Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

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Mike - I do a lot of work in the automotive aftermarket and have some good contacts. I`d love to hear your ideas and will do whatever I can to help you. I don`t really want to get involved on the patent side of things - there are a bunch of folks here at SuN much better at that than me.

If we need to sign a non-disclosure before talking, that`s OK, too. I work with many people who have ideas and we make `em happen (sometimes ;-)

You can send a personal email to keycon@mindspring.com.

Look forward to hearing from you.

R@

Sweet thanks a lot. I will put an email together with a disclosure form, and we can go from there. Truly I hope to get a from the hip dose of reality. All those I have spoken with love it, but I am waiting for the bombshell! Anyway thanks again.

Mike

Mike:

I am willing to help be a sounding board if you need one.  You must be near the age of my son who says `sweet`  often.  I have read your posts reviewing a website and you have good insight.  I doubt that you need many people cheering you on, just someone on occassion to tell you there is value in your ideas.

One thing you might consider is determining your strengths and motivations.  It helps to define yourself before you just dive head first.  Are you good with people or a loner, organized or pressure driven, a showman or perfectionist?  You may be great at initiating an idea but don`t like the follow through.  You may be good at conceptualizing but not drafting it into a plan of action.

No one is good at every aspect of a business.  Build a solid trustworthy team that fills your needs.  Define their roles and responsibilities, who each is responsible to and dependent upon.  If you haven`t done this before, there are free templates on Microsoft`s website in project development.  A business plan is for you - like a workbook for you to fill in.  The most important page(s) is the executive summary, that is what will be read.  But you won`t be able to write it until after the business plan is complete.  Find a sample business plan that is similar to your product idea.  If you are developing a vacuum cleaner, find a business plan that already does this. You can copy paste from any business plan website that has samples - free.  Don`t reinvent the wheel.

As far as the patent, definately don`t give anyone the idea without a disclosure statement.  Even then, a big company has lawyers that will settle out of court if they infringe on your pending patent, leaving you only enough to pay your lawyer fees.  So - be careful.  Next, start a checklist/plan to apply for the patent even if you aren`t that far along.  PLAN AHEAD.  It will pay off in the end and make you feel good about the steps you are taking now.

I can`t wait to see your idea become a real product and on the shelf of an auto store. 

Katherine

Keycon, I am stll working on somethings before I put information out there so to speak. I am sure I can use your advice and guidance. Please for my email in the future. One good thing is I actually have a friend that is in school for Patent law. Unfortunately, he has not graduated yet, but I know I can trust him, and those he stears me too. If I run into a road block it is grreat to know people on here. Thanks again.

KG thank you for your kind words. I like your website. Nice reading. I am sorry to hear about your health issues, and I hope all is getting better day by day. I look forward to talking more to you, and as I need specific help I will relate it appropriately.

Thanks again.

Mike

Mike,

No problem, buddy. Here when you are ready.

R@