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October Edition: Take Action, Get Inspired, and Level Up Your Invention Journey
From million-dollar ideas to real-world success — explore new inventor insights, podcasts, resources, and community highlights from Brian Fried and the Inventor Smart team.
Brian Fried & Inventor Smart
October 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 29 minutes
In partnership with
October 2025
👋 Welcome to the October Edition of Inventor Smart HQ
Every great product starts with one simple thing — action.
This month, we’re exploring what separates ideas from results, sharing powerful insights from Brian Fried (“The Inventor Coach”), and spotlighting real inventors turning imagination into impact.
Inside, you’ll find expert guidance, inspiring stories, practical tools, and upcoming events designed to help you move forward — one smart step at a time.
Let’s make this your month to take action, connect, and invent something extraordinary.
🗞️ What’s Inside This October Edition
💡 Inventor Insights – Don’t Let Your Million-Dollar Idea Walk Away — Why 97% of great ideas never make it to market and what the top 3% do differently.
🧭 Action Steps – What to Do When Someone Is Interested in Your Invention — How to respond smartly when opportunity knocks.
🎙️ Live Q&A with Brian Fried – Ask the Inventor Coach — Get real-time answers and guidance from Brian in a small-group session (Premium Insider Exclusive).
🎧 Inventor Spotlight Podcast – Where Ideas Take Flight — Behind-the-scenes interviews with the creative minds shaping the future of innovation.
📝 FAQ Highlight – What Is Licensing? — A clear breakdown of how licensing works and why it’s a powerful path for inventors.
🎥 Event Recap – National Inventor Club Meeting: Amazon Fireside Chat — Real-world strategies from Amazon program managers and special guests.
🛠️ Got Invention Show – Be a Guest! — Share your invention story and get featured alongside innovators like Pillow Pets’ Jennifer Telfer.
🎙️ The Inventor Coach Podcast – Step-by-step invention tips, patent advice, prototyping strategies, and interviews with industry experts.
🏛️ USPTO Resource – Benefits of a USPTO.gov Account — How to streamline filings, track your IP, and manage your inventions with official tools.
💬 Advice from an Inventor – Alex Pogos on staying focused and trusting the process in the face of uncertainty.
🧠 Invention History – John Loud’s 1888 Ballpoint Pen Patent — How an early leather tool inspired one of the most-used inventions of all time.
💬 Join the Conversation – InventorChat.com — Connect with other inventors 24/7, share ideas, and keep your momentum going between events.
Don't Let Your Million-Dollar Idea Walk Away
Did you know that 83% of Americans have a million-dollar invention idea, but a shocking 97% never act on it? This “execution gap” costs the U.S. economy an estimated $2.3 trillion annually.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! Brian Fried, “The Inventor Coach,” highlights that the key isn’t a lack of great ideas — it’s a lack of action and information.
The Two Proven Paths to Success
Brian Fried, a serial inventor with 15 patents, outlines two clear paths for turning your idea into a reality:
➡️ The Manufacturing Route: For those who want to build a business.
The Benefit: Direct control over your product and business.
The Challenge: Requires capital for manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.
The Modern Solution: Technology has lowered the barriers! You can now access 3D printing, micro-manufacturing networks, and e-commerce platforms that make it easier and more affordable than ever to produce and sell your product.
➡️ The Licensing Route: For those who want to focus on innovation.
The Benefit: Get paid ongoing royalty income without the stress of manufacturing or marketing.
The Challenge: Requires navigating complex agreements and finding the right company.
The Modern Solution: Licensing agents and virtual prototyping make it easier to pitch your idea to companies actively looking for external innovations.
The Secret to Success: Taking Action
Based on his analysis of over 16,000 inventors, Brian notes that the successful 3% share common traits:
They act fast: Take concrete steps within 60 days of getting an idea.
They validate: Test ideas with market research before spending a lot of money.
They connect: Seek out mentors and join communities for guidance.
They have a plan: Follow a systematic process that fits their goals and resources.
