Alamo Inventors Meeting – Online
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2020
An Inventors Journey From Homemade Blanket To Big Box Brand, with Karen Bonnici
Karen Bonnici, inventor of Super Blanky, will share her experiences as well as barriers along the path as both an inventor and entrepreneur in the development and marketing of Super Blanky. She’ll discuss the overall aspects of profitable inventing from concept to market including product development; intellectual property and whether or not to patent; licensing contracts and how to find a licensee; the benefits of licensing versus business venturing; and market research approaches and how they can be similar for licensing or venturing.
Entrepreneur and inventor Ms. Bonnici has worked as a performing artist and handmade artist for over 25 years. She sold her handcrafted goods through craft shows, home decor stores, online and more but after years of working as production artist, Karen set her mind to creating a product that could be mass produced. In 2011, she landed on a unique idea while creating gifts for her nieces and nephew on her home sewing machine. A year later Karen adapted her design to what would eventually become a utility patented invention. Super Blanky® is part blanket, part cape and features pocket sleeves that allow the wearer to wrap the blanket comfortably around their shoulders without falling off.
Karen began by venturing her invention but after learning about the world of licensing was able to license to a manufacturer that helped to launch her products at Target® stores nationwide. The Super Blanky® products have been featured with 3rd party licensed brands like Batman®, Paw Patrol®, Ryan’s World® and more. Karen’s latest product the Super Towel™ also retails with the Ryan’s World® family of products.
Ms. Bonnici’s journey has been filled with obstacles along the way but her belief in her idea continues to fuel her success. Currently in the product development phase, Karen is preparing to launch her latest Dreamighty™ brand of products that will expand the use of her patents. Join us as Karen shares her story including challenges as she continues to forge her path as a creative artist, entrepreneur, and inventor.
Karen on Linkedin and Super Blanky’s website. Also at Target and the Facebook and Amazon and the Instagram.
Meeting Schedule
Join Zoom Meeting, beginning at 6pm
This meeting will be a video based online-only meeting, using Zoom.
Register in Advance to Attend. Email with access codes will sent to you.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EBSXUVSETCKR6dO8fYlqRg
Inventor Q & A, from 6pm to 6:30pm
Zoom Meeting
You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 6 PM. You must register, and you will receive an email with the access codes.
Do not come to SATC, as there won’t be anyone there.
Zoom Video Instructions:
Download the App or Program from zoom.us website or the app platform. There are several similar looking programs. Avoid them. It works on computers of most kinds, and tablets and phones. Please see the Youtube if this is all new to you. If you don’t have a camera, that’s OK. Audio is fine, and if you don’t have a microphone, that’s OK too. Except our hosts, everyone will be muted anyway. You can text within Zoom for questions.
Zoom Client For Meetings, or
Apple App or the Android App
Install the app or program. To attend our Zoom meeting, you do not need to create an account with Zoom.
You will be in a waiting room, and be added to the meeting, which will start at 6:00 pm
Inventor Q & A: 6PM – 6:30 PM
Presentation: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Meeting Location
ONLINE
Up Coming Bootcamp Notice
If you have attended or watched the start of Alamo Inventors meetings, you have seen Alan Beckley, inventor of the Wonder Wallet, answer key questions on product licensing and marketing.
You may be interested in Alan’s Pitch Your Product Like A Pro Bootcamp, a 5-day Zoom bootcamp (one hour per day) to help inventors (1) pick their best product, (2) create a pitch that grabs attention and (3) get their product into the marketplace! To learn what you can expect from the bootcamp, click http://www.alanbeckley.com/bootcamp . Cost – $27; Date November 9-13. Register early.
First Featured Article
Forming An LLC (Video)
Second Featured Article
How To File And Register A Trademark Without A Lawyer
Third Featured Article
USPTO Resources for Money Strapped Inventors
Fourth Featured Article
The Good and Bad of PPAs
USPTO News
Caution: Misleading Notices On Trademarks
Protect Yourself Against Invention Promotion Scams (pdf)
3D Printing Service Near Me: How to Find One
Join Inventors Groups Of America
You’ll be amazed at the inventor resources available and inventor unity you can provide!
Question & Answer Session w/ Alan Beckley
During the inventors visiting hour from 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM in the meeting room, Alan Beckley will be available, via Skype, to answer your invention questions. For more information on Alan Beckley, see the information provided in the Licensing section below.
Receive Alan Beckley’s Weekly Licensing Blog
Alan Beckley is a Dallas, Texas inventor who successfully licensed his invention, the Wonder Wallet for royalties to Allstar Products. In the first year, over 1,000,000 wallets were sold. Now, he helps others to license their inventions by leveraging what he has learned.
