Invent America Podcasts with America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and the Cajun Contractor, Michael King, Founder of HomeTalkUSA

Are you tired of hearing that you need a complicated app, a glitchy Bluetooth connection, and a smartphone just to make your invention work? In this episode of Invent America, we sit down with professional basketball trainer turned solo inventor, Craig Bush. Craig saw a massive flaw in athletic training tech: nobody was timing athletes using the actual ball or the athlete's body to trigger the clock. So, he built RepUp—the world’s first smart agility cone eco-system. But here is the real kicker for solo inventors: Craig eliminated the "middleman" tech. No Bluetooth, no lag, no heavy setup. You turn it on, and it works. If you are a solo inventor trying to scale a hardware product, you need to watch this. Craig and the team break down the brutal reality of the 3-to-4-year patenting journey, the necessity of building a functional prototype over pretty 3D renderings, and how to position your product so big corporations don't "clean your clock" when they ask to partner.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Are big corporations crushing the "little guy" in the garage? In this episode of Invent America Podcasts, host Rita interviews Randy Landreneau, President of US Inventor, to expose the shocking reality facing American innovators today. Since the America Invents Act of 2011, independent inventors have faced an uphill battle against the "Patent Trial and Appeal Board" (PTAB)—an administrative court where over 80% of challenged patents are invalidated. Randy breaks down the history of US patent rights (dating back to George Washington!), the "killing fields" for patents, and the current political fight in Washington DC to save American innovation. In this episode, we cover: -- The "Death Squad" for patents: Why 80% of patents are invalidated by the PTAB. -- The dark side of the America Invents Act. -- How Big Tech uses "efficient infringement" to steal ideas. -- The legislative solutions: The Balancing Incentives Act vs. The PREVAIL Act. -- Why the patent system matters for your safety (The Texas pipeline example). Join the fight for inventor rights! Learn more at USInventor.org #InventAmerica #PatentRights #USInventor #Innovation #SmallBusiness #IntellectualProperty #USPTOHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Are you an inventor struggling to get your product on store shelves at Home Depot, Lowes, or Walmart? The rules of the game change the moment you cross the border.In this episode of Invent America TV, we break down the critical differences between the U.S. and Canadian markets with industry expert Michael Miller. With over 20 years of experience launching products like the "Disposal Genie," Michael reveals why the scale of the American market often bankrupts unprepared inventors—and why licensing might be your safest bet.We also feature two inventors currently navigating these challenges:Tanya (Sure Grip Kitchen Towels): A manufacturer selling direct-to-consumer who is facing the realities of tariffs and logistics.Michael Parish: An inventor with a patented interchangeable hat logo system who is looking to license his technology to major apparel brands.In This Episode:The "Scale" Problem: Why Canadian inventors often fail to grasp the volume requirements of U.S. big-box retailers.Licensing vs. Manufacturing: Why handing off the heavy lifting to a licensee can save you from legal and packaging nightmares.The "Consignment" Trap: Understanding how Walmart actually buys (or doesn't buy) inventory.Real Inventor Stories: From kitchen gadgets to sports apparel, see how new products are finding their footing.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome to Invent America 1:57 - Meet Industry Expert Michael Miller 4:06 - "Crossing the Line": The challenges of US/Canada trade 6:59 - How Licensing Agreements Work (Who controls the price?) 11:00 - Inventor Spotlight: Tanya & The Sure Grip Kitchen Towel 19:53 - Inventor Spotlight: Michael Parish & The Interchangeable Hat Logo 28:03 - The Dangers of "Going it Alone" in International Markets 32:33 - Michael Miller’s Advice: Which market should you target first?About the Show: Invent America is your go-to resource for home-based product innovation. Hosted by Rita, we connect independent inventors with the experts, lawyers, and prototypers who can take you from mind to market.Featured in this Video:Sure Grip Kitchen Towels: https://suregripkitchentowels.com/RPB Law Offices: https://rpblawoffices.comSearchQuest Patent Search: https://searchquestpatents.comDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.#Inventing #ProductLicensing #SmallBusiness #RetailStrategy #InventAmerica #Manufacturing #EntrepreneurshipHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Is your invention stuck in the "not perfect yet" phase? In this episode of Invent America TV, Rita Crompton (The Inventor Lady) and Michael King (The Cajun Contractor) reveal why waiting for perfection is killing your product launch.Join us as we interview two incredible inventors who stopped tinkering and started selling:Jeff Jackson (True Up): A mechanical engineer who solved the age-old problem of hanging pictures straight—by abandoning the frame and reinventing the hanger.Holly Rembelski: A hairstylist and single mom of four who invented an electric plier to save her hands (and career) while doing hair extensions.Plus, industry expert Noah McNeely breaks down the "Path to Launch" versus the "Path to Perfection" and explains why no product is ever truly perfect for everyone.In This Episode:0:00 - Intro & The "Path to Perfect" Myth11:37 - Jeff Jackson & The True Up Hanging System20:34 - Holly Rembelski & The Electric Hair Extension Plier29:34 - Noah McNeely: Why "Perfect" is the Enemy of "Done"Next Steps: Thinking about inventing? Don't let perfectionism stop you. Join the Inventor's Round Table for free advice from fellow inventors!#InventAmerica #Invention #ProductDesign #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Patents #TrueUp #Innovation #SmallBusinessHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

🚀 From Garage to Market: How Inventors Can Avoid Costly Mistakes Stop wasting money on bad patents and premature business plans! Learn the critical steps to take your invention from idea to shelf without going broke. On this episode of Invent America, hosts Michael King (The Cajun Contractor) and Rita Crompton (America's Inventor Lady) break down the reality of product innovation. This isn't about theory—it’s about the hard lessons learned by real inventors who have navigated the journey from the garage to the marketplace. We are joined by three innovators—George Butler (Easy Flag), Dan Schlossberg (The Patio Poncho), and Ian Osborne (Night Golf Systems)—to discuss the "What was I thinking?" moments that defined their careers. From retired rocket scientists to first-time entrepreneurs, our guests reveal how they solved everyday problems and the hurdles they cleared to get there. 💡 Key Discussion Points: • The "Perfection" Trap: Why waiting for a "perfect" prototype often leads to missed filing dates and lost money. Learn why simplicity and ease of use always beat over-engineering. • Real Feedback vs. Market Research: Why spending thousands on consumer market research is often a mistake compared to the direct, professional feedback you get at industry trade shows. • The Power of Due Diligence: Ian Osborne explains how a $500 professional patent search helped him find 50 "workarounds" to a competitor's patent, allowing him to secure broader IP protection and dominate his niche. • Manufacturer Resistance: George Butler shares a tough lesson on why manufacturers sometimes reject safety innovations if it disrupts their volume sales—and how to pivot your licensing strategy when they do. • Legal Landmines: How to avoid generalist attorneys who overcharge for narrow patents, and why you should never write a business plan before you have a product worth protecting. Whether you have a sketch on a napkin or a prototype in the garage, this conversation provides the blueprint you need to protect your idea and your wallet. #Inventing #ProductDesign #Entrepreneurship #IntellectualProperty #StartupsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.