Inventors Helping Inventors

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares the 4 most dangerous words for an inventor: "I already know that." Alan shares that if you think you already "know" something, your brain tends to shut out any further information.  Learn to reconsider how you might implement the lesson you thought you already knew. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get y...

Alan interviews Leeanna Gantt. In 2018 Leanna Gantt endured a year of breast cancer therapy. Keeping track of all her medications was challenging - so she invented a better system: Tooktake. Today Tooktake sells in CVS and Walmart - helping people young and old to always be certain they took their medicine timely. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your po...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Inventing is a metaphorical roller coaster: with ups and downs ("the dips"). Alan describes how the slow rise to an anticipated success or apex - is often followed by meteoric dips and twists of disappointment. Learn 3 practical tips for dealing with the down times of inventing. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan interviews Mark Turnbaugh. In his youth, Mark Turnbaugh loved tinkering. But he found that knife sharpening with his dad's stone was confounding. Later, as an engineer, he invented a better knife sharpener - Sharpworx, that even novices could use. Today Mark makes and sells his Sharpworx sharpeners all over the U.S. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Every inventor must answer this simple question about their invention: "Why Would They Buy?" Alan describes 3 aspects to consider ensuring that your product provides a strong answer to "Why Would They Buy." Listen to learn why clear product benefits are essential to your success. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. The 5% of inventors who succeed - choose to do things other inventors don't do. Alan shares 3 things most inventors don't do - but should. Learn why doing an extensive product search is crucial to the success of your invention and a key mistake most inventors make when they pitch. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get y...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. You must give consumers a strong Why to Buy if you want your invention to succeed in the marketplace. Consumers are creatures of habit - who tend to buy familiar name brand products - rather than new products. Listen to learn how to give buyers a strong Why to Buy your product. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get y...

Alan interviews Marj Weir. As a realtor, it perplexed Marj why beautiful homes - often featured glaring, ugly lights in the bathroom. She longed for a better way. So, she invented EZLightWraps - to beautify and soften bathroom lighting. Today, her EZLightWraps beautify American home lighting - one bathroom at a time. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. What is the 'inventor's greatest fear?' Probably, it's that someone will knock off your invention and sell more than you do. Alan shares tested tools for dealing effectively with fear to keep it from stopping you in your tracks. Also, tactics to deal with knockoffs. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts...

Alan interviews Allan Shaw. During a family picnic, Allan Shaw was frustrated when the wind blew his paper towel dispenser onto the ground. He knew there must be a better way. So, he invented Clip N Rip - a simple device to clamp the dispenser firmly to any surface. Allan and his son, now sell Clip N Rips all over the U.S. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you ge...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. If there is a 'mountain' between where you are in your journey - to get to your next step? What do you do? Do you 'climb the mountain' or 'take the pass' to get there? Many inventors choose to take the mountain when they might pay someone to help them get there faster. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podca...

Alan interviews Eli Packouz. Eli Packouz began creating and selling products at age 21 with his brother. He noticed that flossing did not remove bits of mangoes from his teeth. So, he invented a better floss device - Instafloss. With $2.5 million in presales via crowd funding, Instafloss is poised to launch in Q1 of 2023. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. The inventing journey is often a long, arduous one. The process is analogous to what Seth Goden calls "the dip" in his book by that title. Your challenge is to endure the "U-shaped" dip that is the invention journey - to stay in the battle - long enough so you can achieve success. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you ge...

Alan interviews Chris Cohen. Chris Cohen loved playing baseball. But wanted to improve his grip on the bat. He bought a thumb guard - but found it didn't work well. So, he invented his own thumb guard to provide a conforming, secure grip to the bat. In 2023, he's launching his new thumb guard invention into the market. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get yo...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan considers aspects of our 'instant gratification society' that may cause inventors to make poor choices. He advises you to 'enjoy the journey' of inventing- rather than putting faith into invention marketing companies that promise quick results for a hefty price. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast...

Alan interviews Marcy McKenna. As a seasoned successful inventor, Marcy McKenna knows that inventing is tough. So, she is launching the InventHer Live that features women inventors. Marcy believes that inventors much join together to help all to succeed. Every day, Marcy does one bold move in her business to keep her sharp. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you g...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan urges, "Don't listen to them," and describes 3 circumstances where you must be cautious. You may know to avoid the siren song of invention marketing companies, but what about your friends and colleagues? Sometimes the "voice in your head" may steer you wrong as well. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your po...

Alan interviews Andrew Ashur. As a college junior, Andrew Ashur had an idea to use drones to wash buildings and windows. He knew it would save money and be less risky for workers too. To succeed, he had to custom design drones and flight systems. Today Lucid Drone Tech cleans buildings all over America. 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 asks a simple question, "What is Your Why?" Answering the question - may not be so easy. As an inventor, your 'why' is often more important than your 'what' or even your 'how.' A strong 'why' can get you through the dark times as an inventor - helping you to achieve success. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan interviews Jordan Thiessen. Jordan Thiessen began cleaning swimming pools at age 22. He found that cleaning pool filters was laborious and painful to his back. He invented a simple device to enable filters to be cleaned in half the time, without back pain. Today his Cyclone Filter Cleaners sell all over the U.S.. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get you...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan shares 3 behaviors exhibited by the 5% of inventors who achieve financial success. Want to join the 5%? Alan shares behaviors that drive habits that create successful results for inventors. Listen in to learn about a behavior most inventors don't follow, to their detriment. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan reflects upon what he learned from interviewing over 200 inventors. Alan profiles 7 different successful inventors and the lessons he learned from each of them. Learn about growing your product line, leveraging Kickstarter, inventing in Africa, inventing toys, and much more. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan asks - which describes you better - procrastinator or perfectionist? He shares why both are 'opposite sides of the same coin.' You'll learn how procrastinators and perfectionists are similar - and how you can move forward whether you're a procrastinator or a perfectionist. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get y...

Alan interviews Mike Zouhri. Mike Zouhri is an entrepreneur who was hit by a drunk driver, leaving him bedridden for months. Mike invented PainWorth - a platform to help accident victims streamline the claims process to get settlements quicker. Learn why accidents can take years to settle - and how PainWorth shortens that time. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever y...

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan challenges you to fall in love with the problem. To craft a truly valuable solution or invention, you must fully embrace and understand all the relevant aspects of the problem. Learn tips and tricks for ensuring your invention provides an elegant solution. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so...