Inventors Helping Inventors Podcast
“Inventors Helping Inventors” is a new podcast for inventors, on iTunes , Stitcher and Google Play . Every week, the host Alan Beckley, will interview an interesting successful inventor and ask them the questions you want to know, such as What did they do before they became an inventor?; What was one of their greatest challenges as an inventor and how did they overcome it?; and What advice would they give to a new inventor just getting started?
Licensing Lifestyle
This private Facebook group is a community of inventors that come together to discuss wins, challenges and much more, moderated by Alan Beckley, with the goal of helping inventors help each other with tips, tricks and advice.
Excellent Training Courses
at UTSA Institute for Economic Development
Brochure & Courses
Entrepreneur Courses at San Antonio Main Library
LiftFund Launching Entrepreneurs
Licensing? CHECK OUT
World’s Largest Licensing Library
Inventor Books
Top 10 Books On Prototypes
Top 10 Books On Inventing
Making Prototypes
How To Make “Proto-Putty”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fwytA5r2Mw
Basics of Mold Making How‑To’s
https://www.smooth-on.com/howto/basics-mold-making/
Prototyping & Inventing How‑To’s
https://www.smooth-on.com/howto/prototyping-inventing/
Licensing?
World’s Largest Licensing Library
United States Patent & Trademark Office Information
Patent Classification Standards and Development
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/patent-search/classification-standards-and-development
Patent Pro Bono Program For Independent Inventors And Small Businesses
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program
USPTO Pro Se Assistance Program
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-se-assistance-program
A-Z Definitions Of Intellectual Property Terminology
https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/glossary
Basic Facts About Trademarks: What Every Small Business Should Know Now, Not Later
https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics
How To Conduct A Preliminary U.S. Patent Search
https://www.uspto.gov/video/cbt/ptrcsearching/
Protect Yourself Against Invention Promotion Scams
https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ScamPrevent.pdf
Finding Inventor Resources On The USPTO Website
http://www.uiausa.org/single-post/Finding-Inventor-Resources-on-the-USPTO-Website
Patent Searching 101: A Patent Search Tutorial
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2015/07/11/patent-searching-101-a-patent-search-tutorial-2/id=59308/
Sample Confidentiality Agreements
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/tradesecret/sample-confidentiality-agreements/
Be Sure To Read The Inventor Articles In
Inventors Digest
https://www.inventorsdigest.com/
Past Issues are now PDF and easy to access.
Inventor Resources
United Inventors Association
http://www.uiausa.org/
Big Idea School
Mary Lou and Dennis Green are offering their Big Idea School Course bundle on special for $97. The four online courses will help you to turn your big idea into a real product that people will want to buy.
Free Inventors Help
http://www.freeinventorshelp.com/
Invention to Patent 101 –
Everything You Need to Know to Get Started – 9 Detailed Reading Assignments
Learn Professional CAD
Free CAD Software With Intuitive Tutorials
Fusion 360 is free to students, teachers, small businesses making less than $100,000 per year, and hobbyists using Fusion 360 for non-commercial purposes. Click here (AutoDesk) to see the license information and activation instructions and here to download. The CAD files can be saved privately or shared, as desired and the software can be used either online or offline. The Fusion 360 license is renewable yearly for free.
Click here (YouTube) to view 13 excellent and intuitive Fusion 360 lessons by Paul McWhorter. It’s surprising how easy an advanced CAD program can be learned with the right instructions!
Membership
Please take this opportunity at the meeting to pay your annual dues ($25/$95 Corporate). You can renew online with PayPal on our website or bring cash/check. Student membership is free. Guests are always welcome.
NOTE
The New Patent Law Has Problems For Inventors
Independent inventors and start-up’s depend on strong patents to defend their inventions, however recent changes to the patent law have significantly weakened inventor’s intellectual property rights to the point that they can no longer depend on their patents to protect their innovations. For information on the intellectual property problems, please see the movie, Invalidated: The Shredding Of The US Patent System. Click the below image for a trailer of the movie/documentary. You can also see the documentary on Amazon and iTunes , free with Amazon Prime subscription, or $2 otherwise.
For additional information on the patent problems, click Here.
Join Inventors Groups Of America You’ll be amazed at the inventor resources available and inventor unity you can provide!
Join our Meetup Group
Visit www.alamoinventors.org
And Consider a Donation
ANNOUNCEMENT NOTE
This announcement is provided on an “as is” basis and anyone usg the information or resources stated herein assumes all risk in doing so. Alamo Inventors does not endorse any person, company, article or resource provided herein and expressly disclaims any and all warranties for any associated service or information.
About Alamo Inventors
Founded in 2000, the Alamo Inventors organization holds monthly meetings for the inventor community and provides access to resources supporting the inventing, entrepreneurship, and patent protection process. Monthly programs include a network hour prior to the meeting. Member meetings include a notable guest speaker who typically shares their experience and advice about their journey of taking their idea to market.
Alamo Inventors, Inc is a not for profit 501(c)3
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