Starting a business is exciting. But not every idea works out — especially when it sounds more like a joke than a plan. Some entrepreneurs bet big on quirky or funny ideas, hoping to stand out. But things didn’t go as expected. In this article, we’ll look at 15 funny business ideas that failed, why they sounded fun at first, and what went wrong. If you want low-cost business ideas that actually have high-profit potential, this guide might help you avoid these mistakes.
Here are 15 funny business ideas that are doomed to failed:
1. Pet Rock
What it was: In 1975, Gary Dahl sold ordinary rocks as pets in boxes with straw and care instructions.
Why it was funny: It was literally a rock. No feeding, no walking — just a rock.
Why it failed: After the hype faded, people realized they paid for something they could pick up outside. It was a short-term joke, not a lasting product.
2. Heaven’s Gate Away Team Shoes
What it was: The cult Heaven’s Gate bought matching Nike Decades sneakers for a mass suicide in 1997. A business later tried to cash in by reselling the same shoe model.
Why it was funny (and odd): Trying to profit from a tragedy by turning shoes into collectibles.
Why it failed: Public backlash. Nike discontinued the model, and the attempt to revive it was seen as disturbing.
Learn more about weird business ideas that actually made millions.
3. Wake n’ Bacon Alarm Clock
What it was: An alarm clock that cooked bacon to wake you up with the smell.
Why it was funny: It combined breakfast with waking up.
Why it failed: Fire hazard. Leaving raw meat in an electronic device overnight didn’t sit well with safety standards or health guidelines.
Watch this video breakdown of weird business flops
4. Smell-O-Vision
What it was: A system that released smells in theaters to match movie scenes.
Why it was funny: Imagine smelling a garbage dump or sweaty gym socks in a film.
Why it failed: Smells lingered and mixed badly. Viewers complained. The technology was hard to control.
5. Cuddle Cafés
What it was: Customers paid to cuddle with strangers in a café setting.
Why it was funny: Cuddling, in public, with people you don’t know.
Why it failed: It was uncomfortable for many. Hygiene concerns, awkward social dynamics, and public perception led to its downfall.
Here’s a funny video covering this idea
6. Rent-A-Chicken
What it was: A service that rented chickens to people who wanted to try backyard farming.
Why it was funny: Most people weren’t ready for chickens in their backyard.
Why it failed: Neighbors complained. Chickens caused noise, mess, and confusion. Many renters returned them early.
7. The Dehydrated Water Can
What it was: A novelty can labeled “Dehydrated Water — Just Add Water.”
Why it was funny: It poked fun at unnecessary products.
Why it failed: It wasn’t a real product, so nobody came back. It was a gag gift at best.
If you’re into unique business ideas not yet implemented, this one’s a classic lesson in novelty without function.
8. Hairy Stockings for Women
What it was: Tights printed with realistic leg hair, sold to help women avoid unwanted male attention.
Why it was funny: The stockings made legs look like a man’s. A weird but creative anti-harassment tool.
Why it failed: Few people wanted to wear them. The look was too strange for most buyers.
9. The Rejuvenique Face Mask
What it was: A creepy-looking electric mask meant to tone facial muscles.
Why it was funny: It looked like a horror movie mask. Many compared it to Jason from Friday the 13th.
Why it failed: It was uncomfortable and made people feel silly. Sales didn’t last.
Watch how this one ended up
10. Colgate Frozen Dinners
What it was: Colgate (the toothpaste brand) launched a line of frozen meals in the 1980s.
Why it was funny: People don’t want to eat something from a toothpaste brand.
Why it failed: Brand mismatch. The association with minty toothpaste ruined the appetite.
11. Bic for Her Pens
What it was: Pens marketed specifically for women. Pink, purple, and “feminine.”
Why it was funny: They were just regular pens. But “for her” made it sound like women needed special writing tools.
Why it failed: The public mocked it. The product became a meme and was pulled from shelves.
Watch this parody review
12. Donald Trump Steaks
What it was: Steaks sold under the Trump brand and offered through mail-order and Sharper Image stores.
Why it was funny: A real estate mogul selling frozen meat seemed strange.
Why it failed: The product didn’t sell. Sharper Image stopped offering them after poor reviews and weak demand.
13. Twitter Peek
What it was: A device that could only send and receive tweets.
Why it was funny: It was a single-purpose gadget — for something people could already do on smartphones.
Why it failed: Smartphones made it useless. It launched in 2009 and was dead on arrival.
Watch this gadget fail review
14. Pillow Fight League
What it was: A league where women competed in professional pillow fights.
Why it was funny: It turned a childhood game into a sport.
Why it failed: People didn’t take it seriously. It didn’t grow an audience or attract serious investors.
