Editor’s note: This article was first published in May 2017. The prices it cites, such as the ghost detector at $30 on Amazon US and €110 on Amazon Spain, and the availability of all six products are as of that year.
After the huge success of the pet rock, the sale of used boxes or the sale of tap water (ideas that were very profitable in their day), I didn’t think that new business ideas just as absurd (or even more so) could still appear today, let alone that such products would actually sell.
By the way, if you came here looking for more serious ideas for starting a business, here are 31 businesses you can start.
1. Zombie blood
The inventors of this product got it right, especially on Halloween nights. “Zombie Blood” not only imitates the colour of zombie blood very well, it is also an energy drink. There is also a lime-flavoured liqueur range.
The manufacturers claim it is certified free of the H1FU2 virus. For those who don’t follow the series The Walking Dead, that means you can drink it without the risk of turning into a zombie 🙂
2. Unicorn meat
The manufacturer claims that its unicorns are carefully looked after and fed the right diet so that their meat is tastier. They also claim the animals do not suffer when they are slaughtered.
The fact is that these cans of unicorn meat have seen a big boom in sales on AliExpress, but of course, since unicorns, as far as we know, don’t exist, when you open the can all you will find is a dismembered stuffed unicorn.
Isn’t it absurd? It certainly is, but it has been a very profitable business.
See also: How to earn extra money to pay off debt when you have no time for overtime
3. Ghost detector
Are you one of those people who don’t believe in ghosts, or who think you are alone at home when you are home alone? Well, this machine says otherwise. And no, its inventors are not selling it as a joke, at least. It is a real ghost detector that picks up strange energy presences.
I looked up its price on Amazon: on Amazon US it sells for $30, while on Amazon Spain it costs €110. Will it detect unicorns too?
4. Ebola plush toy
When Ebola was making news all over the world, some entrepreneurs took advantage of the media coverage to come up with the Ebola plush toy, which is basically a soft toy shaped like the Ebola virus. And guess what… the plush toys soon sold out.
5. Electric nose lifter
If you don’t like your nose, you can lift it with constant electrical impulses thanks to this device. This product was a sales hit in Asia, although I have not been able to confirm whether it really works or whether its effect is noticeable to the human eye. Even so, its inventors made a lot of money with it.
6. Silicone underwear
One little-known part of fashion is underwear that tricks the eye. If you want a higher, rounder, more prominent bottom, there are knickers, briefs and boxers that will give you that shape.
This underwear is selling surprisingly well.
What caught my attention, though, is the product that other entrepreneurs have brought out: underwear shaped like a woman’s intimate area. Everything suggests it was originally launched so that trans women and cross-dressers could disguise that area, but it ended up being bought by women themselves for all sorts of purposes. Oh well.
See also: Business ideas section
