Are these the world's most unusual businesses?
lovemoney staff
03 January 2017
Crazy cash makers
From sunglasses for dogs to bottled air, these businesses are making a fortune in rather unusual ways.
Buckfast – notorious tonic wine made by monks
The English monks who make Buckfast tonic wine are enjoying record sales of their controversial beverage. A powerful concoction of 15% fortified wine and caffeine that is intended to be consumed in strict moderation, the infamous fortified beverage is the drink of choice for Scotland's trouble-making 'neds' and has been linked to thousands of violent crimes.
Sisters of the Valley – medical marijuana grown by nuns
The Sisters of the Valley are a group of self-styled nuns who grow organic medical marijuana in Merced, California – yes, really. The nuns, who aren't affiliated with the Catholic or any other established church, produce a range of CBD oil and salves.
Herds for hire – rents out yard-clearing goats
Herds for Hire is an Australian firm that rents out goats to rid gardens of weeds and other out of control vegetation. The service is more eco-friendly than a lawnmower and negates the need for toxic weedkillers.
Ship Snow, Yo – mails snow from New England
During Boston's record snowy winter in 2015, husband and wife team Kyle and Jess Waring set up a business shipping fresh snow and 'snowmen in boxes' to people deprived of the white stuff. Launched as a joke, the business has since become a resounding success, turning over thousands of dollars.
Ship Foliage – mails leaves from New England
Building on the success of their snow-selling business, Kyle and Jess Waring established a leaf-selling enterprise last fall, mailing out hand-collected preserved New England leaves to buyers worldwide. To date, Ship Foliage has sold over 1,800 leaves.
Vitality Air – sells bottled Rocky Mountain air
Like Ship Snow, Yo, Vitality Air was started as a joke. The Canadian company sells bottled air from the Rocky Mountains for $17 (£14) per canister. The canisters sell particularly well in China, and demands spikes when air quality worsens in polluted cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Dirty Rotten Flowers – decomposing bouquet delivery service
Mr Opperman may well have been tempted to send his ex-fiancée a bouquet of decomposing blooms from Dirty Rotten Flowers. The perfect breakup revenge gift, the company charges $33 (£27) per bouquet of decaying flowers.
Anger Room – hires out rooms for people to destroy
Launched in 2008, Dallas' Anger Room provides stressed-out clients with a room filled with furniture, TVs and all sorts of other stuff they can smash up to their heart's content. Each trashable room simulates an actual workplace, kitchen or living room for added authenticity.
Soapano's Coin Launderette – laundromat that shows back to back Sopranos
Passing the time when you're waiting for your washing without dying of boredom can be a challenge. Cue Soapano's Coin Launderette in Collingwood, Australia. The laundromat plays Sopranos episodes back to back and offers customers free massage chair sessions.
Cat cafés – coffee with feline friends
Cat cafés are all the rage right now, and in the last few years dozens have opened around the world, such as Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium in London (pictured). Moggy-loving customers get to drink tea and nibble their cakes surrounded by cute felines.
Pict – the world's first memory-scented photo frame service
The new online framing service with a difference. Not only do the Pict team frame your photo, they also imbue the frame with a suitable scent to trigger memories associated with the snap. Fragrances range from cut grass and baby powder, to Play-Doh and sea air.
Cuddle Up To Me – professional huggers
Samantha Hess runs this platonic companionship agency in Portland, Oregon and along with her three employees, she does a roaring trade cuddling up to lonesome people. Offering instant TLC, an hour-long snuggle session costs from $80 (£61).
The Doll Hospital – healthcare for toys
Poorly dolls that have seen better days are tended back to health and restored to their former glory at the Doll Hospital on the outskirts of St Louis, Missouri. The hospital is considered one of the finest doll restoring organizations in the US.
Fallen Furniture – furniture made from airplane scrap
Taking the upcycling trend to the extreme, Fallen Furniture is a British company that turns airplane scrap into desirable pieces of furniture. Standout models include chairs made from Boeing 737 engines and emergency exit doors repurposed as coffee tables.
