Some of the most successful businesses started from silly, strange, or even prank ideas. These ideas often went viral, gained media attention, and ended up making millions. In this post, you’ll explore 15 weird business ideas that actually worked.
If you’re thinking about starting your own business and need inspiration, you might also want to check out unique business ideas not yet implemented or business ideas to make the world a better place.
Why Weird Ideas Work
Weird ideas grab attention fast. They’re easy to remember. They often make people laugh, get curious, or want to share with others. That’s why they spread like wildfire—no big budget needed.
15 Weird Business Ideas That Made Millions
Here are 15 boring business ideas that can make you crazy amount of money if implemented the right way:
1. Canned Fresh Air – Bottling Pollution Relief
Launched: 2015
Revenue: Millions
In China, a businessman started selling canned fresh air as a response to pollution. It was meant as satire—but people bought it.
Why it worked:
- Health concerns
- Novelty gift
- Media buzz
Looking for more profitable ideas like this? See 20 best small business ideas with pros and cons.
2. Doggles – Goggles for Dogs
Launched: Early 2000s
Revenue: Multi-million dollar brand
Dogs riding with their heads out the window need eye protection. That’s why Doggles—dog goggles—became a hit. You can buy them on Amazon.
Why it worked:
- Funny but useful
- Great for pets
- Gift potential
3. Santa Mail – Letters from the North Pole
Launched: 2001
Revenue: $2 million+ yearly
Parents love the idea of Santa sending letters to their kids. The letters are personalized and postmarked from the North Pole.
Why it worked:
- Emotional appeal
- Strong holiday marketing
- Simple to operate
4. Ship Your Enemies Glitter – Revenge by Envelope
Launched: 2015
Revenue: $85,000 in one week
This site lets users send glitter bombs to people anonymously. It exploded in popularity and was sold days after launch.
Why it worked:
- Viral prank
- Cheap and funny
- Internet buzz
If you want to launch viral product ideas like this, learn how to hire people for business success so you can scale quickly.
5. The Million Dollar Homepage – Selling Pixels
Launched: 2005
Founder: Alex Tew
Revenue: $1 million
Alex Tew sold a million pixels on a website for $1 each. It was a one-page internet billboard.
Why it worked:
- Unique concept
- Limited space created urgency
- Great for PR
6. Pet Rock – A Rock as a Pet
Launched: 1975
Revenue: $15 million in 6 months
Gary Dahl sold rocks as pets in boxes with air holes and care manuals. It was one big joke—and it worked.
Why it worked:
- Humorous
- Giftable
- Cheap to produce
Looking to start a fun business with low cost? Here are 10 things to sell to start a business.
7. Beard Head – Hat with Beard Attached
Launched: 2006
Revenue: $1 million+ annually
Beard Head is a knitted beanie with a fake beard sewn in. It’s weird, warm, and a top-selling winter gag gift.
Why it worked:
- Funny yet useful
- Unique style
- Great for photos
8. Snuggie – Blanket with Sleeves
Launched: 2008
Revenue: Over $500 million
The Snuggie is basically a blanket with sleeves. It became a joke on TV but still sold millions.
Why it worked:
- Solved a small problem
- Became a meme
- Clever TV ads
9. Cheezburger – Cat Meme Empire
Launched: 2007
Sold for: $2 million
I Can Has Cheezburger was one of the first websites to organize funny cat pictures and memes.
Why it worked:
- Shareable humor
- Daily content
- Community engagement
10. Antenna Balls – Foam Decorations for Cars
Launched: 1990s
Revenue: Over $100 million
Jason Wall’s foam antenna balls became collectible car accessories. Find them on Amazon.
Why it worked:
- Cheap to make
- High volume sales
- Brand deals
11. My Friend Cayla – Talking Doll
Launched: 2014
Revenue: Millions
My Friend Cayla is a smart doll that answers kids’ questions using the internet. See Wikipedia for details.
Why it worked:
- High-tech toy
- Parent appeal
- Learning through play
12. Poop Senders – Mail Poop Anonymously
Revenue: Millions (estimated)
Poop Senders allows you to send animal poop to anyone anonymously. Disgusting? Yes. Profitable? Also yes.
Why it worked:
- Shock value
- Prank culture
- Word-of-mouth marketing
13. FitDeck – Workout Playing Cards
Launched: Early 2000s
Revenue: Sold for six figures
FitDeck is a deck of exercise cards. Each card has a simple bodyweight workout. Shuffle and go.
Why it worked:
- No gym needed
- Pocket-sized solution
- Great for fitness newbies
14. Rent-A-Chicken – Chickens on Loan
Launched: 2013
Annual Revenue: $250,000+
Rent The Chicken gives families a full chicken experience—without permanent ownership. It includes a coop, feed, and support.
Why it worked:
- Farm trial before commitment
- Educational for kids
- Grows interest in backyard farming
15. Belly Button Lint Brush – A Brush for Your Belly
Launched: 1984
Units Sold: Thousands
This lint brush cleans your belly button. It became a novelty gift. No one asked for it—but people bought it.
