7 Weirdest Ways People Became Very Rich

Many people often ask themselves what it takes to become rich beyond your wildest dreams. It’s not always about investing or starting a successful company. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box, risk it all, or simply embrace the weirdness. Let’s take a look at 7 crazy stories that turned mostly regular people into millionaires.

Selling Pet Rocks

In 1975 one man had an idea – what if I sell rocks to people as pets. Sounds silly? Maybe, but that’s exactly what Gary Dahl (an advertising executive) did. He packed nice looking smooth stones into cardboard boxes, along with “breathing holes”, and shipped them to customers advertised as “low-maintenance pets'' for $3.95 each.

It was an instant success. In less than six months Dahl sold over 1.5 million “Pet Rocks” and became a cultural phenomenon. His packages even included an instruction manual with tongue-in-cheek care instructions for the new "pet".

The Million Dollar Homepage

The Internet was a very different place some 20 years ago. Before we had smartphones and wifi everywhere, Alex Tew, a then 21-year-old student came up with "The Million Dollar Homepage". For him it was a way to finance university education. He made a website that was a simple 1000x1000 pixel grid and sold each pixel as ad space.

Companies and some individuals purchased 10x10 blocks and used them to display logos or ads that linked to their websites. The concept quickly caught on and went viral around the world. Within just a few months Tew sold all of his 1 million pixels and earned himself a nice, round $1M – more than enough to finance his scholarship.

Antique Banana Labels

You’ve probably heard of collecting postage stamps, but what about collecting antique banana labels? This unique form of collectible can be surprisingly profitable. It gained momentum in the late 20th century, probably by collectors being drawn to the pretty design and historical value of the labels.

There are some labels (especially those that came from now defunct brands) that actually fetched thousands of dollars. So if you’re willing to try your luck in earning some cash in an unusual way, or you simply want a new hobby, maybe try collecting old banana labels.

Baccarat Gambling

You’ve probably heard the saying “the house always wins”. Well, in Mikki Mase’s case, it may be the opposite. He’s quite a notorious figure in the gambling world. Mase’s game of choice was Baccarat, a game that has a very low house edge. His strategy focused on pattern recognition and exploiting streaks. This is highly controversial in the gambling world, but in Mase’s case it proved to be extremely successful.

His bets were well known in casinos all around Las Vegas, where he routinely engaged in extremely high-stakes games. Reportedly, Mikki Mase’s net worth grew by over $5 million in a single night after one legendary game session. His bets earned him a fortune, but also a reputation of one of the most daring and skilled gamblers in the history of casino gaming.

Virtual Real Estate Tycoon

Did you know you can become a millionaire by trading in property that doesn’t really exist? That’s exactly what Ailin Graef’s character Anshe Chung did in the online world of Second Life. In the early 2000s Chung started with a symbolic investment of a mere $9.95 strategically bought, developed, and traded virtual real estate.

In only a couple of months her portfolio included luxury properties and entire islands. She then rented them out or sold them to other Second Life “residents”. When converted to real money, the value of her virtual assets was estimated to exceed $1 million by 2006.

Santa Mail

Santa Mail was launched in 2001 by Byron Reese. The service sends personalized letters from Santa Claus to children with an authentic North Pole postmark all around the world. Since its inception, Santa Mail has sent hundreds of thousands of letters. Each letter is priced around $10, so you can do the math. The service aims to help parents surprise their children with this magical experience during the holidays.

It used the almost universal appeal of Christmas and merged it with personal touch to create a magical experience, earning millions in the process. On the business side, Santa Mail employed the scalability of e-commerce, combined with a traditional holiday and an innovative idea. Who wouldn’t want to receive a genuine-looking mail from Santa.

Fortune Cookie Writer

When you think of freelance writers most people usually picture a person writing business emails or some marketing copies, but have you ever wondered who writes the short messages in fortune cookies? It’s quite a niche profession, that requires a writer to craft short sayings or predictions that are then placed in small fortune cookies served at Chinese restaurants all around the world.

Donald Lau famously wrote fortunes for over 30 years. He helped his employer (Wonton Food Inc.) become the largest manufacturer of fortune cookies and noodles in the United States. It may be surprising that demand for fortune cookies actually grew over the years, particularly for corporate events.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it – 7 stories about acquiring crazy wealth in a way that’s maybe a little silly. What was your favorite one, and why? It’s easy to think that stories like these are a one time thing and can never happen again, but we hear about “crazy stories” about people starting a business that was “destined to fail”, only to become immensely successful. After all, thinking of and designing a light bulb was probably considered ludicrous at some point in history, and yet they illuminate our entire world. So, we hope these 7 stories inspired you, or at least entertained you a bit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What made the Pet Rocks idea so successful?

Pet Rocks became a massive success in the 1970s due to their novelty, marketed as low-maintenance pets. This quirky concept, combined with clever marketing and cultural novelty, captured the public’s imagination, leading to over a million sales in just six months.

How did The Million Dollar Homepage generate revenue?

The Million Dollar Homepage generated revenue by selling each pixel on a 1000x1000 grid for $1. This innovative approach to online advertising captured viral attention, allowing the site's creator to quickly earn a million dollars.

Are collectibles like antique banana labels a viable investment strategy?

While niche, collectibles such as antique banana labels can be profitable, especially rare labels from defunct brands. Their value can increase significantly, making them a viable investment strategy for those interested in unique and historical collectibles.

Can real skills in games like Baccarat lead to significant financial success?

Yes, in games like Baccarat, which have a low house edge, skills in pattern recognition and strategic betting can lead to substantial financial gains, as demonstrated by high rollers like Mikki Mase, who have won millions in casino settings.

Is virtual real estate a legitimate way to build wealth?

Yes, virtual real estate in platforms like Second Life can be highly lucrative. Early investors like Anshe Chung turned minimal investments into vast portfolios of virtual properties, selling or renting them for real-world profits, demonstrating the potential of digital economies.