What to Do When Someone Is Interested in Your Invention
Someone has noticed your idea — whether it’s a company, a product scout, or a curious contact. That’s exciting, but how you respond now can make or break future opportunities. Brian Fried’s guide walks you through a clear, smart path forward. Here are some smart moves to take when someone shows interest in your invention:
Pause and Prepare: Don’t rush your response. Get organized with a simple one-pager and a short demo video. These materials should highlight the benefit of your invention clearly and concisely.
Use NDAs Strategically: No patent filed? Ask for an NDA before sharing details. Patent pending? You can lean on that status and share more openly. If they provide their own NDA, read it carefully and look for red flags.
Keep Your Pitch Simple: Lead with the benefit, not the backstory. Stick to visuals, mockups, or a quick demo — and aim to keep your presentation under 5 minutes. Let them ask for more if they’re interested.
Protect Yourself in Conversations: Only share what’s necessary at first. Be clear about your protection status, follow up each meeting with a summary email, and never feel pressured to sign anything on the spot.
Know What They’re Evaluating: They’re not just assessing your invention — they’re assessing you. Companies want to know if your product is market-ready, compelling to their audience, and whether you’re someone they can work with smoothly.
Mindset Matters: Don’t assume interest means a deal is done. Stay confident but humble, cautious but not fearful. Present value first and allow deal terms to unfold naturally.
Bottom line: Interest is only the first step. Your professionalism, preparation, and protection can turn that spark into a real opportunity.
👉 Read the full article here: Invention Playbook
💡 Ask the Inventor Coach: Live Q&A with Brian Fried
📅 Wednesday, October 22
🕗 8:00 PM EST
📍 Live on Zoom (Premium Insider Exclusive)
Got a question about your invention? Whether you’re working on licensing, preparing a pitch, or just need expert advice, this is your chance to get real-time answers directly from Brian Fried, “The Inventor Coach.”
This live Q&A is exclusively for Premium Insider members. It’s a small-group format, giving you personalized support and feedback from one of the most experienced invention mentors in the industry.
🎤 Open Q&A format
✅ Real-time guidance
👥 Small group setting
Premium Insiders: Click the Join Live on Zoom button below for instant access.
Not a Premium Insider yet? Join now, and the Zoom button will magically appear! (Only visible to Premium Insider members.) Don’t miss this chance to get expert guidance and unlock even more exclusive benefits.
📆 When: Wed, Oct 22, 2025 — 8:00 PM (EDT)
💻 Where: Online
🎙️ Inventor Spotlight Podcast — Where Ideas Take Flight
Ever wonder how inventors turn a spark of imagination into a real-world breakthrough?
Tune in to the Inventor Spotlight Podcast — where we go behind the scenes with the creative minds shaping the future of innovation.
🎧 Catch the latest interviews, stories, and explorations on YouTube:
▶️ Watch now on the Inventor Spotlight Podcast YouTube Channel
What You’ll Discover
Inspiring life stories — from “aha” moments to real-world hurdles.
Behind-the-scenes insights into prototyping, funding, and growth.
Practical lessons from founders, makers, and everyday inventors.
Innovations shaping tomorrow — and how you can get involved.
🎯 Ready to Be Inspired?
Explore our full library and subscribe today so you never miss an episode:
👉 Inventor Spotlight Podcast on YouTube
Let’s celebrate curiosity, creativity, and those bold enough to invent.
Join the Inventor Smart Community App at app.inventorsmart.com — a vibrant space for collaboration, learning, and growth in the world of invention.
📱 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 on the Inventor Spotlight Podcast!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Licensing?
Licensing is a marketing and brand expansion tool that is used globally by everyone — from major corporations to the smallest of small businesses. Entertainment, sports, and fashion are some of the best-known areas of licensing, but the business also reaches into the worlds of corporate brands, art, publishing, colleges and universities, non-profit groups, and more.
Ultimately, brand licensing is a way of doing business that connects you with an ever-widening range of property types, product categories, territories, and demographics.
