From Inventor To Entrepreneur: a 6 Step Mini Guide For Mums
Posted: Thursday, October 29, 2009
by Lynda Harding
Easidream Ltd
I guess I never set out to be an inventor; it just came about through a whole series of events inspired by my fabulous children. Though the thought of taking an idea and developing it into a final product, I must confess, did seem quite scary when I first set out on my journey. But hey, if I can do it, then anyone with a great idea, determination and a positive mindset can!
Step 1: Have a great idea
As they say, ‘necessity is the mother of invention'; so just what was my ‘what if' moment?
Being mum to 5 young children, I felt quietly confident that I wasn't in for any surprises with #6. …. BUT oh how wrong can you be?!!! After Bradley was born, he plain refused to sleep for any longer than around 2 hours at a time, he cried constantly and it was a nightly struggle to settle him…a struggle that went on until he was two and a half years old!
I tried everything to soothe him off to sleep, but discovered that the most reliable way was to lean over the cot sides and create a ‘rocking cot' motion by moving the mattress up and down. Having scoured shops and the internet for any product that would replicate this movement, (and relieve my backache!) I realised that there was nothing suitable out there.By this stage, I was determined to invent a product that would not only help soothe particularly fractious babies, but also promote the formation of a healthy sleep pattern, so both babies and parents could benefit from a good night's rest.
And so began my ‘mum-inventor' journey.
To help you on your journey, there's a fantastically helpful site that's just been launched called She's Ingenious! which is jam packed full of useful stuff for female inventors and it really is well worth a visit.
Coming up next: Do your groundwork; how to find out if your idea is unique.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I hope to see in one of your steps that you have a section on the business side of business. The financial, pricing of the product, branding etc. It's. What will ensure success or failure? NOT THE PRODUCT!
Yes, the business side of the business is definitely covered as this is imperative, but you have to have a great product first or no one will want to buy it!
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