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You don't have to be a mechanical genius to be an inventor. Anyone can invent—a parent wrestling with a baby sling . . . a coach frustrated with slick-soled running shoes . . . an office worker determined to keep the computer cords untangled. Inventing is simply finding clever solutions to everyday challenges.
Author and inventor Patricia Nolan-Brown has turned common annoyances into ingenious and money-making products. She shares the tricks of her trade in Idea to Invention, a practical guide that helps ordinary people look at their world with the eyes of an inventor. Readers will learn six simple steps to invention—and discover:
• How they rate on six crucial personality traits
• Creativity habits that spark invention
• The power of tape-and-paper prototypes to refine their vision
• How to navigate the ins and outs of licensing and patenting their product
• The pros and cons of finding a licensed manufacturer vs. running a home-based assembly line
• How to promote their invention—from perfecting the pitch and finding store buyers to trade-show shortcuts and strategies for creating buzz online
• Product enhancements that add years to shelf life
From initial concept to thriving business, this handy guide simplifies the invention process and gives creative thinkers the competitive edge they need to achieve success.
List of contents
Contents
Acknowledgmentsxi
Introductionxiii
Chapter 1 My Success Story: If I Can Do It, So Can You1
Chapter 2 Take the Success Quiz You Can't Fail--and Learn How to I.N.V.E.N.T.5
Chapter 3 Are You Inquisitive? Cultivate Curiosity!15
Chapter 4 Do You Have Nerve? Grow a Thicker Skin!23
Chapter 5 How Strong Is Your Voice? Passion Speaks!31
Chapter 6 How's Your Energy Level? Fire It Up!39
Chapter 7 Do You Nourish Your Dreams? Feed 'Em!47
Chapter 8 Got Tenacity? Hang In and Hang On!55
Chapter 9 The Six Simple Steps to Invention: What They Are and How to Use Them63
Chapter 10 Think It (Step One): It All Starts in Your Head69
Chapter 11 Cook It (Step Two): Now Get Real81
Chapter 12 Protect It (Step Three): Keep Thieves Away103
Chapter 13 Pitch It (Step Four): Make 'Em Want It Bad121
Chapter 14 Make It (Step Five): Factory in the Kitchen (or Not)155
Chapter 15 Bedazzle It (Step Six): Add Bells and Whistles183
Chapter 16 Building the Right Online Platform: Social Media Tricks and Tools to Make Your Product Flourish189
Chapter 17 Living the Inventor's Life: Helpful Hints for a Healthy, Happy Inventing Experience219
Chapter 18 The Final Word: You Can Make It Happen233
Index247
About the Author255
About the author
PATRICIA NOLAN-BROWN, popular motivational speaker, consultant, and noted inventor of the original rear-facing carseat mirror, has sold millions of products, and has built businesses around numerous patents and trademarks.
Summary
You don’t have to be a mechanical genius to be an inventor. Chances are, you’re already at the all-important starting ground every inventor begins at--wishing you could find a clever solution to an everyday challenge. The far-too-complicated baby swing. Slick-soled running shoes. Computer cords constantly tangled up . . . there can’t be a solution unless there’s a problem. And that’s where you’re at!Author and inventor Patricia Nolan-Brown has turned many common annoyances into ingenious and money-making products, and she believes you can do the same. In Idea to Invention, she shares the tricks of her trade in order to help ordinary people learn how to look at their world through the eyes of an inventor. Readers will learn the six simple steps it takes to go from idea to invention, and discover:• Creativity habits that spark invention • The power of tape-and-paper prototypes to refine their vision • How to navigate the ins and outs of licensing and patenting their product • The pros and cons of finding a licensed manufacturer vs. running a home-based assembly line • How to promote their invention• Product enhancements that add years to shelf life• And moreFrom the everyday challenge and your initial concept to resolve it, all the way to the explosion of your thriving business, this all-encompassing guide simplifies the invention process and gives creative thinkers the competitive edge they need to achieve the success their amazing ideas deserve.
