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- Inventor Smart Community Newsletter – June 2025 Edition
Inventor Smart Community Newsletter – June 2025 Edition
Helpful resources, real inventor stories, and practical steps to keep your invention moving forward this June.
Inventor Smart
June 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 22 minutes
In partnership with
June 2025
Whether you're a seasoned inventor or just had your very first lightbulb moment, the Inventor Smart Monthly Newsletter is here for you.
Finding a Manufacturer for Your Invention
You’ve taken the first steps in developing your invention, and now it’s time to explore how to bring it to market.
One option is licensing your idea to a manufacturer with established distribution channels. This route involves minimal risk and earns you royalties.
Alternatively, you might decide to take the entrepreneurial path—manufacturing and selling the product yourself—which can offer greater rewards but comes with more risk.
Responsibilities of Manufacturing
If you choose to manufacture your invention, there are several important factors to consider:
Do you have the financial resources for setup, tooling, production, packaging, liability insurance, a website, and marketing?
Do you understand your industry and what buyers or sales reps will expect from you?
Are you ready to manage shipping, warehousing, accounting, safety testing, and other operational demands?
Some entrepreneurs dive in and learn as they go, while others seek partners to share responsibilities—and the potential for greater returns.
Whichever path you choose, preparation is key to turning your idea into a successful product.
Innovation Structure as a Vessel of the Innovation Process
The innovation structure anchors the innovation process within the internal framework of an organization.
Personnel responsibilities, team composition, and critical management tasks are aligned with the innovation process based on key questions such as:
Who is looking for ideas?
Who decides on the follow-up?
Who develops ideas further?
Which ideas are pursued within established R&D structures, and which require a separate development team based on the type or degree of innovation?
Which hierarchical levels must be involved at different stages of development?
A well-thought-out innovation structure is an essential component of a successful innovation process.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean creating a completely new structure—a fresh procedure or a new team composition can often be enough.
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Inventor Spotlight Podcast Ep. 15
David Chaney’s BetterGrip Paint Roller — Innovating DIY Painting with Comfort and Control
David’s invention journey began in 2020 during the COVID lockdown, when extra time at home led him to paint his pool deck.
Frustrated by the wrist pain and awkward handling of a traditional wire-frame roller with an extension pole, David designed the patent-pending BetterGrip Paint Roller — an ergonomic, double-sided roller that reduces hand and wrist strain while giving painters greater control and comfort.
Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, David spent 25 years as a physical education teacher before shifting his full focus to BetterGrip. Alongside his wife Debbie, a respected court reporter and longtime partner, he continues to refine and promote a product that is changing how people paint.
In this episode, David shares insights into:
Prototyping and early testing
Pitch competitions (judged by Daymond John of Shark Tank)
Manufacturing hurdles
Grassroots sales efforts
Plans for future innovations and an upcoming Kickstarter campaign
Whether you're an inventor, entrepreneur, or DIY enthusiast, this candid conversation is packed with valuable takeaways on turning everyday frustrations into patented solutions.
🔗 Discover more at bettergrippaintroller.com
💬 Want to connect with inventors like David?
Join the Inventor Smart Community App: app.inventorsmart.com — a vibrant space for collaboration, learning, and growth in the invention world.
🎥 Ready to be inspired?
👉 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube
📱 Now Streaming On:
📧 Interested in sponsoring the podcast?
Email: [email protected]
🌟 Become a Premium Insider in the Inventor Smart Community App for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Exclusive License?
An exclusive license means the licensor grants the licensee the sole right to practice the invention or use the trademark—to the exclusion of the licensor and others.
This exclusivity may be limited by:
Territory
Field of use
Product type
Time period
Typically, exclusive licensees also have the right to license others.
Phrases sometimes used (correctly or incorrectly) to mean the same thing include:
sole license, single license, assignment, and limited license.
🔹 Preferred phrase: exclusive license
Upgrade to Premium Insider
Enhance your inventor journey with exclusive benefits:
Connect with Experts: Join live Q&A sessions to get personalized advice.
Increase Your Visibility: Feature your innovations in community spotlights.
Master Your Skills: Enjoy complimentary access to Inventor Class masterclasses.
Exclusive Savings: Receive special discounts at InventorMart and on coaching with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach.
Plus, many more perks!
Recap: National Inventor Club – Getting Your Product the Media Attention It Deserves!
