PERSONAL NOTE FROM ANDREA ROSE, AWARD-WINNING INVENTOR, AUTHOR, FOUNDER OF THE INVENTORS ROAD SHOW™, CREATOR OF “INVENTING TO WIN®: YOUR ROAD TO INVENTING” AND ACCLAIMED ENTREPRENEUR…

For over 20 years, I have been a working inventor, turning my ideas into assets, resulting in many commercial successes, honors, and awards…but it was difficult for me in the beginning…

When I first started inventing…I had no background or knowledge of how to bring my product to market….My journey was paved with hardship and bittersweet lessons!

Prior to inventing products, I had my own fashion company on Seventh Avenue and designed under my brand of clothing “Andrea Rose®”.   In 1996, while working as a fashion designer, I foresaw a new wave of technology on the horizon, “the Internet” and how, one day, it would impact all facets of life. I had an idea that would allow shoppers to be able to emulate the brick and mortar shopping experience for clothing. My innovative technology of “virtual reality” online enabled consumers to build their “personal virtual model”, try-on clothing, and receive size and fit information with a fashion consultation based on their body type.  I eventually filed a patent in 1996 for this invention, and in 2000, my invention revolutionized the fashion industry and was used, through my licensee, by such major online retail stores as Lands’ End, H&M, and Sears, to name a few.   I received the “Female Inventor of the Year Award” for my innovative invention.

But the journey wasn’t easy…

The years from the inception of my idea to turning into an asset and commercial success were filled with years of struggle, hardship, and sleepless nights. As a novice inventor, I had no idea where to begin with my “Big Idea”. I didn’t know anyone who was an inventor. I was fortunate to have a friend who was in the technology field and approached him about my idea. He thought it was great and encouraged me to pursue the invention. He gave me many helpful tips, including how to protect my idea with a non-disclosure agreement.

Now I had to figure out how to market my idea…

I reached out to top clothing retailers in 1997 and “pitched” them my idea. But everyone I spoke to did not understand the concept of “Virtual Reality”, nor did they have any foresight that one day consumers would be able to shop for clothing online and build their own try-on model.

No one saw my vision…

I then thought about developing the technology for my invention and reached out to companies and individual technologists. But in the mid-90s, it was a challenge to find the right people with the right skills to develop my “virtual reality” shopping system.

I was at an impasse not knowing my next step…

By the late 90s, the internet was beginning to become a viable new marketing platform. While watching TV one day, I saw a commercial by a top company promoting my invention with their clothing! I could not believe it!! I was so upset and angry that after struggling for so many years, my invention was being used by a company. As life would have it, that same month I saw my invention on television, my patent was issued by The United States Patent and Trademark Office. I realized right then and there; I had no choice but to fight to stop this company with litigation. I found a law firm to start a lawsuit that was eventually settled.

I finally turned the corner to success…

My journey of turning my idea into a commercial success was paved with uncertainty, hardship and years of struggle that turned into amazing lessons. That one invention turned into 100+ inventions today and many more commercial successes. The road to taking an “Idea to Industry™” is a difficult and daunting task.

I decided I wanted to help other inventors and entrepreneurs…

In 2015 I founded “The Inventors Road Show™”  www.theinventorsroadshow.com whose mission is to provide inventors and entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed. Through my nationwide workshops and private consulting practice, I was able to reach and teach hundreds of inventors and entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into assets. I began to realize I could make a real difference in others’ lives. I had received testimonial after testimonial from inventors and entrepreneurs on how I helped empower them by providing the steps to take to successfully pursue their dream of actualizing their idea and invention and turning it into a success.

Their responses to my teachings compelled me to gather all my knowledge and insight and develop a digital, online, self-help, comprehensive, step-by-step empowerment product for inventors and entrepreneurs, INVENTING TO WIN®: Your Road to Inventing. The goal was to provide a simple, clear, and straightforward path that others can take to learn how to turn their ideas and inventions into an asset that is marketable.

Winning is not easy in the game of inventing… but with the right tools, chances of succeeding are much greater. 

INVENTING TO WIN®: Your Road to Inventing is a step-by-step, comprehensive self-help tool that will help you discover What Type of Inventor Are You?, How to Turn Your Idea Into an Asset, How to License Your Invention, How to Turn Your Invention Into a Business, and How to Promote Your Invention. I also felt that inventors needed the same vital documents that have helped me in my inventing career. I included these documents with a variety of worksheets to help you get organized, and templates such as a sell sheet, letters to licensees, and more that you can adapt for your own use. As a bonus, I included a “100+ Inventors’ Power Terms ” to help you maneuver through the world of inventing, because the business of inventing has a language all of its own.

I’ve written the following books to inspire, empower, and educate those seeking to turn their ideas into reality. QUICK TIPS & TERMS™ FOR INVENTORS SIX-BOOK SERIES & THE INVENTING TO WIN® BOOK was written to provide those with an idea and invention with self-help books to help educate them about the World of Inventing.  The QUICK TIPS & TERMS™ FOR INVENTORS SIX-BOOK SERIES is written in a simple and straightforward way. The “Tips” & “Terms” in each of the books are easy to understand and can be read quickly at home or on the go.  Each book within the series provides unique information based on the various steps in turning an idea and invention into a reality.   The book INVENTING TO WIN® was written to shed light on the World of Inventing and provide a basic understanding of the steps to take an “Idea to Industry™. My hope for my inspirational book of quotes FOLLOW YOUR VISION™…EMPOWER YOURSELF is that it will provide an inspiring and empowering companion for all on their journey seeking to turn their vision into a success!

The process of commercializing my first invention was filled with many hard lessons that enabled me to master the difficult, but rewarding game of inventing…leading the way for me to help others to INVENT TO WIN™! My goal is to help inventors and entrepreneurs everywhere. Now I can teach, empower, and inspire other inventors and entrepreneurs who want to turn their ideas and inventions into marketable assets, but need to learn the steps to make that happen.

I hope my new product INVENTING TO WIN®:YOUR ROAD TO INVENTING  helps you turn your dreams into a reality!!