I’m telling you the story of what happened to me. I was in the middle of starting up a new business while playing Startupologist here at StartupNation. And my hard drive had crashed, according to the Dell Customer Service rep. A DISASTER!!! ALL MY STUFF, GONE!!!

The Cinderalla aspect of this story, though, is that just a month earlier, a business associate at a collaborating company for my startup suggested that I get an automatic back-up service. Actually, he didn’t suggest, he demanded, saying something like, “If I’m going to be dependent on you, I’ve got to be confident that you won’t have a catastrophe and lose all this data we’re sharing. You’ve got to have an automatic back-up for your data.” He mentioned a couple of options he’d used for automatic backup of your computer. I chose one not knowing the difference - Carbonite, which is always working in the background, syncing your files with a remote storage area at Carbonite.

And thank goodness for his sage advice. Within a few days of my hard drive crash, I had received a new hard drive from Dell, I logged in to Carbonite, I selected “Sync,” and after Gigabytes of downloading, Bingo! I was back in action, not a single thing missing, everything organized just like before.

So I connected with Carbonite to ask them to make a special offer to fellow entrepreneurs at StartupNation who MUST NOT suffer a loss of their priceless data. Our businesses are just too small to endure that kind of blow.

Glad to share that Carbonite has stepped up and offered a special two-months free on an annual subsciption costing around $59. They also offer their standard “Try It Free” trial without a credit card required. Here’s Carbonite’s special offer for StartupNation folks.

My data was priceless, literally. At around $5/month ($59 annualized), it was a no-brainer for me when I was first advised to download it, and now I’m giving you strong encouragement to develop your own hands-off, automatic back-up solution.

Yes, Carbonite is an automatic backup service we have a special offer on, but choose any such service and get your data backed up automatically without having to think about it. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. In business, the key is taking only risks you HAVE to take. Your data no longer has to fall into the “risk” category.

Here’s the special offer at Carbonite

As I wrote a while ago here in my blog about the Twitter squatter who was trying to extort StartupNation, there are definitely systems in place at the social media companies that support ethical companies and certainly intellectual property rights of individuals and companies. Twitter worked on our behalf to wrestle away the /startupnation account for us given that it was a registered trademark owned by our business and was obviously strategic to us as well as a source of confusion in the marketplace under the squatter’s control. They quickly moved the account into our control.

Now through the encouragement of Daliah Saper of Saper Law, we’ve done the same thing at Facebook. In less than 24 hours, by following their simple, clear instructions, we were able to pull www.facebook.com/startupnation away from the squatter and now have that username as our own, appropriately so.

Here’s the simple, step-by-step process we followed in case you have a squatter issue and/or trademark issue as it relates to a Facebook username:

1. Go to the bottom of any Facebook page. Click on the link called “Terms.”
   For your convenience, that link is here.
2. Scroll down to #5, “Protecting Other People’s Rights,” and select “How to Report Claims of Intellectual Property Infringement”.
   For your convenience that link is here.
3. For copyright infringement, scroll down to “How to report claims of copyright infringement by users” and select the link.
   For your convenience, that link is here.
4. For trademark (or other intellectual property concerns), which was what applied to our situation given our registered trademark for StartupNation that the squatter was unethically using for their benefit, scroll down to “How to report other claims of intellectual property infringement by users” and select the link.
   For your convenience, that link is here.

We are always looking out for you and hope that you find similar success and satisfaction in the process, which is set up and well enforced by Facebook.

We hope that you can soon make your own blog entry titled, “Me 1, Facebook Squatter 0″!

Rich

If you want exposure to thousands of industry professional looking for new products and the opportunity to learn from industry experts, YES…you should consider exhibiting at this show.

The trend in National Tradeshows is to include a “micro tradeshow” for inventors within the overall tradeshow.  This offers a huge benefit to independent inventors by allowing them to exhibit in the inventor areas for a fraction of the cost of the main show while providing mass exposure to all the companies at the tradeshow.  The inventor areas have become a destination for companies to see many inventions in one location.  My company, InventionHome, sponsors the National Hardware Show’s Inventors Spotlight and we highly recommend it.  This year’s Inventors Spotlight will feature a free Inventor Education Seminar with a variety of expert speakers including Mr. Dave Kappos, the head of the US Patent & Trademark Office.

What you need
What do you need in place to exhibit at a tradeshow?  I would strongly recommend that you have a patent application on file with the USPTO, either a provisional or non-provisional application, before exhibiting.  You will also need a good demonstrable prototype or finished product presentation for buyers to evaluate.

