We found the weirdest ways to make $1M, $1B, and $5B - My First Million Recap

Podcast: My First Million

Published: 2025-06-13

Duration: 1 hr 8 min

Summary

Sam Parr and Shaan Puri explore unconventional business ventures that range from twerking classes to Brazilian butt lifts, fecal transplants, and a Grindr turnaround that led to billions. They show that opportunities for success exist in even the most surprising places.

What Happened

Starting with a light-hearted story, Sam shared how he discovered a million-dollar business in twerk classes run by Lex Twerkout, a trainer who capitalized on the twerking trend. Despite initial success and celebrity interest, this venture fizzled out, highlighting how trends can be both lucrative and fleeting.

The conversation turned to fecal microbiota transplants, an emerging medical procedure with a 90% success rate for conditions like Crohn's disease and colitis. Sam shared insights about startups that are exploring the business potential of selling microbiomes from healthy donors, including athletes, with potential applications in endurance and mental health.

Shaan dove into the history and evolution of society's obsession with butts, from Roman statues like the Venus of the Beautiful Buttocks to the modern-day explosion of Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs). BBLs, a billion-dollar industry, have grown 800% in the last decade, with auxiliary businesses like recovery pillows emerging to serve the post-surgery market.

The hosts highlighted one of the greatest app turnarounds: Grindr. Purchased for $600 million after facing controversy, it was revamped and taken public with a valuation over $2 billion. The app is now a major success, outperforming competitors like Bumble and Match Group in growth and profitability.

They briefly touched on DUDE Wipes, a product initially seen as a novelty that grew into a $220 million revenue business. Its success was attributed to smart marketing targeting male consumers and the growing niche of personal hygiene products.

Sam and Shaan also discussed the untapped potential in niche healthcare franchises, such as colonoscopy clinics and gut health services. They compared these to med spas and projected significant growth in this sector as awareness around gut health increases.

Finally, the episode wrapped with reflections on how listeners can take inspiration from unconventional business ideas. Whether it's spotting trends, solving personal problems, or piggybacking off emerging industries, success often comes from thinking creatively and acting decisively.

Key Insights

• Lex Twerkout turned twerking classes into a million-dollar business by riding the viral wave of a fleeting trend. The rapid rise and fall of the venture proves that trend-based businesses can generate quick cash but rarely sustain long-term growth.
• Fecal microbiota transplants, with a 90% success rate for Crohn's and colitis, are creating a market for selling microbiomes from elite athletes. These could potentially enhance endurance and mental health, making your gut bacteria a sellable asset.
• The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) industry has grown 800% in the last decade, turning into a billion-dollar market. Entire sub-industries, like recovery pillows, have emerged to serve patients, proving that even niche procedures can spark broader economic ecosystems.
• Grindr’s $2 billion turnaround after a $600 million acquisition shows how controversial assets can rebound. Its success now outpaces Bumble and Match Group because it leaned into profitability over traditional growth-at-all-costs strategies.

Key Questions Answered

What is the story behind Grindr’s $2 billion turnaround on My First Million?

Grindr was purchased for $600 million after facing privacy controversies under its previous Chinese ownership. A new team revamped the app, streamlined operations, and took it public with a valuation exceeding $2 billion, outperforming competitors like Bumble.

How did DUDE Wipes become a $220 million business?

DUDE Wipes grew through bold, bro-centric marketing and positioned itself as a flushable alternative to wet wipes, tapping into a niche yet growing market for male hygiene products.

What did Sam Parr and Shaan Puri say about fecal microbiota transplants?

Fecal microbiota transplants, with a 90% success rate for conditions like Crohn's disease, are an emerging medical trend. Startups are exploring ways to replicate healthy microbiomes and sell them, with potential applications in endurance, anxiety, and depression.