[Invent It, Sell It, Bank It!: Make Your Million-Dollar Idea into a Reality] [By: Greiner, Lori] [March, 2014]

by Lori Greiner

From one of the stars of ABC’s Shark Tank and the host of QVC’s Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner comes a hands-on, nuts-and-bolts guide to getting a new product or company off the ground and making it profitable. Do you want to . . . Become your own boss,Make your first million,And achieve financial freedom?Lori Greiner shows you how. Lori Greiner is one of America’s most successful, well-informed, and approachable entrepreneurs. But before she created her first hit product, all she had was a great idea, a tireless work ethic—and no clue where to start. So Lori taught herself everything there is to know about the ins and outs of business, manufacturing, investors, patents, and marketing. Now, five hundred million dollars in retail sales later, she reveals her wealth of experience and hard-won wisdom so that you, too, can thrive. All it takes is some careful planning, a few basic technical and social skills, and the right attitude—which no one understands better than Lori. Sharing her own stories along the way, she provides vital information and advice on topics that often intimidate, frustrate, and stump aspiring entrepreneurs, including Market Is your idea a hero or a zero? Don’t be so fixated on the end result that you forget to make something that people actually want to buy. Although loans, investments, and crowd-sourcing are great ways to access cash, first tap into your own resources as wisely as possible. Product Customers notice the little things, so it’s important to track your merchandise from the assembly line to store shelves. Protecting your Obtaining a patent can be a difficult process, but in many cases it’s the only way to safeguard an original invention. The art of the Buyers won’t take a chance on an unknown commodity until you convince them that you and your product are worth the money and the effort. Offering behind-the-scenes insights into her experiences on Shark Tank and Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner as well as valuable lessons from the mistakes and triumphs of her early career, Lori proves that, with hard work and the right idea, anyone can turn themselves into the next overnight success. So a note to all the weekend inventors, armchair CEOs, and get-rich-quick No more excuses! With Lori Greiner as your personal mentor, the only thing left to do is make your product, get out there, and sell it!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Entrepreneurship, Self Help, Biography, Finance, Personal Development

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Lori Greiner is now regarded as one of the most prolific inventors of retail products, having created over 450 products, and holds 120 U.S. and international patents. She is a star shark on the hit entrepreneurial business show, Shark Tank on ABC, where she invests in companies and helps turn dreams into a reality. Lori also has had her own show on QVC-TV, for the past 16 years called “Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner.” Lori says she can tell instantly if a product is a “hero or a zero”, and this is clearly shown through her many thriving investments and a 90% success rate on new items launched. Several of her investments are the highest success stories on Shark Tank to date.

Lori entered the literary world with her first book Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! which is an National Best Seller and is a hands on, step-by-step guide on how to turn an idea into a million dollar reality.

Well-known for creating the most popular jewelry and cosmetic organizers of her time, Greiner’s cleverly designed products cover a large range, and she is constantly adding new items. From must-have organizers for the home to kitchen tools, travel bags and clever solutions for everyday problems, Lori’s products are enjoyed by men and women alike. Her inspiration comes from her passion to bring happiness to people by making their everyday lives easier. Her products are sold on QVC and in Major Retailers across the U.S. and in Europe.

Greiner’s accomplishments come from her sharp instincts and strong business sense. She oversees the legal and patent processes, and has driven her business to the success it has achieved. An expert on patenting and a guest speaker for the United States Patent & Trademark Office, she is hands-on in all facets of taking a product from concept to creation and to market within months. She has also helped many budding entrepreneurs turn their ideas into hit products. At the heart of her own success is a combination of talent, hard work and perseverance, as well as sincere, energetic on-air appeal.

Greiner’s collection of over 450 products are regularly featured in top magazines like Town & Country, O, The Oprah Magazine, Woman’s Day, Family Circle and InStyle. She has also been profiled in Financial Times and Success and has been seen on many of the top TV shows like The View, CBS This Morning & Good Morning America. Her Initial Silver Safekeeper was chosen as one of Oprah’s favorite things.

A great believer that, if you are lucky enough to be successful, you have a responsibility to give back, Greiner’s most gratifying moments come when she is able to help budding entrepreneurs achieve the same success she feels lucky enough to have enjoyed. She also believes that what matters most in life is who a person is and what is in their soul. She and her company annually donate a substantial amount of their profits to a variety of charities.

Greiner’s all-American success story is a refreshing scenario in today’s challenging economy. Her inventions address the everyday needs of a wide-range of people, and her affordable pricing makes her products accessible, allowing her to spread her enthusiasm for problem- solving to millions of consumers.

