Everyone has their own combination of unique quirks and guilty pleasures- whether its binge watching the latest season of Downton Abbey in the nude, devouring the missed connections section of Craigslist from the toilet, or nuzzling into a significant other, begging to be pet like a dog. But what happens when those peculiar private moments become paired with other, outside people? They grow into public market demands- and where there are demands, there are those ready, willing, and able to fulfill them. Thus, bizarre services are born- appealing to the sometimes strange but often indispensable needs of people, their passions and their peculiarities. Despite a knee jerk reaction to judge, many of these seemingly strange services serve surprisingly practical purposes. On the other hand, some are so very odd its hard to believe enough people are willing to devote enough of their hard earned cash to keep these providers in business. Regardless, the services are out there, many thriving. And as more and more people discover the joy, pleasure, and (when requested) pain that can come from bizarre services, the more they continue to crop up and fulfill those quirky needs.
Stefanie O'Connell is a millennial entrepreneur, speaker, and author of The Broke and Beautiful Life. She lives in New York City and loves all things chocolate, chai, and chapstick.