If you want to build something solid, first learn how to hire people for business success.
15. iSmell
What it was: A USB device that emitted smells related to emails, websites, or music.
Why it was funny: Getting a smell with your spam email or a Facebook message.
Why it failed: Nobody wanted smells from a computer. The idea was ahead of its time — and totally unnecessary.
Video: Top 10 Failed Tech Gadgets
FAQs
What is the show of Nate giving business ideas?
The show you’re referring to is likely “Million Dollar Wheels” or “Undercover Billionaire”—where entrepreneurs like Nate (possibly referring to Nate O’Brien or similar influencers) discuss how to build wealth through simple business ideas. While there isn’t a widely known TV show by a Nate specifically focused only on business ideas, many YouTubers and podcasters named Nate (like Nate O’Brien) do share side hustles and business concepts. For practical ideas, you might find this guide on 10 things to sell to start a business very helpful.
What business can I do on YouTube?
You can start several types of businesses on YouTube:
- Educational Channel – Teach a subject you know.
- Product Reviews – Earn through affiliate links.
- T-shirt Business Promotion – Like this guide on how to make and sell t-shirts.
- Faceless Channels – Animation, quotes, or slideshow videos.
- Video Blogging (Vlogging) – Share daily life, productivity hacks, or money tips.
Monetize through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products.
What business can 200k start in Nigeria?
With ₦200,000, you can start several small but profitable businesses in Nigeria:
- Mobile Phone Accessories
- Mini Importation
- Perfume Oil Business
- T-shirt Printing (see: how to make and sell t-shirts)
- Drop Servicing – You manage the clients, freelancers do the work.
- Foodstuff Packaging
You can also explore businesses you can start with ₦3,000 for low-risk options.
What can I put on YouTube to make money?
YouTube allows you to make money through content such as:
- Tutorials and How-To Videos
- Reaction Videos
- Gaming Content
- DIY Projects
- Cash App Reviews or Money-Earning App Tutorials (e.g. apps that pay you to watch TikTok).
The key is consistency, value, and targeting a profitable niche. Try combining monetization with affiliate links and digital products.
What type of YouTube videos make the most money?
Videos in finance, tech, and software reviews tend to make the most money because advertisers pay higher rates for those niches. Examples include:
- “How to Save Money”
- “Best Investment Apps”
- “Top Productivity Tools”
- Tutorials on selling online like creating Amazon business accounts or from Pakistan.
These topics attract high-earning viewers and draw premium advertisers.
How many YouTube subscribers do I need to make $10,000 a month?
It depends on how you monetize. On average:
- AdSense alone: You’d need roughly 500,000 – 1 million monthly views depending on CPM (cost per thousand views).
- With affiliate marketing and sponsorships, even 10,000 – 50,000 active subscribers could be enough.
- If you sell a digital product, you might only need a few thousand loyal fans.
Monetization sources matter more than subscriber count. Build an audience, then layer revenue streams.
How does TikTok pay?
TikTok pays creators mainly through:
- Creator Fund: Earnings per view are low (around $0.02–$0.04 per 1,000 views).
- Brand Deals and Sponsorships
- Live Gifts and Donations
- Affiliate Marketing
- App-based Tasks, like apps that pay for watching TikToks or GCash watching TikTok videos).
If you’re new, try apps that pay you to watch videos to start small.
Who is the highest paid TikToker?
As of recent data, Charli D’Amelio holds the top spot, earning millions through:
- Brand partnerships (Dunkin’, Morphe, etc.)
- Her Hulu show
- Fashion collabs and merchandise lines
She reportedly earned over $17 million in a single year. Most of this isn’t from TikTok itself, but through business ventures using her TikTok fame.
Which social media pays the most?
The best-paying platforms are:
- YouTube – High CPM + sponsorships.
- Instagram – Great for influencer deals.
- TikTok – Popular but lower payouts from views.
- Facebook – Monetization through Reels and ad breaks.
If your content is monetizable, YouTube usually pays the most long-term.
How much do 20 million views on TikTok pay?
From the Creator Fund, 20 million views typically earn $400 – $800, depending on your niche and location. But if you mix in affiliate sales or sponsored posts, you can make much more. For example:
- A sponsored brand deal might pay $2,000–$10,000+ for a video with that reach.
- Some creators turn those views into cash using apps that pay to watch TikToks or promoting other platforms).
Final Thoughts
Business ideas should make sense — even if they’re funny. All the businesses above had one thing in common: they made people laugh, but not buy. It’s okay to have fun. But at the end of the day, successful businesses solve a need, connect with a clear audience, and deliver real value.
If you prefer something meaningful, check out business ideas to make the world a better place in Nigeria.
