Think you have an invention? Some tips from those who made their dream a reality
Do you think you've come up with the latest and greatest invention consumers never knew they couldn't live without? Your innovation may be unique, but do you know what it takes to make your dreams of success a reality?
Sites like Quirkyare inviting potential creators to get their product or service to the masses, but even with a click of a mouse, the process isn't quick or easy, not to say that it can't be done by the right person with the right idea.
Here, 5 folks who have already been down the road you're about to embark upon share some useful tips, words of wisdom and advice, and share their own experiences for people who are serious about turning their concept into something tangible and marketable.
It takes perseverance, but if you are determined, passionate, and a true go-getter, anything is possible!
Joey Lauren, Founder, Kissamint
"I would advise someone to do their homework. Conduct as much market research as possible, talk to people. Talk to people who work in the industry. Have them sign an NDA or don't give all the details but collect as much information as possible.
There are going to be many obstacles. But you have to commit once you've decided to go for it.
Lastly, I would say, make sure you have the stomach for it, being an entrepreneur means loving the roller coaster of wins but there are lots of dips along the way."
Justin Mandel, DOM AP LAC, COO at Global Medical Innovations, LLC, Co-Developer, Freedom Belt™
"The first step one should do is survey the market to be sure the invention is needed. Many times product creators will get far down the road investing time and money into something that consumers don't need or want. When it's time to sell that finished product or bring investors on board, there's limited or no difference, meaning one's time and resources were wasted.
Taking time to make sure consumers will actually purchase what you invent could make all the difference in having a successful product right out of the gate. This can be done a few ways, but what might be best is with a simple $100 pay per click ad spend. Create a one-page website with a free survey to get answers to those burning questions that you need to know. Offer visitors something in exchange for their email address like a discount on the finished product once it comes to market in exchange for their answers. Try Survey Monkeyor another free survey software. Create 5 to 10 questions to prove the concept and even improve on it in case you really do have a hot item that the public wants.
In the case of Freedom Belt™, we investigated way before it ever hit the market. We spoke with doctors, nurses, and surgical technicians to make sure the need was there. Prior to that, the Freedom Belt™ inventor Dr. Mario Torres-Leon worked with thousands of patients who had catheters so he knew there was a desperate need for a better solution than rubber or Velcro bands patients were using to strap their drainage bags to their body. If after all of our research it was determined that Freedom Belt™ was not needed, then it never would've reached this point and we would've invested our time differently."
Lori Barzvi, Creator, My Solemate
"Never, ever, ever give up. (Clearly this is not my original quote, but if I had given up I never would have made my product a success after many failures with it).
You can be, do, or have anything you want you just have to believe.
If something doesn't work one way that doesn't mean that it won't work another way. Sometimes you have to try a few different things to make something work."
Jake Bernstein, CEO and Co-Founder, Ignite Mind and Body
"Don't be afraid to go out and get feedback on your creation. Feedback from potential users is the difference between knowing you're building out something people need and the realization that you're creating something you thought people SHOULD need, but that they don't.
Talking to potential users early will help you make sure you're building something that solves a real problem and that people are willing to pay for."
Tricia Scribner, Creator, Knotty Tamer
"Don't overthink it, strive for 'done,' over perfection! There is no perfect in entrepreneurship, adapt and conquer!
Replace fear with resourcefulness, know your worst case scenario and be OK with it. Entrepreneurship is the wildest ride and I wouldn't change the thrill!
Cook or learn to cook!
Don't try this at home, that being said... go for it with everything you have!"
Follow your heart, gut, and dreams like these successful inventors have. Soon, you could be the one offering advice to the next up-and-comers!
Every time payday rolls around, I’m on top of the world. Jeff Bezos-level rich - even though I’m anything but. And then somehow the very next day, rent is due.
The cycle continues. The next payday, bills for my apartment. I find myself without a surplus of savings since I just moved and newly-furnished my apartment completely.
Even more terrifying is the looming presence of the holiday season. Halloween’s officially over and before we know it, hello Thanksgiving…and then there’s Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s. It’s insane.
I’ve been feeling very British lately. Not in a Union-Jack-obsessed, “Keep Calm and Carry-On” way. I went through that phase in 2012 with everyone else… no thank you. And it’s not even a surge of patriotism catalyzed by the Queen dying — I’m firmly team Diana and team Meghan.
Now that fall is officially here, the holidays will sweep in and I’ll have to contend with the fact that I won’t be spending them with my family in the UK. I went home to London earlier this year, so there’s not much left in my travel budget for another trip across the pond. A few domestic jaunts might be in my future, but the closest I’ll get to England this winter is watching Love Island and Love, Actually.
So in that spirit, I’ve been filling my days with content from my favorite Brits. I’m listening to all the old British rock bands I grew up listening to, patiently awaiting the new Arctic Monkeys album, and rewatching anything with Michaela Coel in it. I even shipped myself an order of British Baked Beans, so you know it’s dire.
