‘I get my ideas from things that annoy me since that enables me to envision opportunities for improvements.’
Melville
“I have been an inventor for over 20 years and I hold 13 issued patents. I get my ideas from things that annoy me since that enables me to envision opportunities for improvements. I got the idea for my first marketed invention — the Balloon-O-Band — after my daughter, Alana, lost a balloon at Nassau Coliseum.
“My most successful items tend to be those in the home goods realm, such as Pull Ties that keep food fresher for longer; Knot Out, which removes knots from jewelry; and Eggstra Space that serves as a space-saving egg carton.
“My most recent invention is the Paper Towel Topper to keep the top of your paper towel roll clean and dry. Some inventions I manufacture and sell directly — I’ve been on QVC for almost three years — and other inventions I have licensed and earn royalties from.
“Being an inventor is very rewarding, but I want to do more; I want to help other inventors. In 2007 and 2012, respectively, I established both the Suffolk and Nassau County Inventors & Entrepreneurs clubs separately and then merged them to form the Long Island Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club in 2018.
My goal with the organization is to connect with other inventors and resources to help guide them towards success and commercialization of their ideas.
“In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, I realized that I could reach more people if I changed the name to the National Inventor Club and an online platform. The Farmingdale Small Business Development Center was very helpful to me during this evolution.
“My goal with the organization is to connect with other inventors and resources to help guide them towards success and commercialization of their ideas. I give them opportunities to pitch their concepts, meet representatives from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and network. I have been an inventor coach for 17 years and have assisted tens of thousands of inventors, especially through the monthly meetings we hold, which also helps to establish a community of creators.
“I have authored books about inventing, including ‘How to Make Money With Your Invention Idea.’ I also host a TV show and podcast called ‘Got Invention Show,’ where inventors promote their new ideas or products, and I have interviewed people such as John Tesh, ‘Shark Tank’s’ Lori Greiner, and hosted events with Alibaba.com.
“I see a lot of ideas for kitchen appliances, hardware, housewares, health and wellness, beauty, and toys and games. I know what a wonderful and rewarding feeling it is to see an invention come to realization and end up on store shelves. I am really thankful that I can consult or guide others to attain that same great feeling of accomplishment.”
Interviewed by Meagan Meehan