where's the dust pan?...after 4 monts hiatus, it's time to get back to work!

Well it's final. I return to product development tomorrow Tuesday, August 18th, with my business partner/engineer Mark Deadrick with 3dyn.com.

After a complete four month hiatus from the 'inventing world', I am ready to hit the ground running full force with a simple plastic product for children.

Let me quickly recapture where I was before I took my break, and I promise to fill in many more details in subsequent blogs.

As many in my inventing circle know, I started my inventing career 2 years ago with a product called HipSnugger Waistbands, formerly known as Cinch-Eaze Waistbands, a way to adjust children's waistbands without sewing.

After about a year of product development and a subsequent quick, successful three month sales period, I licensed this product to a Canadian manufacturer which also functions as a distributor. (So much more on this later.)

Finding myself empty handed, I intentionally diverted my attention away from HipSnugger Waistbands (because I knew sitting around and just waiting would not make any processes like manufacturing and sales go any faster) and threw myself into the fascinating world of the 'inventor' with activities such as writing for Inventor's Digest as well as facilitating meetings for a local inventing group I founded called Parent Innovators.

About six months ago, I had another idea for a product, but found myself in debt. I was stuck. However, being inventive as I am, I created a joint business with my partner Mark who I mentioned above.

Mark needed someone to do his marketing and public relations for his products and I needed someone to design and make prototypes for my ideas. Naturally our business formed.

Before my hiatus, which I will talk about in another blog post, Mark and I came up with a solution (invention) to a big problem my children and I were facing on a daily basis.

We were so close to a licensing deal with this product with a major company, that the final 'No' we received was a big blow to me and my 'steam'. After working two years non-stop, pouring my heart and soul into my work, burn-out hit me like a ton of bricks.

It was time for me to take a much needed break, and conviniently this realization coincided with my girls and their summer vacation.

So after enjoying a four month vacation from work, I am back in one piece and this time even more determined to get back into the game and make things work.

However, this time, Mark and I decided to bring our product to market ourselves. Licensing is NOT in the cards this time around. And you are all invited on our adventure.

Jessic Pohlkamp, Inventor of Cellysmellys Part I

Six years ago, Inventor Jessica Pohlkamp sat in a car with a friend who fumbled in her purse and extracted a cell phone which was covered in visible smudges, fingerprints, and make-up residue.

To Jessica, who is Physical Therapist and finished requisite courses in biological sciences, the obvious grime was only a physical manifestation of a deeper problem—a milieu of harmful germs proliferating microscopically on the phone’s surface.

She watched her friend go through a pointless cleaning ritual of first rubbing the phone with her thumb, and then trying to wipe the face of the phone on her pant leg. Both these efforts further diminished any possibility of a cleanly resurrection.

Sufficiently ‘grossed out’, Jessica wanted to buy her friend some cleaning wipes, and to her bewilderment, she did not find anything specifically designed for this application.

“I wanted wipes which could clean, sanitize, and smell nice.” said Jessica. “Wipes of all kinds exist for other electronic items, but not for cell phones?”

Over the next couple of years, the indelible image of her friend’s grubby phone resurfaced in similar situations as when she witnessed fellow therapists wash their hands after assisting a patient, but did not wash their hands after touching a phone.

Although Jessica was more than inspired to create a cleaning product for cell phones, she faced her first mental obstacle thinking she had to formulate her own cleaning liquids and fragrances.

Daunted by this assumed process, Jessica sat on her idea for a couple more years, thinking she should give up. But her thoughts would not leave her mind, and if anything, intensified.

“It woke me up every morning and tucked me in bed every night,” said Jessica. “My heart hurt when I thought about some one 'taking' my idea.”

Yet, Jessica admittedly still did not act on her idea.

“I thought I was dreaming again.” said Jessica. “I have lots of ideas and I did nothing about them; how would this one be any different?”

