"The Made in America Hour" podcast, presented by America's Inventor Lady and HomeTalk USA

Episode 21: From "Inventor Mode" to "Market Mode": Real Stories of American Innovation

40min | 11/15/2025|

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Description

"If you build it, they will come" is a myth. Discover the brutal truth about shifting from inventor to marketer in this episode of Invent America. Join hosts Michael King and Rita Crompton (The Inventor Lady) as they peel back the curtain on the independent inventor's journey. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about navigating the treacherous waters of patents, big-box retail compliance, and finding the right distribution partners.

In this episode, we feature two inventors who refused to let their prototypes gather dust: Russell Kramer, creator of the TruView blind spot mirror, and Dave Fiegel, the mind behind Seal-It paint can solutions.

Key Discussion Points:

-- The Marketing Pivot: Russell Kramer shares a hard lesson: you have to take off your "inventor shoes" and put on your "marketing shoes." Learn why established companies often reject superior technology simply because they are vested in selling their old inventory.

-- The Retail Gauntlet: Dave Fiegel exposes the reality of dealing with major retailers like Home Depot and Ace Hardware. He explains why these giants act more like "consignment shops" and how a single barcode error can cost you a paycheck.

-- The "Gross Sales" Conflict: A fascinating look at why some industries resist efficiency products (like paint savers) because they actually reduce the volume of product consumers need to buy.

Innovation in Action: We showcase TruView, a distortion-free mirror that eliminates the "knee-jerk" reaction in traffic, and Seal-It, a vacuum-seal ring that saves homeowners from wasted paint and rusted cans. Whether you have a sketch on a napkin or a prototype in the garage, this conversation proves that persistence—and finding the right partners—is the difference between a hobby and a business.

#InventAmerica #ProductDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #MadeInUSA #innovation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About "The Made in America Hour" podcast, presented by America's Inventor Lady and HomeTalk USA

"The Made in America Hour" podcast is a show about all things made in America, whether it's an "idea" (i.e., invented in the USA), the development of a new product from an original idea, products manufactured in America or even products sold in America after being assembled in the USA. We'll also talk about the problems that American-made products have in overcoming the resistance that so many nations have to having American products compete with products in their own domestic markets.

More:

America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and HomeTalkUSA's Michael King share a powerful conviction: that supporting "Made in America" products and businesses is the key to sparking a national renaissance. They believe that by harnessing the purchasing power of American consumers, we can reinvest in our communities and workforce, thereby creating an economy that benefits everyone. This movement is not just about economic growth; it's also about bridging the political and social divides that separate us, forging a renewed sense of national unity.

The "Made in America Hour"

To bring this vision to life, Rita Crompton and Michael King have launched "The Made in America Hour." This new initiative includes a weekly, hour-long segment on Michael King’s HomeTalkUSA radio show, as well as a corresponding TV episode on Rita Crompton’s “Made in America TV” YouTube Channel, accessible at www.madeinamericaus.comand a related podcast which appears here on the streaming platform Ausha, as well as 20 other streaming platforms, including the industry leaders such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora. The core purpose of all three shows is to highlight American-made products and inspire consumers to patronize the companies that manufacture them.

The show is intended to be a dual-purpose platform, catering to both consumers and businesses. It shares the real-world stories of American entrepreneurs and their companies—showcasing their successes and the hurdles they've overcome—while also creating a networking hub for those committed to the "Made in America" movement.

Meet the Hosts

Rita Crompton and Michael King co-host "The Made in America Hour," and they are joined by a rotating cast of expert co-hosts. Among them is Greg Owens, who is known as "The Made in America Guy” and who is the co-founder and CEO of Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop (Liberty Tabletop is notably the only producer of flatware in the country). Another contributor is Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), a national non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the American economy for current and future generations.

