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coolwagonman

posts: 54

Jan 20, 2009 7:51 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Mavor,
 
Thank you so much for taking some time to critique Coolerwagon. You make some very good arguments. Let me just comment on some of your points.
 
Website- yes, I admit I have not spent enough time making the site more informative, direct to the point ect. The initial launch of the site was to get the name out and hopefully speak directly to interested parties. I suppose lack of content is the culprit. As far as the video locking up on you- have not heard of any issues there. I suppose I could  have the video play within the page?
 
Marketing- I am very curious what you found out there that is similar to Coolerwagon? Certainly a powered cooler on wheels cannot be compared?
I would love to show you some marketing video we took and show you perfect strangers reaction to Coolerwagon. The interview content with all the people has been the inspiration to continue this endeavor.
 
Yes, the prototype will be demonstrated as often as possible. Seeing it is believing in it.
coolwagonman

posts: 54

Jan 20, 2009 7:59 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I`ve been thinking about this, contemplating the sort of standard idea of inventing something then selling the patent. As with most things, context usually matters a great deal.

In today`s markets, it seems as if everywhere we hear that companies are cutting back, there isn`t a lot of money, and blah blah blah. Buying a patent then going into production involves a fairly significant risk, both to the manufacturing company and the banks.

On top of that is the likelihood that few of us will see any sort of financial security in the future, meaning retirement.

So I`m wondering if it wouldn`t make more sense to retain the patent, "somehow" build the company yourself, and perhaps devote your efforts to getting distributors? Without knowing too much about the current economics of buying patents, it just seems more useful to start a company yourself. Maybe?

Although you don`t have the capital to launch the startup yourselves, from what I`ve read here on SuN, it may still be easier to get that capital than to sell the patent outright. I`m just thinking of all the changes we`ve been seeing in only the past 6 months.

 
Craig,
I have to agree- the odds are better these days getting capital then to sell a patent. Companies are very hard to approach to "sell" them something and most don`t even entertain the idea of purchasing patents...
Mavor

posts: 10

Jan 20, 2009 10:01 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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 Please post a link to your marketing video. I would love to take a look and critique it.

 Do you believe in your idea 110%? From the way that you have been making your posts, i don`t get a feeling of total confidence in your product. Therefor, neither will potential investors.

 You have to have complete belief in your product before you go any further. Once you have that belief, get everyone together and answer this question "How will Coolerwagon improve peoples lives, and what major problem does it solve?"

 Please, post your answer, and I will help you to cut to the core of your product.

 Once you have that, you need to put some serious thought into your business plan into the future. Will you find yourself competing with rival companies? Is there a real market out there for your product? What makes you believe that there are people out there ready to buy it?

After thinking about these problems, I believe that you have enough to go directly to potential partners or backers of your product (rich friends/family members, local venture capital funds or companies, and so on). Once they see a solid product that solves a REAL problem and has a REAL consumer base, they will be quick to jump onboard.

Oh and one more thing.... if there is a way for you to start small and sell something like ten units or so of this... the data that you can get from how long it took you to sell and how many people ACTUALLY BOUGHT the product is catnip for investors. If they see your product selling like hotcakes, there is no reason why it won`t perform just as well in a market of scale.

Plus, if you do a limited build and sale of Coolerwagons and you fail, at least you won`t have investors breathing down your neck. :)

coolwagonman

posts: 54

Jan 20, 2009 11:05 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Mavor,
 
The confidence is there, the business experience is not. I work full time as a service manager in the construction equipment industry. I have very good "people" skills and work very hard at anything I do in life in general. Coolerwagon has been a dream & passion without much financial support it deserves. My tone in posts is due to humbleness.I believe confidence can be sometimes viewed as arrogance. I find most people will not help this type, and I definitely need help.
 
"How will Coolerwagon improve peoples lives, and what major problem does it solve?"

OK, I am not a marketing expert but here an idea of what this product could solve:
 
1- Going to the beach or park- family of 4 who lives say 5 miles from their destination. they want to bring a cooler, maybe a tent, chairs, toys & towels. Lets say the destination is 500 yard from the parking lot. The wagon is packed in the trunk along with the other items, its then assemble easily, items packed onto the wagon, then off to the destination. Imagine mom holding 1 year old in her arms, holding the hand of her 4 year old and bringing up the rear the moms 7 year old pulling the 200 lb Coolerwagon with ease.
 
2- A tool around the house- moving heavy items such as garden, landscape materials, fire wood, groceries. I am sure uses would multiply once the product was owned.
 
3- Hunting- camo version, help hunters move catch from woods to vehicle instead of dragging.
 
4- Camping- again, some sites are a distance from where you park ( I suppose most you park your car where you camp) . however, some years ago, when my son was a cub scout, we camped out locally here on Long Island on the north fork. we walked with our gear for almost a mile before we came to our camping area.
 
so tell me, is Coolerwagon helping in these situations?
 
As far as the marketing video, please send me an e-mail- I will send you a log on. I apologize I have to do it this way. I promise all the people we interviewed that the video would not be posted publicly and would only be shown to interested parties.
 
Send requests to: kenh at coolerwagon dot com
 
 
 
 
coolwagonman1/21/2009 7:18 AM
WebJunky

posts: 549

Jan 20, 2009 8:26 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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coolwagon...just something for your benefit (which you already might know)....never leave your  email like that in open web space.  there are automatic robots out there that will find it and submit it to spammers!

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Mavor

posts: 10

Jan 20, 2009 9:58 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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yes, you should change it to something like : kenh  at  coolerwagon  dot  com  

just to be safe!

coolwagonman

posts: 54

Jan 21, 2009 7:22 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Thanks! I appreciate all the help

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