Invent America Podcasts with America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, and the Cajun Contractor, Michael King, Founder of HomeT

America's Inventor Lady
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Why do some inventions that have become products fail, while others succeed? Tune in once a week and discover, over time, the answer to that question and the ingredients required to move your idea from your "mind to market". Tune in and share the discussion that the co-hosts have with their inventor guests and experienced industry specialists. Learn what it takes to turn any invention into a successful product. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. Topic: It's All About the Money! How to Avoid Losing Your Invention Because Your Chasing the Money!

    FEB 14

    Topic: It's All About the Money! How to Avoid Losing Your Invention Because Your Chasing the Money!

    On this episode Rita and Michael King speak with 40+ Year finance expert, Ray Burrasca, about the difference between funding your invention when your a solo independent inventor versus when you're a startup. Listen and have your eyes be opened to the dangers and perils of chasing outside money while your invention / business withers on the vine. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    37 min
  2. Topic: Triple Threat Cornhole, Stopping Nosebleeds & The "Ugly" Prototype

    FEB 8

    Topic: Triple Threat Cornhole, Stopping Nosebleeds & The "Ugly" Prototype

    Welcome to Invent America Podcasts! Join the Cajun Contractor Michael King and America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, as they gear up for the massive ASD Market Week in Las Vegas. In this episode, we dive into the journey from "mind to market." We explore why trade shows like ASD are critical for getting consumer feedback and why your first prototype should be ugly. Featured in this episode: ASD Market Week Preview: Why this show is the "Super Bowl" for consumer products and how it helps inventors skip the Kickstarter struggle. Bob Mussey & Triple Threat Cornhole: A unique twist on the classic backyard game featuring three targets and new rules like Cornhole Baseball and Darts. Tony & The Nose T: A revolutionary device that stops 90% of nosebleeds in seconds by applying pressure to the "Little's Area". Noah McNeely (Product QuickStart): Our industry expert breaks down the "proof of concept" phase and why you can't just 3D print a render and call it a final product. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & ASD Market Week Strategy 9:20 - Bob Mussey: Reinventing Cornhole 15:45 - Tony: How to Stop a Nosebleed Instantly 22:10 - Noah McNeely: From "Ugly" Prototype to Manufacturing #InventAmerica #Invention #Cornhole #Prototypes #ASDMarketWeek #ProductDesign #Entrepreneurs Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    36 min
  3. Topic: Why Trade Shows Beat Social Media for Inventors (ASD Market Week Preview)

    FEB 1

    Topic: Why Trade Shows Beat Social Media for Inventors (ASD Market Week Preview)

    Is social media marketing a dead end for inventors? In this episode of Invent America, we argue that you can accomplish more in three days at a trade show than in six months online. Join host Michael King and "Americs's nventor Lady" Rita Crompton (broadcasting from the beach in Hawaii!) as they discuss the upcoming ASD Market Week. We are joined by product placement expert Kevin Cody and ASD’s VP of Buyer Relations, Stephanie Behring-Hale, to break down why "keyboard magic" can’t replace a handshake. In this episode, we cover: -- The ROI of Face-to-Face: Why buyers need to see, touch, and demo your invention to truly understand it. -- The "Watch" Rule: How to know instantly if your sales pitch is failing. -- The Hub: The new networking and education center at ASD Market Week covering everything from AI to purchasing. -- Real Success Stories: From a fire escape modeled after airplane chutes to a new device teaching infants how to suck. Don't rely on algorithms to sell your product. Get back to the basics of relationships and trust. #Inventing #ASDMarketWeek #ProductLaunch #RetailStrategy #InventorLady Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    38 min
  4. Topic: How to License Your Invention & New Gadgets for 2026

    JAN 24

    Topic: How to License Your Invention & New Gadgets for 2026

    Welcome to Invent America Podcasts! Hosts Mike King and Rita Crompton (America's Inventor Lady) dive deep into the "Golden Rule" of inventing: If you have one product, license it!. In this episode, we explore the critical difference between being a manufacturer and a licensor, and why "leverage" is the most important word in the industry. plus, we showcase two new innovations hitting the market: a hands-free audio belt for golfers and a travel hanger that eliminates wrinkles. Featured in this Episode: -- The Golden Rule: Why single-product inventors should focus on licensing rather than manufacturing. -- Product Spotlight - Bumpin' Belts: Eric Barnhart shows off his new wearable speaker belt designed for the golf course and outdoor lifestyle. -- Product Spotlight - Easy Pack Hangers: Ron Johansen demonstrates how to go from "hanging to packed" in under a minute with his specialized travel hanger. -- Industry Expert - Mike Ryan: The co-founder of Pronto Launch discusses why trade shows are the ultimate leverage for inventors. #InventAmerica #Invention #Licensing #ProductDesign #BusinessTips #RitaCrompton Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    38 min
  5. Is the US Patent System Broken? The Fight for American Inventors

    JAN 17

    Is the US Patent System Broken? The Fight for American Inventors

    Are big corporations crushing the "little guy" in the garage? In this episode of Invent America Podcasts, host Rita interviews Randy Landreneau, President of US Inventor, to expose the shocking reality facing American innovators today. Since the America Invents Act of 2011, independent inventors have faced an uphill battle against the "Patent Trial and Appeal Board" (PTAB)—an administrative court where over 80% of challenged patents are invalidated. Randy breaks down the history of US patent rights (dating back to George Washington!), the "killing fields" for patents, and the current political fight in Washington DC to save American innovation. In this episode, we cover: -- The "Death Squad" for patents: Why 80% of patents are invalidated by the PTAB. -- The dark side of the America Invents Act. -- How Big Tech uses "efficient infringement" to steal ideas. -- The legislative solutions: The Balancing Incentives Act vs. The PREVAIL Act. -- Why the patent system matters for your safety (The Texas pipeline example). Join the fight for inventor rights! Learn more at USInventor.org #InventAmerica #PatentRights #USInventor #Innovation #SmallBusiness #IntellectualProperty #USPTO Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    36 min
  6. Topic: How to Launch a Product: Trade Shows, Prototypes & The 10-Second Pitch

