Weird Niche: Breaking Dishes
Today's weird niche of the week is all about letting out your inner frustrations without yelling at your boss, giving your landlord the finger, and without kicking your dog. 🙂
It's called the Smash Shack and you'll have to see it to believe it:
I started looking around the site and thought “Oh my gosh, what a total waste of dishes for nothing when they could be given to people who need them.”
But, I was determined to look around and see if there was more to it than met the eye. And, I've got to say these guys are not only innovative, but pretty darned clever marketers, too.
First, check out their About Page. Nicely done with a good story and likability. They aren't just weirdos with anger issues who don't care about anything but having a good time. They're kind of cool people.
Click to read -> About Smash Shack.
Then, I went to look around some more and found that they've designed their rooms to include a viewing area as well as allowing their patrons to bring their own music. May I suggest the Smashing Pumpkins
Click to read –> Their Available Rooms.
So, I'm starting to think “These people just might have something here.” So, I keep looking around. Next I find that they've incorporated a MOBILE unit – which just sealed their fate with me. They have a good business sense. Taking your business to where people ARE rather than trying to get people to come to you. Brilliant. Always a smart thing. And, then I read the description of their mobile unit and was even more suitably impressed by the thought and detail put into every inch of the plan. You have to see this part.
Click to read –> Mobile Smashing Unit.
After all of that, I headed over to pictures and testimonials and I realized that I had to come around. The patrons genuinely look like they're having a good time, and it's all in good fun (although I do hope that they're recycling the glass).
Click to see –> Smashing Pictures.
So, as usual, I would like to comment on the business and the site.
Is there a NEED for this business? No. But people don't normally spend money on needs. They spend it on wants. (Who looks forward to paying the phone bill? Not me!)
The owner was having a bad day and had one thought “I wish there was somewhere I could go and just break stuff.” Sometimes that's all it takes to come up with a brilliant (and profitable) business idea. In this case, she did the one thing that I preach day after day here. She took ACTION!
Could the website do a better job to build their business? Yes. It could. Is it conveying their message? Obviously it is since I came around from “Ug. Self-centered college kids” to “Cool idea” in under a few minutes. 😉
I also would, again, like to applaud their idea for offering a mobile unit and going TO their customers, rather than waiting for customers to find them. I hope they're getting a lot of repeat business from that mobile unit. It's highly clever.
On that note. I'll be back next week with another Weird Niche Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed!
Warmly,
Nicole
Raymund
August 8, 2009 at 8:45 pmYou ma’m are definitely the dean of marketing 🙂 I definitley enjoyed this post on smashing dishes..ingenious niche indeed!
Anita Hampl
August 9, 2009 at 7:54 pmReminds me of Monica Ricci, now famous speaker and Professional Organizer, who got started by asking her husband, “Do you think people would pay me to throw away their stuff?”
One thing I found odd here, Micole: no SAME DAY appointments! I’d think a same day visit using their stuff might save angry smashing of family heirlooms, etc.
Anita Hampl
August 9, 2009 at 7:55 pm{Ummm, I know your name is Nicole with an N. Sorry!}
Eren Mckay
August 10, 2009 at 9:31 amWow- that really is weird. I personally don’t understand how people would hold in their anger until they finally get there to break the stuff. I’m way too frugal so it hurts to think of breaking stuff on purpose. I even cringe when I see movie sets blowing up cars- I’m like aaaawwwwwww every time I see it- LOL.
But hey it’s an idea and I guess some poeple like it.
All the best,
Eren
.-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Christmas Gingerbread house plans decorations & Gingerbread man costume =-.
Doug Champigny
August 11, 2009 at 5:51 pmReally loving your weird niches posts and your summer blog tour on the other sites – keep up the great work, kiddo!
.-= Doug Champigny´s last blog ..Great Week For Quality PLR – Limited-Time PLR Pack Sales! =-.
Loretta
August 12, 2009 at 12:51 pmOkay this one looks totally fun! Id like to see the broken pieces used in some mosaic art work or something fun like that.
.-= Loretta´s last blog ..Top 3 Reasons to Outsource Article Writing =-.
Rachel Rofe
August 12, 2009 at 8:42 pmHaha – when I was looking for “date night” ideas, that was one of the possibilities. The reviews on yelp.com are incredible for it, and it looks like it could be a lot of fun!
By the way, I noticed you checked out my blog and wanted to thank you for it. I have a lot of respect for you and everything you do, so it made me feel good to see you on there!! 😉
I was also wondering if you still do affiliate management for people. If so, please shoot me an email when you get a chance – I know you’d be incredible at it!!!
With love,
Rachel
Patrice
August 13, 2009 at 4:50 amI agree – it’s a weird niche breaking and smartly done.
.-= Patrice´s last blog ..Moms Work at Home with Online Marketing =-.
Genevieve
August 13, 2009 at 4:30 amAlthough it is a waste of perfectly good dishes, from experience breaking glass can actually be quite therapeutic, it releases a huge amount of pent up frustration! And there’s something soothing in hearing the object shatter. In my mind’s eye it represents letting go… and now that I shattered the negative feeling it is forever gone!!!
Genevieve
Lisa Marie Mary
August 24, 2009 at 10:32 amThat chick is so cool and that biz is so SUPER GROOVY!! Omg, I love it!! Thank you so much for this series, Nicole! 😀
.-= Lisa Marie Mary´s last blog ..Soul-Flower Tapestry and Grateful Dead T-Shirt =-.
Iris
August 30, 2009 at 4:40 pmI think this weird niche can turn its trash into treasure by recycling those broken pieces into works of art, i.e., mosaic-framed mirrors, mosaic table tops, mosaic serving pieces, teapots, etc.
After you get all the anger and stress out by breaking something, turn the remnants of your rage into beautiful usable art!