Mom Invented

There's a limited time left to sign up for our two upcoming teleseminars -- "Do You Need a Provisional Patent?" with attorney Stuart West on Wednesday, February 10, and "The 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success" with best-selling author Bob Burg on Tuesday, February 16. Both calls start at 10 a.m. PST.

These events are designed to introduce you to people that offer unique tools, inside information, and ways of thinking that will directly influence the way you do business. During the calls, Tamara will interview the guest, and at the end, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to get advice tailored to your situation.

Take a moment to learn more about these exciting new events, then sign up for one or both of them! Although both events are completely free, you must register so we can send you your call-in information.

February 10:
Do you Need a Provisional Patent?

Does a provisional patent application make sense for you? There are many misconceptions about what a provisional patent application is and is not. And there are some potentially major mistakes that can be avoided with some basic information.

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 10:00am - 11:00am Pacific Time/1:00pm-2:00pm Eastern Time, you will have an opportunity to meet Stuart West -- my trusted intellectual property attorney for the past six years. Stuart will provide you with an overview on Provisional Patents and answer your questions for free in this special teleseminar designed for our Mom Invented® community.

Sign Up for the Provisional Patents Teleseminar Now!

February 16:
Bob Burg's 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success

Bob Burg, Best-Selling co-author of The Go-Giver and Endless Referrals will completely shift your approach to sales and marketing. In his important book, The Go-Giver, he frames the sales process in terms of creating value, not by trying to forcefully persuade someone to buy your product or service, and he believes that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

Bob’s new book, Go-Givers Sell More, co-authored with John David Mann, launches February 18 and we have the honor to speak with him just 2 days before, on February, 16 at 10:00am PST / 1:00pm EST. He will share his “Five Laws of Stratospheric Success” and will help you break some paradigms about sales. You will not want to miss this opportunity!

Also, after hearing Bob, if you choose to purchase his book, he is offering the Mom Invented® community three bonuses -- downloads about gratitude, marketing and positive speech -- all for free for our community!

Sign Up for the Bob Burg Teleseminar Now!

Every busy mom knows that a support system is essential, and an important component is often the nanny. But a caretaker you like and trust isn’t always easy to find. Enter Nannies4hire.com, the brainchild of Candi Wingate, a mom and former nanny.

After spending many years caring for others’ children, Candi bought a nanny placement agency. When she realized that she could help even more moms across the country by offering services online, she started Nannies4hire.com, an online database that serves more than 500,000 families, nannies and babysitters across the U.S. and Canada.

The company even helped find nannies for the Jon & Kate Plus 8 brood -- Candi was featured in an episode of the show -- and Nannies4hire.com regularly works with the Dr. Phil team.

We talked to Candi to see how she went from a Nebraska nanny to the owner of a multi-million-dollar business with celebrity clients…

Mom Invented®: Why did you start this company and when?

Candi Wingate: We have been affiliated with the nanny industry since 1987. We purchased a nanny placement business in 1994 and we started Nannies4hire.com in 2002 because we saw the need to expand and offer more services.

Nannies4hire.com is one of the largest, most successful online nanny and family databases serving the United States and Canada. As part of this database, you can conveniently search full-time, part-time, temporary, summer, babysitting, live-in and live-out nannies by zip code 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Nannies4hire.com database is designed to easily assist families in finding a quality nanny for their specific needs and requirements. Registered families may search by detailed characteristics to help pinpoint the perfect nanny for their family. In addition, helpful tools are available, including sample interview questions, a sample reference form and a sample contract. Nannies4hire.com also gives you advice, tips and information that will help you and your nanny connect on a social and personal level.

Care4hire.com, launched in 2008, is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous services. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregivers through email and phone.

What were your initial goals?

Our goal is to find every family the right caregiver for their specific needs. We pride ourselves on providing extraordinary customer service. Much of our business has been built on referrals and repeat clients, which proves that positive word-of-mouth can be extremely beneficial to any business. We also give each of our caregivers an enjoyable experience.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your business?

It was a great honor for us to be named to the 2009 Inc. 500 List of Fastest Growing Companies. We were also very proud to work with TLC and their hit show Jon & Kate Plus 8. We were an integral part of finding nannies for the Gosselin family's sextuplets and twins. And we've formed successful ongoing relationships with the Dr. Phil Show and Supernanny. In fact, Dr. Phil has repeatedly recommended us to guests on his show.

How did you start working with Jon & Kate and Dr. Phil?

We started working with Jon & Kate Plus 8 when the sextuplets were 3 and the twins were 7. We have had ongoing relationships with Dr. Phil and Jon and Kate for 3-plus years.

