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)