The article “Inventive Moms” is about business, it was created by Jean Sifleet.Both Liquid Paper and Snugli were invented by moms as new solutions to old problems. Levearging their ideas into successful products took different paths. Be smart about that business youre cooking up at home.Liquid Paper was invented by Bette Nesmith Graham to fix the smudges she made trying to erase typing errors at work.After a divorce in the 1940s, she combined her commercial art background with the need to support herself and her small son Michael (later a member of the Monkees rock group) by dveising the quick drying correcting fluid.Beginning with small batches in her blender, she gradually grew her business from her kitchen, to her garage, and eventually to a 35,000 square foot company plant with a child-care center and a library for employees.She kept secret the formula to what began as Mistake Out until her second marriage was breaking up in 1975. Fearful the trade secret would be lost, she applied for a patent on her formula and a trademark.Just months before her death in 1980, she sold the company she began in her kitchen to the Gileltte Corporation for $47.5 million (plus royalties until 2000). Royalties from Liquid Paper went towards a foundation she established to improve the welfare of women, and to other philanthropies.The familiar Snugli fabric child carrier was created by Ann Moore for her own newborn after a stint in the Peace Corps where she observed the quiet, conetnt babies carried in cloth carriers by their African moms. Anns own mom, Lucy Auckerman, an experienced seamstress, refined and perfected the details.Their little cottage industry grew quickly, propelled by a commitment to extreme customer satisfaction.They patented the Snugli design in 1966, having the carriers sewn by local women, and then entered the manufacturing business in 1979 to meet customer demand.Years later, in 1985, when the patent was soon to expire, they sold to to Gerry Baby Products, part of the Huffy Corporation (later purchased by Evenflo).In both cases, observation and experience provided insight for a new solution to an old problem (Liquid Paper - erasing smudges and Snugli - transporting children). Both moms were smart about protecting their intellectual real estate by using a combination of legal startegies (trade secrets, trademarks and patent protection) and smart business practices. Both were smart in starting their businesses in their homes and keeping their expenses low.Timing and good luck also played a role in their business success.Liquid Paper came to market at the time of the IBM Selectric Typewriter when correcting typing mistakes in the office was a comomn problem. The product was rejecetd by IBM. Orders resulted from an article in an office trade magazine in 1958 and General Electric Company placed the first large order, for 400 bottles.Snugli, came to market in the 1960s as natural childbirth and breast feeding were becoming popular. Adapting their product to the emerging culture of the time was indeed a masterful busienss strategy.In both cases, what started out as small home-based businesses turned into hughly successful businesses from which the creators reaped the financial rewards for many years.So, about that business idea that youre cooking up ask yourself a few questions:-What problem does it solve?-Who will benefit from your solution?-Why is your solution better than the alternatives?-How does it fit with the times?What steps can you take to protect your idea?-Be careful who you show it to (if possible, use a non-disclosure agreement)-Is your approach unique and non-obvious? (consider a patent 20 years of protection)-Is trade secret a better way to go? (no time limit as long as kept secret)-Can it be copyright protected? (protects original works of authorship)-What about protecting the name? (register a trademark, domain name)Making money from your invention or creative work requires a combination of disciplined actions and good luck. The disciplined actions include using good business practices and legal protections. Good luck has a way of finding those who pursue opportunities with preparation and persistence.Jean Sifleet is a practical and experienced business attorney wohse career spans many years in large multi-national corporations and includes three successful entrepreneurial ventures. Jean has extensive experience in dealing with intellectual real estate mtaters in the large and small companies and as a small business owner. She has authored numerous books and publications on avoiding legal pitfalls in diong business. This article is excerpted from her new book, Advantage IP Profit from Your Great Ideas (Infinity 2005). For more information, Jean’s webstie is http://www.Smartfast.Com. 3 12 Paleo Nanner Knife Florida Arrowhead A1 3 12 Pqleo Nanner Knife Florida Arrowhead A1 3 12 Pqleo Nanner Knife Florida Arrowhead A1,3 14 Eva Tennessee River Stained Thin Arrowhead Native Americana Artifacts 3 14 Eva Tennessee River Stained Thin Arrowhead,Native Americana Artifacts Native Americana Artifacts Cia Pre Columbian Indian Copper Celt Authentic Artifact,1911 De Legear Veterinary Medicine Tin Advertising Sign 1911 Dr Legear Veterinary Medicine Tin Advertising Sign Advertising,Indian Artifacts Arrowheads338 Oh Thebes Point Native Americana Artifacts Native Americana Artifacts,Nww York Arrowhead Kirk Corner Notch Pinetree Ny Nww York Arrowhead Kirk Corner Notch Pinetree Ny New York Arrowhead Kirk Corner Notch Pinetree Ny,Advertising Tin Litho Advertsing Sign Spears Bath Pork Sausages Advertising,Native Americana Artifacts Indian Artifacts Nice Winged Bannerstone Native Americana Artifacts,Native Americana Artifacts Native Americana Artifacts Prehistoric Anasazimogollon Pottery Effigy Pitcher.