want to be a millionaire? invent cheap, plastic crap

[gaseousclay]

seriously. I know of 3 individuals who have made millions from their inventions, even though there are probably more. these entrepeneurs became rich from marketing and selling cheap, plastic crap. I'm not stating this as a way of mocking anyone, but I do think it's interesting.

for example:

- the guy who came up with the 'bubba teeth' you see in random stores.

- silly bandz. I think he borrowed his idea from a similar product he saw at a trade show in China.

- the guy who invented the super soaker. now funds/owns a robotics lab and holds tons of patents on potential new inventions.

 

[thebikingengineer]

To be fair, Super Soakers were awesome as a kid. Props to that guy.

 

[gaseousclay]

To be fair, Super Soakers were awesome as a kid. Props to that guy.

no, I agree. I guess the point of my thread was to show that these individuals became filthy rich by inventing the most basic toys made out of plastic. I'm not criticizing them by any means.

 

[C Reed]

You need to take a look at the Forbs list and talk Billions, not millions. Most of those guys didn't invent cheap plastic crap (a good number of them didn't invent a thing).

 

[Uncle Erik]

Kudos to your friends - if they found a way to make money, good for them.

Agreed about the Forbes list, though. Most of them got there through real estate. I think that income-producing properties are the best bet.

 

[bindibadgi]

OK we need to work on some new gadget which everybody "needs" but it uses DE razors, and maybe some nice soap.

Then we can postpone the coming shavepcalypse! And make millions doing it. What's not to love?

 

[gaseousclay]

Kudos to your friends - if they found a way to make money, good for them.

I was speaking figuratively. I only know 2 people that have money and I have no idea how they got it

 

[wbw0126]

A few people in my business school came up with a "plastic crap" idea called "The Sliz." It is a martini-shaped cup that's stem is simply a fixed, curved straw that comes up to your mouth. You pour a shot and some juice in and slurp it quickly. Very simple; plastic crap; Unfortunately I think this will really appeal on campuses.

Now I need to think of something.

 

[Kcaps]

To be fair, Super Soakers were awesome as a kid. Props to that guy.

Only as a kid? I got the biggest awesomest super soaker for my 18th birthday 9 years ago. YA!!!

Inventions don't make the money my friends. Get educated, get connected and take calculated risks. The richest person I know is worth millions, many many millions, and he failed more times than he succeeded, but when he succeeded, he made a boat load!

 

[mr. s]

inventions don't make the money my friends. Get educated, get connected and take calculated risks.

+1

 

[Seraphim]

Filing a patent usually takes around $10,000. Then you have to either sell the idea, or start production yourself. The money doesn't just land in your lap.