    JAN 10

    Topic: How to Launch a Product: Trade Shows, Prototypes & The 10-Second Pitch

    In this episode of Invent America Podcasts, hosts Michael King and America's Inventor Lady" Rita Crompton dive deep into the reality of taking a product from a sketch to the store shelf. We explore why hitting the road for professional trade shows like ASD Market Week can be more valuable than thousands of dollars in online market research. In this episode, you will learn: --The "Show Off" Strategy: Why you only have 5 seconds to grab a buyer's attention and how to master the "elevator pitch". -- Real Inventor Stories: Meet Terry LaFranchi, who turned a football viewing moment into a unique cap design, and Sam Spironi, a project engineer who invented "Slice Away" after a frustrating dorm room pizza experience. -- Branding Mastery: Industry expert Carol Sprunk explains why storytelling is the difference between a product that sits on a shelf and one that sells. Featured Guests: -- Terry LaFranchi (Inventor, Football Cap) -- Sam Spironi (Founder, Slice Away) -- Carol Sprunk (Branding & Industry Expert) Key Takeaway: "Don't spend a dime before it's time." Learn when to step up to the plate and invest in your big idea. #Inventing #ProductLaunch #ASDMarketWeek #Entrepreneurship #InventAmerica Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    37 min
  7. Topic: Selling in the USA vs. Canada: Licensing Secrets for Inventors

    12/20/2025

    Topic: Selling in the USA vs. Canada: Licensing Secrets for Inventors

    Are you an inventor struggling to get your product on store shelves at Home Depot, Lowes, or Walmart? The rules of the game change the moment you cross the border. In this episode of Invent America TV, we break down the critical differences between the U.S. and Canadian markets with industry expert Michael Miller. With over 20 years of experience launching products like the "Disposal Genie," Michael reveals why the scale of the American market often bankrupts unprepared inventors—and why licensing might be your safest bet. We also feature two inventors currently navigating these challenges: Tanya (Sure Grip Kitchen Towels): A manufacturer selling direct-to-consumer who is facing the realities of tariffs and logistics. Michael Parish: An inventor with a patented interchangeable hat logo system who is looking to license his technology to major apparel brands. In This Episode: The "Scale" Problem: Why Canadian inventors often fail to grasp the volume requirements of U.S. big-box retailers. Licensing vs. Manufacturing: Why handing off the heavy lifting to a licensee can save you from legal and packaging nightmares. The "Consignment" Trap: Understanding how Walmart actually buys (or doesn't buy) inventory. Real Inventor Stories: From kitchen gadgets to sports apparel, see how new products are finding their footing. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome to Invent America 1:57 - Meet Industry Expert Michael Miller 4:06 - "Crossing the Line": The challenges of US/Canada trade 6:59 - How Licensing Agreements Work (Who controls the price?) 11:00 - Inventor Spotlight: Tanya & The Sure Grip Kitchen Towel 19:53 - Inventor Spotlight: Michael Parish & The Interchangeable Hat Logo 28:03 - The Dangers of "Going it Alone" in International Markets 32:33 - Michael Miller’s Advice: Which market should you target first? About the Show: Invent America is your go-to resource for home-based product innovation. Hosted by Rita, we connect independent inventors with the experts, lawyers, and prototypers who can take you from mind to market. Featured in this Video: Sure Grip Kitchen Towels: https://suregripkitchentowels.com/ RPB Law Offices: https://rpblawoffices.com SearchQuest Patent Search: https://searchquestpatents.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. #Inventing #ProductLicensing #SmallBusiness #RetailStrategy #InventAmerica #Manufacturing #Entrepreneurship Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    38 min
  8. Topic: Gutter Safety Hacks, Automated Snow Removal & Inventing with AI

    12/13/2025

    Topic: Gutter Safety Hacks, Automated Snow Removal & Inventing with AI

    Is it time to stop climbing ladders and shoveling snow? On this episode of Invent America TV, the Cajun Contractor Michael King and America's Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton, explore innovations designed to keep you safe and off the roof! We sit down with Mike Wood ("Woody") to discuss the Gutter Guard Sweep—a tool designed to solve the problem of debris sitting on top of gutter guards, saving homeowners from dangerous falls. Later, we meet 83-year-old inventor Jean Scarberry, creator of the Snow Angel Shield. Discover how he turned a leaf blower experiment into an automated "windshield wiper for your driveway" that keeps asphalt pristine without lifting a shovel. Plus, industry expert Kevin Cody joins us to discuss how AI and 3D printing are drastically speeding up the "Mind to Market" process for modern inventors. #InventAmerica #HomeImprovement #Invention #SafetyHacks #SnowRemoval #GutterCleaning #MichaelKing #RitaCrompton Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    36 min
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Why do some inventions that have become products fail, while others succeed? Tune in once a week and discover, over time, the answer to that question and the ingredients required to move your idea from your "mind to market". Tune in and share the discussion that the co-hosts have with their inventor guests and experienced industry specialists. Learn what it takes to turn any invention into a successful product. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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