I worked with Kate Gosselin directly, helping her pick out nannies she wanted to interview for the show -- even appearing on an episode -- and I worked with both Jon and the producers.

Check out part of the episode “Kate Hires a Nanny” below…

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I couldn't do it without the help of my nanny. She simplifies my life.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

Candi Wingate and Family

As the former nanny for a couple with five children, I quickly learned about the needs of a modern day family. My family's daily routine began with getting the children up and dressed, feeding them breakfast, packing lunches, making sure all teeth and hair were properly brushed, and then shuttling them out the door to school. This was performed almost entirely before sunrise. Then there was grocery shopping, cleaning house, doing laundry, feeding the babies, putting them down for a nap, getting them up, running errands, and getting a jump on dinner before the big kids came home just so she could help with homework, help with dinner, wash the dishes and the kids! and, finally, place them securely in bed with lots of hugs and kisses.

As a nanny, I gave parents the support they needed to keep their children healthy and happy. I gave them the gift of stress relief, increased job performance, happy children, and a happy family. And then I realized I also had the gift of matchmaking -- matching families with the right nanny or babysitter for their children.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration?

My parents really inspired me. They were self-employed and I grew up watching their hard work, dedication, creativity and tenacity. They were there for me, supporting me when I started my business, encouraging me to pursue my dream.

Are you using Social Networks to help build your business?

I rely on social networking tools, such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to quickly and easily deliver messages to my target audiences. These online networking tools are such an effective way to connect with people and grow my business.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their businesses?

When things in business don't go the way they should, don't give up. You have to stay positive.

Thanks for sharing your story, Candi! To learn more about Candi's business visit Nannies4hire.com and Care4Hire.com. And if you have a great story to share about your business, we'd love to hear it!

My own business journey continues to evolve, and as it does I meet extraordinary people along the way. I would like to share these people and their gifts with you. This is why I’ve created something new on MomInvented.com -- a section called Mentors, Authors & Coaches Corner. This section will be dedicated to introducing you to people that offer unique tools, inside information, and ways of thinking that will directly influence the way you do business.

To kick this off, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my new friend Bob Burg, Best-Selling co-author of The Go-Giver and Endless Referrals. We all understand the importance of selling. In his important book, The Go-Giver, Bob has shifted my entire approach to sales and marketing. He frames the sales process in terms of creating value, not by trying to forcefully persuade someone to buy your product or service.  He believes that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

Bob’s new book, Go-Givers Sell More (also co-authored with John David Mann), which I can't wait to read, launches February 18. We have the honor to speak with him just 2 days before -- on February 16. He will share “The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success” and will help you break some paradigms about sales. You will not want to miss this opportunity!

This is a free teleconference (February, 16 at 10:00am PST / 1:00pm EST) where I will personally interview Bob and he will be happy to answer your questions.

Although it is free, you will need to register to participate. Sign up Now!

Also, after hearing Bob, if you choose to purchase his book, he is offering the Mom Invented® community three bonuses -- downloads about gratitude, marketing and positive speech -- all for free for our community!

Read more about Bob at www.bobburg.com. Currently on his website is a free downloadable copy of The Go-Giver’s Introduction and Chapter One. I read this book in one sitting. You will not want to put it down. And, if you'd like a sneak peek of Go-Givers Sell More, visit www.gogiverssellmore.com and you can download Chapter One as well.

Don't miss this extraordinary live interview with best-selling author and speaker Bob Burg. Please join us!

Sign Up Now!

Check Out Bob Burg's Books

Does a provisional patent application make sense for you? This question will be answered on February 10, 2010!

Many of you have questions about patents, provisional patents, and trademarks. When to get them and which type you need to support your product business. Many of us know that a patent can be a valuable tool, but are unsure of when it makes the most sense to get one. In fact, I often hear that inventors think that this is a necessary first step in bringing a product to market. This is not true.

There are different types of patents and the costs can be very high.  Often, many other steps should be taken first to test if there is a viable market for your product, in other words, are there enough people to buy it? And how do you plan to sell it? Gathering this important information takes time, and there is an invaluable tool called a provisional patent application that can help you bridge that gap.

There are many misconceptions about what a provisional patent application is and is not. And there are some potentially major mistakes that can be avoided with some basic information.

Stuart West

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 10:00am - 11:00am Pacific Time/1:00pm-2:00pm Eastern Time, you will have an opportunity to meet Stuart West -- my trusted intellectual property attorney for the past six years. I am delighted to announce that Stuart has agreed to provide you with an overview on Provisional Patents and to answer your questions for free in this special teleseminar designed for our Mom Invented® community. This is a phenomenal opportunity.

