--- title: "Flares: Barndominiums, Fossils, and Marine Collagen" description: "Flares: Barndominiums, Fossils, and Marine Collagen" image: https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif --- [ << Back to Blog ](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals) [Beauty](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/tag/beauty) [Design](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/tag/design) # Flares: Barndominiums, Fossils, and Marine Collagen ###### Amy McMillen ###### Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/signal/flares-barndominiums-fossils-and-marine-collagen%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/signal/flares-barndominiums-fossils-and-marine-collagen&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/3430677/Imported_Blog_Media/QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/signal/flares-barndominiums-fossils-and-marine-collagen%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.nlopchantamang.com/trends/signals/signal/flares-barndominiums-fossils-and-marine-collagen&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/3430677/Imported_Blog_Media/QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif) ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif?height=420&name=QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif) ***Source: Keywords Everywhere*** ## **Barndominiums are through the Roof** Meet barndominiums -- the latest craze in modular construction. Barndominiums (or barndos, for short) are warehouses that serve as homes, known for being affordable, energy efficient, flexible, and low maintenance.  While [#barndominium](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/barndominium) on TikTok has already exploded with 86.6m+ views, compare that with #vanlife’s [3.5B](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/vanlife) or #tinyhouse’s [~$1B](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tinyhouse) -- the barndominium movement is only in its infancy.  Take note from the modularized construction and prefab opportunities from our [ADU Signal](https://trends.co/signal/make-room-for-grandma-opportunities-in-the-imminent-adu-boom/), but barndominiums have one key difference: They’re usually made of metal. There’s growing demand for custom-built barndo kits. One example: [Worldwide Steel Buildings](https://www.worldwidesteelbuildings.com/), which saw barndominiums as a leading driver for their[ $24.3m](https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2021/03/24/worldwide-steels-barndominium-sales-drive-growth.html#:~:text=%22Barndominiums%22%20have%20become%20a%20hot,a%2047%25%20increase%20from%202019.) in sales last year, up 47% from 2019. Entrepreneurs could differentiate by using sustainable materials or adding interior design modeling. ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/QyzxK0pg5ZmTVQtjQ9rgJM7MNYbGOtB3eXvkqu2JMz9prVdaVF-ie0CAL9A0iufXzWKn1-7HVAsa7PHD0OmlmuHyS2z5_aApEHnasDgNySVSwtRPr2xtX_dxtLt3Tz5LBzvB7j9H.gif) 3D designing a barndo. Source: Worldwide Steel Buildings Interested buyers not only need manufacturing kits, but also guides on what to do with their barndominiums after they’ve built them. (Just [~35%](https://www.findfarmcredit.com/landscapes-articles/home-sweet-barn) are used as permanent residences.) There are opportunities for peer-to-peer rental markets a la Airbnb, as well as event rental (e.g., weddings and retreats), aircraft hangars, auto shops, art or fitness studios, and more.  ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/atP5t734QM6FXUMeQNVtmCRmnTnvEGnXIk5DW5oHF6Bqqz2bwuCbFkLmV9EhS6TLPUKpFRqFbVBX6m322gvym3qIAEtLykBELpB7d3kHzGIbaBMuGk8P0ARlDHUv3BT7s0dS_62J.png?width=409&height=299&name=atP5t734QM6FXUMeQNVtmCRmnTnvEGnXIk5DW5oHF6Bqqz2bwuCbFkLmV9EhS6TLPUKpFRqFbVBX6m322gvym3qIAEtLykBELpB7d3kHzGIbaBMuGk8P0ARlDHUv3BT7s0dS_62J.png) Source: Pinterest Trends and Google Trends ## **Hobbyists Are Digging the Fossil Porn** ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/p0pR13XBmQxSbUgQlUTXZ7qSZSzKbL8ET1IZKgZhiGIuXq5CpIusrd8UVptbRadhBGBK1cKpjczYj_qt6DS3w5K-6reenlW4r97J8iM6V6TkkJTDUnq2vyVuqPIRmcdC1a-fu__3.png) Interest has surged recently on the subreddits r/FossilPorn, where people appreciate fossil pictures, and r/FossilID, where paleontology lovers help each other with identification. Source: Subreddit Stats Who knew there were so many [fossil hunters](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-you-should-try-fossil-hunting-this-spring-11616613348)? [Fossil Guy](https://www.fossilguy.com/), a one-man show of a website that curates hunting locations, virtual tours, articles, and more, has organically [doubled](https://www.similarweb.com/website/fossilguy.com/#search) its traffic in the last 6 months to 80k visits/mo, according to SimilarWeb.  