Inventor's Edge Podcast

Summary:

In this engaging conversation, Brittany Lammon shares her entrepreneurial journey, detailing the creation of her innovative product, the Chub Rub Patch. From her early experiences as a makeup artist to her transition from a licensing model to manufacturing, Brittany discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of consistency, asking questions, and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals. Brittany also highlights the power of social media in promoting her product and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Brittany Lammon: Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Force of Creative Energy:

Brittany Lammon is the trailblazing inventor behind The Chub Rub Patch, a simple yet game-changing solution to a universally annoying problem: thigh chafing. What began as a personal fix quickly caught fire online, landing her viral fame on TikTok and even a spot on Shark Tank. Her product has empowered people of all body types — women and men — to walk through the world with a little more comfort and confidence.

But Brittany’s story doesn’t stop there. Hailing from Ohio, she’s a licensed cosmetologist and professional makeup artist with a résumé that reads like a creative powerhouse — from working with WWE to being featured on CNN, MSNBC, Golf Magazine, Coors Light ads, indie films, and music videos. She’s taught at elite beauty schools and worked behind the scenes with high-profile clients under high-pressure timelines.

Brittany also holds a U.S. patent for a revolutionary hairstyling tool she developed for fellow professionals, showing her knack for turning everyday problems into innovative products. With fierce passion, real-world hustle, and a deep desire to help others bring their ideas to life, Brittany is redefining what it means to be an inventor — and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the Inventor’s Edge Podcast.

Connect with Brittany:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

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Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this conversation, Scott Putnam interviews inventors Brian Halasinski and Kirk Hyust about their journey in creating the Turbo Trusser, a cooking gadget designed to simplify the process of trussing poultry. They discuss the challenges they faced, including their experience on Shark Tank, the importance of retail expansion, and the ongoing battle against counterfeiting. The duo shares valuable insights for aspiring inventors, emphasizing the need for persistence, collaboration, and a strong intellectual property strategy as they look to the future of their brand.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guests, Kirk & Brian:

Kirk Hyust, from Canton, Ohio, is the co-founder of Turbo Trusser, a stainless steel device that simplifies poultry trussing. An inventive mind with multiple patents, Hyust showcased his culinary innovation on Shark Tank Season 14, securing a $100,000 deal with Kevin O'Leary. Fluent in Portuguese, Hyust is also an avid traveler, passionate chef, and enthusiastic fisherman, bringing creativity and zest to both his professional and personal pursuits.

Brian Halasinski is an experienced product developer, bringing new and innovative products to the consumer retail market through open innovation. He has also been in the medical sales industry for the last 18 years, most recently 7 with Gilead Sciences in the HIV BU. He has worked with a diverse group of customers including Dentists, Pediatricians, Internal Medicine, General Family Practice, OBGYN, Infectious Disease, Pharmacy, and purchasing to name a few. His goals are to be the best sales representative no matter what products he is tasked to sell and to work to help improve patients health. He has a business background as a Kent State University undergraduate and acquired his Masters of Business Administration from Malone University in 2003.

Connect with Kirk & Brian:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this conversation, Kevin Prince, a seasoned patent agent, shares his journey as an inventor and the challenges faced by inventors in the patenting process. He discusses the importance of understanding patent claims, the misconceptions surrounding patents, and the different types of patents available. Kevin emphasizes the significance of strong patents and the role of AI in patent research, while also providing valuable advice for inventors navigating the patent landscape.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Kevin Prince:

Kevin Prince is a Registered Patent Agent and founder of QuickPatents, which helps the independent inventor and small business person protect their inventions. Kevin is an engineer (UC Berkeley, 1988), the author of The Art of the Patent, an inventor, and co-founder of Inventor's Forum in 1990, a non-profit inventors assistance group in Orange County, CA. The holder of three patents himself, Kevin has had multiple successes in business, such as selling his portable computer accessories business to a public company in 2000. He is also the past president of Grid Art, which manufactured a unique line of art supplies sold on QVC, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. Kevin enlists the help of multiple former patent examiners (both utility and design), draftsmen, engineers, researchers and administrative assistants, as needed, to get your patent application properly drafted, filed, argued and approved.

