Absrtact: Many startups start out as passionate projects, which naturally means that some of these ideas are crazy. But some of these crazy ideas were eventually successful. If you also have a bit of a weird idea and you think one day people
Many startups start out as passionate projects, which naturally means that some of these ideas are crazy. But some of these crazy ideas were eventually successful.
If you also have a somewhat eccentric idea, and you think one day people will see it magically. Well, don't let other people's opinions stop you. Otherwise, life (and business) will seem boring. Sometimes you find that good companies and loyal customers have the strangest ideas.
Here are a few crazy and successful startups.
1. Pet Stone (Pet Rock)
Pet Stone revived in 2012. But the idea was first invented in the 1970s by Gari Dar (Gary Dahl). When Dahl met a friend at a pub in April 1975, his friend complained to him about his pet. He told his friends that the perfect pet is stone, it does not need feeding and bathing, and will not be sick and die. It was just a joke, but Dahl later decided to put the idea into practice and the pet stone was born. The pet stone that Dahl sells is packed in a box and is equipped with a 32-page training manual detailing how to keep it, full of jokes and gimmicks. His pet stone cost only 1 cents, but he made 15 million dollars.
2. Narrative Clip
Narrative clip is a wearable camera that can be sandwiched between skirts and can take two photos per minute. You might think it's useless, but a lot of people disagree with you. Many supporters of the Swedish start-up believe that narrative clip is the only way to record and relive life. The cost of narrative clip is 279 dollars, and once launched, it won the public's praise. It has raised 500,000 of billions of dollars in Kickstarter.
3. Facebook
When Zuckerberg first launched his "unique" virtual yearbook, People told him the idea was too bizarre. At the time, Facebook was filled with the coolest people, the weirdest ideas and the most popular music, and it was like a constantly changing yearbook. At the time, social networking MySpace had been popular and why would people need a "virtual yearbook"? No one can think of it as one of the most powerful companies in the world. But Facebook ultimately relies on its uniqueness to succeed and change history.
4. Craigslist
Craigslist has not changed since its launch, and people love its pristine simplicity. It has been criticized on the grounds of privacy and security. The founder of Craigslist, Newmark Craig Newmark, never put the revenue of the site first. However, Craigslist has become more powerful than ever. On Craigslist, you can almost see everything, whether it's a job, an apartment, a girlfriend, a random hookup or a forum entertainment post. This is a veritable free community.
5. PayPal
PayPal's initial users are crazy and credulous. They give their bank accounts and email messages to a company that has nothing to do with the bank, and the company has an artificial name. In the late 90, there was a lack of scientific rationality and a natural aversion to email verification. Would PayPal have been successful if it had been launched in other historical times? I don't know. PayPal has been supported by a number of great investors and entrepreneurs, including Thiel (Peter Thiel) and Ilon Masc (Elon Musk).
6. Amazon
Amazon is an example of some companies that are far ahead of the times. People have Barnes (Barnes & Noble) and Borders (Borders), who would like to go to a virtual bookstore? Many Americans have lingered in large physical bookstores, where they drink coffee, read magazines and books (for free)! But it turns out that a lot of people want a virtual bookstore. Never underestimate people's laziness. (Tan S)