How can you determine if your idea is a winning one?
November 18, 2009, 1:25 PM
How can you determine if your idea is a winning one? I know a lot of people who develop idea after idea – but they’re definitely not all good. They’re often conflicted or uncertain about which one to choose to ...

The US Patent & Trademark Office Working For You.
November 17, 2009, 3:20 PM
I just returned from the 14th annual US Patent & Trademark Office Independent Inventor’s Conference in Alexandria, Virginia. It was wonderful to be invited by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the sponsor of the event, to be a ...

Want to license your idea? Who do you call?
November 13, 2009, 9:00 AM
I get this question all the time. “But,” inventors ask, “Who do I call?” They’ve invited this great idea, they’ve filed a provisional patent application for protection, and they’re bewildered. What next? How do they know which company is the ...

How to develop ideas
November 11, 2009, 9:00 AM
Everyone has their own unique way of developing ideas. Inspiration strikes each of us in different ways, at different times, and from different sources. How do you generate new ideas? I want to share my strategy with you.

Cashing in on the seasonal novelty gift industry, is it right for you?
November 09, 2009, 9:15 AM
The holiday season is upon us. What better time to describe the pros and cons of developing products for the novelty gifts industry? When I first began my career, I invented and licensed many seasonal products. If you enjoy being ...

Open innovation is sweeping the nation and the globe.
November 06, 2009, 9:00 AM
Open innovation is sweeping the nation and the globe. Companies have finally realized they don’t have a monopoly on intelligence! They’ve opened their doors and they’re looking around. I love the development – when I began inventing some thirty years ...

How to design a #1 hit toy - Interview with Zhu Zhu Pets, Russell Hornsby
November 02, 2009, 9:00 AM
Have you ever dreamed of creating a hit children’s toy? With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s hard not to ponder what toys will be huge hits this year. Whether it’s Cabbage Patch Kids or the latest Nintendo Game, there’s ...

The King of Spooky Rock N Roll - Interview with Jonny Coffin
October 30, 2009, 8:25 AM
It’s the day before Halloween and I’ve saved just the right ghost story to tell you. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the very appropriately named Jonny Coffin – the king of all horror related products in the music ...

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs -- An Interview with Carmine Gallo
October 28, 2009, 8:30 AM
Do you own an iPod? You may have never seen Steve Jobs present an Apple product, but it’s more than likely you’ve been seduced by his pitches. Carmine Gallo, author of The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be ...

Be prepared to pitch or get eaten by the Sharks. Interview with Lisa Lloyd
October 26, 2009, 10:05 AM
A little less than a year ago, I interviewed independent inventor Lisa Lloyd for a blog to discuss the development of her product line “Treasure Chest Pets.” At the time, the economy was struggling – I questioned Lloyd about the ...