If you’re looking for the most basic definition, however, a license is an agreement through which a licensee leases the rights to a legally protected piece of intellectual property from a licensor (the entity which owns or represents the property) for use in conjunction with a product or service.
Source: Licensing International
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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: September 2025 National Inventor Club Meeting
The National Inventor Club hosted a special Amazon Fireside Chat featuring the Program Managers, Max Chacon and Alli Auldridge, who shared insider strategies on how to navigate the world’s largest marketplace — from setting up your account to scaling your sales.
Why this session was a must-watch:
Whether you’re…
Still sketching ideas on napkins
Sitting on a prototype collecting dust
Ready to launch but don’t know where to start
Already selling and looking to grow
👉 This highly requested session gave clarity on the fundamentals every Amazon seller should know:
Is Amazon the right marketplace for your invention or product?
Choosing the right seller account type for your business
How and when to register as a seller
Step-by-step guidance on listing your first product
What Amazon offers to support new sellers (and beyond)
Key resources and tools you may not know exist
Setting up for success from day one
💡 Special Guest Insights:
James “Freakin’ Reviews” White gave his perspective on what makes a great product truly stand out in today’s competitive market.
Elizabeth Dougherty, USPTO, announced upcoming USPTO events and introduced the community to the new USPTO Director, John Squires, highlighting what’s next for innovators.
This session was packed with insider knowledge, practical strategies, and real resources inventors can use right now to bring their ideas closer to market success.
Missed the Event? Be Part of the Next One!
If you weren’t able to join us this time, don’t worry — more events are on the way! Whether you’re an inventor ready to present, a curious viewer, or an industry professional, our upcoming showcases and meetups are open to you.
Want to join the audience next time?
Make sure you're subscribed to National Inventor Club updates to get the next event invite straight to your inbox.
Events like Inventors Got Talent are what make the inventor community thrive — through sharing ideas, building connections, and supporting innovation at every stage.
Stay tuned for more exciting events ahead!
Upcoming NIC Event: Waiting for Announcement
Stay tuned for the announcement of our next exciting event.
Be sure to check the event listings regularly at:
https://app.inventorsmart.com/events
And keep an eye on your email for updates.
We promise another engaging and informative session, and we can't wait to share more details with you soon!
🌟 Be a Guest on The Got Invention Show! 🌟
Are you an inventor ready to share your story and showcase your product to the world?
The Got Invention Show, hosted by Brian Fried, is your platform to:
✅ Promote your invention
✅ Pitch for licensing or distribution opportunities
✅ Inspire fellow inventors with your journey
Each 30-minute interview dives into your challenges, solutions, lessons learned, and future plans — giving you a powerful platform to share your innovation and connect with a wider audience.
👉 Want to be featured?
Apply today at GotInventionShow.com and take the next step in bringing your invention to the spotlight.
🎬 Featured Episode: Jennifer Telfer — The Mompreneur Behind Pillow Pets
Jennifer Telfer, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Pillow Pets, turned a simple idea inspired by her kids into a global phenomenon.
What began in 2003 with her sons squishing stuffed animals into pillows has grown into a beloved brand with over 100 million products sold worldwide — including Pillow Pets, Sleeptime Lites, Jumboz, and Sweet Scented Pets.
A proud mom, wife, and creative entrepreneur, Jennifer credits her success to positive thinking, hard work, and a passion for creating products families love. Her rule is simple: if she wouldn’t give it to her family, she wouldn’t give it to yours.
▶️ Watch the full story: Jennifer Telfer, Creator of Pillow Pets
💡 About the Show
The Got Invention Show is a platform for inventors to:
Showcase their products and ideas
Share their stories and lessons learned
Gain exposure to licensing, distribution, and investment opportunities
Hosted by Brian Fried, each episode highlights the guest’s invention journey, challenges, and insights — inspiring viewers and fellow innovators along the way.
📡 Available On:
GotInventionShow.com | Google Podcast | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Apple Podcasts & more
🙌 Interested in Becoming a Guest?
