Mom Invented

Official Rules | FAQs | Online Entry Form | Mail-In Entry Form (PDF) | Spanish Forms

Calling All California Moms!

Anna's Linens and Mom Invented have launched a new product search for California moms! Anna's Linens, a leading home goods retailer and seller of our entire Mom Invented® family of products, has again teamed up with us to set out in search of the next great product -- invented by you. We're looking for you to submit your most creative product ideas for a chance to win $1,000 and see your product sold at Anna's Linens stores.

Here's how it works

We'll be holding three in-person pitch events at Los Angeles area Anna's Linens stores where you'll get to meet Tamara and talk about your new product idea face to face. We encourage you to submit your idea online, then bring your emailed submission form and any supporting prototype samples or images to one of these events:

A completed submission is required prior to pitching in person (see official rules for details). Submissions can be made online starting January 5th. Bring your emailed confirmation of your online submission with you to the store to expedite your turn to pitch your product to our panel. Online submissions are recommended but entries may also be submitted by printing out the hard copy version and delivering it at one of the “pitch” events, or by mailing it to the specified PO Box by the deadline. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM PST 2/20/2010 to be considered eligible (postmarks do not count).

The winner of the California Mom Invented® product search will be notified on 3/31/10. The winner will receive $1000 cash, $350 Anna’s Linens gift card and have their product licensed by Mom Invented® and produced and launched in Anna’s Lines stores. No purchase necessary to participate.

If you can't make it to one of the in-store events you can submit your product idea online or by mail. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST, February 20, 2010, and winners will be announced March 31, 2010.

If you want to submit product ideas and you do not live in California, sign up for our newsletter to get our latest updates and stay tuned -- there will be new opportunities in the near future.

How can you submit your idea? It's easy!

What does it mean to join the Mom Invented® family 
of products?

Carie Doll, SVP at Anna’s Linens is thrilled to offer the Mom Invented® family of products at Anna’s Linens. “Who better to create a product for moms than the moms themselves. Anna’s Linens is proud to offer such products that support the creativity of Moms and the entrepreneurial spirit."

Monosoff shares what the Mom Invented® brand means to her, “I have always said that the creativity and intelligence of Moms should be acknowledged and celebrated! And if you have seen some of our current Mom Invented® products you will likely agree – they are fabulous ideas -- which is why I am so excited about our new product search. Our products are invented by moms and every purchase supports an independent mom entrepreneur! So, we are looking for great new products for the family, children, or home.”

How do you know if you have a great idea?

Ask yourself these five questions:

1. Does it solve a common, every day problem?
2. Is the market large enough? In other words, will enough people want to buy it?
3. 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?
4. How difficult/expensive will it be to produce?
5. 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.

Complete Submission Checklist

Eligibility

• Legal California Resident and Mom
• Read Official Rules document

Requirements

• Completed Invention Disclosure Form (Required) - Mailed and hand-delivered versions must be signed, Online submitter must place an “X” under the Signature line in the Invention Disclosure Form
• Product Drawings (Required)
• Product photographs (optional but recommended)
• 3 minute video clip (optional but recommended)

Related Dates & Deadlines

Suggestions

• 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.
• We recommend that entries be submitted online through our online form if possible -- even if you'll be coming to one of our in-person pitch events. If necessary, submissions can be hand-written and hand-delivered at the in-store events or mailed as outlined above.
• Submit entry before January 22 and pitch in person at one of the three stores and dates outlined above. In person pitches make it possible to ask questions and ensure a clear understanding of the invention. Plus, we love to meet inventors!
• Still have questions? Read the FAQs.

Ready to submit your idea? Start today!

More About Anna’s Linens

Anna's Linens, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, was founded in 1988 by its current president and chief executive officer. The company was named after his mother, Anna. Anna’s is the value leader in fashions for the home. The Anna’s Linens motto is to "Sell steak cheap, not cheap steak." We provide merchandise at extreme value to our customers.

Anna's currently operates over 258 stores in 18 states, with over 2000 employees. Anna’s corporate office is in Costa Mesa, California and operates retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

More About Mom Invented®

Established by Tamara Monosoff, a mother and award-winning inventor, Mom Inventors, Inc. is comprised of three key elements: consumer products with the trademarked Mom Invented^® brand, an online community providing Information, Interaction & Inspiration; and educational offerings for women entrepreneurs.

Mom Invented® products are sold in over 9000 stores around the world and Tamara’s best-selling books, the Mom Inventors Handbook and Secrets of Millionaire Moms can be found at Barnes & Nobles, Borders Books, Amazon.com and all major booksellers. Monosoff is the Ask the Expert Columnist for Entrepreneur.com and the Startup Smarts Columnist for WomenEntrepreneur.com

Official Rules | FAQs | Online Entry Form | Mail-In Entry Form (PDF) | Spanish Forms