5 Ways To Discover A New Product To Invent
Have you ever bought something and had the light bulb go off with a way to make it better, faster, easier to use, prettier, sexier etc…? This is how some of the best ideas are brought to market. Here are five methods you can use to identify your new invention!
1. Consider what bothers you the most about something and create a solution. Maybe you have an idea for a retractable computer cable so they don’t get tangled and look messy!
2. Have you seen something in a foreign country that you never saw in the states? A friend of mine once brought back a really cool hanger that had clothespins on the bottom so you could hang your lingerie to dry over the bathtub. It was so clever and I’ve never seen one here….even to this day. Why don’t you take it to market?
3. Do you own some gadget, diaper bag or article of clothing that you just know you could do better? Make a homemade prototype and see if your idea pans out….use clay, string, paper, bed-sheets…..you get the picture. Maybe your idea is for some super anti-spider sweeper and you make a prototype out of a stick and shredded paper!
4. When you hang around your friends, listen to their needs and complaints with an open ear. My BFF was moving and didn’t have enough closet space for all her handbags and that’s how I created my patented Handy Hold All.
5. What is your favorite thing to do? Is there something you could create to make the experience better? If you walk for exercise, maybe you have an idea for better leg or arm weights than are already out there!
Have fun and be creative – leave a comment with your ideas below and maybe I can give you some pointers!
By Sarah Shaw, Founder of Entreprenette
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Sarah Shaw is the founder of Entreprenette.com, a consulting company that works with entrepreneurs in bringing their product to market. Sarah grew her own million dollar company with her famous “Pinked” handbag and has applied her expertise and knowledge to her consulting practice. Sarah has been featured in the LA Times, WWD, Oprah Magazine, as well as on Access Hollywood and regularly speaks to inventors and entrepreneurs nationally. |
February 12th, 2010
Great article! I did not think about listening to my friends complaints or wishes for inspiration.
February 14th, 2010
Thanks for the tips Sarah. I commit to myself to no longer become embroiled in complaining. Instead I am going to use complaints for inspiration.
February 14th, 2010
@Mike & @Heather – thanks for the kind words. I am thinking we are going to see a lot more of Sarah Shaw around here.
February 14th, 2010
Getting from idea to product is the hard part. The problem I have is too many product ideas and not enough knowledge, time, capital or other resources to make them a reality… When all I have is a concept but no CAD drawing or need additional expertise for refinement, design, manufacturing, etc., then what?
February 15th, 2010
@mike and @heather – can’t wait to see what you come up with now that your “ear” will be different!
@john – Of course that is the hardest part! Having lots of ideas is great – try to do some research to see which one solves the most problems and concentrate on that one. and hey…if you need advice…..you know where to find me!
February 22nd, 2010
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