If you’re an inventor looking to pitch your idea, attract investors, or share your journey, apply now at GotInventionShow.com
Meet the Host:
As an inventor mentor and founder of Inventor Smart, Brian Fried has helped inventors bring their products to market for over 19 years. 🌐 Learn more at BrianFried.com
📢 Subscribe to the Got Invention Show on YouTube for more inspiring stories and inventor journeys!
🎧 Presenting The Inventor Coach Podcast
Looking to turn your big idea into a real product?
The Inventor Coach Podcast is your go-to resource for inventors, entrepreneurs, and creators at every stage of the journey.
Hosted by Brian Fried — The Inventor Coach, author, speaker, and seasoned inventor with multiple patents — each episode delivers:
Step-by-step invention tips to guide you from concept to market.
Patent and intellectual property advice to help protect your ideas.
Prototyping and licensing strategies for bringing products to life affordably.
Expert interviews and success stories from real inventors and industry leaders.
Product launch insights, including how to pitch, partner with manufacturers, and sell through Amazon or on retail shelves.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have products in the market, Brian’s real-world strategies will help you develop, protect, pitch, and profit from your invention ideas.
👉 Subscribe today and take your invention journey to the next level with one of the industry’s top invention coaches.
🎙️ Start Listening Now:
🏛️ USPTO: Benefits of Using a USPTO.gov Account
A USPTO.gov account can save you time and effort when doing business with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — while keeping your information secure. Creating an account is free, easy, and only requires some basic details.
To truly take control of your intellectual property journey, having a USPTO.gov account is essential. It gives you seamless access to powerful online tools — from filing patents or trademarks, paying fees, tracking application status, to responding to USPTO correspondence.
With Your USPTO.gov Account, You Can:
Electronically file and manage patent or trademark applications
Receive alerts and updates for your IP filings
Streamline payments and document purchases
Retrieve past searches or filings anytime
Access MyUSPTO, Patent Center, Assignment Center, and more
👉 Ready to take charge of your inventions and IP?
Create your USPTO.gov account today and get immediate access to all these benefits:
Create Your Account
👉 Learn more about CPC and how it impacts your inventions:
Benefits of Using a USPTO.gov Account
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.
💬 Advice from an Inventor
“Entrepreneurship is like jumping out of a plane while building your parachute. You must stay laser focused, realize your decision is irreversible, and figure things out along the way. But when everything aligns, the feeling of seeing something from your brain manifest and change reality? Divine magic.”
🧠 Invention History: October 30, 1888 — John Loud Receives a Patent for the Ballpoint Pen
Before Hungarian journalist László Bíró revolutionized writing with his 1938 ballpoint design, the first patent for a ballpoint pen was filed in 1888 by John Loud, an American leather tanner. Loud’s design used a rolling ball to apply ink — perfect for marking leather, but too rough for paper.
Decades later, Bíró refined the idea with quick-drying ink and a smoother mechanism, paving the way for the ballpoint pens we know today. His version gained global recognition during World War II, when the British Royal Air Force adopted it for use at high altitudes.
From Loud’s 1888 patent to Bíró’s breakthrough, the ballpoint pen remains one of history’s most practical and widely used inventions.
🖊️ Learn more here: Ballpoint Pen History – ThoughtCo
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
Join the Conversation at InventorChat.com
Have a question? Hit a roadblock? Or maybe you just scored a small win worth sharing?
Inventor Chat is your always-open hangout for real inventor talk, no sales pitches, no pressure. Just a place to swap ideas, share progress, get feedback, and see what other innovators are building.
It’s free, it’s 24/7, and it’s where our community keeps the momentum going between meetups and events.
👉 Jump in now at InventorChat.com, your next breakthrough might just start with a conversation.
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.
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 20 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 October 2025 edition of the Inventor Smart Community Newsletter!
📩 Subscribe to our updates on LinkedIn
🌐 Visit: inventorsmart.com | app.inventorsmart.com
Inventively Yours,
Brian Fried & The Inventor Smart Team
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