January 2025
In the world of entrepreneurship, there are countless tales of individuals who have built businesses from the ground up, overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities along the way. Yet, not all entrepreneurs follow this typical path. Some find success almost by accident, often through a combination of serendipity, timing, and a stroke of luck. These so-called "accidental millionaires" discovered their fortunes while pursuing something else entirely—often starting out with no intentions of creating the global brands they became. Among the most notable examples of such entrepreneurs are the creators of PopSockets and Spanx.
The PopSocket story is a fascinating example of how an idea born out of personal frustration turned into a global business. The founder of PopSockets, David Barnett, was a philosophy professor at the University of Colorado Boulder who had little to no background in business or product development. His journey to success began with a simple observation: his smartphone kept slipping out of his grip when he was trying to take a photo or text with one hand.
Barnett, who was used to thinking deeply about life’s challenges, came up with a solution—a small, collapsible phone stand that would attach to the back of a smartphone, providing a convenient grip. It wasn’t initially designed to be a major business venture. Barnett simply thought the gadget would help solve a personal problem. As a professor, he didn’t have the funds or resources to create a large-scale product line, so he started small, making the first few prototypes on his own.
The design of the PopSocket was based on a simple mechanism: a spring-loaded accordion that could be extended or collapsed, offering users a better grip and a functional stand for their phones. Barnett took to Kickstarter to launch his idea in 2012, not anticipating the overwhelming response that would come next. The project quickly went viral, and people all over the world started to order the quirky little device, which had not only functional benefits but also became a fun, customizable accessory.
The success of PopSockets didn’t happen overnight, but once it caught on, it grew exponentially. The company expanded its product line to include different colors, patterns, and designs, as well as special editions featuring pop culture themes. PopSockets became an essential accessory for smartphone users everywhere, particularly with the rise of selfie culture and the need for better phone handling during multitasking.
Barnett's success came from an entirely unintentional place—what started as a simple solution for himself became a multi-million-dollar business. By 2018, the company was valued at over a billion dollars. Barnett never set out to become a tech entrepreneur; he simply wanted a solution for a problem he faced in his own life. The lesson here is that sometimes, great business ideas are born out of personal pain points, and solving a common problem can turn into a massive opportunity.
Perhaps one of the most well-known stories of accidental success in the business world is that of Sara Blakely and Spanx. Blakely’s journey to creating Spanx, the now-iconic shapewear brand, is a testament to persistence, creative thinking, and the unexpected twists of life. Unlike many entrepreneurs, Blakely did not begin her career with the goal of building a fashion empire. In fact, her beginnings were far from glamorous.
In the late 1990s, Blakely was working as a salesperson for a fax machine company. She had little interest in the world of fashion or entrepreneurship, but she knew that she wanted more out of life. In her early 20s, Blakely had the idea for a new type of undergarment. She wanted to create a product that would eliminate visible panty lines while smoothing out the appearance of clothing, particularly for women wearing form-fitting dresses. But instead of simply dreaming about it, Blakely took the leap and turned her idea into reality.
With only $5,000 in savings, Blakely set out to bring her vision to life. She faced countless obstacles, from finding the right manufacturer to convincing people that her idea was worth investing in. For months, she researched the undergarment industry, studying patents, fabrics, and construction methods. She was determined to create a product that could truly change the way women felt in their clothes.
Blakely’s breakthrough came when she found a manufacturer willing to produce her first batch of products, despite the fact that they had never made anything quite like Spanx before. She then went to Neiman Marcus in Atlanta and pitched the product to a buyer, who was impressed and agreed to stock the item. Blakely’s persistence paid off, and the product quickly became a hit. Spanx was born.
The brand took off, propelled by word of mouth and the media. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks became early advocates of the product, and the company’s sales skyrocketed. In just a few years, Blakely went from a small startup with a $5,000 investment to a self-made billionaire. Today, Spanx is a household name, synonymous with comfort, confidence, and innovation.
Blakely’s journey to success was not a traditional one. She did not come from a wealthy family or have extensive business experience. Instead, her success came from a combination of sheer determination, an unwavering belief in her product, and an accidental idea that tapped into a widespread need. Spanx revolutionized the shapewear industry and changed the way women thought about clothing, proving that sometimes the most powerful business ideas come from simply thinking differently.
The stories of PopSockets and Spanx are compelling because they demonstrate that success doesn’t always come from meticulous planning or following a tried-and-true business formula. Instead, these entrepreneurs found success through an unexpected combination of insight, timing, and perseverance. The idea behind PopSockets emerged from Barnett’s own frustration with his smartphone, while Blakely’s desire to create a more comfortable and flattering undergarment for women turned into the billion-dollar brand Spanx.
What makes these entrepreneurs stand out is their ability to recognize an opportunity when it presented itself, even if it wasn’t part of their original plan. They didn’t wait for the perfect circumstances or a grand business vision to materialize. Instead, they took action on their ideas and adapted quickly to feedback and market demands.
These stories also highlight the importance of believing in one’s ideas, even when the road ahead is uncertain. Barnett could have dismissed his initial concept for a phone grip as too small or unnecessary, but he pursued it with determination. Similarly, Blakely could have easily given up after facing multiple rejections or the obstacles that came with starting a business from scratch. But her persistence led to the creation of a brand that continues to thrive.
While not every accidental millionaire is guaranteed to succeed, these stories remind us that entrepreneurship doesn’t always follow a linear path. Sometimes, the greatest business ideas are born from simple solutions to everyday problems. The stories of PopSockets and Spanx serve as powerful reminders that success can come from the most unexpected places—and that even a seemingly small idea can lead to big results when paired with determination and the right timing.
