In this week's episode of Invent America Radio, America's Inventor Lady Rita Crompton discusses "How 'New' Does New have to Be?" and "When Did You Know You Had a Winner" with Wendi Short (Float No More), Sy Eckhart & Keith Frank (CODAUS.com) & Stacey Hoskins Beeler with Stitch Kentucky.   Wendi Short, the inventor or the "Float No More" flotation restraint device tells us the following: "This is my first patent.  I've had this idea for over a decade.  I have always braced myself or tightened muscles in order to stay fully seated in a hot tub.  I virtually could not even use a lounger without floating away.  This was a solution to my own problem.  Every time I used it around others, they wanted to use mine." Float no More is a patented weighted device that prevents unwanted buoyancy while trying to relax in your hot tub.      Each Float no More consists of a quick-drying belted mesh bag and 2 four-pound weights.  Additional weights may be used if needed.   Each bag holds up to 3 weights allowing you to adjust the weight as desired.  The weights can also be used independently by placing on the user's lap, so you can share with friends when needed. Si Eckhart and Keith Frank are the inventors of the "Colorado Offset Drain Attachment" (CODA). CODA is a Shower Drain Relocator package that allows misplaced drain pipes to be used with the finish (i.e., marble, tile, etc.) that gets installed as part of internal drain pipe within the structure. It provides builders with a solution to misplaced drain pipes during the construction process, effectively allowing the builder to place the drain cover in a shower or other drainage area whereever they need to, without worrying about having to perform thousands of dollars replumbing a misplaced drain. Stacey Beeler is the creator and owner of Stitch Kentucky. Stitch Kentucky has the best seamstress in the country.  For “Made in the USA”, bring us your vision and we can change it to reality.  We can create anything from BackPacks or pet products to dance costumes or upholstery.  A lifelong inventor and entrepreneur, Stacey Hoskins Beeler began her journey at a young age, making and selling handmade hair barrettes at school. She is a proud graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Educational Leadership. Throughout her career, she has launched several innovative ventures, including SnapDolls, a line of children’s t-shirts designed to work like wearable paper dolls. In 2009, she was awarded 1st place in the Whirlpool Mother of Invention Contest for creating a product that detects fever spikes in children. She is currently the owner of Stitch Kentucky, a cut-and-sew manufacturing facility located in South Central Kentucky, as well as HourForce 24/7, a unique and people-focused approach to job placement. Above all, she is most proud of being a mother to her son, Sawyer, who will graduate from the University of Kentucky in May, and a wife to her husband, Brian Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On this week's HomeTalkUSA "Invent America Radio" segment, I and my co-host, Michael King of HomeTalk USA, discuss "How to Work a Trade Show !" with inventor Derry Griffin, a successful contractor for more than 25 years with hands-on experience in all aspects of the construction business and is the inventor of a variety of products for a caulking gun, Tom Butler, a Wisconsin farmer who invented a way to keep picture frames level hanging on your wall and Don Skaggs, an inventor and President of the Inventor's Network KY, a nonprofit that helps inventors through education and support services GUEST #1 INFO: Derry Griffin TITLE/CO: Owner, Erin Innovations PHONE: 818-451-8910 EMAIL: siaorse7@gmail.com (mailto:siaorse7@gmail.com) BIO: Derry Griffin, a successful contractor for more than 25 years, has hands on experience in all aspects of the construction business. Over the years he has realized that there are a lack of products that provide contractors’ support and organization during basic construction processes. Since necessity is the mother of invention, he has created and implemented many items that facilitate more efficient and effective working methods promoting solid, quality handiwork, which ultimately increases job profitability. His goal is to alleviate basic frustrations all contractors experience by sharing his knowledge and products.    GUEST #2 INFO: Tom Butler TITLE/CO: Inventor, Next Level Frames PHONE: 608-432-4974 EMAIL: brittanyrun1@aol.com (mailto:brittanyrun1@aol.com) BIO: Currently I'm a beef farmer in Wisconsin.  Before farming I was in the mining industry.   All my life I've been a problem solver.  That brings me to the place I'm at today, I started my venture in getting a patent for my self-leveling picture frame because after seeing family pictures on my mother’s walls I thought there has to be a way to keep pictures level, so after some trial and error, I came up with using a water bladder in the back of the picture frame using that water weight for leveling, because water will always seek itself to be level thus making the picture frame level. Now I'm at the point of trying to market my new product.   GUEST #3 INFO: Don Skaggs TITLE/CO: President, Inventor’s Group KY PHONE: 859-361-5969 EMAIL: don.skaggs@kyinventors.org (mailto:don.skaggs@kyinventors.org) BIO: Don Skaggs is an inventor, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and consultant to a wide range of businesses.  His experience includes bootstrapping startup companies from initial idea to successful exit, developing products, creating & implementing new marketing strategies, helping small companies move forward, and successfully launching new products. Don is president of The Fulson Group which includes the Empowered Inventing brand, providing specialized courses, consulting and more to inventors, entrepreneurs and startups. