innovation-michigan-working
It was super hot and sunnyday at Meijer Gardens at the Innovation Michigan awards http://tinyurl.com/27jqk2w . One of the very best reasons participate in an expo, tradeshow is to meet other interesting people and to connect. One table by me was an interesting gentleman and his company was Ruwach Design http://spraylite.com/ruwachdesign/ . This company has a patent pending space heater that uses ion technology to reduce at a substantial savings. On this blistering hot day he stood by his black table to show his space heater oh holy irony! He was tall and had a tie on and brought his large model airplane. I wanted him to fly that airplane…On the other side of my table was Stryker Corp, http://www.stryker.com/en-us/index.htm with their Flyte Personal Protection System. This suit protects surgical staff and patient from infection during surgery. They had their patent out and framed and a great blue surgical dummy donning the whole Flyte suit. I couldn’t help but ask if they had been approached by Hollywood to use their suit in movies or shows and they said an earlier version was on Grey’s Anatomy. I said, “Oh man you need to get that clip and show it! Even if they got a still from the clip they should put it up. Stryker is a global company that has many innovative medical devices…they didn’t need my Grey’s Anatomy suggestion. Had a fun conversation about social media with Michael Yoder a social media strategist from Deksia, www.deksia.com and organizer of the Pink Slip Party http://www.pinkslipwm.com/home and Craig Clark from Clark communications, http://www.clarkcommunication.com suggested I should have candy bar “doody” (nod to the movie Cadddy Shack http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2009/07/06/caddyshack-movie-quotes/ ) out on the sidewalk to attract attention—Good One—“It’s in da hole!”

What the hell is this clipcleany and why can’t I find it on this stupid site?
I invented the clipcleany, a small dog leash accessory that would fit on a dog’s leash that holds dog refuse bags, money, treats wipes and features a safety light. Won 2nd place in Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention contest in the Green category. Was whisked away to their headquarters to learn more about Whirlpool, I felt like one of those kids with Wiley Wonka’s golden ticket touring Whirlpool’s headquarters and sitting in on marketing, sustainability, licensing and other business seminars. How did I get there? I was a stay-at-home mom with four kids and an annoying little idea. Instead of burying the idea, or eating the idea, I took the leap and started developing the idea. Slowy. I went to an engineering firm first and they thought it was great, which lead me to my patent attorney, to prototype makers, to a business plan class, which the instructor wrote about this little contest, “Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention” contest. I thought I will enter the contest; it will help me complete my business plan because it will give a cause, and a definite deadline. I beat out over 2000 applicants if I would have known that I might have convinced myself not to try—stupid idea anyway. But I just Nike(d) it “Just did It” For me, and for the sake of adventure. I have had some press and TV interviews all trying to find the right deal to get the ClipCleany made. I’ve tried conventional ways to try to get the ClipCleany to market and unconventional—trying out for reality TV shows like Shark Tank and Mom Inc. I have come awful close….with the emphasis on awful, because that’s what it feels like when a deal doesn’t go through or you are, but aren’t, chosen for a show. Can you control the rollercoaster of product development to product for sale? No. But you do choose if you want to ride. Hopefully soon you will see clipcleany all over this site and be able to buy one. Thank you to Chris Brogan who inspired me, through his awesomeness, to write my short story inspired by Donald Miller’s book, “A million Miles in a Thousand Years.”
check out Chris’ post www.chrisbrogan.com/importance-of-story/

Had the heady experience to talk with some students at Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, about my experience of being an entrepreneur and the development of ClipCleany. I got this gig because their instructor worked on my project along with an intern. It was EXTREMELY important to me that the design be smart, sophisticated a piece of art. Over the top? Yeah, but the hallmark of my products are that they are smart and sophisticated and artful. I can design crap. I aspire to work with really smart people that know design to make it better. Industrial designers do just that. I was lucky to find Jon Maroney and Tiger Design Studios and I was also lucky that I had a really talented intern, Andrew from Kendall working on it as well. One of the most fabulous days as a developer was when I went down to the studio and saw all of the drawings of my product. I loved of the unique possibilities that they came up with. I wanted to take all of the drawings and use them as wall paper. If you are considering developing a product think about working with an industrial designer or call Kendall and see if they have some students that can work with you. Your core idea may be good, they can make it great. Check out Kendall’s link http://www.kcad.edu/

 

It’s National Inventors Month and I(ok, me and my new ClipCleany prototypes) was invited down to newstation Fox 17 for a LIVE on air interview with Sarah Brodhead.  It was such a cool experience.  I had a great tour of their studios.    Check out the green screen on the right, that is where they do the weather.  I do not know how they do this in front of a blank green screen.  What you see of Sarah Brodhead is exactly how she is…natural and funny.  I know Kevin Mathews of WLAV is a fan!  It is amazing how everything has to be timed just right, you would think they would be all stressed out.  Exact opposite.  They are all fun! It looks like a cool place to work and it shows.   Here is a link to the interview:  http://www.fox17online.com/news/morningnews/

I tried out for Kelly Ripa’s new show on TLC for women entrepreneurs, http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/get-on-the-show.html.  It was so exciting and interesting, and these are interesting times indeed.  I have worked relentlessly trying to get ClipCleany (formerly cleanybeany) to market using the traditional routes banks, local Angel investors, and a local investment group. Chasing money can be a full time job.  So Kelly Ripa’s show on TLC where the grand prize is to have your product manufactured and sold on HSN is a huge fantasy, but so is a local bank loan, so might as well have fun. The night before my pitch I was practicing and my prototype broke apart!  I put it together with chewing gum and thought, oh well. When we arrived at the hotel there was already a line of some really great women (crap!) I gave my 30 second pitch while my two daughters waited for me (the other two kids were at home with Dad)and they asked me back to do a 2 minute pitch!  I prayed my broken prototype would light up, it didn’t, and they asked me what it would mean to me if I won and I started to get weepy!  They were so nice about it.  It was a great experience and I and I am thankful for it.  Thank you, Pick Me Pick Me Pick Me!