From "Inventor Mode" to "Market Mode": Real Stories of American Innovation.

"If you build it, they will come" is a myth. Discover the brutal truth about shifting from inventor to marketer in this episode of Invent America. Join hosts Michael King and Rita Crompton (America's Inventor Lady) as they peel back the curtain on the independent inventor's journey. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about navigating the treacherous waters of patents, big-box retail compliance, and finding the right distribution partners.

In this episode, we feature two inventors who refused to let their prototypes gather dust: Russell Kramer, creator of the TruView blind spot mirror, and Dave Fiegel, the mind behind Seal-It paint can solutions.

Key Discussion Points:

-- The Marketing Pivot: Russell Kramer shares a hard lesson: you have to take off your "inventor shoes" and put on your "marketing shoes." Learn why established companies often reject superior technology simply because they are vested in selling their old inventory.

-- The Retail Gauntlet: Dave Fiegel exposes the reality of dealing with major retailers like Home Depot and Ace Hardware. He explains why these giants act more like "consignment shops" and how a single barcode error can cost you a paycheck.

-- The "Gross Sales" Conflict: A fascinating look at why some industries resist efficiency products (like paint savers) because they actually reduce the volume of product consumers need to buy.

-- Innovation in Action: We showcase TruView, a distortion-free mirror that eliminates the "knee-jerk" reaction in traffic, and Seal-It, a vacuum-seal ring that saves homeowners from wasted paint and rusted cans. Whether you have a sketch on a napkin or a prototype in the garage, this conversation proves that persistence—and finding the right partners—is the difference between a hobby and a business.

#InventAmerica #ProductDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #MadeInUSA #innovation

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🚀 From Garage to Market: How Inventors Can Avoid Costly Mistakes

Stop wasting money on bad patents and premature business plans! Learn the critical steps to take your invention from idea to shelf without going broke.

On this episode of Invent America, hosts Michael King (The Cajun Contractor) and Rita Crompton (America's Inventor Lady) break down the reality of product innovation. This isn't about theory—it’s about the hard lessons learned by real inventors who have navigated the journey from the garage to the marketplace. We are joined by three innovators—George Butler (Easy Flag), Dan Schlossberg (The Patio Poncho), and Ian Osborne (Night Golf Systems)—to discuss the "What was I thinking?" moments that defined their careers. From retired rocket scientists to first-time entrepreneurs, our guests reveal how they solved everyday problems and the hurdles they cleared to get there.

💡 Key Discussion Points:

• The "Perfection" Trap: Why waiting for a "perfect" prototype often leads to missed filing dates and lost money. Learn why simplicity and ease of use always beat over-engineering.

• Real Feedback vs. Market Research: Why spending thousands on consumer market research is often a mistake compared to the direct, professional feedback you get at industry trade shows.

• The Power of Due Diligence: Ian Osborne explains how a $500 professional patent search helped him find 50 "workarounds" to a competitor's patent, allowing him to secure broader IP protection and dominate his niche.

• Manufacturer Resistance: George Butler shares a tough lesson on why manufacturers sometimes reject safety innovations if it disrupts their volume sales—and how to pivot your licensing strategy when they do. • Legal Landmines: How to avoid generalist attorneys who overcharge for narrow patents, and why you should never write a business plan before you have a product worth protecting. Whether you have a sketch on a napkin or a prototype in the garage, this conversation provides the blueprint you need to protect your idea and your wallet.

#Inventing #ProductDesign #Entrepreneurship #IntellectualProperty #Startups

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Session 1:

Rita and Michael will talk about It Costs Money to Make Money!

Session 2:

Inventor: Steve McCoy

Email: smccoy1128@hotmail.com

Name of Product: Window Storm Panel

Bio: While I was renovating a house, I had just finished installing brand new windows.

I arrived on site the next day to start siding the house and found that someone had tossed a block of concrete through one of the new windows!

I was concerned that if I just replaced the window that the vandals would return and continue the destruction.

I devised a simple plywood panel to cover the window exterior and attached pieces of steel strapping on the sides to lock it into the screen channel.

Questions:

1. Steve, tell our listeners about the problem you solved?

2. It is a crazy circle an inventor faces. Spending money to get to the next steps to spend morning money to get to the next step. How are you managing the crazy steps?

3. What’s the goal?

Session 3

Inventor: Heather Schwarz

Phone: 305-340-1174

Email: heather@swingscribe.com

Name of Product: Swing Scribe

Website: www.SwingScribe.com

Bio: Golf is my passion. Growing up, I started playing the game with my grandfather and it quickly became a big part of my life. Over the years, I’ve taken lessons, but there wasn't a good way to keep track of all the information I was learning. There's lot of tech options but there's nothing for quick note taking, which is how I learn. The only option on the market is your standard yardage book, but there's only a few pages available for swing notes. That's how Swing Scribe was born. Swing Scribe is the only golf teaching pocket notebook on the market that helps you keep track of your progress as you learn and grow as a player.

Questions:

1. Heather, Tell our listeners about Swing Scribe?

2 How have you had to manage your costs in order to sell?

3. What’s next? How does Swing Scribe reach its peak?

Session 4:

Industry Expert: Michael Miller

Phone: 817-988-3646

Email: michael.innovation@att.net

1. Managing the dollars is critical for a new product. What’s the most common mistake an Inventor can make?

2. What can an inventor do to maximize “Using dollars to make dollars?”

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