided to breed unusual pets — jellyfish. Alex had a dream to create a special aquarium for them during his studies. In order for the jellyfish not to stick to the walls of the aquarium and be able to move normally, a special filtration system and a container with a laminar flow of water were needed. Since these organisms consist of 95% water, they are very demanding of living conditions. The young man began to study the pet market and noticed a growing interest in jellyfish.
It turned out that no one had considered the idea of creating such an aquarium before him. Soon the model was ready. It turned out not only suitable for marine jellyfish habitat, but also beautiful. Endon invested $50 thousand in his startup. A year later, his income rose to $ 250 thousand, and later to $ 500 thousand. The price of the aquarium depends on the size and configuration. The cheapest one can be bought for $369. The cost of the jellyfish themselves varies from $22 to 55. In addition to the aquarium, the set includes a three-month supply of food, a feeding pipette, LED backlight with remote control and other accessories for a comfortable life for exotic pets.
Sale Pixels
In August 2005, Briton Alex Tew needed money to pay for his studies at the university. Instead of looking for a part-time job, the 21-year-old decided to open his own business on the Internet. He created an unusual advertising platform — a website with a million empty pixels. Tew started selling them for $1 apiece. Anyone could buy a place there and post an image with a link to their website. The minimum price is $100. That’s how much a 10×10 pixel block costs. It would be simply impossible to distinguish something on a smaller area of the screen. In two weeks, Tew earned the first $4.7 thousand. The buyers were his friends and relatives.
To attract new customers, the young man sent press releases to major British publications. Sales skyrocketed when the BBC noticed the entrepreneur. After that, news about the site began to appear not only in the English, but also in the foreign press. As a result, the audience of the resource has grown to 25 thousand unique visitors per hour, and there are almost no empty seats left. Due to high demand, Tew decided to put the last thousand pixels up for auction on eBay. It went to an online store of dietary products, which placed a bid of $38 thousand. In just five months, the unusual project brought its creator more than $ 1 million.
Turn Stones Into Pets
Gary Dahl, an American, offered his compatriots to get an even more amazing pet. In April 1975, he was relaxing in a bar with friends and listening to them complain about their dogs and cats. They spoil furniture, bring dirt, get sick, require food and care. Then, for the first time, the man thought about the ideal pet, which is devoid of these “flaws”. He laughed and told his friends that a stone could become such a pet. The reaction of the audience was so lively that Gary was determined to turn his idea into a profitable business. He didn’t even have to spend the money — very soon he found two investors.
At a nearby hardware store, Dahl bought a large Pacific pebble—about a cent apiece. All that remained was to think over the concept. As a copywriter, he wrote a 23-page comic instruction manual. For example, immediately after the purchase, the author recommended that the new owners put a stone on old newspapers. This way the pet should calm down faster and get used to the new environment. The money was needed only for the manufacture of boxes. They had holes for air, the inscription Pet Rock and a straw mat. The costs paid off very quickly. In six months, Dahl sold 1.5 million stones for $4 each and became a millionaire.