Shelley Hunter's Blog Entries
The Million-Dollar Idea in Everyone
February 09, 2008
When I started inventing 8+ years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't even consider myself an inventor because the product I developed was (in my mind) just a great idea--not invention. This narrow view cost me thousands of dollars and many months trying to figure out the product development process on my own. Thank goodness, I finally turned to true invention resources, licensed my product, and figured out that an invention doesn't have to be scientific, life-altering, or all that complicated. In fact, some of the best ideas are the simplest ideas. In helping Mike Collins write his book titled, "The Million Dollar Idea in Everyone," I talked to over 40 idea people, all of whom have found ways to make money doing something they love. And a common theme among these people is that their ideas (some inventions, some not) are all quite simple. But they figured out a niche and used open innovation principles to get free publicity, become recognized experts, and truly leverage their hobbies an interests. My view of inventing and being entreprenuerial completely changed as a result of the experience.
Re-inventing my idea
December 26, 2009
For years I tried to commercialize an idea of mine--to personalize gift card giving. I designed and even sold a myriad of gift card holders. Then one day realized, it's not so much the holder I need to commercialize, but the knowledge of the industry I possess. I'll start here, at www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com. As I show my everyday expertise, bringing products to market under this umbrella will be easier. I've done it the other way--selling products myself, licensing products, working freelance for someone else--I've learned a great deal. Now I'm doing it this way and feel pretty good about my chances for success. http://www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com