In addition, Lori is a much sought after speaker inspiring others to achieve their goals and dreams as she has and offers in her book and on stage the recipe to achieve great success. This also adds to Lori’s philosophy of helping others and sharing her experience to benefit others-all in an entertaining way.

Reviews

[Kit Pang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative step-by-step guide that offered many entertaining stories and useful advice about the ABCs of inventing a product and getting it out there. Lori Greiner‘s warm personality and entrepreneur spirit really shines through in her book. However, readers might find it more helpful if they have watched an episode of ABC’s Shark Tank or have some knowledge of Lori’s inventions because she refers to her experiences and products often. There are useful checklists at the end of each chapter that sums up the chapter’s main points. I have never been curious about inventing products but this was
a useful book to see how it is done.

Summary:
Invent It, Sell it, Bank it is a step-by-step tool that guides inventors and entrepreneurs on how to turn their bright ideas into reality. A wide variety of topics are covered: The Start, Researching your Market, Manufacturing, Marketing, Patents, The Pitch, Running the Business and Keeping the Dream Going. Lori Greiner is the star of ABC’s Shark Tank and one of the most prolific inventors of retail products. She shares with us her experiences along with lessons learned throughout her journey to success.

Invent It, Sell It, Bank It!: Make Your Million-Dollar Idea into a RealityLori Greiner

[A.F. Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, just not super helpful to me personally because I’m not going down the tv marketing path. (There is incredible information on tv marketing though, if that’s what you’re after.) And social media marketing wasn’t really touched on in any kind of unique way. There was a lot of good info about the patent process, and factory manufacturing. But there was quite a bit of over explaining I felt to get the point across. I started to feel like the writing was getting a bit dense. Also, I may have liked this more and found it much more helpful if I had read this early in my business studies. At this point I’ve read many many amazing business books that already explained all the obvious stuff, so I knew quite a bit already. Still absolutely love Lori! She is a true inspiration.

[Jonathan Donihue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most detailed, bare bones, guide to entrepreneurship that I've ever seen. No fluff, no bullshit - just a straight up guide to taking an idea through all the stages of development and into the marketplace.

If you've ever wanted to be an inventer, this book is an invaluable guide that will help you reach that goal.

[TR Upshur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed her talking about what she went through and appreciate her laying out the steps for us. There is no substitute for experience.

I felt like this book should have been two books...or one book divided in two parts. One part being her experiences and the other being the "how-to".

This is an excellent resource. If you are committed to inventing something people will actually pay for(and make millions)...buy it.

[Gunnar Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everyone has different tastes on books. I felt that the book itself was too specific because I believe entrepreneurs have different pathways on how to get their idea to the market. This book focuses on B2C transactions, getting your idea into retail, while creating a formulated, step-by-step, system for how entrepreneurs can get expand on their idea, which is not bad if you need a good sense of structure on how to become an entrepreneur.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lori Greiner walks onto the set of a Shark Tank episode or QVC show, viewers have the chance to watch a charismatic entrepreneur who knows her way around the block. They can see her success and her inventions turned into reality as they dream about their own paths taking them to similar heights. But what they don’t get a chance to see is the steps she took along the way, from the prototypes to manufacturing to selling. They also don’t get to see the full picture of who an entrepreneur is and the set of defining characteristics and traits that set them apart before the first step is even taken. In Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! Greiner shares the tale of how determined but politely, she made her way from a single simple idea to being a QVC success – and just what it takes for an entrepreneur to navigate the path to get there.

Before she began her entrepreneurial journey, Lori Greiner didn’t see any signs that she would turn out to be the incredible entrepreneur she would ultimately become. She didn’t have a business background, wasn’t an aggressive lemonade stand or glow stick seller as a kid, and in fact was at the time dreaming of making it big in the journalism and media field. But what she did have was the mind of an inventor and entrepreneur – a mind that went off with fireworks at the spark of an idea and not let up once the excitement had grabbed hold. Making her dream come true meant taking some risks, leveraging her relationships, running nonstop from city to city, doing the research, refusing to take no for an answer, and watching over and learning at every single step along the process.

But as she navigated the complexities of design, manufacturing, relationships and agreements that she’d never heard or known about before, she learned a ton about how the process works and what success takes. The path to success may well be unpredictable and challenging, but there are certain measures and paths one can take that certainly increase the likelihood of making it through. As Greiner shares in her book, “if you bring a product to market successfully once, why couldn’t you do it again?” – while her book might not guarantee success, what better way to set oneself up for better chances than to gain first hand insight into what the process of a successful entrepreneur looks like?