Not until a few years later did Jessica’s light bulb grow brighter. At Thanksgiving dinner, Jessica’s brother-in-law, with an earful of Jessica’s dream and a mouthful of turkey, suggested that she simply call wipe manufacturers and ask them what was possible.

After extensive research, Jessica diligently called her leads. But easier said than done, Jessica faced a feared and typical ‘right of passage’ for new inventors—manufacturers did not take her seriously.

Shelving her idea for another year, Jessica opened her book once more after a dinner out for Indian food with her husband, mother, and the same brother-in-law.

This time around, her brother-in-law revealed his invention he had worked on for years, plunking it on the center of the table for everyone to ogle. (check out his under-glow lighting for furniture at www.LitStyle.com).

“I was so furious with myself, that my overhead light bulb became a meteorite,” said Jessica, who then resolutely concluded, that if her brother-in-law can do it, so could she.

With her new mantra ‘mind over matter’ and imagery of her retail-ready product, Jessica experienced renewed fire which, along with her confidence and determination, ultimately staked a US manufacturer to work with her.

To Be Continued with Part II

Check Out Jessica's Product
Cellysmellys
Scented Cleaning Wipes for Personal Electronics
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Eva Winger
www.TheInventorChronicles.com
TheInventorChronicles@live.com
follow me on that silly twitter thing @InventorChronic

Teresa Joyce...Debt-Free Inventing...Part III Conclusion

Continued From Teresa Joyce...Debt-Free Inventing...Part II...

In my last blog post we learned that Teresa was able to progress forward with her FunctionALL-Linens business with the assistance of her patent agent, David Lewis (see contact info below), who took a professional risk in order to see her succeed. Learning tremendously from this relationship, Teresa was be able to go forward with the belief that many people are willing to help others--she just had to find them.

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Teresa went through perfunctory 'first time around' basic patent filing fees, for which she paid her patent agent $4000. According to Teresa, this was a bargain compared to lawyers she contacted.

All went well as well can be for a legal beginning. Then a couple years later--during which Teresa attended to other facets of her new business--she received news that the USPTO rejected her patent application because it was 'too obvious'.

Heartbroken and frustrated, Teresa could only reflect on how much love and soul she poured into her project.

"The funny thing about the rejection was that I was not even thinking about the money I would have lost on this project," said Teresa. "I was upset because not only are my linens for the everday person, but I saw potential in a future line designed with the physically challenged or hospital patients in mind."

As fury quickly replaced Teresa's sense of defeat, Teresa decided she was going to fight. But for Teresa, asking Dan for more money was out of the question.

Predicting Dan's less than positive reaction for financial replenishment, Teresa knew it was time to get a job--any job that afforded flexible work hours.

"Yes, I was serving burgers for $8 hour even though I had higher level positions in the past," said Teresa. "What can I say?--It was the pits."

Even with her earnings, Teresa was not able to keep up with the patent or legal fees, so she needed to talk with David to ask if he could extend a professional courtesy of breaking the work into payments.

"He knew my project would live or die by his decision," said Teresa, who added that her David politely accommodated her request.

After nine months of paying off her latest fees to counter the patent rejection, Teresa finally received the USPTO approval for her patent application. Unfortunately, this good news came arm in arm with a slew of more expenses.

"Fees started to snowball on me," said Teresa, who added that she also needed to meet payment deadlines.

This is when David, who understood her plight, became her 'angel' as he offered to pay these fees for her in advance.

"I was so touched by his trust and faith, I cried," said Teresa, who admitted to often tearing up when she relaying the story David's generosity to others.

Continuing to repay David for months after, Teresa decided the time came to ramp up for sales, but did not have money to put together a basic website with e-commerce.

This is when I needed to reach out into cyberspace and network," said Teresa. "Imagine, I barely knew how to use a computer, and now I had to network."

Overwhelmed with the challenge, Teresa inadvertently struck gold when she came across ClubENetwork. Rather quickly, Teresa learned how to navigate the website, participate in forum discussions, and how to ask for help. 

