Inventors Helping Inventors

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks, "Are you thick-skinned?" Successful inventors are thick-skinned: they're unflappable in the face of challenges and criticisms. Alan gives you a 5-step process to respond to setbacks. Remember - negative thinking will never yield positive epiphanies. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. If you've pitched your product many times, but don't seem to get much traction.  The problem is probably not your product - the problem is your messaging. Alan shares 3 different message problems you may have - then a template to solve them. Learn how to pitch so they'll get it! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get you...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan shares 5 red flags of scammers. He describes 5 different ways invention marketing company scammers can bilk you out of large sums of money. Learn to avoid their clever entreaties that fool you into buying their dubious product offerings. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so...

Alan interviews Jesse Morgan - inventor of the Extractor Line Cutter. Tune in to learn how narrowly escaping death from a head-on collision led to Jesse's aha moment for his Extractor invention. Learn how he's evolved his invention to be an all-in-one tool for fishing. Now fishermen and women don't have to lug a big tool kit when fishing. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan posits "How to Stay Focused." He mentions that focus is essential for your success as an inventor. But how can you stay focused? Alan shares 3 different ways to do so that worked for him and other inventors. The first one is obvious - but few inventors do it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you...

Alan interviews Tanya Jackson. Tanya Jackson likes jogging, but she noticed that parents lacked an enjoyable way to jog with their toddlers. She invented an innovative solution to the problem. She now has a working prototype and an issued patent. Soon parents everywhere will enjoy a better way to jog with toddlers. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your p...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks a question, "Are you too busy?" He shares a 3-question litmus test to determine if you're too busy - to be an inventor. As you'll hear - it's never about being "too busy," but rather how you prioritize your time. You find time for what is important to you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever yo...

Alan interviews Cody Soodeen. Cody Soodeen's parents lived in a town with contaminated well water - so they had to buy bottled water. This led him as an architect to invent a way, using desiccants, to extract pure water from dry air.  Today, his company, Kara Water sells air-to-water extraction units to thousands of consumers.  Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever y...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks you a question, "Are you willing to do - what most people won't?" He shares 3 things successful inventors do - that most aren't willing to do. Listen in to determine if you haven't been willing to do any of these 3 essential behaviors for success. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get you...

Alan interviews Bob Hawkinson. Bob Hawkinson loved his commercial landscape management business.  But he hated seeing thousands of discarded plastic mulch bags going into landfills. So, he invented a biodegradable mulch bag that installs easily and inhibits weed growth. It installs quickly and doesn't pollute the environment. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan shares a bit of his back story. He shares 5 different ways that he has helped other inventors and can help you also. Alan named this podcast "Inventors Helping Inventors" because he is passionate about helping other inventors. Reach out to him if you need help.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever y...

Alan interviews Alexandra Watkins. Alexandra Watkins worked for ad agencies until she found her real passion - product naming and branding. She created the Baconator name for Wendy's. Through her company, Eat My Words, she helps Fortune 100 companies and small entrepreneurs, including inventors, with product naming. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks a question, "Are You 1 in a Million?" If you own U.S. patent, congratulations - you're in rarefied air.  Only about 0.15 percent of adults in the U.S. have received a patent this year. Now it is time to work on making money from your invention. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your p...

Alan interviews Jenny De Leon. Growing up, Jenny De Leon worked at her parents' hardware store. After graduating college, she became an IT consultant who traveled a lot for business. Packing her skincare products was challenging, so she invented a compact system to make it easy to carry everything in the TSA quart bag. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get yo...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan discusses the benefits of being part of a larger inventor community. He shares 3 elements of the inventor community: sanity check, resources, and helping others. Listen in to learn why all 3 elements are essential to your success as an inventor. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podca...

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan dives into the details to describe 3 technology tools for inventors.  In today's world a constant challenge isn't a paucity of information, but an ocean of information - much of it inaccurate. Alan shares 3 technology tools he uses, that you can use to improve productivity. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan poses a litmus test - "Is inventing for you?" He shares 3 beliefs held by those who are rarely successful - and 3 beliefs held by successful inventors.  Listen in to determine which set of beliefs best describe you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a singl...

Alan interviews Brenda Birrell. While in Africa with the Global Uplift Project, Brenda Birrell learned many girls dropped out of school because they had no access to menstrual pads during their periods. She invented pads that were reusable, washable and affordable for these girls - helping them to stay in school and have careers. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, or wherever...

Alan   provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or you think you can't. Either way you are probably right." This is the principle of attraction: you tend to draw towards you the things you focus on most - whether good or bad. Alan uses quantum physics to illustrate why it works.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your...

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...