Connect with Kevin:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this engaging conversation, Scott Putnam interviews Steve Greenberg, known as 'The Gadget Guy,' who shares insights from his extensive experience in the gadget and innovation space. They discuss the unpredictable nature of product success, the importance of problem-solving in gadget design, and the common pitfalls inventors face when launching their products. Steve emphasizes the significance of storytelling in product presentation and offers practical advice for creating buzz and credibility. The episode also features a fun segment where they play 'What the Heck is That?' showcasing various innovative products.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Steve Greenberg:

Steve Greenberg is an award-winning author, reporter, TV personality and expert on innovation, new products and technology. Steve Greenberg is the author of “Gadget Nation,” frequent contributor on NBC’s Today Show, and Steve is also the host of YouTube’s Gadget Game Show called “What The Heck Is That?” The game show is sort of “Shark Tank” meets “What’s My Line?”/“I’ve Got A Secret.” During each episode the panelists try to guess the identity of a mystery gadget. Besides YouTube, “What The Heck Is That?” can now also be seen on the streaming platform DBTV. Check out the game show here.

Throughout the year, Steve can be seen demonstrating innovative products in America’s top TV markets including WGN Chicago, NBC Washington DC, FOX Minneapolis, ABC Dallas, NBC Seattle, CBS Houston and about 30 other TV stations. Steve is a judge for innovation competitions around the world including CEATEC in Japan. Steve is a frequent speaker at large events such as FutureVision and IBM’s Innovate Conference.

Steve is a fixture on social media with thousands of followers on X (Twitter), Facebook, IG and LinkedIn. Steve was the host of the Food Network’s "Invention Hunters" and for three years Steve could be seen nationally every weeknight demonstrating innovative products and gadgets on the Discovery Channel’s "Your New House." He also appeared on HGTV’s very popular "Dream Builders" for six years.

Steve was news anchor & reporter for the CBS owned station in Miami. During that time, Steve was honored with 12 Emmy Awards and several national awards including the American Heart Association’s prestigious Blakeslee Award.

Connect with Steve here:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this conversation, David Spears, an IP attorney with a background in mechanical engineering, discusses the importance of intellectual property (IP) for inventors. He explains the different types of IP, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and emphasizes the significance of protecting these assets. David shares insights on navigating the patent process, common mistakes inventors make, and the value of design patents. He also highlights current trends in patent law, particularly the impact of AI, and provides resources for inventors looking to protect their ideas. The discussion concludes with David's future endeavors, including a children's book series on IP.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, David Spears:

David knows that a strong offense is the best defense when it comes to protecting his clients’ valuable intellectual property rights. As an Intellectual Property Attorney with Burris Law, David has built considerable experience across a range of practice areas and industries. He regularly prepares and prosecutes patents for clients internationally and domestically in the robotics, automotive, refrigeration, sports and fitness, and SMART appliance industries, and has a record of providing sound business strategies for clients and colleagues alike. He also has necessary skills to negotiate with the USPTO and advocate for the strongest protections possible for his clients.

David’s background in mechanical engineering is a key strength in his legal practice. While earning his engineering degree from Michigan State, David interned with a Big Three automaker and a major energy supplier. Although the industries were different, he had the same goals for each position: test the equipment, improve efficiency and increase profits for the company. He brings this same mindset to his career in intellectual property law, where he dedicates himself to finding the best, most effective avenues of success for his clients.

While in law school, David interned in the tech transfer department at Michigan State where he performed patentability searches and market analysis on technologies to be protected. As an attorney, David worked with the tech transfer department to patent various technologies giving him a full circle understanding of translating research discoveries and scientific findings into new products, technologies and other services that benefit the public and university.

As an undergraduate, David was a member of the Michigan State football team where he played as a running back for three seasons. Many of the lessons that he learned under Coach Dantonio — such as commitment, team work and a constant drive for improvement — inspired him to bring the same level of focus to his new path in intellectual property law. From his two engineering internships to his time in law school to his clerkship with Harness Dickey, David brings a passion to accomplishing his goals and leading his clients to success.