Here, Teresa met her webmaster, Renee Michaels, who saw the value and potential of FunctionALL-Linens. Renee agreed to do work up-front with Teresa's commitment to pay her back when her business started to generate revenue.

Crediting more generous individuals who assisted her in all aspects of her business, Teresa secured more financial arrangements like the ones with David and Renee. As a result,Teresa has a thriving business having sold over 800 pieces of the FunctionALL-Linen line.

"Most people like to see other succeed, especially when they can win as well," said Teresa, who is proud to say she kissed debt good-bye. "Thankfully professionals exist that can see beyond the 50-80% up front with a 30 day due balance."

***

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David Lewis, Certified Patent Agent-- DavidLewisPatentAgent

Renee Michaels, Graphic Designer-- ReneeMichaelsDesign

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Please stay tuned to my next blog installment to read about Jessica Pohlkamp, inventor of CellySmellys--scented cleansing wipes for personal electronics.

Eva Winger

www.TheInventorChronicles.com

TheInventorChronicles@live.com

follow me on that silly twitter thing @InventorChronic

Teresa Joyce...Debt-Free Inventing...Part II

In the last blog, I left you all at the point when Teresa Joyce, the inventor of FunctionALL-Linens, was going to tell us her three year tale of financial downs which ultimately lead to being in a control cash position.

Teresa always considered herself an 8-5 woman who liked a salary, and as a result of that comfort, she never took any risk. When Teresa had her ‘flash of genius’ moment, she heard little voices telling her to pursue her idea of making bed linens with pockets which lay against the side of the bed. These pockets would allow for convenient storage of nightime accoutrements like reading glasses, phone, book or even bottle of water.

Having a daughter off at college, Teresa prepared herself to get back into the workforce. With her persistent inner voices getting louder, Teresa was torn between returning to a more traditional employment or taking a path into an entrepreneurial unknown. For Teresa, it had to be one or the other—not both.

“The voices won,” said Teresa. “I began to freak-out.”

Although Teresa’s husband Dan, who she considers more conservative and cautious, decided to remove himself from her project for many reasons, he offered her much needed emotional and financial support.

With his blessing, Teresa embarked on her journey and admitted to immediately falling prey to an invention submission company.

“I went to the S.C.O.R.E. office, which I heard was reputable, and found this invention company's contact information.” said Teresa. “I thought they would do their best job and do what was right for me and my product.”

However, according to Teresa, her experience was less than favorable in many ways. She ended up demanding a refund, and with much regret for lost time, walked away all together.

After her admitted mistake and almost losing $5000, Teresa said it took about another month to approach her already skeptical husband about giving the project another chance but in a different way.

"I realized, short-cuts in this industry did not exist," said Teresa. "I knew it was up to me to create this business from the ground up, and I was ready."

With this new perspective and a revived zeal, Teresa wanted to first find a lawyer, but quickly recoiled when she faced another big obstacle--she had never surfed the internet before.   

Facing this learning curve head-on, and relying on her newly heightened instincts, Teresa found a patent agent, David Lewis, who she now refers to as her 'angel'.

For two and a half years, well after David finished legalities, Teresa worked with a seamstress to bring life to her creations, learned about the bed linen industry, consulted with industry professionals, developed marketing materials, and created a website. 

According to Teresa, she accomplished most these tasks at low or no cost which she credits to her diligent networking efforts.

to be continued tomorrow...

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This is a good place to stop in the story. I figured if I broke up Teresa's story into 3 parts, I could keep things short as a blog should be. Early on someone told me to keep things short--geeze, I literally could write forever. These inventors have such amazing stories and every little bit is fascinating to me. I feel honored that they share not only their little successes but allow me to write about their mistakes. 

Tomorrow I will conclude Teresa's story about how she networked and utilized her connections in a way that helped her to continue to build her business debt-free. 

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ps I'm in San Francisco with my kids visiting my mom and dad. It's nice for a change that my mom is making me pancakes. Oh, how i so appreciate her now!