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Rita’s first guest for this episode of Invent America Radio is her industry expert, Dave Streen, Owner of EdgeTools.com (http://EdgeTools.com), a purveyor of a full range of Shop  PDR (“Paintless Dent Repair”) tools. Dave has brought over 100 products to market and he shares with Rita some of the secrets of manufacturing products and, more importantly, the lessons he learned along the way both in the development of those products and also the things an inventor needs to watch out for in bringing those products to market.   Rita’s second guest is Duane Genzlinger, inventor of The Box Slider and The Snapper. He and his partner Jerry Hanley started a construction company building custom homes in Colorado, and have used their years of experience in construction to invent new products helpful to builders and building contractors.  The Box Slider takes care of misplaced junction boxes that collide with wall trim, while The Snapper is a product that enables you to “snap” a chalk line without an additional person and without a fastener.   Rita’s third guest is Chrissy Henderson.  Chrissy and her husband the developed the “Gear Trakr” system.  The "Gear Trakr" system, including both the physical tags and the companion app, is designed to help individuals and organizations identify and return lost or misplaced items. The system primarily relies on Near-Field Communication (NFC) tags that are attached to personal belongings like backpacks, golf clubs, or band instruments. When someone finds an item with a Gear Trakr tag, they can scan the tag using the Gear Trakr app, which then allows them to return the item to its owner.    Rounding out Rita’s guests, Dave Streen returns to discuss “inventing wisdom” and tips and tricks to move your product sales forward once you’re invention is up and running as a finished product and now you have the daunting task of trying to sell it to the consuming publicCome and learn everything you need to know to become a successful inventor by learning about the steps required to get an idea out of your head and into the marketplace. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this week’s episode, in both the show’s second and third segments, America’s Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, interviews Bob Labbe, a retired environmental systems engineer who’s invented the Ultimate Coaster. Earlier in his life, Bob earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1968 and began studying for his master's in engineering and business; in 1972, he embarked on his career in air pollution control, engineering, manufacturing, and installing industrial systems throughout North America and in other parts of the world. He began his career with American Air Filter in 1968 and in 1972 became a founding member of the first of three air pollution control companies he led over forty-nine years. In the show’s fourth segment, Rita, with her industry expert, Kevin Cody, Founder and CEO of FLI Products, the in’s and out’s, opportunities and challenges of manufacturing in America as well as challenges and of selling and distributing American-made products at home in the USA against foreign competition with products having a much lower labor-based manufacturing costs. FLI Products, which has a division which sells only “Made in America” products, is currently expanding to include more American-made products in the kitchen housewares, gadgets storage and lighting lines. Kevin explains how his company’s commitment to quality is what’s driving the efforts to include more products manufactured in the USA, giving recognition that foreign-made products often have quality problems that, despite the lower labor costs, ultimately results in higher-end costs being delivered to the consumer than would otherwise be the case.. Come, view, listen and learn what it takes to be successful as inventor, whether you’re doing it as a side hustle, as a “once-in-a-lifetime” gambit or even if you think that you’d like to become a serial inventor and turn your imagination and talents towards bringing new ideas and products into the world! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this week’s episode, in the show’s second segment, America’s Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, interviews Dr. Richard M. Chesbrough, a retired radiologist with over 30 patents who has generated over $450 million in product sales from his inventions. Listen and watch and gain insights on how to get started with inventing, making sense of it financially, facing rejections, and the potential that professionals have to explore inventing as a side hustle. In the show’s second segment, Rita explores the process that drove cosmetologist, Teri Lafranchi, to invent her “football cap” product and the challenges associated with inventing a product that requires, for its full actualization, the need to seek intellectual property rights from third parties, such as NFL franchise owners and others with protected IP. In the third segment, Rita discusses, with her long-time friend and colleague, Michael Miller, the importance of having a registered patent attorney prepare patent applications that are intended to cover inventions which the inventor wishes to license to third parties for commercialization. Come, view, listen and learn what it takes to be successful as inventor, whether you’re doing it as a side hustle, as a “once-in-a-lifetime” gambit or even if you think that you’d like to turn your imagination and talents towards becoming a full-time serial inventor by bringing new ideas and products into the world on an ongoing basis! