Browse Category: Inventor Education

Congrats! Gotta Potty is moving quick!

Hi folks – Nathan here! I am the Sales and Marketing Manager for Source Direct. When a product has finished manufacturing and is ready to hit the marketplace, it’s my job to get it listed onto different retail websites. As most inventors know, it’s quite a process to sell a BRAND NEW ITEM. Our expertise has helped us get new products into the hands of buyers from many different retail organizations – EntirelyPets.com is one of them! Congratulations to our product GOTTA POTTY for making it to the big leagues! Here’s the link to purchase it on their website: http://www.entirelypets.com/gotta-potty-training.html

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Testimonials from Our Inventors

We can tell you all day how awesome Source Direct is, but sometimes it’s great to hear it directly from the inventors we have helped. These testimonials are on our website, but we wanted to share them here too!

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Oh…there’s more! 

I have been working with Source Direct and Ed Mauro for over three (3) years.  I am an inventor and patent attorney.  Part of my association with Source Direct has been introducing many of my patent clients to Source Direct.  All of them have contacted me after they worked with Source Direct and gave Source Direct great reviews.  Source Direct has taken many of my clients from the inventor’s idea stage to delivering products that are ready to go in the showroom.  In all of my years as an inventor and patent attorney Source Direct offers more to help an inventor than any other company I know.  Source Direct has helped me develop five of my own products.  They did a big part of the design work, marketing assistance and found manufacturers to supply the products.  I was very happy with the products when they arrived. I will be happy to talk to anyone that has questions about Source Direct.  My cell phone number is 757-615-3613. –  William G. Sykes

Source Direct Inventor Meets Daymond John of SHARK TANK!

We love when our inventors get a chance to expand their brand. One of our long-time inventors, Karen Cooney (Inventor of BRAINY PAC) recently had a chance to sit down and discuss business with renowned entrepreneur Daymond John, founder of FUBU and one of the sharks on “Shark Tank”.

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Congratulations, Karen! We’re happy to see your brand continue to grow! 🙂

Are you an inventor with a million-dollar idea? Ready to finally live your dreams of invention success? We can help. Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with us – you can be like Karen too!

Call us today: 888-373-3876 x.213

What are CAD Drawings? Why do I need them?

During the inventing process, you will need to provide your manufacturer with CAD Drawings. What are they exactly?

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of a computer system to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a product’s design. This drawing is vital for the production and manufacturing process of inventing.

CAD Software, usually operated by an engineer, can produce 2D and 3D drawings of your product. Here are a few examples (from Wikipedia):

2D CAD Drawing
2D CAD Drawing
3D CAD Drawing
3D CAD Drawing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When developing a product, you will need these drawings to get appropriate estimates of the cost of production. A qualified engineer will be able to replicate your idea with pinpoint accuracy to insure that the design in your head is the one that leaves the factory.

If you are working with a company to create CAD Drawings for you, make sure you receive every file needed to present to possible manufacturers. If you don’t know what to look for, send us an email and we can help.

New Years Resolutions and Goals for Inventing

Welcome to 2016 – it’s time to start writing out your goals and aspirations for the year! Here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Set Realistic Timelines: If you are starting your product from scratch, just know that it is going to take time. Depending on where you are in the inventing process, the time allotted will be varied.
  • Know What You Want Before You Plan: This is a common mistake – you have to plan for the goals you want to achieve. Yes, things will come up along the way, but you need to be solid with your ideas and mission before you start planning.
  • Handle Speed-bumps with Grace: Issues will come up. Problems will likely arise during the inventing process. That’s OKAY! When those speed-bumps happen, don’t get overwhelmed. There is help out there, for you. Never let anyone tell you that you have run out of options.
  • Be Okay With Change: You may figure out a new way to innovate, finances may change, product details may change – it happens! If change is the best scenario for your product, you’ll know. Many products go through 4+ revisions during the initial design phase – don’t let it scare you.

Throughout 2016, we will provide more tips and strategies to keep your product development moving smoothly. Check out our other blogs today!

Money and Inventing….you don’t have to be afraid of it!

One of the most common questions that we receive as an inventor support company is “will I need to pay for this?” The answer, in most cases, is yes. 

Now, don’t let that detract you. As an inventor, you absolutely need to come to the conclusion that this process will cost money. Having a fantastic idea will only get you so far.

From our experience, here are a few things we’ve heard from inventors.

I have an idea, and I want to license it.

As we’ve pointed out in other articles, licensing is hard to accomplish without a working prototype, drawings, manufacturing sourced, etc. You won’t get very far with just an idea and a heartwarming pitch. You need to show the possible licencors that they will make money if they buy your product. That’s all they’re looking to do.

If you (manufacturing company) will produce my product, I will give you a portion of the proceeds from the sales.

This is highly unlikely to work. Manufacturers are typically presented with a slew of products every year, and propositions to become business partners. It just won’t happen. Manufacturers and design companies can’t rely on your product selling so they make a profit as well as break even on the cost of production.

I’ll crowdfund to make my money!

Crowdfunding before your product is feasible is a dangerous thing to do. Most successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo Campaigns have been successful due to a professionally constructed pitch. Most products that have received funding were already prototyped, tested, and manufactured in a small-run fashion. If you only take one thing away from this article today, it should be this: never attempt crowdfunding before you have the product finished.

The best option that you have is to save your money and do it right. You could finance the product through a lender (get a loan), take out a new line of credit, ask friends and family, or even take on a small part time job. If you have the passion to get it done right, don’t let your idea fall into the wrong hands. Protect yourself, save your money (and never pay up front without getting a solid plan in place with your invention production company), and live your dreams!