Eva

www.TheInventorChronicles.com

follow me on that silly twitter thing @InventorChronic

My Computer Issues, Maybe a Blessing in Disguise?

So this is the latest--My whole block has not had network connections going on the 5th day! It that possible?

I've set up shop at my local Starbucks and at first I resisted having to leave my home office. But can I tell you, that I am actually more productive there than I am at home? This whole situation can actually be a blessing in disguise.

I am able to get through all my on-line work in about 2 hours. Then I get back to my home office and work on my consultant work. Although, I have OCD tendencies to want to check all my email accounts repeatedly throughout the day, I am not able to. So, I am forced to work more focused and diligently in the morning. I am still able to check the most important, urgent emails on my iphone. In the evening I write inventor profiles for my blog.

I'm onto something new.

ps I'll be back with more of Teresa Joyce's story about how she is growing her business debt-free. Teresa is the one who created FunctionALL-Linens, bed linens with pockets. She's definitely my newest hero.

Eva
www.TheInventorChronicles.com
TheInventorChronicles@live.com
follow me on twitter @InventorChronic

Thanks to Social Internet Networking, People Will Now Believe I Had a Date With MC Hammer

I am always behind on internet 'anything and everything'. But slowly, like the evolution of planet earth, I have 'come-to' with this social networking thing.

Linked-In
First for me it was Linked-In about a year ago. I was resistant to try it. Why? I don't like learning curves. Call it lazy if you want, but truly the reason is that I do not have a half day's worth of time to learn something new.

But somehow I decided to give Linked In a try because I had heard that I would be able to find people that I needed to talk to in order to get going on my own personal licensing adventure.

I am thankful that I was open to giving it a go, because I was able to get myself in contact with high level product directors at Target. Nevermind, it took me two months to get to the person that I wanted. But the end result was, I found the person I needed to talk to.

Did I tell you I also found two dear girlfriends who I lost seemingly from the first month after giving birth to my first daughter? I lost touch for seven years!!! I have my reasons, but suffice it to say to my dismay, the first year of mommy-hood was nothing like the serene, pastel-colored pictures in Pottery Barn Baby catalogs.

Facebook
The next addition to my internet life was Facebook. Coming in from Linked-In, I thought at first this was another way to connect with other professionals. So that's how I started. Connecting to this CEO here, and this buyer there. And then a flood of grade-school and college friends started contacting me on Facebook.

When they started sending me pictures of me when I was eight, it dawned on me that Facebook for my purposes would be for connecting with friends and family. I feel kind of silly about professional contacts having an inside view of my life with my husband and children. I feel it would be awkward to excommunicate anyone. Here's a good example of a friends and family picture of me and my husband from Halloween 1999--I was a boring cat, but my husband Bill was MC Hammer. He had the over-sized gold rimmed glasses, the baggy pants, the flashy shoulder-padded banded-collar shirt complete with gold threads. I even had my hairdresser put finger waves in his hair.

Not only do I feel awkward in excommunicating anyone, I also hate that feeling of chosing who gets access to my Facebook account. So, I look at the pending friends list, and don't know whether to ignore or just not do anything.

Adobe Creative Suite
I know this has nothing to do with social networking, but definitely worth noting.

Seriously, I had good intentions of learning the Adobe Creative Suite. Hundreds of dollars later, all I know how to do is re-size an image. Kind of embarrassing. One day I tell myself I will hunker down and learn more, but my guess is that the Suite will be so behind the times when I get to it.

Blogging
For the longest time I avoided blogging. I felt like I had nothing to say. Then when I started to receive incredible feedback from my Inventor's Digest year long series, I knew that I could bring the same concept to life but on a more regular basis, featuring more inventors.

Already it is taking off. I have a list of inventors wanting to be profiled, and I am excited to do it for them.

Twitter
The one thing I felt repelled by was Twitter. Oringinally, I was turned off because I thought it was a telegram service which would inform me of my friend's favorite coffee at Starbuck's, or how they were late to work and forgot to put on their mascara.

