Six inventors share their experiences and advice as they launch new products including RV accessories, pet related gadgets and athletic and wellness equipment.
“Inventors are becoming more and more entrepreneurial, increasingly sophisticated and ambitious with social media marketing and innovatively discover what works for their particular circumstances,” states Paul Berman, president of T2 Design & Prototype, an invention company in Santa Monica, California.
The Inventing Do’s:
1) “Develop a solid prototype and focus group test, modify and test again”
says inventor, coffee connoisseur Andrew Edelsohn of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Andrew wanted to create a bigger, better, faster, stronger way to brew large carafes or small cups of coffee. The Big Joe Coffee Maker can turn any drinkware into a coffee maker. The Big Joe is lightweight and durable, perfect at home and terrific to take on the road, camping in an RV. Big Joe can brew up to 75 ounces directly into a coffee mug, pot, carafe or growler (over a half gallon of pour over coffee), ideal for families, crews or just alone. Andrew brought his invention idea to T2 Design & Prototype and they refined and developed his invention with him. With tenacity and attention, Big Joe was tested, modified and tested again. Made in the USA, the Big Joe Coffee Maker is sold online at https://bigjoecoffee.com, Amazon or Walmart and coming soon to some select KOA campground stores.
2) “Keep it simple and stick with what you know”
says inventor, dog lover, Nancy Harasz. Nancy wanted to make a pivot when her last pet passed away. As she wasn’t quite ready to get a new puppy, she opened a short-term dog-sitting, dog-boarding, home business. It was a quick success, but it did come with a particular problem… an abundance of, well, dog poop. Shovels and available products did not do the cleanup job adequately, so she invented a solution. Nancy designed a gadget and went to T2 Design & Prototype to fully develop her invention. With her new patent filed and a perfected professional prototype, Nancy is beginning to manufacture, building up her Instagram reels and later this year she will be selling her product later this year with the name the Poop Loop.
3) “Perseverance is important,”
says inventor and massage therapist Daniel Carr. Working in the wellness field for over 20 years, Daniel felt that an excellent hip flexor did not exist on the market, so he invented the ACULEVER Psoas Muscle Release Tool to relieve back pain and scar tissue. One day he sketched out his ideas for a piece of equipment that would especially give relief to athletes, martial artists, yoga practitioners and workout aficionados. Daniel came to T2 Design & Prototype, developed prototypes until one worked in the way he conceived. Patenting, manufacturing and marketing came next, always adapting and finding solutions, and with perseverance his invention is now being sold on Amazon and his website, www.orcamassagetools.com.
The Inventing Don’ts:
1) “Don’t just guess, do your research,”
says inventor Dr. Hani Boutros, a California family practitioner who enjoys traveling with his family in their RV. When Dr. Boutros traveled, he felt that there was a problem with the RV sewage system… he wanted something cleaner, more contractable, and hygienically able to compress and store. Dr. Boutros came up with the solution, he invented the COIL QUICK sewage cap and hose kit. First, Hani researched his invention idea online and in person at RV equipment sellers. Confident that he did not find the clean compression hose and valve cap system he developed, Dr. Boutros contacted T2 Design & Prototype. Hani had T2 do a professional patent search, then they developed his idea, prototyped the system and Hani patented his invention. Dr. Boutros started to manufacture, package and this year he launched launch his new product. Hani first advertised his RV accessory on Facebook and now he is incorporating other marketing strategies. When Dr. Boutros and his family go vacationing, he now feels assured that there is an ideal clean and compact way for RV disposal with his EZ RV COIL QUICK. Dr. Boutros sells the Coil Quick RV product online at select campground stores, Amazon, and his website, www.ezrvlife.com.
2) “Don’t rush to market. Refine your invention and find the right people to work with,”
says inventor, Maurice Greene, from Manassas, Virginia. Solving the problem of removing tonsil stones is something that Maurice had personally dealt with for years, so he knew exactly what he felt was lacking in products on the market. Maurice invented a medical device that could safely and more easily do what others could not. He worked with one engineer to prototype his invention but was dissatisfied and then he contacted T2 Design & Prototype, “I felt encouraged from Paul, he found a way to save time and money, incorporating existing basic circuitry. It made a world of difference.” The Tonsil Vac will be sold at www.Tonsilvac.com.later this year. Maurice’s invention has become a family business, his wife Sandra Greene is involved and Maurice’s son, Avery Greene of Charlotte, North Carolina is in charge of marketing.
3) “Don’t think Plan A is the only possible plan, be ready for Plan B or C: product development is a learning experience,” says pet product inventor Cheryl Eckert. Cheryl invented and is now selling the Leave It Leash…allows for on-the-go hydration with 9oz. water tank, collapsible bowl and water spraying capability. Cheryl believed in her product, and got assistance with some additional funding on Kickstarter after developing, patent protecting, prototyping and manufacturing her product with T2 Design & Prototype. With 48 million dog owners in the USA, Cheryl hopes her invention will keep dogs healthy, happy and well-hydrated on their walks. Cheryl sells her product on Amazon and https://leaveitleash.com.
Paul Berman, president of T2 Design stated, “I’ve developed hundreds of prototypes for inventors and there is a definite trend now for inventors to pursue crowdfunding or equity investment to start-up their own companies to launch new products.” T2 Design & Prototype develops a large range of inventions, including household and pet products to medical devices, sports equipment, cooking utensils, toys and automobile accessories.
T2 Design has been designing and prototyping inventions for over twenty years and works with inventors from idea, to design and prototyping to manufacturing. Inventor clients have been featured on TV shows, SHARK TANK and AMERICAN INVENTOR. “Consultations are done over the phone, video conferencing or in person,” stated President Paul Berman. “Inventors find us from all over the world at https://www.T2design.com”.
Marcus Lemonis, Alexander Rodriguez and Evander Holyfield test a new product prototype with Paul Berman, president of T2 Design & Prototype.