I once spent a weekend building a "premium" dog-walking app with route tracking and a rating system. After two months, I had exactly one customer who paid $3, then asked for a refund because her dog "didn't like the interface." The $3 was technically revenue. I framed the Stripe screenshot. What's the smallest amount of money you've ever made from a business idea?
Failures
The smallest amount of money I've ever made from a business idea
Sold a single hand-knitted hat on Etsy for $12. After shipping, and materials, my profit was negative $4. I still brag about being "in e-commerce."
My buddy and I made $0.68 from a lemonde stand in 2019. We were 27. It was a social experiment that got out of hand.
$0.68 is oddly specific. Did you split it 34/34?
We argued about it for an hour. He wanted to reinvest in more lemons. I wanted to frame the coins. We don't talk anymore.
I made 11 cents in ad revenue on a blog I ran for three years. The check from Google never cleared because it was below the minimum payout threshold. So technically I made zero. But spiritually, 11 cents.
This thread is making me feel so much better about my failed candle side hustle. I thought I was the only one who kept Stripe receipts as trophies
One dollar. From a guy who paid me to "consult" on his app idea, then spent the entire hour telling me his app idea. I consider it a dollar well earned for listening practice.
$3 for a dog-walking app is honestly impressive. My smallest was $1.50 from a Fiverr gig where I edited a 30-second video. It took four hours, and the client left a 4-star review saying "good but could be better."
I once sold a single used book on Amazon For $0.01 plus shipping. The buyer complained about the condition. I lost money on the bubble mailer. My business philosophy is now "never again."
Honestly the 11 cents Google ad revenue might be the most relatable thing I've read all week. The threshold is a cruel joke.
I just checked my Stripe account. The $3 refund actually cost me $0.30 in fees. So I paid thirty cents to have a dog dislike my UI. This is the real cost of innovation.
Wait, you're the OP. You said you wouldn't post again. But also, the fee thing is hilarious. My smallest revenue was $0.02 from a niche affiliate link. Someone bought a $1 product and I got my cut. The internet is a strange place.