Low-cost inventions that accidentally made millions

A reader emailed me about his aspiration to become a millionaire. I asked: “Why me? I’m a person with an unexplained poverty.”

- REY ELBO

Joel (not his real name) insisted that my critical thinking skills could be valuable for his 30 business ideas inspired by his mother and that one dear friend who owes him lunch.

He was told that any of his ideas could make him a millionaire in two years. “Then, why don’t you ask them?” On top of his list is Project J which needs $16,000 to develop.

It includes patent protection, manufacturing, marketing, plus the miscellaneous items like a celebration budget.

Armed with optimism, Joel presented his idea to private financiers and government funding agencies. They rejected him with the kind of speed usually reserved for swiping left on dating apps.

Back to zero. Still trying to avoid Lotto as his retirement plan, Joel was inspired by the successful Canva founder Melanie Perkins who democratized software designs for everyone.

Low-cost inventions

I told Joel to stop thinking like he’s building the next spaceship. You can’t beat Elon Musk on that. Instead, focus on projects that won’t burn your wallet. Start with small experiments. Train your brain to spot the extraordinary hiding in the ordinary — like inventors who made millions from ideas suspiciously looking jokes that got out of hand.

Take the cue from Devon Scott-Leslie who compiled a list of low-cost, wacky inventions that earned huge money.

From that list, here are eight gems worth studying (and envying):

1. Lucky Break Wishbones by Ken Ahroni who sold plastic wishbones so everyone could make a wish. In 2004 alone, he earned more than a million dollars.