We kicked off the May 2025 monthly meeting with valuable insights from several expert guests:
Janet Gongola from the USPTO introduced The USPTO Hour — a new, free weekly webinar series designed to help inventors better understand the agency's business support areas.
Pierre Laspinasse of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) shared practical licensing tips for monetizing inventions.
Ednethia Thomas from SCORE highlighted free mentoring and business services available to entrepreneurs.
Our event sponsors:
Matthew Brody of Prototype House offered expert product development advice.
Justin Chen of PickFu explained how real-time consumer feedback can improve decision-making for inventors and startups.
⭐ Featured Guest: A.J. Flick
Senior Editor of Gourmet News and Kitchenware News & Housewares Review
A.J. delivered an impactful session on how to get media coverage for your product launch. Drawing from her editorial experience, she shared how to:
✅ Identify the right editors for your industry
✅ Craft pitches that grab attention
✅ Communicate effectively with media professionals
✅ Understand editorial timelines and trade show opportunities
✅ Leverage trends to make your story newsworthy
Her insider tips gave attendees a clear, actionable roadmap to getting their inventions noticed in today’s competitive media landscape.
📅 Upcoming NIC Event: Waiting for Announcement
Stay tuned! Our next exciting event is coming soon.
👉 Check the latest event listings at: app.inventorsmart.com/events
📬 And keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll be announcing all the details shortly.
We promise another engaging and informative session, and we can’t wait to share what’s next!
The Got Invention Show
The Got Invention Show features a 30-minute interview where inventors promote their inventions, seek licensing deals, or explore distribution opportunities.
Hosted by Brian Fried, each episode dives into the guest’s:
Challenges & solutions
Invention journey
Lessons learned
Future plans
Guests also share valuable insights for fellow inventors and entrepreneurs.
Watch This Featured Episode
Leslie Scott — Inventor of Jenga & Co-Founder of Oxford Games Ltd
About the Episode
We were honored to feature Leslie Scott, inventor of the iconic game Jenga, in a recent session.
Leslie is a celebrated game designer, co-founder of Oxford Games Ltd, and the author of
About Jenga: The Remarkable Business of Creating a Game that Became a Household Name.
Born and raised in Africa and educated in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and England
Began her career at Intel before transitioning to game design
Created nearly 40 games, including:
Ex Libris
Anagram
Flummoxed
Bookworm
Jenga has sold over 50 million units worldwide
Leslie’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and enduring impact in the world of play.
About the Got Invention Show
The show is a platform for inventors to:
Showcase their products
Share their stories
Gain exposure to licensing, distribution, and investment opportunities
📡 Available on:
Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and more
Interested in Becoming a Guest?
If you're an inventor looking to:
Pitch your idea
Attract investors
Share your journey
Sign up at: GotInventionShow.com
Meet the Host: Brian Fried
As an inventor mentor and founder of Inventor Smart, Brian has helped inventors bring their products to market for over 15 years.
🌐 Learn more at brianfried.com
📢 Subscribe to the Got Invention Show on YouTube for more inspiring stories and inventor journeys!
Innovation Inspiration
Stories, programs, and activities to spark your next great idea
Discover the mission at the heart of America's Innovation Agency and join the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs.
👥 Are you an inventor or entrepreneur?
Do you know an innovator who deserves recognition?
Visit 👉 Honoring Innovation to explore:
National recognition programs
Awards for inventors and students
Opportunities to spotlight creativity and impact
📚 Want to take a deeper look?
Read more here: Innovation Inspiration
Accelerate Your Invention Journey with Premium Insider Access
Ready to transform your ideas into reality faster? Become a Premium Insider and gain exclusive access to tailored resources, expert guidance, and special opportunities designed specifically to support inventors like you.
Inventor Wisdom
“Many people have great new ideas, but few have the energy to take them to the world.
If you have a great idea, I believe it was given to you for a reason and you owe it to yourself to take the next step with it.
Like telling someone. Or doing an online search to see if it already exists.
Then if it’s fun, you can decide to take the next step.
It’s one step at a time and it feeds the soul.”
On This Month in Invention History
Charles Duryea Awarded Patent for Gas-Powered Car – June 1895
America’s first gasoline-powered commercial car manufacturers were two brothers:
Charles Duryea and Frank Duryea.
