There are traditional businesses who's products follow a formula, then there are stories like this.

by Mike Kravinsky

I realize we're months away, but let's talk turkey. I'm a vegetarian. My Thanksgivings don't include a bird. As a result, I don't have wishbones. What to do?

Entrepreneur Ken Ahroni worked as an importer and consultant for twenty years and was ready for a change. Back in 1999, sitting at his Thanksgiving table, it occurred to him most people celebrate the holiday as a group, but there's only one wishbone. "Everyone fights over it," he said, "There has to be a better way." He thought to himself what if there were more to go around.

He came up with a unique idea. A plastic wishbone. Ahroni called his product Lucky Break Wishbone. He began by experimenting with the right kind of plastic that would break like a real wishbone. After several years he hit on the right formula. He remembers having conversations with plastic manufacturers. They were all puzzled when he told them he wanted his product to break.

Lucky Break Wishbone Corp. was launched in 2004. The first year he made $50,000. Today the company makes 30,000 wishbones a day, selling for about a dollar each.  Ahroni's company makes around 2.5 million annually. By the way, because Lucky Break Wishbone uses recycled plastic. Even Peta like's it.

research:
Entrepreneur Magazine
Thinkofthat.net
BusinessUnusual.net