With the combined influence of Rita's and Michael's broadcast platform and the profound knowledge of their co-hosts, "The Made in America Hour" is poised to lead a renaissance that will benefit every American and, hopefully, help heal our national divisions.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About "The Made in America Hour" podcast, presented by America's Inventor Lady and HomeTalk USA

"The Made in America Hour" podcast is a show about all things made in America, whether it's an "idea" (i.e., invented in the USA), the development of a new product from an original idea, products manufactured in America or even products sold in America after being assembled in the USA. We'll also talk about the problems that American-made products have in overcoming the resistance that so many nations have to having American products compete with products in their own domestic markets.

More:

America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and HomeTalkUSA's Michael King share a powerful conviction: that supporting "Made in America" products and businesses is the key to sparking a national renaissance. They believe that by harnessing the purchasing power of American consumers, we can reinvest in our communities and workforce, thereby creating an economy that benefits everyone. This movement is not just about economic growth; it's also about bridging the political and social divides that separate us, forging a renewed sense of national unity.

The "Made in America Hour"

To bring this vision to life, Rita Crompton and Michael King have launched "The Made in America Hour." This new initiative includes a weekly, hour-long segment on Michael King’s HomeTalkUSA radio show, as well as a corresponding TV episode on Rita Crompton’s “Made in America TV” YouTube Channel, accessible at www.madeinamericaus.comand a related podcast which appears here on the streaming platform Ausha, as well as 20 other streaming platforms, including the industry leaders such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora. The core purpose of all three shows is to highlight American-made products and inspire consumers to patronize the companies that manufacture them.

The show is intended to be a dual-purpose platform, catering to both consumers and businesses. It shares the real-world stories of American entrepreneurs and their companies—showcasing their successes and the hurdles they've overcome—while also creating a networking hub for those committed to the "Made in America" movement.

Meet the Hosts

Rita Crompton and Michael King co-host "The Made in America Hour," and they are joined by a rotating cast of expert co-hosts. Among them is Greg Owens, who is known as "The Made in America Guy” and who is the co-founder and CEO of Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop (Liberty Tabletop is notably the only producer of flatware in the country). Another contributor is Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), a national non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the American economy for current and future generations.

With the combined influence of Rita's and Michael's broadcast platform and the profound knowledge of their co-hosts, "The Made in America Hour" is poised to lead a renaissance that will benefit every American and, hopefully, help heal our national divisions.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

"If you build it, they will come" is a myth. Discover the brutal truth about shifting from inventor to marketer in this episode of Invent America. Join hosts Michael King and Rita Crompton (The Inventor Lady) as they peel back the curtain on the independent inventor's journey. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about navigating the treacherous waters of patents, big-box retail compliance, and finding the right distribution partners.

In this episode, we feature two inventors who refused to let their prototypes gather dust: Russell Kramer, creator of the TruView blind spot mirror, and Dave Fiegel, the mind behind Seal-It paint can solutions.

Key Discussion Points:

-- The Marketing Pivot: Russell Kramer shares a hard lesson: you have to take off your "inventor shoes" and put on your "marketing shoes." Learn why established companies often reject superior technology simply because they are vested in selling their old inventory.

-- The Retail Gauntlet: Dave Fiegel exposes the reality of dealing with major retailers like Home Depot and Ace Hardware. He explains why these giants act more like "consignment shops" and how a single barcode error can cost you a paycheck.

-- The "Gross Sales" Conflict: A fascinating look at why some industries resist efficiency products (like paint savers) because they actually reduce the volume of product consumers need to buy.

Innovation in Action: We showcase TruView, a distortion-free mirror that eliminates the "knee-jerk" reaction in traffic, and Seal-It, a vacuum-seal ring that saves homeowners from wasted paint and rusted cans. Whether you have a sketch on a napkin or a prototype in the garage, this conversation proves that persistence—and finding the right partners—is the difference between a hobby and a business.

#InventAmerica #ProductDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #MadeInUSA #innovation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About "The Made in America Hour" podcast, presented by America's Inventor Lady and HomeTalk USA

"The Made in America Hour" podcast is a show about all things made in America, whether it's an "idea" (i.e., invented in the USA), the development of a new product from an original idea, products manufactured in America or even products sold in America after being assembled in the USA. We'll also talk about the problems that American-made products have in overcoming the resistance that so many nations have to having American products compete with products in their own domestic markets.