Originally bicycle makers, the Duryea brothers became fascinated with the emerging world of gasoline engines and automobiles.
They achieved several major milestones:
✅ First Americans to build a successful commercial automobile
✅ First to form an American company dedicated to building and selling automobiles to the public
Their innovation helped ignite the modern automotive industry in the United States.
📚 Learn more: Duryea Brothers – Automobile History
Stay Connected with the Inventor Smart Community
Read on for more upcoming events and highlights from the Inventor Smart Community App. Don't miss out on our latest workshops, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources designed to propel your inventing journey forward!
Add event to calendar
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for their invaluable support to the Inventor Smart Community. Their contributions help us provide essential services and resources to inventors everywhere.
 John Rizvi offers expert patent law services. Discover more about protecting your ideas through our link. |  Find experts for each stage of your invention journey. Whether you have a big idea or need help with development, Invent Buddy is here for you. |
 Shop for designs and merchandise made specifically for inventors! Show off your hard work with products that celebrate your creativity and innovation. |  Create high-quality photos and videos for your products with ease. Explore special offers through our link. |
 Celebrate your patent achievements with beautifully crafted awards. Check out exclusive offers for our community. |  Get access to a vast marketplace of freelance services. Use our exclusive link for special benefits. |
 Small Business Insurance Reimagined  Compare quotes from top insurers and buy instantly online, 24/7 |  Proudly Display Your American Ingenuity.Official certifications to highlight your U.S. born inventions. |
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 Manufacture your invention! Get your product to market faster with expert inventor help. Speak to the experts now. |  Obtain instant consumer insights on your product designs, images, and copy. Use coupon code INVENTOR for a special discount. |
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in promoting your product or service in our future newsletters? We offer exclusive sponsorship opportunities to help you reach a targeted audience of inventors and innovators.
Email Us or call (631) 565-7074
Join the Inventor Smart Community
Stay connected, unlock exclusive resources, and become part of a vibrant network of inventors. The Inventor Smart Community website is your central hub for networking, learning, and sharing innovative ideas.
Don't miss out—join now and take your invention journey to the next level!
Brian Fried's Latest Book - Now Available on Audio!
Discover the insights and strategies from Brian Fried, "The Inventor Coach," in his latest book. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your invention journey, this book is packed with valuable advice. And now, it's available in audiobook format for your convenience!
Listen to the audiobook on Audible: Get it on Audible here
InventorMart
A shop for Inventors, innovators, and patent holders. You've worked hard on your invention, now you can wear DESIGNS & MERCH made with you in mind! Find shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, stickers, blankets, and over 1,000 unique items to show that you are proud to be an inventor. Check out InventorMart at InventorMart
About Brian Fried
Brian Fried, widely recognized as "The Inventor Coach," is an accomplished innovator, author, and speaker with over 18 years of experience guiding inventors on their journey from idea to reality.
With 15 patents to his name, Brian has successfully licensed and manufactured his own inventions, earning recognition through QVC, infomercials, catalogs, and major retailers. As an invention licensing agent, Brian offers personalized coaching to help inventors commercialize their ideas into tangible products.
Brian is the founder of the National Inventor Club, a thriving community for inventors to collaborate, network, and access valuable resources. He also serves as the Chief Invention Officer at Inventor Smart, where he supports inventors through product development, licensing, and commercialization strategies.
In October 2023, Brian launched the Inventor Smart Community app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. This innovative platform serves as a social network and resource hub exclusively for inventors, fostering connections and providing tools to support their creative endeavors.
As an engaging speaker, Brian captivates audiences with his expertise on invention and innovation. He has authored three practical books for aspiring inventors and hosts the "Got Invention Show," a platform showcasing inventors and their creations, offering them valuable exposure.
With his extensive experience, resourcefulness, and passion for helping inventors succeed, Brian Fried is a trusted figure in the invention community, dedicated to turning ideas into reality.
📩 Contact Brian:
🌐 brianfried.com
📱 Inventor Smart App
📧 [email protected]
🤝 Connect on LinkedIn
Thank You for Reading
We hope you enjoyed the June 2025 edition of the Inventor Smart Community Newsletter!
📩 Subscribe to our updates on LinkedIn
🌐 Visit: inventorsmart.com | app.inventorsmart.com
Inventively Yours,
Brian & The Inventor Smart Team
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