National Hardware Show (Las Vegas Convention Center / May 10 – 12)
The National Hardware Show is a housing after-market show that brings together manufacturers and resellers of all products used to remodel, repair, maintain and decorate the home and garden. This show attracts a worldwide audience of more than 27,000 industry professionals in over 150 product categories.

Sign up for a booth at the National Hardware Show’s Inventors Spotlight
Contact my good friend Cheryl Fishbone-Todaro at Reed Expo to reserve your booth — 203.840.5444 or CFishbone@reedexpo.com

If you’re not ready to exhibit at a tradeshow on your own and need help with your invention, request information from InventionHome directly on the StartUpNation.com website
Click To Request Info.

For access to a great online tradeshow where you can list your innovative product for FREE go to www.matchproduct.com.

http://mvelette.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/invention.home

http://twitter.com/Inventionhome

http://www.inventionhome.blogspot.com/

Here are 5 key benefits of filing a provisional patent application before filing a utility patent application.

1. Lower cost

A provisional patent application can often times be prepared and filed for less than $600, where the preparation and filing of a typical utility application can cost $5,000 and up, depending on the complexity of the invention.

2. Easy to file

The application and process is significantly less complex than a utility application and can even be done by inventors themselves if they take the time to understand how to complete a thorough application. 

3. Immediate “patent pending” status

Since the patent office does not review or approve provisional patent applications, inventors can immediately use the term “patent-pending” once the application has been filed.

4. Provides 12 months before a utility patent would need to be filed

Although the provisional patent application is not a substitute for ultimately filing a non-provisional patent application, it provides the inventor with 12 months of valuable time to further develop or market the invention.  Why spend thousands on filing a utility application only to realize later that you need to make changes to your invention or that your invention is not going to sell/license.  You can use the 12 months to figure out if this expense is worth while or if you do find a company to enter into a license agreement with you, try to negotiate for the company to cover some or all of the cost of filing a utility patent.

5. Establishes priority date

Once your application has been filed, you have established a priority date for your patent.  This means that when and if you file a utility application, you will be able to claim the original provisional filing date.

It’s important to understand that even if you file a provisional patent application, you will still need to file a non-provisional application down the road if you wish to maintain patent protection. Think of the provisional patent application as a possible step in the patent process, but not the final step.

The provisional patent application establishes the filing date but does not start the USPTO review process.  The provisional patent application provides a measure of protection for 12 months from the filing date and expires unless you file a utility patent application before the 12 months are up. 

Whichever direction you ultimately decide, remember that research and self-education are invaluable to your success not only at this beginning stage, but also as you progress in the process of inventing.

For Help With Your Invention or Patent - Click Here

Additional info:

• http://inventionhome.wordpress.com/
• http://inventionhome.wordpress.com/
• http://mvelette.wordpress.com/

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Kathy and I have been working on her manufacturing project for one year now, and her shipment of Kapelli ear covers has finally landed here in the USA. Kathy, being the very savvy business woman she is, went to work immediately putting together the team she would need to take her product to the next level, and boy is this product moving……

In any business, you must always have the team to help a product successfully move through the maze and on to the next level. All entrepreneurs experience this, and luckily Kathy sought out the the right people to help her form the start.

First- she hired an experienced manufacturing agent (myself) to get her program done with trusted factories overseas.

Second- She hired a very talented PR person, who is well connected. She hired Erin Saxton of the Idea Network, who is a new product PR expert. Visit her at http://www.theideanetwork.net/. Erin assisted Kathy with her pitch,  she has all the right connections, and bang, Kathy has the TODAY Show! You have to love the power of alignments!

Third- She is collaborating with retail product placement experts to show buyers this item, with high expectations that the product will have retail placement nationwide in mass retailers.

Fourth- and most importantly- Kathy is prepared to take this type of phenomenal TV opportunity and exploit it for as long as she can. She needs to do this because opportunities like this do NOT come along often, and she needs to ride the way for as long as she can for additional exposure.

When you are looking to get your item on a national TV show, partner with the industry experts to help you. It saves time and money in the long run, believe me. Producers use trusted agents to get them products and show ideas, they depend on it daily. Any good agent is worth their weight in GOLD!

The result, the product will appear as a guest host promo item tomorrow morning with Kathy Lee Gifford!

Always ream Big!

Kim Babjak

If you have an idea for a new product based on your personal experiences, you should definitely look into creating it.