Over 1.2B people search “fossils” every month on Google, according to Keywords Everywhere. Other relevant searches include: - “Fossils for sale”: 18.1k/mo - “Fossils near me”: 6.6k - “Fossil hunting”: 3.6k - “Fossil identification”: 1.6k Want to get your hands dirty? Consider the following opportunities: - **Community: **There are subreddits and Facebook pages, yet only one major dedicated online hub for fossil lovers -- the [Fossil Forum](http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/collections-database/), which has [33k+](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-you-should-try-fossil-hunting-this-spring-11616613348) members and a collection of 43k+ crowdsourced images. There’s space to niche down to increase engagement -- dinosaurs, plants, and fish fossils often have separate enthusiasts, and fossil hunting is a local activity.  - **Apps: **While [Digital Atlas of Ancient Life](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digital-atlas-of-ancient-life/id971829286) exists, reviews reveal dissatisfactory design with limited specimens, time periods, and locations. Fossil hunting’s local treasure hunting nature also lends itself well to partner with an activity like geocaching. The official [Geocaching app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/geocaching/id329541503) had 300k downloads and $700k in revenue last month alone, per Sensor Tower.  - **Group events:** Combine education, fun, and bonding by organizing fossil-themed escape rooms (a la Jurassic Park) for corporate bonding or on-site fossil hunting events for home-schoolers.  ## **Skin Care Is Getting Fishy** ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Pp8a4T5x2lHEjL5QdgW2dlJgpqOEfpz0cWyTA-p7foV-3XBAkvpeJJG8zSnl9eRxl_OgByQK68MUHSE8o33sL3OkyG4TXPyr3WjP6eI8-Nyt-UXcA8n6tJSEdeLAvjwxXslwf2RD.png) Marin Skincare’s founders, who both have a master’s in biomedical engineering, discovered marine glycoprotein’s eczema applications from academia. Source: [Dimensions](https://app.dimensions.ai/analytics/publication/overview/timeline?search_mode=content&search_text=marine%20glycoprotein&search_type=kws&search_field=full_search&local:indicator-y1=citation-per-year-publications) Fancy some lobster in your morning routine? What about salmon? Marine glycoproteins (molecules found in aquatic species) are swimming their way into skin care.  Most recently, 2 biomedical engineering graduates launched [Marin Skincare](https://www.marinskincare.com/), which uses lobster glycoprotein as a key ingredient to treat eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.  Marin partners with Luke’s Lobster to source the ingredient, which was previously a wasted byproduct of processing lobsters. Unlike many animal-based consumer products, Marin harnesses the circular economy (a [$4.5T](http://docs.wbcsd.org/2017/06/CEO_Guide_to_CE.pdf) potential market) while also supporting coastal communities. ![](https://www.nlopchantamang.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/B2H7_VZq3D91kvmtnc8Wup6zs33aPlJ9C377PSibqLmCfwt6qFfh2cR6yG_sC3OnkaLSdMEjT5_J0V1f-LeQSe4wTxKKSp1aPWQ2rQ89EmJW94TK4XTwrKgQFTyLSv4r7V7jHd9N.png?width=265&height=265&name=B2H7_VZq3D91kvmtnc8Wup6zs33aPlJ9C377PSibqLmCfwt6qFfh2cR6yG_sC3OnkaLSdMEjT5_J0V1f-LeQSe4wTxKKSp1aPWQ2rQ89EmJW94TK4XTwrKgQFTyLSv4r7V7jHd9N.png) Source: Marin Skincare's website [Restorsea](https://www.restorsea.com/the-story), with [$24.9m](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/restorsea-holdings/company_financials) in funding, has a similar process of using salmon glycoprotein from fish farms -- otherwise waste -- for anti-aging products.  Vegan is in vogue, but animal-based functional products are alive and well -- recall our Signal on how [organ supplements](https://trends.co/signal/flares-organ-supplements-needling-felting-and-japandi/) are making millions, and collagen is predicted to be a [$6B+](https://www.gminsights.com/pressrelease/collagen-market) industry by 2026.   Sifting through academic papers gives a number of applications for marine glycoproteins that haven’t been taken to market yet, including [herpes](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785316303698) and [osteoporosis](https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/17/2/118/htm) treatments.  Lobster Unlimited, a company [developing](https://mainestartupsinsider.com/startup-launches-skincare-brand-using-lobster-glycoprotein/) novel ways for upcycling lobster processing waste, is even researching therapeutic capabilities for fighting cancer.  Its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a good supplement, paving the way for lobster-infused powders, energy drinks, [ice cream](http://thriveicecream.com/), and more.  ### Leave a Comment #### Amy McMillen ###### Blog posts ## Related Articles. 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