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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Session 1: Rita and Michael will talk about The secret to managing time is Persistence!

Session 2: Inventor: Carroll Stewart Phone: 252-903-1075 Email: cstewart043@gmail.com Name of Product: HVAC Hero

Questions:

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

2. You have been working on this for a while. Time has been fighting you for years. What’s the story?

3. How are you proceeding with next steps?

Session 3: Inventor: Deb Wiedenhoeft Phone: 720 217 4344 Email: deb@shouldercatsrus.com Name of Product: Pet Levator Website: https://shouldercatsrus.com/

Bio: This Pet-Levator brand Pet Perch will allow your pet the comfort of being on your shoulders while your hands remain free! This patented design allows for stability and comfort of the shoulder pet, while your hands remain free for all the daily tasks that await! You remain functional with a pet on your shoulders! Questions: 1. Deb, Tell our listeners about Pet Levator? 2. How long have you been working on your product and how has time hurt or helped? 3. If available, where can someone get your product? 4. What's the ultimate goal? Where do you go from here?

Session 4: Industry Expert: Don Skaggs Phone: 859-361-5969

Bio: Don Skaggs is an inventor, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and consultant to a wide range of businesses. His experience includes bootstrapping startup companies from initial idea to successful exit, developing products, creating & implementing new marketing strategies, helping small companies move forward, and successfully launching new products.

Questions:

1. Don, what’s the craziest story you can share about Inventor Time?

2. Do you have any advice for inventors about how to manage the issue of TIME!

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Session 1:

Rita and Michael will talk about Every Inventor Needing a Little Help!

Session 2: Please login early so that we know you are ready Session 2 will start about 2:00 EDT or 11:00 PDT

Inventor: Pavel Pimentel

Phone: 201-681-5114

Email: pavelpimentel1@gmail.com

Name of Product: Soap Boss

Website: www.soapboss.net

Bio: At Soap Boss, we believe in making the most out of every bar of soap. Our innovative Bar2liquid soap dispenser is designed for those who prefer bar soap but want a smarter way to use every last bit. No more throwing away small, unusable soap scraps! With our dispenser, you can add water and your leftover soap pieces, and the built-in agitator will transform them into a smooth, usable liquid. This helps reduce waste, save money, and create a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for your home or business. Our mission is to help individuals and businesses maximize their soap usage while promoting a cleaner, more sustainable future. Whether for personal use or commercial spaces, Soap Boss is here to make bar soap even better!

Questions:

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

2. What help do you need?

3. How are you proceeding with next steps?

Session 3

Inventor: Mark Chantal

Product name: Pickup Tee, LLC

Phone: 603-369-1099

Email: PickUpTeellc@gmail.com

Website: www.PickUpTee.com

Questions:

1. Mark, Tell our listeners about Pickup Tee?

2. During this process, when did you need to find help?

3. If available, where can someone get your product?

4. What's the ultimate goal? Where do you go from here?

Session 4:

Kevin Cody

Founder and CEO: FLI Products

Phone: 630 240 0819

Email: KevinC@FLIproducts.com

Bio: As the founder of First Light, Inc. and FLI Products, I’ve spent over 20 years bringing Made-in-USA products to life—from concept to national retail placement. Our product line, including Blade Guard®, Flex Strainer™, Tomato Crater™, Cordsafe®, and more, has appeared on shelves at Walmart, Menards, and Scheels, helping homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts solve everyday challenges. My passion is guiding inventors, manufacturers, and retail buyers to create win-win opportunities, whether through product launches, consulting, or strategic partnerships.

Questions:

1. You have worked with inventors for a while. Why is marketing the toughest?

2. Do you have any insight or suggestions?

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Session 1: Rita and Michael will talk about The Marketing Word Salad.

Session 2: Inventor: Jean Moody Phone: Wrap-A-Candle Email: jmoody@carecredit.com Questions: 1. Jean, tell us about Wrap-A-Candle 2. You plan to market your product. 3. What is your goal for Wrap-A-Candle?

