A journey of 1,000 steps begins with a start-up:
The word “start-up” annoys me, probably because I associate it with millennial hipsters trying to find ways of making money on the internet without actually working, but also because I can’t find any definitions. When does a company stop being a “start-up” and become an “established”? Well, it turns out there are no definitions, but you’d be surprised at some of the start-up success stories — there are some pretty weird ones out there.
SomethingStore
This is literally a business where you pay $10 and they send you something. It could be anything. Sunglasses, a novelty desk drum set, a watch, a box of chocolates, home decor... so if you’ve got a few bucks to burn and like surprises, do it.
Loot Crate
I’m a gamer and if there’s one thing gamers love in videogames, it’s opening boxes of loot. Some genius thought we’d like doing it in real life too – and they were right. Loot Crate ships boxes filled with random stuff such as figurines, posters, branded wallets, games and so on to nerds around the world — who seem to love it.
Ship Snow Yo
A Boston-based couple wondered if they could make money selling the snow they had to seasonally shovel off their driveway – and, sure enough, they could, for a surprising amount too. I know you don’t believe me, so just go to the website and check it out. I have no words.
Potato Parcel
Print a greeting or a photo on a potato. Seriously, that’s the idea. I would never have agreed to fund this if I were an investor, and I’d be kicking myself afterwards. I’m starting to think people will buy anything.
Pavlok
Want to break a bad habit? How about a wristwatch that shocks the crap out of you when you do something you shouldn’t? I’m not sure it knows what you’re doing, but if you fancy finding out, buy one.
Genetic Ink
Want to show what you’re made of? Then how about getting your DNA turned into art you can hang on your wall. I’m pretty sure Jeff Dahmer did that with some of his victims — but in this case you can send a cheek swab to Genetic Ink, choose a colour scheme and they’ll send you a canvas with an “artistic” representation of your DNA on it.