That’s Awesome Bro!!! Ps. can I borrow 3000 dollars?

First, congratulations Jason. The name of this game is to get inventor endorsement or credibility any way you can. I had two MAJOR ideas taken and used by major companies. I never received a dime….but I got a paper trail to prove. That paper is the BEST resume I could ever have.

If they gave you 3 dollars you would have a big win. You got an invention on the shelf with (don’t be offended) literally no knowledge of this field. That is the equivalent of playing hopscotch in a mine field and still have all your legs.

Next, realize the purpose of Edison Nation and appreciate. They seasoned you and really taught you…as well as me too…I learn here too…ofcoarse….you took a shot with them first which was your better odds I think, and you learned this game.

This is why I suggest you can’t go wrong with Edison Nation first and then if things don’t work out then you try on your own….but you do get an inventor education along the way…it just happens that way by hanging around them.

As far as your payday you can look at it two ways. One is you got paid $10 an hour for your time learning as an inventor or you can say that one invention under your belt is worth millions because now your invention #2 will be possible as you now have a track record.

Something does tell me though that you mentioned your association with Edison Nation which may have helped you along the way. Good for you though…I’m sure all are happy to see another winner come out of here. Congratulations!

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Congratulations! You proved that you don’t have to follow the rules to succeed. But knowing the rules is helpful. What’s an NDA?

Jason, congratulations!! As we discussed either option still made you a winner. As Ron said the experience you have learned can only make you more informed and successful on invention number 2. From our discussions I know this is not your only idea. Use what you have learned and when in doubt you know you can ask. You now have a great calling card when you talk to companies. Keep moving forward and let me know where I can help. It is going to be a great feeling of acomplishment when you see your product in Spencers.

Remember “Dreams are accomplished by those that do, not by those that wish.”

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger…you gotta remember something though. I am not endorsing Edison Nation so I can have some buddies or get my nose colored brown. I push Edison Nation so people can learn and be protected under their wing before the new inventors go swimming with the sharks. Most times you get eaten by the sharks and never go back in the water again, hence, never explore the inventor field again.

I hope Jason now has a promising career in the product development field as he is smart and now realizes being a design engineer can pay just like inventors get paid, but let’s hope he wasn’t really short changed too. We don’t want to promote inventors giving their idea away either.

That can happen by showing new inventors how to go at companies by themselves without experience. I did that a few times. Know what happened? The two Fortune 100 companies sicked their corporate law department on me to scare me enough to drop my idea, turn around and run leaving them a free idea.

I did not protect myself properly. I had a newborn daughter. Was I going to sue a Fortune 100 companies law department or have a legal tug-of-war for my idea? NO! I took the consolation prize like Jason did. I got a letter from the CEO and Corporate Technical Planning of 3M and a couple letters from Anheiser-Busch’s Director of Marketing….worth thousands and thousands to me, maybe millions, because if it wasn’t for those letters I would have not have kept going in this inventor’s field.

Therefore…we must be careful who we send out swimming with the sharks. Some will know what they are doing and be safe and some will get eaten alive. Let’s hope Jason didn’t give away a 3 million dollar idea for $3000…even still Jason should be congratulated for a GREAT feat.

Jason,I don’t have much knowledge about this game but all things considered i think you did good! congradulations!

Ron, I agree. I am not advocating every Inventor rush out and contact a company. Jason, made the best deal he could based on the situation he was in at the time. If he was able to start over from the beginning his outcome may have been totally different. I am glad he got paid and an experience he won’t soon foget.
As you know we are trying get Inventors to do their homework and make informed decisions. The uniformed get in over their head before they realize how far along they are and can’t pull back and do it over.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Congratulations Ron! You may have made “mistakes” along the way (we all do), but in no way was it a “failure” (even before the licensing agreement). As long as we learn from our experiences, then we aexperience a certain level of success. It just means that you are that much closer for the next time.

Sorry! meant Jason (not Ron).

Yeah, I’d say what I got most was some education on what not to do, lol. The money is nice, but having a time in the near future where I can go into Spencer Gifts and actually see my invention on the shelves is priceless to me. It let’s me scratch another thing off on my bucket list.

I think some of the mistakes I made might have lead to me getting the deal too. If I would’ve sent a NDA to the CEO, rather than sending an actual picture and description, it may have just got thrown in the deleted mail pile.

I learned a ton of stuff and know of different things I need to think about the next time I do this.

