Simmers who love The Sims 4: Businesses and Hobbies know the joy of creating unique community lots. But what happens when you let a randomizer choose your activities? That’s exactly what SatchOnSims did—turning a handful of unrelated business ideas into a fully functioning lot and testing whether it’s actually profitable (or even works).

Using James Turner’s Random Business Generator

James Turner’s site offers a Random Business Challenge tool that spits out five random activities based on the packs you own. Satch’s roll came up with:

  • Pottery
  • Ranch Nectar Making
  • Writing
  • Moonbathing
  • Flower Arranging

That’s… quite the combination. So, the idea? Build a nature-inspired wellness retreat in Chestnut Ridge that somehow ties them all together.

Building “Pots & Wine” – A Hybrid Nature Retreat

Satch chose Grapevine Terrace as the lot for its more upscale vibe and got to work:

  • Greenhouse Conservatory: Houses the pottery wheels and flower arranging tables, tying pottery to floristry by crafting decorative pots.
  • Basement Winery: Multiple nectar-making stations for guests to brew their own ranch nectar.
  • Writing Loft: An upstairs nook with Cottage Living-style typewriters (wishing EA let Sims write by hand instead of only on computers).
  • Moonbathing Area: A small outdoor space with beach towels under a decorative tree, doubling as a night-time relaxation spot.
  • Main House: Residential space with a kitchenette, living room, spare bedroom, and main suite for the business owner.

The exterior embraced a converted barn aesthetic with barn doors, a greenhouse extension, and slab walkways instead of glitch-prone terrain paint.

Making It Functional

To turn the build into an operational business:

  • A payment kiosk was placed near the entrance.
  • Bathroom and kitchenette added for guest needs.
  • Seating areas for comfort while keeping décor minimal to avoid blocking gameplay routing.
  • The residential portion was marked separately from the public business space.

Testing the Gameplay

Once open, the results were… mixed:

  • Pottery & Flower Arranging: Guests happily jumped into these right away. Finished arrangements were sold on display tables.
  • Writing: Initially ignored, but eventually a Sim wandered upstairs to use the typewriter.
  • Nectar Making: Guests were reluctant to travel to the basement. This echoed an issue Satch saw when reviewing Businesses and Hobbies—Sims tend to stay in one room unless specifically directed. Eventually, one customer started crafting nectar, but it was inconsistent.
  • Moonbathing: The hardest sell. Townies didn’t autonomously moonbathe. Even with towels, the interaction required clicking directly on a Sim, and most just “relaxed” instead.

Verdict – Fun Concept, Some Sims AI Hiccups

Despite quirks, the “Pots & Wine” concept worked as a cozy, tech-free escape where guests could:

  • Craft pottery and floral pieces
  • Sip and make nectar
  • Practice creative writing
  • Unwind outdoors (if they actually moonbathed)

While nectar making and moonbathing needed more hands-on prompting, the build captured a unique blend of activities that felt different from standard retail or café lots.

“It’s like a technology detox place—you come here to do something with your hands instead of staring at a screen.” – SatchOnSims

You can try the Random Business Generator yourself and see what bizarre combinations you can turn into a thriving lot.

Want more Sims 4 creative build challenges and gameplay experiments? You’ll find them all at Sims4Life.

Source: SatchOnSims

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Random Business Challenge?

A fan-made tool by James Turner that generates five random business activities based on your installed packs, encouraging creative lot design.

Why didn’t Sims use the basement nectar-making stations?

Sims in The Sims 4 often avoid travelling far within a lot unless directed, leading to underused areas like basements.

Can Sims autonomously moonbathe?

Not reliably. While they can relax on towels, actual moonbathing usually requires the player to click on the Sim and choose the interaction.

Is the “Pots & Wine” lot available to download?

Yes, Satch mentioned uploading it to the Gallery for players to try.

Does this work without Businesses and Hobbies?

Some features (like the payment kiosk and pottery-making integration) require the pack, but you could adapt the concept with base game and other creative tools.