Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have had this idea in my head for sometime now ( 1 year ) and only recently has it hit me like a 2 by 4, repeatily bam bam BAM!!!

In so I have to get it all out, I have several drawings, thoughts, I have even some improvised prototypes. This idea will not leave my head, it`s there first thing in the morning before I can even think of anything else, it`s there all day, and if I lie down in bed, ready for sleep THERE IT IS!!! These last couple of weeks have been head ache filled. It`s like my brain forces me to think about this. So much, now I ahve to develope it, soon.

I do believe this WILL work, and before you know it, it will be in malls, schools, maybe Pentagon ( if I could sell the Pentagon, I can sell it to anyone ), department stores. I think once people see it in a public building, and how it works every big business will want this ( especially high end corps. ).

Now that I have it figured out, I have literally dreamed about this working in malls, I have to patent it fast and I have to sell it fast. Just so I can sleep peacefully again, lol.

I just need to talk to smarter people... someone who knows the whole "invention process" and can MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I want to leave with this... I ahve the determination, the vision, I just need an Angel

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You got to understand me to understand me, understand me?

Well, what on earth is it? Or what does it have to do with.

Glad you are excited but we don`t know what you are talking about.

Curious Me.

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals

BluToad...

I know exactly how you feel, that immense drive, passion and sense of
urgency! I have my own "big idea" that`s been brewing going on seven
years now. I have drawings galore (I`m an artist), a patent pending and a
partial prototype.

Here`s the thing. Don`t rush it! Be proactive and do what needs to be
done but pull in the reins a bit. For example, if you`re unfamiliar with the
patent process (the impression I got), then learn about it first. It can be
quite complex but slow down and brush up on the basics. The same
goes with finding investment dollars. There are all kinds of different
sources and some will certainly be better than others for your situation.
Will you outsource or manufacture yourself? How will you market the
product? Do you see yourself as being CEO? Assess your skills. Your
vision needs to be more than just the product. It needs to be a company
as well, and all that goes into it like leadership, culture, finances,
processes, etc. Perhaps you`ve thought through some of this, I don`t
know.

Basically, put together a business plan first. And learn, learn, learn! Your
obvious passion and excitement will drive you through all of it.

And yeah, give us a bit of your idea. It`s okay to be protective since you
haven`t filed a patent. Know that the general community of SuN is not out
to steal ideas but this is the internet and it is a public forum, so do be
cautious. However you can at least spell out a carefully crafted and vague
hint of some sort.

Before you spend a lot of time and effort on this make sure you follow the steps in order, don`t jump to the next step until you have completed the previous one.

Your steps should be (roughly),

• Build a proof of concept model
  Make sure it works as intended
• Have an Attorney file a `Provisional Patent Application`
  In this manner your intellectual property will be secured with very little expense
• Create several (at least 5) more `proof of concept` units
  Have them `field-tested`, and collect user feedback. This will help you identify flaws, aid in the design and engineering of the prototype
  
• Invest the 3 years and $6k applying for a patent will cost you.
• Create a thorough business plan, omit no expense or detail
  This will help you identify exactly what you need to do, how long it will take, how much it will cost and who will do it
• Contract an engineering firm to produce one or more prototypes
  This will strengthen your position if seeking outside funding
  
• Ensure you have enough funding to take this project to completion
  
• Get started
  

Good luck!

BluToad, I COMPLETELY understand!  I`m well into the process and I can`t say that the sleep comes any better then it did when my 2x4 hit me.  Sorry!  I`m very excited for you because this journey is a fantastic one.  Steve, I commend you for being able to take your time.  In my original business plan (my light bulb moment was April 2006) my goals were by Fathers Day 2007 to have protoypes and to complete my primary market research, by Fathers Day 2008 to launch.  I just haven`t been able to slow down and am now about a year ahead of schedule (set to launch this July). BluToad,  ElidS pretty much summed it up very nicely for you.  Go for it!

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

Stones ledge

Your right!!! LOL, I am umm... not wanting to spoil the surprise...

It`s an odd duck... this "potential profiteer"

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You got to understand me to understand me, understand me?

Camp Steve,

Thank you sir!

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You got to understand me to understand me, understand me?

ElidS,

See this is the kind of people I need to talk to very seriously.

I love answers like yours, it sums up the begining. LIke all thast you typed, then at the end you say Get Started.... lololololol...

I was not sure on how to do the whole getting the idea from imagination to actual. This definitely more involved then I would of thought, which in turn gives me yet another great idea. Simplify this process... so many people with the "next great thing sense sliced bread" ... i.e so many customers... anyhow..

I just wanted to thank you, and say again your the type of person I am glad thats on this site.

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You got to understand me to understand me, understand me?

Grill Charmer,

Your a sweetie, and a cute one at that.

Let`s keep each other informed of one anothers progress, deal?

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You got to understand me to understand me, understand me?

Hi BluToad:

I`d start with the information that the Sloan Brothers put together here:

Finding a good attorney who will work on consignment is one suggestion, and you can always ask for recommendations on the fine Startup Nation Message Boards. You may want to ask for someone who is both an attorney and an agent. That way, they might be able to handle many of the contractual items for you.

The following is not legal advice. I`m not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice, but here are some things that I would do based on reading and some experience in making presentations to companies:

Regardless of how you proceed, I would start an "inventor`s notebook" (I use sewn Composition books) with your sketches and any pertinant descriptions, as well as the date that you drew the sketch(es). I would also ask two people who you know well but who don`t have any economic stake in the inventions to write on each invention that "I understand the general concepts in these drawings" along with a date and signature. I might also ask them to sign an NDA so that you can disclose that everyone who knows about your invention is under NDA.

Here are two great books on the subject:  License Your Invention by Richard Stim, and The Inventor`s Bible by Ronald Louis Docie.

Hope that helps and good luck with it!

Andrew

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Andrew Darlow, Consultant & Editor
The Imaging Buffet

Author, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques: An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers - InkjetTips.com