Session 3 Inventor: Jerry Meals Phone: 7 7 5 - 8 3 0 - 3 6 3 3 Email: jerrymeals1@gmail.com Product: ACUPRESS Ear Website: https://acupressear.com/ Bio: Harness the healing power of acupressure therapy. Precision Acupressure Therapy : Designed to target over 200 acupressure points and 25 000 nerve endings in the ears, Acupress Ear Headphones alleviate not only stress and anxiety but also effectively combat nausea, joint pain, and chronic pain, along with a host of other ailments. Questions: 1. Jerry, what is the Acupress Ear? 2. What have you learned about the words and how important they are to the message? 3. Marketing is really based on less is more. How did you learn this? 4. Tell our listeners where they can get ACUPRESS Ear right now.

Session 4: Industry Expert: Don Skaggs Leader of KY Inventor Group. Phone: 859-361-5969 Email: don.skaggs@kyinventors.org

Bio: Don Skaggs is an inventor, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and consultant to a wide range of businesses. His experience includes bootstrapping startup companies from initial idea to successful exit, developing products, creating & implementing new marketing strategies, helping small companies move forward, and successfully launching new products. Don is president of The Fulson Group which includes the Empowered Inventing brand, providing specialized courses, consulting and more to inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, and includes the Empowered Inventing TV YouTube Channel. Don is also president of the Inventors Network KY, a nonprofit that helps inventors through education and support services. Questions: 1. Don, marketing is certainly challenging. The words are critical. A “word salad” can be a killer. Why? 2. How can an inventor learn the best marketing words before they make a critical mistake?

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Join us for an engaging discussion on the stories behind innovative products!

Session 1:
Rita and Michael delve into the world of inventors with their topic "Every Inventor Has a Story!"

Session 2:
🌟 Inventor Spotlight: Mercedes Mane 🌟
📞 Phone: 813-83-5520
📧 Email: mercedes@theproductmanufactory.com
🌐 Website: peggyback.com

Mercedes, the mind behind Peggy Hooks for Any Surface, aims to simplify workspace organization. Learn about the inspiration behind this innovative pegboard organizer and what the future holds for Peggy!

Questions for Mercedes:
1. What problem did you aim to solve with Peggy Hooks?
2. What inspired the creation of this product?
3. Share your plans for future developments.

Session 3:
🌟 Meet Wendi Short 🌟
Creator of Float No More
📞 Phone: 618-979-2655
📧 Email: wendii1007@yahoo.com
🌐 Website: FloatNoMore.com

Wendi's Float No More invention tackles the challenge of staying seated in a hot tub. Discover the journey from idea to product and the strategies used for promotion.

Questions for Wendi:
1. Tell us about Float No More and its purpose.
2. Walk us through the development process.
3. How has the product been received, and what promotion strategies have proven successful?

Session 4:
🔍 Industry Insight from Stephanie Beringhele 🔍
VP of Buyer Relations at ASD Market Week
✉️ Email: Stephanie.Beringhele@asdonline.com
📞 Phone: 818-404-2347
🌐 Website: ASDonline

Stephanie Beringhele, an expert in buyer relations, shares valuable insights into the industry at ASD Market Week. Stay informed with her expertise!

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Turning Problems into Solutions!

Introducing the American-made product "PineRite"!

Meet Andre Roy from PineRite 📞 970-484-8017 📧 service@pinerite.com Since 2013, PineRite, a Colorado-based heavy-duty hand soap manufacturer, has been redefining solutions with innovation. Our unique process blends pine tree powder and natural elements to create a premium hand cleansing experience. 🌲 Sustainability at the Core: We prioritize responsible pine sourcing, selecting from forests with mature trees or reclaimed branches after fire mitigation activities. 🌱 Nature's Gift, Transformed: Join Andre and Sybil to learn how PineRite converts pine debris into a powerful powder in an interactive session. Experience Growth and Skin Wellness: Over the past 15 years, PineRite has expanded globally, offering a soap that not only cleans but also nourishes your skin.

Meet Industry Expert Sybil Bailey from Arvo Tech Clarus R+D 🌐 arvotech.com clarusrd.com ☎️ (614) 506-4237 📧 Sybil.Bailey@trinet.com 👩‍🔬 Sybil's Expertise: With a strong background from Michigan State University, Sybil has excelled as a Partner Account Executive at Clarus R+D for over four years. Unlocking R&D Tax Credits: Sybil enlightens companies on the benefits of R&D tax credits for product development, guiding them to maximize this valuable resource. 🌟 Embracing American Manufacturing Excellence: Discover the strategic edge of manufacturing in America for companies striving to stand out in today's competitive landscape.

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