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.
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
follow me on that silly twitter thing @InventorChronic
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