I think I should’ve worked out a more tight agreement too. Although I was told I’d recieve my check as soon as I signed the agreement, it ended up being a month after. I am wondering if anyone ever puts any sort of “deadline” or wording about recieving the cash like this. It wasn’t a big deal, but would’ve liked to have it the two weeks before Christmas when I initially was to recieve it.

Also…should I have put some sort of stipulation to cover me in case they didn’t/don’t bring it to market? Having my agreement include that I am to get 10 of the product off of the first run from China…what if they opt not to make it for what ever reason?

I think one of the good things about Edison Nation’s searches, is they get you to think outside your “comfort zone”, or outside of an area you normally invent with. Without that search, I can’t imagine I would have even thought of my invention.

Thanks all for the congrats!

Jason

Thanks Jason for sharing your story. It is nice to hear how you took the lemon that EN gave you and with your effort made sweet lemonade with it. Congratulations and wish that more of your product ideas make it into Spencers and elsewhere. While you didn’t win through EN this time, EN definitely deserves praise for getting these varied LPS opportunities setup and making us stretch our brains.

Congratulations, Jason. Being happy with the deal you made is the most important thing: don’t question your thinking and move on to the next idea – even if you find that Spencer’s sells hundreds of thousands and they make millions. You did what was right for you and your state of mind and position in the inventor’s field – very brave. And you acted so unlike a few in some other forums who believe that EVERYONE IN THE WORLD wants their product and they see many million dollar signs. It is good to dream but reality has proven to be more beneficial for you.

Awesome Jason!!! It gives us all encouragment to brush off our Red X’ds and try again. I also admire your savy-ness in marketing your product :)

Spencers must have been very interested in your product – that the buyer checked out the specifics on the retail price. Being a buyer, he must have had trusted manufactures to come up with a retail price on your product. I can only imagine how long it would take me to find a manufacture I trust, let alone a price.

I wonder if that is the norm…that companies, if they are interested figure out the manufacturing costs? I have read before that the inventor should know these – maybe someone can chime in on this.

Thanks again for all the insight in turning your “EN No” to a “Spencer Yes”! Congratulations!

Congratulations on your big WIN!

Congratulations Jason!

With only a few minutes of work, you got paid and learned a great lesson.

Certainly a lot better than a kick in the pants, eh? :-)

Jason,

I love this story! I’m glad you posted it. I was going to email you to ask you the details. Not bad for not knowing what you were doing! Congrats again!

Jason, congratulations! I know this is just the first of many!!

What a great story! Not a bad at work! Keeps me inspired! If mine idea doesn’t go from G7 to G8 with the companies I have in, I will go out and seek a company that could be interested now just from your story! Good luck and keep up the good inventing!

That’s wonderful, Jason. Congrats!

Jason,

Congratufrickinlations. That is a great and inspirational story, almost legendary. “Did you hear about that guy who pitched his idea directly to a CEO via an unsolicited email, and got picked up?!”

I agree that an NDA would have most likely halted everything.

The irony is that you took this pitch on yourself, got $3000 for your idea, and are pretty sure it will be on shelves soon. I got $2500 for my Spencer’s LPS win many moons ago, but have no idea if it is actually going to end up on store shelves ever.

Well done!

Matt

Jason, any chance you can share the email address with me? I have a great Spencers idea and need a contact. Thanks

Ah…the wheeling and dealing begins…

Jason, maybe you can start selling the Email addresses you have LOL! Kind of like the inventors version of celebrity address lists! I bet you’ll make way more than $3,000 off of that. LOL!

Your story is a great one. I wish you had made a little more money for yourself but as you said seeing your product on store shelves is priceless. I just recently got to see the infomercial for my upcoming ASOTV LPS winner. I’m not allowed to talk about it but man I was beaming at that and felt like I was on top of the world when I fist saw it.

Inventing is way better than any drug and also probably more addictive.

Hi, my name is Phil…
hi phil
and I am an inventor

WOW Phil how kick a## to see your infomercial – that’s what we all dream about – I am happy for you and wish you the best of luck in testing/sales.

FYI – Looks like on Spencers web site – the link for ‘product suggestions’ goes to EN………

Congratulations Phil…that’s fantastic! I wish you the best of luck and much success with it :-)

Way to go jason,
What was your time frame from inception to payment ?
Its quite interesting all the emotional changes a inventor probably goes though when negotiating with a prospecting company.
I think it would be a good idea for me to get some training with the negotiation process anyone have a good link on that ?
Once again congratulations on a successful invention

Winning is not a one time thing its and all time thing.
A.M.C.

