A Creative Path to Your Own Business
Are you a creative person? Do you wonder why a product you would like is not available? Do you own products you think need improving? So, how do you turn this creative thinking into a business? Some have taken the step using more time than money.
The first step involves putting your creative ideas down on paper. Start with basic sketches, then using graph paper, draw your creation to scale. Don't be surprised if your scale drawing does not quite look like you pictured it in your mind. Do another scale drawing that will be more accurate. If your drawing is not good enough, find a friend who can make a good mechanical drawing for you.
Now describe the use of the product and why it is better than similar products on the market - if they even exist. Follow the same steps if you are making revisions on an existing product.
If you are now at the point to go forward you may worry that showing your drawings to someone in that trade may lead to them stealing your idea. At this point you may decide to file for a patent. You can do this in one of two ways:
1. Pay A patent attorney (could be expensive)
2. Pull up forms on the internet and file yourself.
You now have choices to make regarding the manufacture and marketing of your product. Taking on all aspects of this endeavor would take a great deal of time and money.
For some products you will want to have a prototype made by a shop equipped to make a scale model of your design. Take good photos of your model to present with your drawings. The scale model is especially important if you choose a foreign manufacturer as many of them have a hard time interpreting even the most detailed drawings.
Learn next week the basics on how to find a manufacturer.