One of the things that I appreciate about Stuart is his ability to communicate and explain things without the legal jargon and provide concrete examples so that complex issues make sense.

I hope that you will join us for this amazing opportunity to get your questions answered for free. I trust that after this call you will have a better sense of what you need to do next for your business related to your intellectual property needs.

The teleseminar is free but you will need to register so we can send you the call-in details. Call-in details will be emailed to you separately, so please enter an accurate email address.

Don’t miss out!

Sign Up Now!

Are you the type of person who's always brimming with ideas but doesn't know how to take the next steps? Do you have a great product idea you've come up with but aren't sure whether it'll be a hit?

Check out our New Product Evaluation Program!

We'll help you answer critical questions like:

• Does my product already exist?
• Does my invention infringe on existing patents?
• Is my idea patentable? If so, what kind of patent makes sense? (Provisional, Utility, Design)
• What questions or concerns will a prospective licensee (manufacturer) have about my invention?

Included in the New Product Evaluation program, you'll receive:

• A patent search and qualified legal opinion provided by the same patent firm who handles all my intellectual property matters.
• A review of this opinion by the Mom Invented® team for its implications as to the viability of the product.
• A careful review by the team as to your product’s manufacturability and marketability.
• Consideration by the team for licensing as a Mom Invented® product.
• Descriptions of options and suggested resources and next action steps.
• A 30 minute phone consultation with Tamara Monosoff

Already have a patent or completed patent search? Sign up for the Product Evaluation Only option that doesn't include a patent search at half the price.

Learn more about our Product Evaluation options and sign up today!

If you're further along with your product or business, check out our Business Launch and Mentoring Program for a 5-week intensive course in growing your business.

The Mom Invented® California Product Search is still underway and we're looking for you to submit your fabulous new product ideas for a chance to win $1000, a $350 gift card from Anna’s Linens, a licensing agreement with Mom Invented to produce and distribute your product, and the chance to see your product sold at Anna's Linens stores nationwide.

How do you know if you have a great idea?
Ask yourself these questions:

• Does it solve a common, every day problem?
• Is the market large enough? In other words, will enough people want to buy it?
• Does it already exist? Do some online research to see and if so, is there room for another one or something similar with added benefits and features?
• How difficult/expensive will it be to produce?
• How will it be sold? The hardest thing to do is to get a product into retail stores. That’s why we are so excited that Anna’s Linens has agreed to launch the winning Mom Invented product from this California product search.

How can you ensure your invention gets noticed?

• Do some research. Go online and perform searches using words associated with your product to see what else exists that is similar or complimentary.
• Get creative! Use household items or second-hand or garage sale items to make a prototype. Photographs or videos of rudimentary prototypes can be very helpful in understanding the benefits of an invention.
• Draw your invention. Even if creating a prototype isn’t possible, do a series of drawings of your invention from different angles. If you cannot draw, perhaps you can find a student or teacher at a local school who would like the challenge.
• Impress us. By this we don’t mean to waste money on unnecessary expenses. However, it is always evident -- and appreciated -- when inventors put effort into their submission.

Have questions? Check out the full Mom Invented® California Product Search Details Page, the Complete Submission Checklist, the Official Rules and the California Product Search FAQs.

Are you looking to license your product? In my January Entrepreneur.com column, I go over the top tips you need to follow to get a licensing agreement for your invention:

• Assess the complexity of your product. Is there a way to get a working version developed without extensive costs? If not, perhaps you should consider your second-best, less-costly product idea. Most inventors are innately creative and have more than one idea.
• Identify manufacturers. Find out which manufacturers currently sell product lines to large retailers where you can see that your product would be a fit.
• Create a prototype (Plan A). Create a “finished-looking” version of your product (this is actually a prototype but call it a product) and pitch retail buyers. The goal is to get a commitment before you actually launch. Maybe even offer them a few months of launch exclusivity. At least as important as the prototype, if not more so, is the mock-up of your packaging. Your product must look as retail ready as possible. If there are shortcomings, use them as an advantage, e.g., "my packaging is in the process of being redesigned so any suggestions for improvements would be welcome at this time."
• Develop your product (Plan B). If you can’t get a commitment, it's time for the development and launch phase. Develop your product, attend a trade show and generate demand. This is a higher-risk approach due to the time and capital investment involved. But if the end goal is licensing, avoid every unnecessary business-building cost possible. This approach requires more resources and involves more risk than Plan A, so it will require a well-thought-out business plan.
• Be clear on your own goals. Once a buyer places an order, a new friend enters the scene: greed. At this point you will likely ask yourself whether you should just go ahead and become a manufacturer rather than share the spoils with another company. This is a great problem to have and a worthwhile consideration. However, since the complex process of weighing the pros and cons of each option are fodder for another column, I will just say that the benefits of licensing remain intact in spite of early success.

