Business idea · E-commerce
Mystery Box Apps
Mystery Box Apps is an app that offers users the thrill of opening mystery packs of collectible items, with a built-in buyback system to reduce the loss when they don't get desired items. It was pitched on My First Million in the episode "The 2 businesses AI can never make obsolete" (aired November 4, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | The 2 businesses AI can never make obsolete |
| Aired | November 4, 2026 |
| Category | E-commerce |
| Real companies on the episode | White Coat Investor, NADA 20 Group, Moda Communities, Collectible Crypt |
The problem it solves
Collectors are often hesitant to buy packs of collectibles due to the risk of receiving nothing of value; the buyback system mitigates this risk.
How it makes money
Earnings from the sales of packs and a percentage from buybacks, creating a cycle of purchasing and reselling.
Skills you need
App development, understanding of consumer psychology, and financial modeling.
The market, and why this works now
Shopify's 2024 app-revenue policy allows developers to integrate a buyback feature, enabling collectors to resell unwanted items directly through the app. Initial revenue can come from targeted ads in the r/collectibles subreddit, where users discuss their interests and experiences with collectible items. A significant challenge in the first year will be the capital required to fund upfront inventory purchases for the buyback system, which may strain cash flow as the user base grows.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- White Coat Investor
An online community and resource for doctors and medical professionals to discuss personal finance and investment strategies.
- NADA 20 Group
A peer group consulting service for auto dealers that facilitates sharing and learning from each other's profit and loss statements.
- Moda Communities
A company that runs Facebook communities focused on buying and selling luxury items like watches, cars, and jewelry.
- Collectible Crypt
An app that allows users to buy, sell, and trade collectible cards using a buyback model to incentivize purchases.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Episode: The 2 businesses AI can never make obsolete
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.