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Topic: America's Inventor Lady Presents a MasterClass in Inventon Prototyping for Inventors with Prototyping Experts Ian Osborn of Wild Ideas Light Co. and Noah McNeely of Product Quickstart invent, invention, innovation, inventors, inventions, inventor, yardtools, yardwork, gardenlife, gardentools, clasps, clasp, fasteners, hardware, fastener, America's Inventor Lady: Your Inventor Resource Expert♦ Invent America Radio Show, IP, Inventor help, Crowdfunding, Licensing, Patent Search, prototype, trade shows Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On this week's Invent America Radio episode, Rita and Michael King discuss the new R&D Tax Credit which is now available for the development work done by inventors in bringing their new inventions to market. Guests include Floyd & Kristie Henderson (Gear Trakr) & Eric Barnhart (Bumpin Brand), joined by our industry expert, Sybil Bailey, Partner Account Executive with Arvo Tech Clarus R+D. Floyd & Kristie Henderson, are the inventors of Gear Trakr. Gear Trakr is setting out to eliminate lost and found. Combine the Gear Tags with the Gear Trakr app to help identify ownership of all your belongings for a quick and easy return. To learn more, please visit: https://geartrakr.com. Eric Barnhart is the inventor for the Bumpin' Belt. Bumpin Brands is the maker of the Bumpin' Belt, the ultimate magnetic Bluetooth speaker that attaches to your belt buckle, ensuring you stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your favorite tunes. To learn more, please visit: bumpinbrand.com (http://bumpinbrand.com). The third guest is Sybil Bailey, Partner Account Executive with Arvo Tech Clarus R+D. Ms. Bailey has been with Clarus R+D for over four years, serving as a Partner Account Executive for the past two years. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On this week's episode of "Invent America Radio", Rita and her co-host Michael King discuss "The Challenges of Manufacturing in the US" with Cindy Duncan, inventor of Hotyz 2 in 1 Chaps, and Stacey Hoskins Beeler, CEO of Stitch Kentucky. Cindy Duncan is the inventor of Hotyz 2-in-1 Chaps. Cindy is a retired Denver police officer and has been inventing for more than 10 years. Check out Cynthia's product video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujukxK20eZI (https://gate.sc?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DujukxK20eZI&token=ba18a-1-1745248402996). Stacey Hoskins Beeler, CEO of Stitch Kentucky, offers product development and production services for a wide range of sewn products. According to Stacey, " Stitch Kentucky has the best seamstress in the country.  For “Made in the USA”, bring us your vision and we can change it to reality.  We can create anything from BackPacks or pet products to dance costumes or upholstery." To learn more, please visit: stitchkentucky.com (http://stitchkentucky.com). Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This year's ASD Market Week was sensational, bigger and better than even last year, which, itself, was fantastic. Come and listen to the lessons our inventors learned there, as well as hear our industry expert, Noah Kagan of Product Quickstart, discuss what a prototyping engineer can accomplish for inventors both just prior to and after a trade show. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On this episode of Invent America Radio, Rita and her co-host Michael King discuss "Why & How to Make Improvements After a Tradeshow" with Barb Wangler, inventor of The Rookie Seat, & Rick Bunger, inventor of Ivy's Counting blocks, joined by industry expert Noah McNeely, founder of Product QuickStart. Barb Wangler, inventor of The Rookie Seat, discusses her invention and the improvements she feels she needs to make in order to make it the best possible product with the greatest potential for commercialization. The Rookie Seat is a 3-in-1 portable travel chair designed for infants as young as 3 months to toddlers up to 4 years old! As an outdoor enthusiast who is both a mother and a grandmother, Barb Wangler knows traveling or dining out with little ones can be a challenge. She invented The Rookie Seat to make that challenging situation a little easier. Designed with safety, convenience, and versatility in mind, The Rookie Seat has the capability to be 3 things: (1) a camping chair for your child to sit on the grass or beach (2) a bleacher seat for your baby (3) a booster seat in restaurants so you can stop using theirs, that never get washed or sanitized. Rick Bunger, inventor of Ivy's Counting Blocks, also joins in the conversation by sharing what he learned at the trade show and what ways he might improve the logistics of getting his product to market and lowering his costs in order to make the product more affordable to a greater share of the consuming public. Lastly, Rita and Michael welcome founder of Product QuickStart Noah McNeely to discuss "Why & How to Make Improvements After a Tradeshow". Product QuickStart is a company that provides streamlined design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services for inventor-entrepreneurs. Degreed in both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design, Noah has brought products to the market in a variety of industries, including: consumer products, tools, medical devices, consumer electronics, professional equipment, toys, and housewares. Mr. McNeely has helped more than 200 inventors develop their innovative ideas, many into thriving businesses, and, in a few cases, multi-million dollar exit events. Aside from Product QuickStart, Noah hosts the Product Genius Podcast, and he serves on the advisory board of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.