New business

[flowerysunnymummy]

I'm a stay at home mother and have had a most wonderful product idea that I believe can be very succesful and once marketed as I plan to do can generate lots of sales: market: families/students/oaps etc- anyone who lives in a house! Really excited but no idea how to make it into a 'real' product. Any ideas anyone?

There are many ways to approach this...one is to make a prototype yourself....another is to get a sample made in a factory. You will need a patent pending...go to the Patent website to read what's required. If it's not an item which can be patented you can get a solicitor or lawyer to draw up a non disclosure form which you ask anyone who helps you to develop your product to sign. This protects your design.

Those are the first steps....it can be a long road!

I was surprised anyone replied!! Thank you so very very much. Will check both options out. Watch The Apprentice, and a couple of weeks ago the teams had to get a product made from scratch. They explained the item to the computer whizz, who in turn drew it out for them. Have you any idea what these people are called?
Again, thanks for being so very kind with the advice.

CAD? That's Computer Aided Design. So you want a CAD specialist...expensive though and one of the things you learn in business is never to use your own money unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your product will sell and are prepared to lose the money too.

Thanks again..

You could approach a Product Design company who will be able to assess your idea and advise you on the best way of developing it, getting it to manufacture and marketing it, but beware it can be a costly and very time consuming process so you need to be extremely committed to making it work.
There are various grants and funding initiatives available for individuals to develop products, and the design company should be able help you to find out what may be appropriate for you, but you will most likely have to expect a certain amount of expenditure yourself in the early stages.

I can't believe the amount of help and advice you are all so willing to give. I am considering approaching an established entrepreneur, ie Peter Jones,Alan Sugar. Just trying to decide whether I should attempt it myself or give them the idea on the basis that if they produce the item- which will be mass produced, then they could pay me a set amount per 1 sold... Hence, all the previous questions. Do you have any idea of reputable Design companies? Also, re the non disclosure that would need to be signed: would this have to be drawn up under a solicitor,and on their headed paper, or do you think it would be water tight enough for me to draw up my own, as I know what needs to be covered in them? If this product works out I will definitely get back in touch to let you know..
All advice GREATLY appreciated.

If you google search "Product Design Companies", "Idea Development" or "Patenting a Product" you should be able to find several of the main agencies in the UK. My advice would be to approach several of them and sign an NDA with each one before disclosing your idea to them. They will probably all have their own standard one which covers both you and them. They are all very differently run despite offering a similar service so you will get an idea of which one you want to deal with by talking to them and seeing how they handle your enquiry. It's very much a matter of personal preference as well as how much they quote you for the project. Most will give you a free consultation.
Good Luck.

PS. Don't approach any manufacturers or big businesses without having filed a Patent application first!

Have you gone down this route yourself? You are so knowledgeable about it all.

I worked in the product design business for a little while so I know a bit about the process although I wouldn't claim to be an expert!

My advice would be to look very carefully at all your options and if you are really serious about making your idea into a successful business venture then make sure you have the available funds and a strong commitment to see it through.

A lot of people call design companies with "wonderful" inventions, but have either not researched their idea and / or have no concept of what it will take both in terms of time and money to make them a reality.

As long as you go in well prepared and informed, and you have a really strong product idea then you have a good chance of success.