Q: To turn an idea into reality is not an easy task. How did you manage this?
Like everyone I wanted to sell my idea to one of the big name companies, but I wasn’t familiar with the process to get an idea in front of them. One company told me I had to go through a Toy Broker or Invention Rep. I looked into that, but with over 100 different concepts drawn up for submittal I couldn’t afford the $300 each item review price they were wanting. I decided to look for companies I could deal with directly and that built quality items.
Q: Did you contact any specific types of firms?
The first company that did look at outside toys ideas I contacted was HogWild Toys. They were great to deal with, very friendly. They told me that what I had in mind was good, but wasn’t really in line with their toys. They asked if I had heard of Monkey Business Sports and gave me their contact information. I have to say I was impressed with both toy companies. They each spoke highly of the other and didn’t mind sending me to the competition. You don’t see that very much in any business.
Q: And that was the beginning of your dream. What was the procedure once met with Monkey Business Sports?
Andy at Monkey Business Sports was fantastic to work with. Once we got the formal paper work out of the way things went very quickly. I sent Andy my ideas and within a couple of weeks we were refining the ideas for prototyping. Within a year I have 2 toys on the market.
Q: Do you have any advice for budding toy inventors?
Always remember the two P’s, Persistence and Patience. Those are two things that will kill a great idea if you don’t practice both. You don’t win a 10 mile race by quitting at mile 8. I know a large number of people who have great ideas, but quit at the first rejection. I have enough rejections to cover the wall of every room in my house.
Q: So what did you do after being rejected.
I would relook at my idea and see if I was missing something that didn’t get the idea across or if I needed to come at it from another angle. Sometimes an idea no matter how great to you just isn’t marketable for mass market. You may be sending your idea to the wrong type of company that doesn’t even deal with your target market. You don’t send a yo-yo idea to a company that specializes in dolls. You would be surprised how often that happens.
You also need someone you trust who is brutally honest with you. Everyone can find family members or friends who will say everything you show them is a fantastic idea. They don’t want to hurt your feelings or crash your dreams. They don’t realize that is exactly what they are doing by not telling you the truth. I would rather find out that there is a flaw in my idea or my description of my idea is not clear before I send it out to a company.
Q: Do you have any advice on dealing with toy companies?
Companies aren’t known for giving you 3 or 4 attempts at sending in the same idea until you get it right. Another thing that is helpful is already have 2 or 3 companies in mind for your idea in case the first one rejects it. I would get an idea back with a NO and see if they made any comments as to why. You may get a form letter that tells you nothing more than thanks for submitting your idea. Those are frustrating, but with the volume of submissions they receive I understand them. I will relook at my idea, add any new description or additional info needed and send it out to the next company within a week.
Q: You mentioned 2 "P's". What is the second "P"?
The second P is patience. The waiting will drive you crazy! You have to remember you are sending your idea to a company that may have several levels of approval before you get an answer. I know people that snail mail a submission out on Monday and are calling the company on Wednesday wanting to hear an answer. You will get an answer, most likely NO. There is a difference between following up on an idea and being a pest. You have to protect your idea and keep it moving but don’t let impatience destroy a good relationship between you and a company. If they think you are an irritant it is easier for them to just reject it and work with someone else. Remember you are not the only one they are dealing with.
Q: What are your plans for the future? Any more exciting toys lined up that we can look forward to?
It has been a fun process and something I look forward to continue doing. I have a number of toy, kitchen, tool, office and garden ideas to shop around. I recently had success with an office product, a kitchen utensil, and a yo-yo. I hope to have these items out late this year or early 2006. I am always looking towards the next fun challenge. This is a great adventure.
Roger Brown can be reached at inventor4hire@comcast.net
For further information on the toys Knockout Hockey and Powerpitch Horseshoes you can contact Monkey Business Sports at 800-727-7571.