Inventors Helping Inventors

Alan interviews Bonnie Pastman. Growing up in the Philadelphia area - Bonnie Pastman was always thinking of new product ideas. After a career in the travel industry, she decided to pursue her jewelry product idea. She had to pivot from discouragement, when another nearby inventor filed a patent on her idea just 3 months before she did. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wh...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. As an inventor, you may think you don't have a team - it is just you doing everything. But you do have a team - perhaps a small one. It could include a patent attorney and a prototyper.  Alan shares why you must think more broadly and expand your team to help you achieve success.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Alan poses a simple question to you, the listener.  Are you catastrophizing? When there are setbacks, do you get emotional and view the circumstance as a catastrophe? Alan shares 3 questions to ask yourself to stay on the positive side and move forward, even when things go wrong.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get y...

Alan interviews Amy Leiker. Amy Leiker discovered that many cat owners with mobility issues found it painful to bend down to clean their litter boxes. Why not raise the litter box so owners can access them easily? She invented an elevated litter box solution called the Lofty Loo - great for owners and their furry friends. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Is your invention risky or rewarding? It's both. Alan briefly shares why inventing is risky. Then he describes 3 ways that invention is rewarding - in ways no other career can duplicate. Tune in to learn about comfort zones, the ripple effect, and the success factor. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podca...

Alan interviews David Levy. David Levy loved having friends over for fun and backyard grilling. But he found he couldn't enjoy great conversations and tend to the food. He wanted great conversations and great grilled food. He invented the Bola Grill - a versatile tabletop grill. Now he can tend to guests and the food. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get you...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares with you why your invention may have a fatal flaw. He describes how to find out early if there is a fatal flaw and how to remedy it - before it's too late. You'll learn about two types of fatal flaws of otherwise successful inventions - one may surprise you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your po...

Alan interviews Chandra Devam. Chandra Devam grew up in a challenging rustic environment as a child, which taught her to be resilient, creative, and inventive. Inventing was always in her DNA. Today she is the co-founder of Aris MD, a high-tech imaging company. Her product is a 'Google Maps for surgeons' that creates precise 3-D views of body organs. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares with you why you must Trust but Verify your invention to succeed. What does this mean? You should do validation testing on your invention.   He describes why choosing not to do validation testing early - may cost you thousands of dollars later on.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Alan reaches out to you for your input and feedback.   Please answer 3 questions:  What do you like best about the podcast? What do you like least about the podcast? What would you change - or like to hear? Your feedback will help improve the podcast experience for all listeners. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yo...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Your mindset model for invention success may be exactly backwards.    Many inventors operate from a Have - Do - Be model. When I have more money, I can commercialize my invention. Then, I'll be successful.  Learn to use the Be - Do - Have model, so you can succeed.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcas...

Alan interviews George Burkhardt. George Burkhardt grew up on a farm and often invented things to solve problems. He became an engineer, working for the Air Force before retiring back to the farm. Today, he's an active inventor, not only licensing his own inventions, but helping other inventors, as well. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, so...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan describes 5 elements of your marketing pitch.    To succeed as an inventor, your marketing pitch must be clear, concise, and compelling. Alan shares each of the 5 elements of a clear, concise, and compelling pitch - giving you an example - of your 30-Second Pitch.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your po...

Alan interviews Rick Stockton. Rick Stockton's scientist dad and he both loved design. Rick graduated from Texas A&M as an engineer, then spent 15 years in automotive design. Later he transitioned to medical products. Today, as a design consultant, Rick now helps inventors to create prototypes that perfectly fit their needs. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan asks - How Much Will You Gamble?    He shares 4 times when he gambled money. Three events occurred in gambling casinos in Panama, Las Vegas, and Macau. The fourth was when he borrowed money to go on QVC. Tune in to learn how it turned out and his message to you as an inventor.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever yo...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Alan describes how he metaphorically teaches inventors to fish - how to market their inventions.  Too often inventors turn marketing over to someone else - an invention marketing company. That's a costly mistake. Marketing is a learnable skill - and he can teach you how to do it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yo...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan makes a request of all podcast listeners. Help Me Grow the Podcast.    Alan shares why you would want to help grow the podcast. Subscriber growth is essential for podcast success and to attract great guests. He also shares how you can help grow the podcast.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts,...

Alan interviews Garrett Brown. Inspired by his dad's invention - Garrett grew up to be a serial inventor. As a youth, Garrett went from folk singing to film making. He invented the Steadicam that is used globally in film making. Recently he invented the Zeen - a mobility device to enable disabled people to stand and walk. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares that every successful invention does one of two things. It changes people's lives in small or big ways. Or it truly changes the world.   Alan shares with listeners two past episodes where the inventor either changed lives or they changed the world. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so...

Alan interviews Julie Austin. Julie returns to describe how her Swiggies - wrist bottles for water for runners - is progressing now. Julie shares creative ways she has found for dealing with Chinese infringers of her product. She also discusses the benefits she achieved by registering her trade dress for Swiggies. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your po...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Inventors often find their vision forward is like driving with a muddy windshield.  Mr. Beckley describes consequences you may confront - if you lack a clear vision for your product.  Listen to learn how Alan can help you to gain clarity and set action plans to help you succeed.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you g...

Alan interviews Rocky Batzel. Rocky Batzel's grandmother struggled to open the push-and-twist caps on her pill bottles. Rocky thought there ought to be a way to make child-resistant caps easier to open - so he invented SnapSlide. Soon, his innovative SnapSlide pill bottle cap will soon be available to pharmacies everywhere. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you g...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares 3 challenges with inventing in a crowded market segment - called a red ocean.  What makes your invention stand out from dozens of others? You must differentiate your invention - so consumers will buy.  Listen to learn 2 others challenges of red ocean marketplaces.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan interviews Curtis Breville. Curtis' aha invention idea came when his daughter's friend suffered after eating spicy hot sauce. Curtis gave him crushed hops from a brewing jar and the pain was gone. Curtis invented a cooling mouth spray that prevents pain from spicy foods. Today he sells his Dr. B's Elixir everywhere.  Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Inventors don't particularly enjoy validating what they create.  Alan describes why product validation testing is critical to your invention success. Alan shares that there are 3 outcomes from validation testing. All three ultimately result in a better, more successful invention. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you g...