Shop Owner Buys $40 Jingle, Sells It for Millions

A neighborhood coffee shop owner is being hailed as a “savvy entrepreneur” after purchasing a jingle for $40 on a freelancing platform and reselling the rights for millions once the song went viral.

The 15-second tune, originally meant for a local ad, was licensed to the shop for a flat fee and one free revision. “I thought it was cute, so I paid the kid and threw it on Instagram,” the owner explained. “Next thing I knew, teenagers were dancing to it in airports, and Pepsi was calling me with an offer.”

The song went on to dominate TikTok trends, rack up streaming royalties, and feature in a Super Bowl commercial. The original composer, meanwhile, received no additional compensation beyond the initial $40. “They technically got exactly what they asked for,” the owner said. “That’s the beauty of contracts. Sometimes you pay for a cup of coffee and end up owning Starbucks.”

Critics argue the case highlights the exploitation common in gig work. Supporters counter that it shows the importance of “thinking bigger” after you’ve bought someone else’s labor on the cheap.

The coffee shop has since rebranded itself as a “creative incubator” and is planning a national expansion funded entirely by the viral jingle. Asked if he felt guilty, the owner shrugged. “I gave the musician exposure. You can’t pay rent with exposure — but you can certainly make a fortune selling it.”

From The Biscuit.