Six ideas that made millions

Business

These ideas started out simple and have made millions.

They're all "crazy ideas" that made millions. In 2000, Sara Blakely patented her footless pantyhose into a million-dollar empire that energized the hosiery industry and has since spawned thousands of imitators. Spanx, whose first product sold for $22, has grown to include a range of body-slimming undergarments and active wear. And Blakely is now a billionaire.

Laugh now, but those funny-looking teeth generate more than $50 million in sales. Yeah, and you thought Billy Bob was just a bumpkin idea.

What's a Knork? A Knork is a fork with a beveled edge that cuts like a knife. Started in 2001, the Knork has grown from a single utensil to a line of flatware that sells more than $2 million a year.

The HeadBlade razor wasn't a star when in debuted in 1998. The idea of a simple way to shave the head has grown into a multi-million dollar company. The razor, which was TIME magazine's "Best Invention of the Year" in 2000, is sold in more than 20,000 retail stores and holds a place in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

You've put sunglasses on your dog, admit it. A trip to the park on a sunny day spawned the inventive dog-fitting design behind Doggles. Dogs can now face the wind out car windows without ever closing their eyes. MidKnight Creations has since branched out to toys and other dog paraphernalia, making about $3 million a year in sales.

What kid hasn't used their stuff toy as a pillow. That inspired a San Diego mom to create a pillow that doubled as both. The fold out cuddly toy exploded onto retail outlets in 2010, bringing in $300 million in sales.

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They're all "crazy ideas" that made millions. In 2000, Sara Blakely patented her footless pantyhose into a million-dollar empire that energized the hosiery industry and has since spawned thousands of imitators. Spanx, whose first product sold for $22, has grown to include a range of body-slimming undergarments and active wear. And Blakely is now a billionaire.

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