Thorough Performance – horse massage company
Equine soft tissue therapist Christian Langeder heads a company in Australia that is dedicated to providing horses with expert massage therapy. The highly regarded firm has worked with many of Australia's leading horse owners.
Ship Your Enemies Glitter – online service that does just that
If you're one of those people who loathes opening birthday cards filled with glitter that goes absolutely everywhere, this one's for you. Ship Your Enemies Glitter, which was started as a joke company, does just that – a great way to prank your pals or get back at somebody you don't like.
Karosta Prison Hotel – hardcore jail vacation experiences
The Karosta Prison hotel in Latvia offers guests the full Soviet-era prison experience. From just $20 (£16) a night, patrons sleep in a iron-barred cell and are subjected to regular death threats, the sound of gunfire in the yard and harsh punishments such as cleaning the jail's toilets.
Dick's Last Resort – restaurant/bar chain renowned for its rude staff
Treating people with similar disdain, US chain Dick's Last Resort purposefully hires the rudest, most obnoxious wait and bar staff imaginable. Customers actually flock to this eatery so they can be verbally abused by the workforce, who get a kick out of placing large paper dunce caps on their patrons' heads.
Dans Le Noir – Parisian restaurant where diners eat and drink in complete darkness
A unique sensory experience, Dans Le Noir is a restaurant in Paris where blindfolded diners eat and drink in pitch black darkness, served all the while by visually impaired wait staff. A huge success, the restaurant has opened offshoots in several cities around the world.
Ugly Furnitures – specializes in creating hideous overpriced furniture
This carpentry company was founded by three friends with zero skill and horrendous taste. They make intentionally ugly, poorly made furniture and sell it for overinflated prices – what's not to like?
Crowds on Demand – rents out hordes of people
This LA-based company can supply clients with a crowd of people at a moment's notice, faking anything from flash mobs to screaming fans. PR firms looking to create buzz surrounding a product, celebrity or service are the company's biggest clients.
I Do Now I Don't.com – helps jilted fiancés and divorcees resell their rings
This booming online jewelry auction platform for spurned lovers was launched in 2007 by Joshua Opperman, who had been jilted by his fiancée and unable to get a decent price for the unwanted engagement ring. Now a very wealthy man, it's safe to say Opperman has had the last laugh.
Hangover Helpers – post party support
This Colorado-based business offers a super-valuable service. Charging $20 (£16) a roommate, the firm will send over a team of hangover helpers to clean your apartment the morning after a big party. The helpers also provide each hungover customer with Gatorade and a breakfast burrito.
The Texas Lice Squad – roving lice-removal operatives
If Dallas residents come down with a bad case of nits, they can call upon the services of the Texas Lice Squad who will send a nurse to their home address to pick the lice from their hair. With people increasingly shunning chemical shampoo treatments, the business is flourishing.
Potato Parcel – mails personalized messages on potatoes
Potato Parcel is the brainchild of pro app developer Alex Craig from North Texas who launched the company half-jokingly. The firm, which can stamp the message of your choice on a spud, is turning over thousands of dollars a month.
Petite Mort Fur – makes fashion accessories from roadkill
Artisans at this ethical fur company based in Massachusetts work with 'accidental fur' recovered from highways in the state to produce a range of apparel. Items on sale include pom pom hats, neck wraps and leg warmers.
Chololi – the nose hair notification service
If the nostril hairs of somebody you know are getting out of hand, you can turn to a service called Chololi to save the day. The cheeky company from Japan will send the hirsute person a gentle reminder to trim or pluck the hairs.
Turd Herders – professional pooper scoopers
As you might have guessed from the not too subtle name, New Hampshire's Turd Herders specialize in removing pet poop from squeamish owners' backyards. The Derry-based firm charges from just $12 (£10) a week for the service.
Doggles – sunglasses for dogs
These sunglasses for pooches were invented in 1997 by Roni Di Lullo, who wanted a pair of shades for her squinting dog. The Californian native launched the sunnies soon after, and her company now rakes in over $3 million (£2.4m) a year.
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