Dropshipping, vibecoding, rental flats. Which businesses proved long-term, not just fads?
Even back in university, I noticed how much younger people (17 or 18 years old) were always jumping into some kind of trendy business model or income stream that happened to be booming at the time.
First, it was dropshipping and flipping items.
Then came NFTs and everything happening in the crypto space.
Now everyone seems obsessed with quick vibecoded AI solutions and investment apartments.
Every time, I feel like I’m missing out – but on the other hand, these trends last only a moment and then disappear. Like little micro-bubbles.
Are these things real businesses? And what other income streams have you seen that were viral for a while, but barely anyone talks about today? (Maybe they are a real business, just I am missing the point)
(I still remember the classic MLM schemes, especially with beauty brands like Avon, Oriflame, Mary Kay, etc. :D)
Replies
I don’t think they’re scams. More like they promote the wrong values.
Even back in the Middle Ages, there were European merchants who traveled to Asia to buy and sell goods. They were basically the dropshippers of the 13th–15th centuries, haha. And even just 20–40 years ago, people were importing goods from China and selling them in Europe. They were simply known as merchants. No one gave them fancy names like “dropshippers.”
It’s the same with vibe coding. What is vibe coding, really? Just a tool that makes programming easier and faster. Is it a scam? No. Will everyone learn to vibe code? Also no. It’s just a tool! Like your laptop or the Internet. Those who know how to use it will build tools faster and bring them to market sooner.
That’s why my advice is: focus on your own interests and strengths! Opportunities like these will always exist.
@busmark_w_nika That's a very interesting topic!
I'm not sure I totally agree with what you wrote, @byalexai
In the Middle Ages, merchants were needed because people weren't used to traveling to Asia to buy stuff, and the same is true for more recent importers (e.g. travel was more inconvenient and less frequent 20-40 years ago than it is now, especially in regions like China).
But now, it's super easy to buy whatever you want, in person or online.
So, do we really need dropshippers, or are they just trying to sell hot water?
I'm not an expert on vibe coding, so I'm not sure if it's just a trend or could be a real business.
Curious to see how it develops next year!
@busmark_w_nika @pamela_arienti You’re absolutely right, Pamela! Everything can be bought online.
But there are a few things that need to be taken into account.
Are you sure the person (the seller) behind that online store is a real person? Will they actually send you the product? Will it be of the same quality as advertised? When will arrive? And if you order goods worth a million and they never deliver : what can you do?
You’re in the U.S. or Europe, and they’re in China, Bangladesh, or Vietnam. Are you really going to sue them?
The dropshipper takes on that risk! Whether through a small test order, local contacts, or by visiting suppliers in person they make sure the product is exactly what they’re offering you.
Also, when you order from your own country, your package probably arrives within hours or a couple of days.
But when you order from across the world, you wait one or two weeks.
So the dropshipper’s profit comes from your convenience and security because even if something goes wrong, you can take legal action in your own country. But if the seller is in China, I doubt you’d hire a lawyer from the other side of the world.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@byalexai I am just thinking whether it is a real type of long-term business or just a "bubble opportunity". Because there are companies or types of services/brands that have been with us for 3+ years. Billa, Nike, etc.
But I cannot name one dropshipper – I felt like it was just a blink of an eye and it's gone.