To most people, entrepreneurship is a straightforward concept. You identify a problem (something that people around you need), and you solve it. Do it well enough, and you’ll get paid enough money to cover your expenses and have something left.
That’s the basic framework of all the great companies in the world. But then, since the Internet rose, there has been a new wave of business opportunities and a new kind of entrepreneurs. These opportunities completely turn the concept of starting a business as we know it on its head. At first glance, they may look like they aren’t worth much, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that they are very viable. In fact, they are not just viable, but also very successful.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these opportunities and how they’ve been explored so far:
Bitcoin
Anyone who knows anything about technology has heard of Bitcoin. It’s often called the gold rush of the 21st century.
However, in case you haven’t heard of Bitcoin, it’s one of several cryptocurrencies (crypto) available. Cryptocurrency is a kind of digital money you can store in a virtual wallet. That is, you don’t need a bank account or any centralized financial system to receive and use cryptocurrency. That’s why it’s called cryptocurrency—because it’s so cryptic.
Bitcoin is just one of the most popular cryptocurrencies. Others include Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin. How is cryptocurrency disrupting the markets? Well, people are trading them, just like stocks and bonds, and making profits off the rises and dips in the prices.
The most unorthodox thing about this concept is that anyone can become a crypto trader and earn lots of money buying and selling cryptos. It used to be that you needed to have a ton of qualifications and experience to make it in the trading business. Not anymore.
Marijuana
Also known as weed, pot, Mary Jane, and several other names, marijuana is another surprising and unlikely business opportunity. If you’re familiar with its history, then you know that it used to be illegal. You could get arrested for just having an ounce of marijuana in your possession.
Now, it’s legal in most states in the United States and is even being prescribed as a medical supplement. It’s recommended to people with cancer and other painful medical conditions. One interesting thing about marijuana is that it acts on some of the receptors already present in the human body, and it’s non-toxic. All you’ll get from it is a high—no overdoses or long-term toxic effects.
It’s ridiculous to think that something as illegal as marijuana once was should now be a massive industry. But then, it is. Right now, several offline and online businesses are making lots of money distributing perfectly legal medicinal and recreational marijuana.
The takeaway from this article is to always try to see things from a different perspective. You never really know where the big business idea is going to come from. That’s why it’s best to keep your mind open.