Then I met with Leslie Haywood of GrillCharms and Mary Kay Russell of Kubit2Me in Chicago two weeks ago, and they were twittering that we finally had all met and were having dinner.

Having reached my non-informed Twitter limit and feeling left out : ( , I had to just ask once and for all what the heck this is all about.

Once they explained the power of Twitter and how amazing it can work in personal and business promotion, it all clicked in my mind. I am not saying I understood how it worked exactly--just that the moment had come for me to accept and implement this information.

After I came home from the tradeshow, I registered with Twitter as @InventorChronic

Yesterday, I felt so proud that I had 22 followers. However, my bubble bursted when I saw hundreds of followers on other fellow entrepreneurs' pages. How does the heck does that happen?

I still don't comprehend how it all works, but I am going with the flow and just waiting for things to happen on Twitter.

Someone told me there's a magical Twitter fairy to make me have a thousand followers over night. That's how it works right?
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Eva Winger
www.TheInventorChronicles.com
TheInventorChronicles@live.com
follow me on twitter @InventorChronic

More Confessions Of Mine*****Inventor Teresa Joyce****Pockets on Sheets?

Preface

As I have mentioned in my previous blog posts, as an inventor and a writer I am particularly interested in other inventors' 'journey behind the journey'.

I believe behind every mechanical journey that there is a subtextual journey. For me it was that moment when I realized other people were fulfilling their dreams and I wasn't. The basic excuse being, that I felt like I couldn't, or that those kinds of things only happened with other people. BTW, folks, I'm being very honest here. It's hard for me to confess to feeling like a loser at one point in my life (or has it been multiple times?)

After doing a HARO request looking for other inventors who would share stories about what held them back, if anything, from pursuing their invention or building a business, I was surprised to find the answers varied tremendously. Uh, am I the only one who hears voices in my head that tell me I can't do things?

Teresa Joyce, the inventor of FunctionAll-Linens, was the first inventor I spoke with. Before I tell you the interesting things I learned about her, I need to tell you about her clever product-- bed sheets with pockets. Yes, pockets. She has designed fitted-sheets with pockets that are oriented on the side of the of the mattress. Also, she developed bed linens with pockets that lay on top of the bed.

www.FunctionAll-Linens.com

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A-Ha Moment

So how did she come to her idea? Teresa loves her bed. She works, reads, watches TV in her bed.

Interestingly enough, and I need to a do a little more digging on this one, Teresa is an insomniac. When and if she falls asleep, she will drop things around her will dozing off. And she said she knows better than than to rouse herself to put her book, water bottle, pen, and her glasses on the night-stand.

A couple of expensive crushed fashionista glasses later, and a thousand dollars poorer, Teresa only realized she had a problem.

Teresa told me about her "Flash of Genius". did you know this is actually a legal term? I knew what the common meaning is, but the wikipedia explanation is interesting. "This is a legal term in patent law which was used from 1941 to 1952 called "The Flash of Genius Test" for patentability. It argued that an invention could come to someone out of nowhere and without years of working on it beforehand."

Teresa told me that even though she had put the broken glasses out of her mind, although not forgetting the thousand dollars her brain kept working until a few weeks later while awakening, stretching and did a motion with her hands as the fell to one side of the mattress when her eyes opened wide and decided that she needed to make sheets with side pockets.

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From 'A-Ha' to Action

Unlike me in the beginning of my journey, nothing really has held Teresa back from pursuing her invention. If there was anything working against her, it was that she is moving slower than she would have liked to.

Working 3 years on this project so far, with 800+ linens sold to date, Teresa insists that she will never put her family in debt. She has been paying cash as she goes for everything.

"A real source of pride," she said.

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In my next blog, I will tell you Teresa's secret on how she has been able to build a business without incurring debt. You don't even want to know how much debt I have personally incurred. If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, please email me.

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Eva Winger

www.TheInventorChronicles.com

TheInventorChronicles@live.com

follow me on twitter @InventorChronic