How do I launch a new product?

Question

I have an idea for a household product, that I think would actually take off and people would buy. Any suggestions/ideas on where to begin? It would take some knowhow if I were to build a prototype, how do I begin to find those people? Can I go in front of a chain of sellers somehow (say, for example sake, WalMart) and just propose an idea? How do I get this started? I'm willing to talk personal email too if anyone has some serious advice. Thanks in advance...

Answer 1

First of all, contact a patent attorney and get to work getting a patent on your idea BEFORE you do anything else.

Most companies refuse to, for legal reasons, even look at an idea if there is no patent, and if you send it to them without one, you stand a risk of losing it.

A good example, although I have no proof...

My wife came up with an idea in the mid 90's regarding a small razor for women to use to shave their, well, sensitive areas where a large razor wouldn't fit. She submitted this idea to Gillette and 4 years after denying her idea, they released their own onto the market. Go figure.

But really, don't send it out until you get a patent, which IS expensive, but worth it if you think you stand a real chance at marketing this.

From there, send it out with all the normal non-disclose and non-competetitive forms, your lawyer will know what to do.

Do not, and I mean this, do not tell ANYONE about your idea, even friends and family until you have a patent on it. Doing so could cause you to be unable to patent it.

Answer 2

Further to detailed (and very good) advice, I would NOT start to go to "the big boys" like Walmart...! They send the idea to China , have it copied and manufactured (with some minor changes), and dump it on the market at a cut-throat price, leaving you with nothing.
Start with smaller Curiosity Shops / Chains, and grow from there.

Answer 3

I can't answer this here because there is way too much you need to know.

I will answer all of these if you really are serious. My personal email is [e-mail]

Good luck!

Answer 4

Aboard the space shuttle.