I gotta say something. My SINCERE congratulations to you both Jason and Phillip…but it seems like Phillip has the chance here to have his product all over TV like the Emery Cat which itself can make the inventor a million or two or more plus a GREAT future as a reputation is established. Jason too….great accomplishment.

Here’s the thing…I preach and praise about Edison Nation because I know better than 99% here. You have a real shot at the big time with Edison Nation. There have been piles of people here trying to take licensing business away from Edison Nation with all kinds of promises that to me seem like chump change rewards to what Edison Nation can do with an invention and for an inventor. Don’t forget, nothing works in this economy, but EN is unbelievably able to tweak out a ray of hope for a few inventors these days. THAT is phenominal…trust me…my sales are so poor right now worldwide. I know how tough it is out there and abroad in other countries.

So Phil…you have a real chance at the big time. A national infomercial campaign (if I understand right) is coming your way….financed, set up FOR FREE by Edison Nation for you.

All these other licensing agents PMing Edison Nation’s members….can they do that? The answer is not in their best dreams…could they finance your invention. They can make something happen for you if you pay them enough…I could do that for you too…but never will….I worry about my own projects….that’s enough for me.

So congrats to Phil….and Edison Nation for quietly and humbly about to pull off another big score for an inventor…in a DEPRESSION.

Congrats again to you too Jason…especially if you did give Edison Nation a chance first to help your invention. EN are just the big dogs out there right now. Nobody out there can help an inventor and his invention like EN can…if you are one of the lucky few. Expect that number to exponentually increase when the economy gets better.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Jason:

Great story and great attitude. Live and Learn!

Phil all the best on the infomercial! Can’t wait to see it.

Matt

Mike…not ready to hand that email out just yet. I’ve developed a relationship with the buyer and don’t want to hurt that by giving out his email. I can say this, I got the emails of some top Spencer execs, including the CEO online. I found a newsletter from a group that was boycotting and protesting Spencer’s. It was some religious group that wanted people to spam their emails…I just used it for my own benefit. From there I think my email was forwarded to the appropriate people, including their buyer.

From my initial email to Spencer’s till the point I got the check was maybe 3 months. One month of that was from my original email until they first contacted me, the second month was discussions and negotiations with them, and the third was waiting for the check to arrive. It all happened the end of 2009 during the holiday’s so I’m sure it would’ve been even quicker.

Jason

Jason, All of this is soooooooooooooo cool and encouraging! Congratulations on your achievement!

Ok Jason – after days of research, I found the buyers and execs you are likely working with and emailed them all at the same time. Three of the four responded quickly and are interested in seeing my product concept. However, they WON’T sign an NDA. Do I submit pictures-prototype anyway? Do I just wait for another opportunity? What would Roger Brown do?

Mike

I did not have an NDA in place. I think if I had requested one, they probably would’ve moved on. I think it was my product concept that got me to the right people and having started out asking for them to sign an NDA would’ve likely got my email deleted.

I did just about everything wrong with the way I did it, but was just lucky enough that I had something they were interested in.

Jason

I first peaked thier interest then I asked about the NDA – they said they won’t sign NDA’s because they see so many similar concepts. So, I guess I just send with no protection and hope for the best? I do have a Trademark for the product (using TM by the name) and the domain name is mine as well.

Any one else have a suggestion? Thanks

Just a thought Michael… Enter your idea into the ASOTV LPS and then archive it. When discussing your idea with them tell them in the email that you had it entered into an LPS with Edison Nation only the other day but have archived it to let then have the first crack at it. Maybe if they know that some kind of paper trail exists and that it is with a company they do business with (EN) then they will be less likely to cause you any grief. For $20 it is better than simply sharing your idea without the NDA to protect you I think and computer records can be admissible in court.

If they pass on it then resubmit to an LPS as you have already paid the fee.

My 2 cents… ;)

Wish you luck.

Great idea Mr. Ed – Roger do you agree with this approach?

Here’s a thought Michael. Do you think they will want to see it if they feel they might be stepping on EN’s toes? Again…it’s just a thought I’d consider.

Yeah I thought of the toe issue as well but I was thinking more as a show and then tell. They already want him to show them and if he in the next email describes the idea and submits images then at the end of the email say’s something along the lines of:

“I had my (insert product name here) submitted to an Edison Nation product search in hopes to license it but when I happened upon your contact information it seemed to reason that I should go right to the source. I have already archived my submission while you are reviewing so as to allow you to be the first to actually see it.”