Connect with David here:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer. 

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Watch the episode on YouTube here.

Summary:

In this conversation, Chuck shares his extensive experience in the online business world, detailing his journey from starting his first online business to becoming a broker at Quietlight. He discusses the importance of understanding the entrepreneurial journey, the process of selling a business, and the key factors that influence business valuation. Chuck emphasizes the four pillars of business value: risk, opportunity, transferability, and documentation, and provides actionable steps for entrepreneurs to maximize their business's value before a sale. He also explains the implications of SBA financing and the importance of clean financials in the selling process.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Chuck Mullins:

As a serial entrepreneur and early pioneer of the internet, Chuck built his first profitable website in 1996 at 18 years of age. In college he studied computer software engineering which taught him the skills to analyze search results and implement strategies that take advantage of the observations he makes. Throughout his career of creating, managing, and consulting for dozens of internet-based companies, Chuck has been instrumental in developing strategies that lead to growth and profitability. Among people he works with, Chuck is regarded as “the idea guy.” He is known for his ability to spot opportunities, create a plan, and execute. After seeing an opportunity to leverage his time by acquiring under-performing sites, he has participated in several million dollars worth of acquisitions, which have all shown significant growth and returns.

Connect with Chuck here:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here!

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready  ?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this episode of the Inventor's Edge podcast, host Scott Putnam interviews Carolyn Kean, a seasoned expert in product development and design. They discuss the journey of inventors, the importance of research and prototyping, and the challenges faced in navigating the complex world of patents and intellectual property. Carolyn shares her insights on the value of mentorship, community support, and the necessity of persistence in the face of failure. The conversation emphasizes the need for inventors to conduct thorough research, seek feedback, and understand the business side of their inventions to succeed in the competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Carolyn Keane:

With a diverse career spanning real estate, interior design, product development, and entrepreneurship, Carolyn Keane is a seasoned professional with a passion for innovation and business growth. A graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Interior and Environmental Design, Carolyn has built a reputation as a top producer in B2B sales, construction, and product licensing.

As a real estate broker, she has sold over $60 million in residential properties in South Florida, managed high-performing teams, and worked extensively with relocation companies. Her expertise in staging and property management has helped countless clients maximize their investments.

Beyond real estate, Carolyn has an impressive track record in product development. She designed and manufactured award-winning innovations, secured multiple patents, and successfully licensed a product to a major corporation—earning recognition on QVC and the DIY Network. She has also coached and educated aspiring inventors through InventingDaily.com, helping bring new ideas to market.

A former Vice President of the Inventors Society of South Florida and a motivational speaker for inventor groups, Carolyn brings a wealth of experience and insight to the world of innovation, product development, and business strategy.

Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn here.

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients here.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this conversation, Scott Putnam interviews Ben Aldridge, who shares his insights on the challenges faced by inventors and entrepreneurs. Ben discusses the importance of community support, recognizing blind spots, and avoiding common pitfalls when launching a product. He emphasizes the significance of financial management, data-driven decision-making, and the need for a solid intellectual property strategy. Ben also provides practical advice on finding manufacturing partners and streamlining the product development process. In this conversation, Scott Putnam and Ben Aldridge explore the intricacies of manufacturing partnerships, fulfillment strategies, personal productivity, and customer service for entrepreneurs. They discuss the importance of vetting manufacturers, the decision-making process for fulfillment options, maximizing personal productivity through effective time management, and establishing customer service policies that enhance customer retention. The dialogue emphasizes the value of consulting and collaboration in navigating the challenges of bringing products to market.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Ben Aldridge:

Ben Aldridge has spent the past 10+ years working with emerging consumer goods brand founders on all things operations. His specialty is in setting up repeatable, streamlined processes and systems to help small businesses run more efficiently, as well as finding opportunities for cost savings. With Renée Rouleau Skincare, he tripled the warehouse team's pick/pack/ship capacity - without adding headcount. With Dame Products, he saved over 50% on cost of goods - by sourcing and vetting alternate manufacturers in China. Ben is now hanging his shingle as a consultant, working fractionally with founders as they launch their businesses. Sourcing manufacturers and packaging, setting up businesses entities and systems has been a window into the world of entrepreneurship. Ben enjoys working as a #2 to help guide founders on their journey to scaling their business. In his free time, Ben plays saxophone and writes music for the Armadillo Swing Band - he lives in Austin, TX with his partner and their labrador retriever.