In revealing with budding entrepreneurships just how to turn that million-dollar idea into a reality, Greiner shares several important aspects with readers. First and foremost is understanding that at the heart of the whole process is the entrepreneur herself. Detailing a comprehensive list of 6 essential characteristics, ranging from passion to organization, she goes through exactly what makes up an entrepreneur and how to tell if you’re ready to be one. At the same time, she also describes what an entrepreneur doesn’t have to be – while a business background or other factors may be helpful along the way, not everything is essential to have as she encourages people of all backgrounds to consider their potential.

After an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of a great entrepreneur, the reader also has a chance to discover what clear, definable traits makes a great idea – specifically, the nine things that make an idea great. Step-by-step, readers are shown how to identify whether an idea is a hero or zero. Greiner brings up everything from how to come up with an idea, to uniqueness to target markets and everything in between, leaving no stone unturned in discerning whether the idea it truly worth pursuing.

Once a reader is firmly rooted in the knowledge of what makes a great entrepreneur and entrepreneurial idea, the book plunges into what needs to actually be done. Everything from research, funding, initial mock ups and prototype, patents, pitches, manufacturing, selling yourself and your product, marketing, and more are all covered in detail. Whether it be covering the various types of funding available for a startup, explaining the pros and cons of filing for a patent, revealing the essential components that make up the perfect pitch, or sharing various methods of utilizing social media and networks in gaining awareness and sharing your dream with consumers, everything step along the process is covered. With website resources linked directly in the text and overviews of different methods and paths for each, Greiner reveals all the intricate details and steps that follow up an idea to turn it into an actual reality.

Finally, interspersed throughout the book are applications and anecdotes directly from Greiner’s experiences herself. These experiences provide a context for seeing how the steps can actually be followed and applied in a real life setting. They also demonstrate the imperfect nature of the process that could never be captured by a straightforward step by step guide by itself; even having done one’s research and putting in the time and commitment, her real life experiences and stories show that mistakes and potential disasters will inevitably come along. Whether it be running ink, faulty molds, tight deadlines or malfunctions, the list of difficulties were endless. However, readers also get a chance to see how she overcame the unexpected surprises along the way, and can feel the tangible excitement when she describes how she raced from city to city and store to store selling units of her precious creation.

Accompanying these personal stories is also a lot of helpful advice that Greiner picked up along the way: everything from how to deal with disappoint and failure, to how to live your life, shape your dreams, be a leader, collaborate and build trust with a team, and ultimately get things done. The stories of how she cold-called and redialed every store in the book may have been important, but the less business-minded stories of how she brought cold drinks and treats for the factory workers or texts the 8-year old daughter of someone she works with were equally valuable as they revealed what being an entrepreneur means to her. While some might view the business world as a place to fight and scrape your way to the top, Greiner’s stories and words of advice to treat workers well, always maintain a high team morale, have fun, invest in people, give back and more shaped a vision and purpose behind being an entrepreneur that she feels will bring an entrepreneur far.

Overall, I found Greiner’s book to be an incredibly helpful step by step kind of manual– quick checklists of practical steps, detailed process and websites line the pages, making the process of entrepreneurship feel tangible and achievable. Yet while the book holds a certain degree of workbook-ness to it, there is an equally substantial amount of material training the reader on what the core of an entrepreneur is comprised of: how to think, how to approach challenges that might not be detailed, and ultimately how to always keep researching, learning, and finding out more oneself. This balance between practicality, procedure and overall picture was pulled off incredibly well in my opinion, and left the reader with a general direction of how to proceed without inadvertently steering them blindly towards a defined path that may or may not lead to where they want to go.

At the end of the day, the majority of what she shared did cater primarily to her area of expertise and experience. While it was inspirational for me to hear the anecdote how she was able to overcome the challenges of being a woman in the field of entrepreneurship when facing slight degrees of gender bias, the story of how she brought to life earring organizers and kitchenware might not appeal in the same way to everyone. And while there was a nice overview of the entrepreneurial mind, process and various options, readers should also understandably expect to see a substantial portion on her QVC experience and physical product design and manufacturing suggestions, which may be less relevant if one is interest in services, social, digital goods, or other areas of less tangible entrepreneurship.

Yet whether one is looking to go into product development and patents or not, the fact that Greiner shares some great advice is unmistakable. Whether it be cautioning about one’s willingness to see and accept criticism, to encouraging due diligence, to warning on potential traps along the way, much of the more general advice she gives could be applicable to anyone. Greiner’s story could be a great inspiration to any inspiring entrepreneur. As stated in the book, she firmly believes that “truly, anyone, at any time, can become an inventor.” – and yet for whatever reason, not many do. Don’t make that mistake. Any would-be inventor with the drive, determination and passion to learn more should read this book, see if they have what it takes, and find out how to start on their own path to entrepreneurship.