Why it worked:
- Pure joke product
- Gift item
- Low production cost
Quick Comparison Table
| Idea | Product/Service | Success Reason | Revenue | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Fresh Air | Cans of air | Novel and timely | Millions | Link |
| Doggles | Goggles for dogs | Fun and functional | Millions | Link |
| Santa Mail | Letters from Santa | Holiday tradition | $2M+/year | Link |
| Glitter Mail | Glitter prank | Viral novelty | $85K/week | Link |
| Pixel Page | Selling web pixels | Scarcity marketing | $1M | Link |
| Pet Rock | Boxed rocks | Joke turned trend | $15M | Link |
| Beard Hat | Beanie with beard | Funny and warm | $1M+ | Link |
| Snuggie | Blanket with sleeves | Smart branding | $500M+ | Link |
| Cheezburger | Cat meme site | Internet humor | $2M | Link |
| Antenna Balls | Car antenna toppers | Collectible + cheap | $100M+ | Link |
| Cayla Doll | Internet-enabled toy | Parent + kid interest | Millions | Link |
| Poop Senders | Anonymous poop delivery | Disgusting = viral | Millions | Link |
| FitDeck | Exercise card deck | Simple fitness idea | 6 figures | Link |
| Rent-a-Chicken | Backyard chicken rental | Try-before-you-own | $250K+ | Link |
| Lint Brush | Belly button cleaner | Joke product | Thousands | Link |
FAQs
What is the best business to start to make millions?
The best business to start if you want to make millions is one that solves a real problem for a large number of people. Examples include tech startups, e-commerce stores, or digital product platforms like online courses and subscription software. These models scale well and generate passive income over time. You don’t always need a big idea—something simple like T-shirt printing can take off when marketed correctly. If you’re curious, check out this guide on how to make and sell T-shirts.
What is the rarest business?
Rarest businesses often come from odd or very specific ideas that most people ignore. Some examples include companies that sell fresh air in cans to polluted countries, or businesses renting out chickens to people who want to try backyard farming. These ideas work because they are unique and spark curiosity. Although rare, they often go viral and attract attention, which helps them succeed.
Which business is best to become a millionaire?
To become a millionaire, look for a business that has high demand, low overhead, and strong potential to scale. Tech services, app development, real estate, and content platforms offer great income potential. You don’t need to start with millions. Even freelance services or coaching can grow into a million-dollar business if you market it well. Use tools like WhatsApp Business to promote your services. Learn how to create a WhatsApp Business account with your phone number.
Which business is best to earn lots of money?
Businesses that earn the most money typically meet daily or recurring needs. Food production, logistics, online sales, and digital services are great options. If you can reach a large audience with a product or service they need every day, you’re on the right path. Even something simple, like branded T-shirts or snacks, can grow fast with social media promotion. If you want to promote through WhatsApp, see this guide on how to change WhatsApp to a business account on Android.
What is the richest business to start?
The richest businesses to start usually fall in healthtech, fintech, or energy sectors. But don’t ignore digital product businesses. E-books, online tools, or membership websites can bring in steady income with low costs. These models scale fast and give you long-term growth. What matters most is your ability to spot opportunities and provide value. Even a business idea that sounds small can become huge when done right.
What business moves fast in Nigeria?
Fast-moving businesses in Nigeria include POS services, mini-importation, thrift fashion, food delivery, and hair or beauty product sales. These businesses meet basic needs and often have daily sales. POS businesses are booming across cities and towns due to cash accessibility issues. Social media makes things move even faster. Join relevant online groups like the best Facebook groups for small business owners to stay ahead.
What business can 50K start in Nigeria?
With ₦50,000, you can start selling thrift clothing (okrika), popcorn, recharge cards, or small food items. You can also start a basic print-on-demand service or perfume oil business. If you’re good at digital work, use the money for data and promote your service online. If you want to use WhatsApp to manage sales and orders, here’s how to change your WhatsApp to a business account without losing chats.
What is the cheapest business to start?
The cheapest businesses are digital ones that only require your skills. Freelancing, virtual assistance, blog writing, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products all need very little startup cost. Another option is to start an information-based business like reselling e-books or printables. For even lower budget ideas, check out this list of businesses you can start with 3K in Nigeria.
What business can I start with 200k as a lady?
With ₦200,000, you can start a wig-making business, run a small makeup studio, or begin a fashion accessories store online. You can also produce organic skincare or soap products, which are in high demand. These businesses are popular among women and are easy to promote on social media. If you have an existing audience or network, that’s a big plus. You can also build a clothing line, sell baby products, or create gift hampers for events.
What business can bring money daily?
Daily-income businesses include food vending, POS terminals, car wash services, keke hire, and selling small retail items like snacks or sachet water. Recharge card sales, secondhand clothing, and mini poultry businesses also return money fast. These types of businesses work well in urban centers or busy neighborhoods where people need daily supplies.
What type of business gets the most money?
Businesses that get the most money are those tied to essential industries or mass services. This includes health care, real estate, telecommunications, and large-scale logistics. However, simple ideas like owning multiple retail stores, running a school, or managing an online marketplace can also become highly profitable. Scaling and systemizing your business is key to making big money, not just starting big.
What business can I start with 100k?
With ₦100,000, you can run a small food delivery business, sell beauty products, or start a mini digital service agency. You can also launch a perfume oil or T-shirt printing business. These are businesses with low entry barriers but good demand. If you’re interested in T-shirts, here’s how to make and sell T-shirts using simple tools and local suppliers. Marketing through WhatsApp or Facebook will help you get your first customers fast.
Final Thoughts
Weird ideas aren’t bad ideas. In fact, they might be the best ones. These businesses show that you don’t need a serious idea to make serious money. You just need to make people react.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with these business ideas to make the world a better place in Nigeria or 10 things to sell to start a business.
