Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

It is amazing to me, to see how difficult it is to keep things from being duplicated.
 My invention is for orthopedic casts, wheelchairs, walkers etc. My hope was to make the healing process more enjoyable for children. I have just stumbled upon my first bit of competition, it is similar in the fact they are also making life a little more fun for the healing, but thank god it is different materials.
I can definatley see my stuff being copied as well. I dont have copyrights on my designs, so I better get to work!
Tracie

IMHO the less you talk about it the longer you`ll have to wait for success (and most importantly SALES).

Since you have a "patent pending" it`s as safe as you can ever be (unless you have multi millions to chase everyone you see that comes close to your invention)  Paranoid is no way to live OR operate a business and worrying about constant theft (whether real or coincidence) will stifle your creativity and suck the life out of your enthusiasm.

BTW don`t EVER believe there is NO COMPETITION for your product.  If there is no competition then there isn`t a market.



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Louis Kiss
http://www.grabitpack.com
the ULTIMATE Gadget Holster
http://www.clinchwallet.com
The most PRACTICAL wallet available

Louis,
Thanks for your comments. I understand what your saying, I do want success! I do want sales!
... although I am just in the market analysis and financial projections phase. My plan is to launch in the beginning of next year, sometime. I wouldn`t say I`m paranoid, but worried for sure. It`s hard not to be -when even your patent agent tells you to zip it! And reading all the hard times some really good people are going through makes it harder still.

But IT IS SOOO HARD TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT- ISN`T IT?!
www.shrinkins.com !!!!
............  ......................

OOOH! THAT FELT GOOD!

SO, check out my website I`m working on and tell me what you really think!
Thanks again, Everyone!

"Market analysis and financial projections phase"? 

You have a website up and you could be SELLING.  What better way to do all that info mumbo jumbo than having people pay you for your product and giving you free feedback.

IMHO your site needs to be more product focused and show more pictures (plus I think your product has MANY more uses than what you show).  You`ve got a good idea but you`re not using your site effectively.  If people want detailed info they will click on it.  KEEP IT SO SIMPLE.

YOU SHOULD BE TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT (it`s like selling a script in Hollywood but not letting anyone read it) otherwise it remains in limbo.  You`re protected and your online so the horse is out of the gate.  Don`t get stuck playing catch up.

If you are that worried you should take the site down and do everything your patent "agent" says.


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Louis Kiss
http://www.grabitpack.com
the ULTIMATE Gadget Holster
http://www.clinchwallet.com
The most PRACTICAL wallet available

A Market Analysis and Financial Projections are very good to have if your going to be looking for an investor. I am focusing on converting my invention into a revenue-generating business, so gathering critical information I`ll need to get started and putting together initial documents is a wise move in my opinion. Quantitative estimates of market, business revenue, and business benefit is the most important foundation to building a viable, sustainable business model. It takes time, lots of conversations with others in the market, internet research etc, but it will be time well spent to avoid a disaster. All this research and information will not only prove to an investor that I have a viable product with great profit margins, but a marketing plan showing what this product could accomplish in the projected years ahead and bringing it to market. Should I somehow not need an investor, then I have a marketing plan that will help me take this product to the top.

My website is up -only now, for fellow SUN members to view and give me their feedback, ideas and opinions about the site I am building myself...and I am not a professional webdesigner and I could use feedback. Its not ready and neither am I to sell from, as I have not finished it, got my packaging and displays designed, nor the funds to print in the quantities these companies require. I published it so I could show you guys.

I appreciate you input on needing more pictures for my site, I think so too, I just have to get togther more models and shrinkins prints to display. What are your thoughts on the "many more uses than I show"?

I am almost ready, but I dont want to put the cart before the horse either... If someone wanted to purchase this, my price points..wholesale and retail aren`t even set yet as I`m waiting on quotes from a few remaining manufacturers.

I owned a business before and jumped in and did no research and did not get out of it, what I should have. I just want to do this right.
Tracie

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Stacie Mullins
Creator
Debutante Vintage Boutique

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