Just look at today’s interview.

After having a difficult time finding a piece of clothing that would give her the ability to “manage” her cleavage in comfort at work, Julie Crotty quit her job, conducted extensive research and created the Cleavitz^™, www.cleavitz.com.

Here’s what Julie had to say about her experience:

Why did you create the Cleavitz?

For years I was trying to find a half-top that I could put under some of my lower-cut blouses and tops so I wouldn’t be showing so much cleavage — especially at work. I also wanted the flexibility to show as much or as little cleavage as I wanted based on the situation. I couldn’t find anything.

I was wearing tank tops and camisoles but the bunching and riding up was so uncomfortable and distracting with all the pulling, tugging and re-adjusting. Even the tank tops would slide on me and I was constantly pulling it up.

With this, I had a tailor sew a few for me in my favorite colors. When my girlfriends took notice they said they had the same problem, and they asked me how to get a few for them as well. It is then that I thought, “Maybe this could be something much bigger?”

What makes Cleavitz so unique that gave you the courage to leave your full-time job?

I really spent a lot of time perfecting the design. No one had created a comfortable top that was specifically designed to help women manage their cleavage. There are many gimmicks out there, and I’ve tried them all.

The first part was the design itself. It took a while to figure out, but a big part of keeping the Cleavitz from sliding down was to make the back higher than the front. Sounds strange, but when you put the Cleavitz on the bottom evens out.

It’s that “asymmetrical design” that provides the fit that keeps the front of the Cleavitz from sliding. (I actually have a patent pending on the design.) And, then there’s the fabric. I tested dozens of different combinations of Lycra^® and cotton to get the right stretch to complement the design and provide the perfect way to allow women to show as much or as little cleavage as they desire.

Once I nailed the final design and fabric and I started wearing them I knew I was on to something. It was then that I knew I had to leave my job and take a shot!

What was the most difficult part of starting your business?

Aside from entering into a completely new field with no past experience I would say sourcing the fabric and finding the best manufacturers were the most difficult parts. Going from the kitchen table to full-scale production was much more difficult that I had imagined.

You finally source the fabric, get the markers made and get samples from a manufacturer that look good and you’re ready for production. Then, your fabric source no longer has the quantities that you need… so you find new fabric, and then, you learn your manufacturer can’t meet your timetables.

It took a lot of determination to get my fabric lines established and find quality, cost effective, domestic manufacturers that could scale with my business.  

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who want to leave their full-time jobs and start their own businesses?

Do as much as research as you can on the business you want to start while you have a steady paycheck. There will always be the temptation to keep the paycheck coming in; to work on your idea weekends and nights and to do your day job so you have steady income.

And that worked for me to a point. Then it became counter-productive because my job always took priority over everything else. I had to take the risk so I planned out my finances, put a plan together and executed it.

I just couldn’t imagine thinking about my idea for the rest of my life and wondering what would have happened. I finally decided to take the fear of failure and use it as my energy to move forward and I haven’t looked back since.

How do you plan to market and promote Cleavitz and why?

You need to break the marketing plan up into two groups of buyers — boutiques and customers via the Internet. Getting boutiques to purchase is a sales channel that includes exhibiting at industry tradeshows and calling on the stores directly. Getting customers directly to our website will involve SEO marketing, and of course print, web and television advertising.

Why do you donate a percentage of all sales to breast cancer research?

I think it is important to give back if you have success. I had success at my last job and gave money to various charities over the years. In launching Cleavitz, I wanted to set something up right from the start where if I had success there was a systematic way that I would be contributing back in a positive way.

It just happened that as I was working on launching Cleavitz, I had a breast-cancer scare of my own. During that ordeal, I spoke to many people that had recently had breast surgery and were looking for something to cover their scars.

With all the low-cut options out there, they were struggling to be fashionable and trendy with a little coverage. Once I became part of that community, it felt like a natural fit, and funding breast-cancer research was a perfect way for Cleavitz to give back.

Thanks for your inspiration and advice Julie. We wish you all the best!

If you want to contact Julie, visit www.cleavitz.com for more information.

And if you have questions about promoting your idea and making your business a reality? Please write to me here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’d love to hear from you.

As autumn approaches, so does the season for savory “comfort foods” and holiday baking.  As you begin to pull out those spices from the back of the cupboard, spices like chili powder, oregano, nutmeg and cinnamon, consider how great it would be to have a convenient spice rack to both simplify storage and keep those frequently-used seasonings within easy reach.  Well, there is now such a product.  I am very proud to introduce the “Magic Spicer”!

