So Here Is What Happened...
ThinkSolveDo
Product development is exciting and tiring all at the same time. Since
I last wrote to I have been a Panelist on the National Publicity
Summit, an exhibitor at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association
www.CHASHOW.org) tradeshow and also have exhibited at the EdExpo
(Education Expo www.NSSEA.com) tradeshow put on by NSSEA. I have also
made over half a dozen physical prototypes and 3 Virtual Prototypes
which I have presented to buyers and executives at several major
companies.
The down side is I am tired... the up side is everyone seems to love my
products. Let me tell you about one product I can speak about. I
invented a science and education kit. At CHA I simply showed the
package and I got no orders. At EdExpo however I setup a table and let
people experience it. I got many orders and to me that means everyone
love it!
I wanted to let people experience it at CHA but I needed a specific
part I was unable to find. Finding a part means you find a part that
works, is made to a consistent quality and is sold at a cost and in
quantities you can live with. Cost is a great issue, I could not get a
part I was able to live with for CHA.
Let me tell you what the kit is and the problem I had putting it
together. The product is call the "ColorCutter® Make Your Own Marker
Kit" www.colorcutter.com and it teaches the science of color, shows
information about writing instruments and info about liquids and
product assembly, plus much more. The player starts with ink and parts
and ends with a marker that they made and that works. Everyone thought
this kit was very cool and lots of fun.
The part I needed was a 1 ml pump that did not leak and cost in line
with what I could afford to pay. I also needed to find a source that
had reasonable minimum orders. I really did not want to buy 1,000,000
to start so I needed to find someone who already made them.
I had seen quotes from companies for between $2.00 and $3.00 but
because I needed to get the pump for 50 cents or less I was not happy.
I asked one of my coworkers to spend a day or two on the web and pin it
down.
After a few days of work we had found a local company who would work
with us. I had them FedEx samples and we were running. The pump works
well and did not seem to leak like the other pumps I tested. With my
samples I went and demoed it. People liked it and bought it.
It always amazes me how a little extra work can make such a difference.
Finding a good pump made the product look good, let people enjoy the
kit and got me sales.
The kits will be shipping at the end of this month so expect to see
happy kids running all over the place. I will let you know more about
it and the other products as I am able to release it.
Regards,
ThinkSolveDo