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NEW YORK — Do you have a one-in-a-million idea that’ll make you rich and famous? You’re not alone! In fact, one in three Americans think they have an idea that could one day make them wealthy.
From writing the next big novel to a hot stock tip or never-before-seen product, a new survey finds 33% believe they have a tantalizing idea that could make waves in the market. If that dream doesn’t come to fruition, there’s always hope – one in five of those polled (19%) have a feeling in their bones that they’ll one day win big in Mega Millions or Powerball. Maybe someone should tell them the odds of winning are around 1 in 300 million!
The survey, conducted by Talker Research in partnership with Wealth of Geeks, found that 17% of those with a potentially wealth-generating idea say they have an idea that involves their inheritance or using family money. Men were significantly more likely to feel confident that their idea was going to make them wealthy one day (39% vs. 26% of women).
Four in 10 of those currently holding onto a million-dollar idea want to start a business or service, while 27% have a stock tip they feel has the potential to bring them a fortune.
Does “Shark Tank” await many of these dreamers? A quarter (26%) of those with a big idea think they’ve thought of a game-changing product that’s not been done before. From energy-creating mushrooms to a new type of burger or fresh ideas using AI to blow away the competition, many Americans are quietly working away on their big hopes for future success.
A new type of ceiling fan, ideas for a new social media platform, or plans to launch an irresistible food truck were also among the broad concepts Americans said they were hatching plans for right now. Many are also putting hope into their creative endeavors by working on the next great American novel or developing music they one day hope to share with the world.
While many harbor an optimism that their finances could take a turn for the better, not everyone has faith that fortune will come their way. Just 10% of those polled describe themselves as “very lucky” when it comes to money with 21% “somewhat lucky.”
Forty-three percent felt their financial luck didn’t go either way, and 26% felt unlucky with money (12% very unlucky). That might be why 39% say they’ll need some sort of luck or financial windfall in order to live comfortably later in life. Another 10% are relying on an inheritance to feel the same way.
Survey methodology
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans was commissioned between June 21 and June 24, 2024. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
