Ask HN: Viable business behind single, better-mousetrap product?

4 points by bmr 16y ago ↗ HN

I see little problems everywhere that could be solved by a single, more well-designed product (ex: airplane neck pillow that doesn't suck).

Any examples or thoughts on a successful model for selling such a product on the web? I'd rather sell it directly to consumers than distribute it to online retailers. I'd consider >10k units a big success.

Is direct response the only way to go for this type of product? At least some of my ideas are more sophisticated than the snuggie.

3 comments

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jolan 16y ago ↗

Sure, this arm pillow (http://www.armadillow.com/) is a good example. They did an interview thingy on reddit here (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/axp6v/ive_used_the_int...).

callmeed 16y ago ↗

I don't think direct response is the only way to go (I assume you're referring to informercials), especially with all the online marketing you can do. I'm sure there are also resellers which would let you drop-ship and not actually distribute product.

Another option is to get a patent and license it to someone.

I thought this Jan cover article on Wired was really good about production: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/ff_newrevolution/

thibaut_barrere 16y ago ↗

We will experiment with brick-and-mortar business next year (we = 2 but I'd do that alone as well).

I think it's a pretty good idea to experiment and keep the same recipes you apply on the web (ie: start small, measure, iterate).