Welcome back to another edition of “Bad Business Idea of the Week” – the segment where we dive headfirst into the wacky world of failed ventures! Get ready to chuckle and cringe as we showcase some of the most absurd and downright ridiculous business ideas ever conceived. Our goal? To tickle your funny bone and remind you that even the craziest ideas can teach us valuable lessons about entrepreneurship. So, grab your popcorn and join our team of experts at Virtual HQ as we unveil a new and hilariously innovative idea that’ll make you go, “What were they thinking?!” Remember, in the pursuit of entrepreneurial triumph, laughter is the best sidekick!
Now, let's dial the time machine to the late 90s in the UK, a time of optimism, a time when a bright spark decided it would be revolutionary to start a business selling...wait for it...Pet Weddings. Yes, you heard it right, "Pawfect Marriages" focused on orchestrating lavish nuptials between beloved pets. From diamond-studded collars to pet pre-nuptial agreements, they aimed to redefine 'puppy love’. However, the British public quickly showed their 'paws' to this barking mad idea. Despite the promise of 'meowiage' ceremonies, the business dwindled faster than a cat running from a bath, reminding us that while the Brits love their pets, they do have their limits!
The architect behind the 'Pawfect Marriages' venture was none other than eccentric entrepreneur, Lady Linda Barker. Known for her boundless imagination and audacious risk-taking, Lady Barker envisioned a world where pets could celebrate their love just like their human counterparts. Fuelled by her own love for animals and a belief that pets deserved the pomp and circumstance of a grand wedding, she embarked on this audacious journey. Despite the venture's ultimate failure, Lady Barker's innovative spirit and willingness to push boundaries remain a testament to her unique brand of entrepreneurship.
Next, we journey to the early 2000s, when Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox launched an audacious venture that initially seemed bound for the annals of bad business ideas - Lastminute.com. Amid the frothy heights of the internet bubble, they launched a platform to provide travellers with last-minute deals on unsold inventory, such as hotel rooms, flights, and holiday packages. In the early years, the business hemorrhaged money, attracting scathing criticism and leading many to predict its imminent collapse.
However, against all odds, Lastminute.com evolved into a remarkable success story. Hoberman and Fox's steadfast commitment to their vision, coupled with strategic pivots and a relentless focus on customer service, saw the company weather the dot-com bust and emerge as one of the UK's leading online travel companies.
Today, Lastminute.com serves millions of customers each year and is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptive strategy in entrepreneurship. This venture serves as a potent reminder that an idea initially dismissed as 'bad' can, with tenacity and innovation, eventually transform into a commercial triumph.
New Product – The Virtual Office (Outer) Space
Categrory: B2B (business to big bang)
Product/Service: Service
Annual Market Size: Space Tourism Industry – $678.3 billion (source).
Main Competition: Well.. us really, and maybe Elon Musk’s Tesla that he shot into space…
Main Drawbacks:
Chance of Success: –300/1000
So let’s get down to business, what is the Virtual Office (Outer) Space? Well, it’s exactly as it sounds, a virtual office in… space. In a world entrenched in technology and digital connectivity, entrepreneurs are continually pushing the boundaries of innovation. Imagine being able to declare, with a perfectly straight face, that your office address is “The Milky Way, Third Planet from the Sun, just beyond the stratosphere.” Now that’s sure to make an impact at networking events! Not to mention, the unbeatable morning view of Earth’s beautiful, swirling blues and whites – all yours to enjoy as you sip your zero-gravity coffee. And let’s not forget your new personal assistant – a well-trained alien with an impeccable understanding of intergalactic business etiquette. In this unprecedented era of remote working, why settle for a quaint countryside cottage or a bustling cityscape when you can take your business to cosmic new heights? Just remember to update your time zone to ‘Galactic Standard Time’ and your dress code to ‘Astro Chic’. Welcome to the future of entrepreneurship, where the sky is not the limit, but just the beginning!
Come on, that's pretty cool right?
Imagine this as a view from your office.
Zero gravity when you've hired a meeting room for a day might not be the best idea, but it will be fun!
Who will buy it?
The purchase of a virtual office in space might suit those adventurous entrepreneurs who have already conquered terrestrial markets and are now looking to boldly go where no business has gone before! It’s perfect for the business magnate who’s tired of the same old skyline view from their penthouse suite and wants to upgrade to a panoramic vista of the cosmos. It’s also ideal for those who wish to nail the ultimate workplace bragging rights – after all, who else can claim that their office overlooks the entire planet? Just remember, if you’re planning office parties, you’ll need to stock up on dehydrated astronaut snacks and space-friendly beverages!
How does it compare to similar products?
When stacked up against the average virtual office, our Virtual Office (Outer) Space is in a different galaxy altogether. Imagine trying to impress a client with your virtual headquarters, boasting about your state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities and 3D holographic meeting rooms. Now, imagine doing the same thing but adding, “Oh, and did I mention, we’re based in space?”
Virtual Office (Outer) Space Reviews
In conclusion, while the virtual office in space is a testament to mankind’s innovative spirit and boundless imagination, it currently stands as an impractical, costly, and somewhat unnecessary venture. We should probably just stick to our already amazing virtual offices. Although, if one day technology advances enough, who knows? Maybe a virtual coffee break while orbiting Mars isn’t as far-fetched as it seems, and if Mars seems too far away, why not check out some of our more local virtual offices here.