Read the entire article at Entrepreneur.com...

Although it’s been a few days since our live product pitch events in Los Angeles this past Friday and Saturday, the experience is still with me quite vividly. What a pleasure! We were featured on a KTLA newscast with Gayle Anderson, and three mom inventors, Patrice, Nikki, and Kelly (pictured), were unexpectedly thrust into a live television segment, at Anna's Linens in Inglewood, and did great!

In addition to all the product search excitement, so much is happening this week I wanted to summarize what we have to share. We have an amazing Featured Mom who shares a very honest view of going on QVC, an announcement about our brand new mentoring programs that'll help you on your way to business success, a new Member Spotlight about a mom with a passion for branded business marketing products, and more!

I was touched by our Featured Mom, Kathy Cioci's story as she told us about the twists and turns she's been through in business, like dealing with the unexpected surprises that arise while presenting on live TV. Her story honestly shows that things often don't turn out as planned, but in spite of all she's been through, she has persevered.

I am also thrilled to announce our two new personal mentoring programs. For years women have asked for a program where we could help them move from the "concept" phase into the productive action phase. Our new Product Evaluation program is meant to do just that. And for those women with a product or a service business who need the foundation of a solid plan to either launch or move to a new level, we have our Business Launch Program.

In case you missed it, last week Jim Horan and I launched our new book, The One Page Business Plan for Women in Business. I have always believed that women are great at creating to-do lists and getting things done. The reason I think this book is so helpful is that it provides an easy-to-follow process to ensure that the action steps on your list are leading you in a direction that will help you build a business that you love.

Lastly, don't forget that we're still accepting submissions for the Mom Invented® California Product Search until February 20, so there's still time to share your great new idea!

Enjoy!
Tamara

P.S. Check out one of our KTLA segments from last week...

Kathy Cioci, a mom of eight, has been on the long road to inventing. She started working on her product in 2001, when she designed and patented a mop that could clean both her floors and her baseboards. Now, nine years and many prototypes later, her product is finally on the market. We applaud her perseverance!

Kathy called her invention the Angel Mop since the convertible cleaning gadget has flexible wings -- and was the answer to her cleaning prayers.

The Angel Mop has garnered critical acclaim, winning the 2006 INPEX (Invention & New Product Exposition) Woman Inventor of the Year award, placing as a semi-finalist in the Hammacher Schlemmer 2004 Inventor Search, and being selected in the top 10 products from over 6,000 submissions to the QVC/Oprah search for inventions contest in 2007. And Angel Mop was featured on QVC in the fall of 2009, coinciding with its official launch.

Even with an award-winning item, though, bringing a product to market can have many twists and turns, and Kathy shared her journey with us -- from needing to rework the product’s design to the surprises that occurred while presenting live on QVC.

Mom Invented®: Why did you start this company and when?

Kathy Cioci: Like many others with an idea, I went out to find a product to fill my need to clean toe-kicks under the kitchen and bathroom counters and baseboards, and this product did not exist. Thus began a long journey to where I am today. Angelmop Inc. was designed to help busy moms clean hard-to-reach areas in less time with less effort.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

Kathy Cioci and her 8 children

I am a widowed mom of 8 young children: Vincent, Daniel, Jacquelyn, Maryrose, Dominic, Genevieve, Ava Maria, and Anthony. My wonderful husband passed away suddenly when I was expecting Anthony. My goal is to teach the kids to persevere even through the toughest circumstances.

What was your 'aha' moment when it came to starting your business?

After being discouraged by so many people in the beginning, I decided to trust my own instincts, do the homework and enter a contest to get real feedback from strangers. Affirmation from professionals was what I needed and received to move forward.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your product?

There have been many high points, but I must say that going on QVC and winning a spot in the top 10 contestants out of 6,000 to be on Oprah's search for invention show was my greatest success so far.

How was your experience officially launching your product and going on QVC?

Putting a new product out there is a long but worthwhile road, and while that first million is out there, it is not going to just fall in your lap.

