I made $100K from a dick joke
A viral novelty business built around anonymously mailing “bag of dicks” candy prompts debate over luck versus strategy in online entrepreneurship. Commenters contrast one-off, lottery-like success with the grind of building sustainable businesses, and delve into practicalities like forming companies, using platforms such as Shopify and Stripe, and testing ideas informally. The thread also surfaces ethical concerns about deceptive viral marketing and anonymous prank services, alongside broader skepticism toward modern marketplaces and social platforms like eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and Imgur.
Reactions to the business story
- Many find the “$100K from a joke” tale entertaining and inspiring, especially as a contrast to grinding on SaaS or more traditional products.
- Others frame it as “lottery-like” success: possible but not a generalizable path compared to building durable businesses.
- Some see it as proof that individuals can launch physical products with minimal resources if they research, ask questions, and start quickly.
Luck vs. structure of success
- One view: this is mostly luck and timing; like quitting a job to buy lottery tickets.
- Counterview: the same fundamentals apply as in “serious” businesses—make something people want, price it so you can fulfill profitably, and be willing to launch before everything is perfect.
- “Just starting” is called out repeatedly as the key lesson.
Company formation, Stripe, and regulation
- Many argue you can initially operate as a sole proprietor (especially in the U.S.) and formalize later.
- Others emphasize that payment processors and banks ultimately need some legally recognized entity, even if that’s a natural person.
- Discussion of different country regimes:
- Some EU countries require early registration; others allow micro‑businesses to operate informally below revenue thresholds.
- Costs and complexity of LLCs/corporations vary widely (from free/cheap to more involved).
- Several warn that obsessing over “doing it 100% properly” prevents people from ever starting; suggestion is to launch small, then pay an accountant once there’s real revenue.
Ethics of viral marketing and pranks
- The story involves a fabricated viral post to drive sales.
- Some see this as standard viral marketing and “no harm, no foul” if customers understand what they’re buying and receive it.
- Others call it lying/astroturfing that erodes trust, contributes to general online dishonesty, and reinforces cynicism about marketing.
- Broader debate on marketing:
- Critics see it as manipulative and often deceptive.
- Defenders argue marketing is how people learn products exist; brand advertising can signal confidence in product quality, though this is contested.
Prank products and bullying concerns
- Thread catalogs similar anonymous “prank” services (glitter bombs, poop, potatoes, etc.).
- Some worry these facilitate anonymous bullying and emotional harm, especially when context about the recipient is unknown.
- Others say intent and relationship matter; among friends with shared humor it can be harmless fun.
Platform tangents: Imgur, eBay, marketplaces
- Imgur’s current UX and swipe behavior draw criticism; some miss its old role as a simple, direct-link image host.
- Long subthread on eBay: seller scams, buyer scams, perceived lack of recourse, and comparisons with alternatives like Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, and niche forums.