I’ve also been watching British YouTubers like Grace Beverley — my favorite. Generally, I only go on YouTube to watch Vogue Beauty Secrets and AD Open Door videos. But I’m so glad I stumbled on Grace. Her content is a mix of London lifestyle (what lured me in), relatable entrepreneurship, and mindful productivity. I’m not a hustle-and-grind-girlboss, but as a creative person in a 9-to-5, I need all the help I can get to stay plugged in. So, the video “how to be really really really productive without getting overwhelmed” changed my approach to WFH.
Grace outlines her own productivity method: the to-do table. Instead of making a simple to-do list, she divides her tasks into a table that anyone can follow. As someone who’s survived with to-do lists for years, I recently implemented Grace’s method, and it’s revolutionized my workdays.
how to be really really really productive without getting overwhelmedwww.youtube.com
I follow her routine to a tee. Here’s how it works:
Essentially, she divides her daily responsibilities into four categories: quick ticks, tasks, projects, and non-negotiables.
- Quick Ticks: Actions that take less than 5-minutes
- Tasks: To-do’s that take up to 30-minutes. Probably don’t take too much brain energy.
- Projects: Long-term list items. These help guide your priorities, even if you’re not crossing them off in one day.
- Non-negotiables: Pick 3 things each day that you must get done. This is how you’ll truly measure success.
With everything written down and sorted, next address your schedule. Meetings, deadlines, and time blocks — whatever works best for you. Write it down. Then make a pact with yourself to stick to them.
This way of categorization provides a roadmap for prioritizing your day — making you far more productive. Have you ever spent the entire day on small tasks and then suddenly realized you hadn’t moved the needle on any task? Or do you spend way too much time on tasks that aren’t a priority? No more. With your non-negotiables laid out, you know what to laser-focus on and what to dedicate energy towards.
Also, it pays to know your working style. I’m not a morning person. Yet, I have to be up and at ‘em super early. So, first thing in the morning, I march through my Quick Ticks to warm me up. I set a time limit, so I can knock out some easy wins which is totally inspiring. Then I move on to bigger things without lingering on emails or admin. For others, it might be more helpful to tackle the big things with all that early-in-the-day brain power earlier.
Grace has great tips on avoiding overwhelm and burnout. My favorite is taking more intentional breaks rather than scrolling through social media. I call this scrolling “productive” because I’m “coming up with pitches.” Oh, the lies we tell ourselves. It’s more productive in the long run to giving my brain a break with non-screen related stimuli.
Grace’s solution? Set a timer to read a real, an actual book. I’ve never thought of this. It’s a genius way to check off some books on my TBR and kickstart my creativity. After reading a good book, I’m completely inspired to write. So having books near my desk helps me step away from the computer during my lunch break for an actual reset. (And yes, the current books I’m reading are by British authors: Assembly by Natasha Brown, and Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalolu.)
In my pursuit of switching out my WFH set-up and getting my life together, I’ve engineered my workstation for success. With my new WFH essentials and Grace’s productivity technique, I’m revitalized for work — despite the fall blues and my melancholy about the pending holidays.
Here are the things getting me hyped for work and helping me crush my Grace Beverley-inspired to-do tables — no lists in sight:
Southwest Airlines Sale 2022
Pack your bags — Southwest Airlines is having a major sale! Fares are as low as $59 one-way if you book by October 3rd.
This end-of-summer super sale is a game-changer for your travel plans through the end of the year. Summertime travel gets all the glory. But why not take advantage of your long weekends, holidays, and PTO this fall. You’ll be surprised at how much travel you can fit in. Keep the fall/winter season exciting with domestic trips that give you all the excitement without breaking the bank. All thanks to Southwest.
Here’s the breakdown:
Where can you go?
You’ll find discounted tickets to and from most airports. Sale fares apply to cross country travel, and even Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean! Whether you’re visiting a new city or revisiting your last beach vacation, this sale has fares to make your travel dreams come true.
What do the fares cover?
Southwest Airlines has multiple fare tiers, each with various benefits. Wanna Get Away fares start at $59, while Wanna Get Away Plus fares start at $89. You can also find great deals on Anytime fares, which offer priority boarding and express lanes. Then there’s Business Select tickets for a luxe experience at an affordable price point.
Do you have to be a Southwest Rapid Rewards member?
You may think these sale fares are too good to be true. Is there a catch? Do you have to be a Southwest Rapid Rewards member to access them? You’re in luck — anyone can attain these fares for a limited time.
But, insider tip, you should consider signing up for Southwest Rapid Rewards. With a free sign up, you earn points and miles with each trip you take. And with this sale, each dollar you spend on these discounted tix can stretch super far until you eventually earn free travel. The only thing better than a sale is free stuff.
So pack your bags and brace yourself for those chaotic airport lines. Everyone’s hopping on this deal so get on it. Don’t miss out — grab your sale tickets by October 3rd!
I’ve been browsing the Southwest Airlines site, checking out flights and dreaming.