🧠 3 Idea Thursday

Ready for your weekly dose of business inspiration?

Of course you are! Before we dive in, I want to let you know I’m sending the next deep dive on Monday. This time around, I’m laying out a plan for the local newsletter idea from 2 weeks ago.

Without further ado, here are three ideas hotter than the heat wave baking the U.S. right now.

1. Sexy Standing Desks - Same function, better design

2. Investing Livestreams - A daily show for retail investors

3. Sports Betting Rehab - I know at least 3 guys who could use this right now

🧠 Biz Idea: Aesthetic Standing Desks

Have you ever noticed that every standing desk is just ugly?

They all look like they were designed by some corporate hivemind whose only exposure to design has been a cubicle farm.

This idea is simple. Can somebody please make a higher-end standing desk that looks like this? Or this?

• You can find the basic parts of a standing desk pretty cheap.

• To build your prototype, find a local craftsman (or teach yourself) to build a frame around the bones of a standing desk.

• Then, launch on Kickstarter to test interest.

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🧠 Biz Idea: Daily Livestream for Retail Investors

I saw this tweet several weeks ago. On the surface, it sounds like a great idea. Get business influencers together, make some content, and then make some money.

A few comments said Morning Brew and Workweek are doing this. Except they’re not, really. Barstool works because of the brand and the style, which I don’t think translates to business very well. Those companies are just building a digital-first traditional business media company.

However, one suggestion in the comments that I think would work is “The Pat McAfee Show for retail investors.”

Pat McFee is a former NFL player who retired, started a podcast, started live-streaming it on YouTube, and landed a massive deal with ESPN.

Wanna know where I see a lot of crossover in terms of audience, content style, and format? Retail traders. Just look at the traffic on any RoaringKitty stream.

• Find a big personality that is into day trading/options/degen finance/etc. Maybe that personality is you?

• Find some like-minded folks to jam with every day, and live stream it.

• Be consistent, grow the audience, then monetize.

I’m aware this idea is a bit thin, but I think the main takeaway is there is an opportunity for more entertainment-based and less information-based content for a new generation of people interested in finance and the market, and business in general.

🧠 Trend: Sports Betting Rehab

Speaking of retail investors and degen finance, let’s talk about gambling.

Sports betting is a booming market that will only get bigger. It’s legal in 38 states, and that number will be 50 soon.

And predictably so, this is wreaking havoc on a lot of people’s (especially young men’s) finances.

There’s an opportunity to step in as the go-to solution for those struggling with a sports betting addiction:

• Make an app that helps fight sports betting addiction. Use this app for panic attacks as an example.

• Build a physical space, a “sports betting rehab”. Could also use this as detox space for other modern addictions like social media, smartphones, etc.

• Partner with the big sportsbooks and get them to fund something in this space. Further regulation will eventually come along, so this could be their way of getting out in front of the problem.

📖 Brainfood

Here’s a 3-pack of useful/interesting/entertaining content I’ve come across this week:

• Greg Isenberg’s podcast is great. Here’s a list of his favorite ideas from recent episodes.

• Craig Clemons shared his secrets to creating ads that print $$$.

• Here’s a quick breakdown of the process, budget, and resources needed to launch a brand.

That’s all, folks. See you Monday for the local newsletter deep dive!

— Andrew ✌️