Connect with Ben here:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

Dr. Dan Formosa, a design and innovation consultant, discusses the relationship between design, behavior, and branding. He emphasizes the importance of understanding user interaction and usability in product design. Dan also highlights the significance of asking questions and the need for companies to stand for something in order to build a strong brand. He explores the impact of design on behavior in various contexts, such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Additionally, Dan discusses emerging trends in design and innovation, including the importance of considering gender differences in product design. He also touches on the addictive aspects of social media and the power dynamics involved in remote control design. In this conversation, Dr. Dan Formosa shares insights on the design process and the importance of prototyping and feedback. He discusses the hesitation that comes with putting ideas on paper and the benefits of working with foam and clay in the design process. He also emphasizes the use of blackboards for mind mapping and presenting projects. Dr. Formosa advises inventors to mock up physical prototypes early on and seek honest feedback from a diverse range of people. He cautions against falling in love with the first idea and encourages embracing discomfort for innovation.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Dan Formosa:

Dan consults with companies and organizations worldwide on design and innovation. An early proponent of “design for all” (a.k.a. Inclusive Design), he also lectures internationally on research and the future of design. He established his company ThinkActHuman with the goal of design for a better world. Dan holds degrees in product design, ergonomics and biomechanics. In addition to ThinkActHuman he co-founded 4B Collective, focused on design and gender, and co-founded the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award (on behalf of Smart Design). He also received IxDA’s first annual Interaction Design Award, in the “Disruptive” category, for his work with Ford Motor Company. His work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He appears in a number of documentary films on design, including the award winning 2020 Life on Wheels.

In other work, he’s the host of the successful YouTube series Well Equipped, produced by Epicurious for Condé Nast, critiquing in a less-than-serious way the usability of various odd kitchen gadgets. He also co-authored and co-illustrated Baseball Field Guide, a bestselling book incorporating the best principles of information design to clearly explain the complex rules of Major League Baseball, now in its fourth edition.

Connect with Dan here:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click this link to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer here.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients.

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here. 

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready?

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market

Summary:

In this episode of the Inventor's Edge podcast, host Scott Putnam interviews Dan Melnick, CEO and co-founder of Zing. They discuss Dan's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of engaging audiences in a noisy market, and the importance of clear communication in a culturally diverse team. Dan shares insights on leveraging podcasts for networking and the common fears faced by aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the need for financial prudence and the importance of persistence in the entrepreneurial journey.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about our guest, Dan Melnick:

CEO & Co-Founder of Zing, Dan Melnick is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for software development and direct-to-consumer (D2C) performance marketing. With a strong focus on innovation, Dan has successfully led the creation of the “THINK BIG, with Dan & Qasim” podcast, where he shares insights on entrepreneurship, technology, and business growth. His expertise in building engaging platforms and driving performance marketing strategies has positioned Zing as a leader in the industry. When he’s not busy developing solutions for clients, Dan enjoys connecting with fellow innovators and exploring new trends in the tech space.

Connect with Dan:

At Inventor’s Edge, we offer:

Click here to learn more about all Inventor’s Edge has to offer.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and scroll down to check out his testimonials from past clients. 

Want to connect with like-minded inventors? Join our private Facebook group for inventors here.

👉Get started on your own product ideas today with our free guides:

🚀IE Scorecard: Is Your Idea Ready? 

🚀5 Common Mistakes Inventors Make and How to Avoid Them

🚀5 Steps You Can Take Right Now to Help Get Your Product to Market