More:

America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and HomeTalkUSA's Michael King share a powerful conviction: that supporting "Made in America" products and businesses is the key to sparking a national renaissance. They believe that by harnessing the purchasing power of American consumers, we can reinvest in our communities and workforce, thereby creating an economy that benefits everyone. This movement is not just about economic growth; it's also about bridging the political and social divides that separate us, forging a renewed sense of national unity.

The "Made in America Hour"

To bring this vision to life, Rita Crompton and Michael King have launched "The Made in America Hour." This new initiative includes a weekly, hour-long segment on Michael King’s HomeTalkUSA radio show, as well as a corresponding TV episode on Rita Crompton’s “Made in America TV” YouTube Channel, accessible at www.madeinamericaus.comand a related podcast which appears here on the streaming platform Ausha, as well as 20 other streaming platforms, including the industry leaders such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora. The core purpose of all three shows is to highlight American-made products and inspire consumers to patronize the companies that manufacture them.

The show is intended to be a dual-purpose platform, catering to both consumers and businesses. It shares the real-world stories of American entrepreneurs and their companies—showcasing their successes and the hurdles they've overcome—while also creating a networking hub for those committed to the "Made in America" movement.

Meet the Hosts

Rita Crompton and Michael King co-host "The Made in America Hour," and they are joined by a rotating cast of expert co-hosts. Among them is Greg Owens, who is known as "The Made in America Guy” and who is the co-founder and CEO of Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop (Liberty Tabletop is notably the only producer of flatware in the country). Another contributor is Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), a national non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the American economy for current and future generations.

With the combined influence of Rita's and Michael's broadcast platform and the profound knowledge of their co-hosts, "The Made in America Hour" is poised to lead a renaissance that will benefit every American and, hopefully, help heal our national divisions.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About "The Made in America Hour" podcast, presented by America's Inventor Lady and HomeTalk USA

"The Made in America Hour" podcast is a show about all things made in America, whether it's an "idea" (i.e., invented in the USA), the development of a new product from an original idea, products manufactured in America or even products sold in America after being assembled in the USA. We'll also talk about the problems that American-made products have in overcoming the resistance that so many nations have to having American products compete with products in their own domestic markets.

More:

America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and HomeTalkUSA's Michael King share a powerful conviction: that supporting "Made in America" products and businesses is the key to sparking a national renaissance. They believe that by harnessing the purchasing power of American consumers, we can reinvest in our communities and workforce, thereby creating an economy that benefits everyone. This movement is not just about economic growth; it's also about bridging the political and social divides that separate us, forging a renewed sense of national unity.

The "Made in America Hour"

To bring this vision to life, Rita Crompton and Michael King have launched "The Made in America Hour." This new initiative includes a weekly, hour-long segment on Michael King’s HomeTalkUSA radio show, as well as a corresponding TV episode on Rita Crompton’s “Made in America TV” YouTube Channel, accessible at www.madeinamericaus.comand a related podcast which appears here on the streaming platform Ausha, as well as 20 other streaming platforms, including the industry leaders such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora. The core purpose of all three shows is to highlight American-made products and inspire consumers to patronize the companies that manufacture them.

The show is intended to be a dual-purpose platform, catering to both consumers and businesses. It shares the real-world stories of American entrepreneurs and their companies—showcasing their successes and the hurdles they've overcome—while also creating a networking hub for those committed to the "Made in America" movement.

Meet the Hosts

Rita Crompton and Michael King co-host "The Made in America Hour," and they are joined by a rotating cast of expert co-hosts. Among them is Greg Owens, who is known as "The Made in America Guy” and who is the co-founder and CEO of Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop (Liberty Tabletop is notably the only producer of flatware in the country). Another contributor is Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), a national non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the American economy for current and future generations.

With the combined influence of Rita's and Michael's broadcast platform and the profound knowledge of their co-hosts, "The Made in America Hour" is poised to lead a renaissance that will benefit every American and, hopefully, help heal our national divisions.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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