Having said that, no school could have prepared me for my QVC experience. They are a top notch organization with very high expectations for their vendors. I was honored to be chosen. They weren't as enthralled as I am with my 8 children, especially when I brought them with me one time, but cutting to the chase, the big day arrived and I went to QVC sans children to prepare. We went over everything several times and everything was so perfect. What could go wrong?

Well, I was on after Richard Simmons, who went 19 minutes over, and when it came time for me to clean the floor, the sponges had dried out from the extra time in the hot lights. I was going to save myself by wetting the mop when my demo video played, but when I looked at the monitor on live TV, trying not to think about all of the people I have ever known watching me, the only thing I saw was me standing there with my bone dry mop.

They had decided last minute to cut out the b-roll, but boy does 5 minutes go mercifully fast. Needless to say, sales weren't great, though Richard Simmons absolutely loved it and bought one.

Have you experienced a low point in business? How did you get past it?

The Angel Mop

There was a moment when we were all standing in the engineer's office. The Angel Mop was finished and we were there for the final test. When we put the mop into a squeegee position, it didn't squeeze the sponge all the way and I thought to myself that we cannot put an inferior product on the market. We had to scrap the entire design and start from the beginning. Ouch. We hired another engineer and started from scratch for the current design.

It took 9 prototypes and a saintly mold maker to get to the final product. Needless to say that this is the part where the faint of heart might quit.

How did you finance your business?

My husband was very supportive and friends and family have contributed. My manufacturer has also invested time and man-hours. So far I’ve invested over $200,000 in the business. I feel much poorer, but motivated to make that money back through being successful.

2010 is looking very promising. I would like to do an infomercial and then manufacture the "Little Angel," which is a large microfiber mop with wings for commercial and home use.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

I called my local university and they referred me to an affiliated program that does prototyping.

How did you find a manufacturer for your product?

I went to the Chicago Home and Housewares trade show and browsed around to meet manufacturers. That is where I met mine.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of developing your product?

The biggest learning curve is still something I am struggling with, and that is getting the word out there about my product and dealing with the technical day to day issues like warehousing, shipping, websites etc.

Through what markets are you selling?

Other than my recent stint on QVC, I have sent samples to direct TV companies as well as 8 home catalog companies. We also sell on our website, AngelMop.com.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of marketing your product?

At a Trade Show

Getting help in determining the best strategy and knowing that nobody will market your product like you will. If you don't put in the effort and believe every day that you have a great product, others won't either. Believe in your product, a positive attitude is contagious!

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I have great kids. I have also learned to sleep less and not get impatient when I don't get it all done. I am happy if I can move things forward even a little bit every day.

If I feel guilty about not spending enough time with the children, I reassure myself with the thought that I am trying to build something for all of us and our future as a family.

What surprised you most about the process of starting your business?

It surprised me that people were so negative and didn't understand why I would want to do this. I know that there will be bumps in the road, but I believe that Angel Mop is a great product which provides a quicker, more enjoyable, and more comfortable cleaning experience.

Is there a resource that proved to be invaluable that you would like to share with other moms?

My copy of The Mom Inventors Handbook is really dog-eared and I have given many copies away to others the minute they ask me what steps to take. The Entrepreneur magazine inventor series was also very helpful.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their products/ideas?

Take the steps in Tamara's book. Especially researching as to whether your idea already exists and also if there is something similar on the market. Then be prepared to do whatever it takes to get this product out there.

Thanks for sharing your story, Kathy! You can learn more about Angel Mop at AngelMop.com. And if you have a great story to share about your product or business, we’d love to hear it!

As you know, I was in Los Angeles last week for our current Mom Invented® California Product Search. Beginning with an incredible live broadcast from Anna’s Linens with Gayle Anderson from KTLA Los Angeles Morning News (check out one of the clips below), the entire event was a spectacular success. Gayle was absolutely awesome and meeting so many creative and inspiring women was truly the highlight of the experience for me. Many of you made great effort to be there; traveling long distances, arranging childcare, and bringing along sketches and prototypes. Thank you for your trust in me and my team and for sharing your wonderful ideas.

You can check out more photos from the event on Facebook.

Even though our Pitch events are over, we are still accepting submissions for our California Product Search. You can still submit your new product idea online or by mail before 11:59 p.m. PST, February 20, 2010. It is an opportunity to win $1000, a $350 gift card from Anna’s Linens, a licensing agreement with Mom Invented to produce and distribute your product, and the chance to see your product sold at Anna's Linens stores.

Have questions? Check out the full Mom Invented® California Product Search Splash Page, the Complete Submission Checklist and the California Product Search FAQs.