This clever storage device mounts underneath kitchen cabinets with durable double-sided tape (no tools needed!).  Six embedded magnets in the track keep the transparent jars neatly aligned.  Best of all, the lid of each jar can be adjusted to desired aperture size, then no more screwing the lids on/off.  Just place the “open” jar into the self-sealing track and that’s it!  Truly one-handed convenience. 

See video demo for more info:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVWbBVvBaW4

Inventor Simon Sunatori is seeking license and/or distribution opportunities for his invention and he has enlisted the help of our company, InventionHome.  If you’d like to learn about the steps of licensing your own invention, feel free to request information right here at StartupNation – Click to Request.

For more information about Invention Home you can visit the following websites - http://inventionhome.wordpress.com/, http://twitter.com/inventionhome, http://inventionhome.blogspot.com/, http://mvelette.wordpress.com/, http://www.facebook.com/invention.home

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inventionhome-launches-north-american-product-innovation-network-sm-99484469.html

No, the invention of the month is not the girl in the bikini; it is the clever floating bookstand she’s using to read in the hot tub!

Each month, I like to provide the StartUpNation inventor community with one invention that seems to catch people’s attention, whether it’s the creative nature and uniqueness of the invention or the “girl in bikini” approach used to promote the invention.  Either way, it’s always fun to see what other creative folks are inventing. 

This month, as temperatures across the United States rise for the month of August, many of us seek refuge from the heat by hitting the pool.  This handy device enables you combine your dip in the pool with the relaxation of a good book or magazine.  It’s called the Floating Bookstand, and comes from inventor Eric Paton.  This floating platform consists of a floating base, backrest and ledge to hold your reading material, and also has a feature to hold your book open for hands-free use.   

Eric is seeking a licensee for his patented invention, and he has enlisted the help of our company, InventionHome.  If you’d like to learn about the steps of licensing your own invention, feel free to request information right here at StartupNation – Click to Request.

Stay cool!

For more information about Invention Home you can visit the following websites - http://inventionhome.wordpress.com/, http://twitter.com/inventionhome, http://inventionhome.blogspot.com/, http://mvelette.wordpress.com/, http://www.facebook.com/invention.home

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inventionhome-launches-north-american-product-innovation-network-sm-99484469.html

This one is especially for the ladies, because I think this is an epidemic issue with us.  But men, you are warmly welcome here!  I hope everyone gets something from this post….read on!

There are so many programs out there that talk about marketing, sales, Social Media, finding your bliss, etc….  All of these things are really important to be sure, but there is one area of launching a business that is so critical that is can be the difference between long term success or, well….at the risk of sounding dramatic…losing everything.  And amazingly, it routinely gets skipped, shortchanged or ignored.  That one critical step is creating a solid legal foundation for your business.

I think it gets overlooked for three main reasons:

First, it is pretty intimidating to think about, especially when you are new in business or don’t have experience with the legal side of running a business.  Most of us avoid what we don’t feel comfortable with, and this is no exception.

Second, I think we not only feel intimidated, but we feel scared often when talking about lawyer stuff.  For most of us, this is outside of our comfort zone and we don’t know what we don’t know.  Plus, the idea of hiring lawyer, someone who does know, is scary in and of itself, and it threatens to be an expensive process.  For many startups or small businesses, it seems like an expense that can’t be justified.

Third, I think the process of getting your legal foundation in place gets overlooked or put off because it is, well, just plain boring.  It is so much more fun to think about the creative side of launching a business, especially when you are doing something you feel passionate about.  I know that legal issues can be pretty dry - enough to make most people’s eyes glaze over.   It certainly doesn’t feel sexy or exciting.

Or is it?  Actually, while the process of getting your legal foundation in place might not be the most fun you have ever had, the act of it is incredibly sexy, smart and exciting.

Why?  Because the point of getting your legal house in order is that it frees you up to then get on with the fun part of running a business.  You will have the peace of mind that you have done all you can to protect your hard work.  Peace of mind is the best food for creativity, and it gives you mental and emotional freedom to take your business to the next level and to focus on what you love to do and what you are best at.  By taking the time to focus on it, you are making the choice to be smart, and to honor yourself, honor your gifts and honor your hard work.   I’d say that is pretty sexy!

For more information on how to get your legal foundation in order easily and without hiring an expensive business lawyer, visit http://www.businessbrillianceuniversity.com.