Ordinarily I would say to submit via EN but as Marla had stated in the Expert Q&A “Hello Michael, we may have another search with Spencer’s in the future but there is not one currently in the works.” If Michael has them by the hook now he shouldn’t cut the line.

Either way it is a double edged sword what to do.

Good luck buddy…

Thanks – no kidding, they actually followup with a phone call today so I am going to strike while the iron is hot. I am going to take pictures of the prototype in use tonight, tweak the sell sheet and send it all off tomorrow. Mr Ed thanks so much it’s a great idea and good verbiage. I appreciate it. I will report my progress.

Jason, as we have talked about you learned a great lesson, got your product to market, and now know what to look for in the future. I know you will only get better the more you do this.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger, what is the lesson? Do you still send material to companies that will not sign NDA’s? What is your advice in such situations? Thanks

Wow Michael, I thought you would know how to do this….I’m surprised. Don’t you already have a deal in place with someone else?

My advice, unless you are willing to shell out for a patent and develop it yourself is to just work with them. Most companies are not looking to rip off inventors. It’s more trouble than it’s worth for them – they just want to move the product through the cycle and make some money off it while they can. They have none of the emotion that you are showing for your idea – it’s just another idea they feel people may buy. That’s It – more junk on the shelf, another box in the warehouse.

Take the emotion out of it – work with them professionally and although you may not take exactly what they offer the first time, remember you need them much more than they need you.

Also, remember “value” comes in many forms. Money, Experience, Opportunity, Credibility…..

Mark don’t be suprised, I have never had a company NOT sign something when asked or at least have a Web form that somewhat protects both sides. Even Telebrands gives you a confirmation they are reviewing your idea. Just trying to find out what others do in a situation where no NDA of any kind is in place. I beleive (not sure) that Roger will not submit ideas without an NDA. Of course, you can’t be too paranoid but you must still be careful. I did go ahead and submit my idea Message Specs (you can decifer the concept) this morning with no NDA. FYI – I have signed three deals so far – only one is active – I have made a whopping $8,750 in compensation. Your right – I keep trying because I love the game not because I need the money.

FYI – You know that ‘Perfect Brownie’ pan that Allstar sells (ASOTV)? I submitted the idea to them without asking for NDA etc – they liked it and wanted a video made. I did that – 9 months later I see the almost identical concept selling huge – My name for the product was ‘Portion Perfect’. They will not even discuss it with me.

Well happy for you Jason. Good read and would love to see your finished product when you get one.

A couple of things I thought about afterwards. I should’ve thought about some sort of clause where I got my idea back if it wasn’t used by “X” date. Its very well possible that they could decide not to make the product at all or have it on hold because of the economy.

I was thinking also, that I should’ve put some sort of arrangement if it wasn’t made to recieve “X” amount of dollars in compensation for the 10 I was to recieve from the first run of manufacturing.

Oh well, live and learn.

Jason

Hi Jason. Congratulations! Just a question for thought: Do you think that you should have received more money than the $3000?

Nice going Jason, I had wondered what happened to the deal

Alecia…getting my invention (product design) sold was worth tons more than the $3000. Along with that, I’m getting 10 of the product, something I would’ve never done on my own…and I learned some valuable lessons and have developed contacts and a relationship with Spencers.

$3000 for 20 minutes work amounts to $150/minute that I worked on it…a rather good payment in my opinion. It is a novelty product that I would have never went anywhere on my own. Heck…I would’ve done it for free…but don’t tell them that!

Jason

I think you just did…. :)

Jason,
As we discussed it is a great icebreaker when you are talking to a company and they know you have already gotten something to market. They are a little more at ease knowing someone else took a chance on you and you delivered. That does not mean the will take anything you send them but it does give yo a little more creditability. what you do with it is up to you.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

to jason: you’ve got guts! i’d be happy too for $3000 and the exposure as a paid inventor. i think you did phenomenally well considering the circumstances.
to patricia: an ‘NDA’ is a non-disclosure aggreement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agr...
to the others: i’m not sure if its allowed to post spencer’s email here on EN, so just check out my blog for misc info: http://unusualjobs.blogspot.com/

I LOVE the way you got the email addresses!!!!! That’s the best part of the story!!!!! Use whatever means possible!!!!!

Congratulations.

Hello Michael.. I asked to be added as your friend because of what you said about your product idea being
copied. I would like to ask you a question out of this forum as I have had some dealings with the same company.