[Otter · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Inventors and entrepreneurs constitute a special club, a collection of creative spirits and mavericks who simply can't or won't conform to the established boundaries and limitations of the traditional workplace."-- Lori Greiner.

If the word "inventor" conjures in your head images of a slightly forgetful but brilliant and reclusive eccentric with an unfashionable social sense and a sartorial flair bordering on anti-social --someone like Belle's father, Maurice, from Beauty and the Beast -- then be prepared to meet inventor, entrepreneur, investor, and TV personality Lori Greiner, developer of more than 400 products, holder of more than 120 patents, and the woman who will repaper your mental "inventor" gallery with visions of a smart, savvy, well-groomed and well-spoken gregarious leader who not only worked her way to the top, but wants to give the rest of us a hand up in getting there, too. To that end, Ms. Greiner has written a highly engaging entrepreneurial guide: Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! (Make Your Million-Dollar Idea into a Reality), which teaches the reader how to experience the "thrill to hold in your hands something you dreamed up in your head."

If there were a branch of Scouting called the Inventor Scouts, this would be their official handbook.

Watching Ms. Greiner vetting the hopeful inventors with the other sharks on the wildly popular television show, "Shark Tank," it is hard to believe that she was not always sitting in that seat, but she describes starting at the bottom 17 years ago and climbing her ladder to success. Throughout the book, she uses the progress of her own first invention, a unique earring organizer, to illustrate many of the points she makes throughout the book, taking the reader step-by-step through the process from coming up with a great idea all the way through expanding the business.

Written in an engaging and free-flowing style, this highly informative book is set up as a chronological guide through the steps to entrepreneurial success, but it also contains plenty of examples and real-life cases to illustrate the steps and keep the information accessible and enjoyable for the average reader who wants to learn how to succeed in business, but has not been to business school. The book is structured so that concepts are introduced and discussed, and then followed up at the end of chapters with helpful checklists and to-do lists that readers can refer back to as they are pursuing their goals without having to get bogged down in too many unnecessary details.

Ms. Greiner advocates educating yourself so that you can be actively involved in every facet of your business, from manufacturing to patent law to marketing, and she gives a useful introduction to each of these topics over the course of the main chapters, sprinkled with motivational quotations and valuable tips. Also, if you want to read more about the case studies in the book, a complete listing is found in the endnotes.

What can you expect to learn? At the very least, you will come away knowing
the six essential characteristics of successful inventors, along with the one important thing that all inventors need, and several surprising things they don't. You will learn to subject each of your ideas to Ms. Greiner's nine-question litmus test to determine whether or not it's a winner (and you can refer to her comprehensive "hero or zero" checklist for a shorthand version.)

With Ms. Greiner's help, you will discover the importance of prototypes and market research, and the keys to getting useful (i.e., accurate) feedback. You can learn how to navigate the tricky waters of pricing with ease, and write a business plan so that you can be well-prepared to answer questions from potential investors.

And about those investors -- where do they come from? Is crowdfunding like Kickstarter and indiegogo the best way to go? Ms. Greiner tells how and where to go about getting funding -- and how to build a perfect pitch.

Once you've gotten the go ahead, you'll also need to know the benefits of and steps to obtaining a patent and trademarking, as well as best strategies for manufacturing, including packaging and quality control, and how to follow up and continue to find the way to move your business forward, including conducting successful sales on television and through other non-traditional selling venues, harnessing social media to boost your marketing power so that your business will continue to expand and grow.

A few of the warmest takeaways from her book are that inventors should use their own lives and surroundings for inspiration, have fun, be respectful, STAY POSITIVE, and take the time to invest in people. I can appreciate a leader who walks the walk: Ms. Greiner has taken the time to write a book in order to help others achieve their dreams -- and with any luck, the book will be wildly successful, proving her point that success can come with valuing people. I received my copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice trove of information valuable to anyone with an idea, along with a few interesting stories, all from a familiar voice.

[MariWabiSabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, quick, and fun. Practical advice for anyone who's looking to create a physical product and get it into retailers.

[Maroua LH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book was only made for American inventors (especially for the ones with a unique product), not just entrepreneurs in general. I wished it could be more extensive. So I felt like I wasn’t the targeted audience. However, I liked some of its aspects: the storytelling, some of the obstacles that Lori had to face, and some of the solutions she came up with.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book :

“When you run into trouble and need to rally the troops, don’t pressure people by focusing on the consequences of failure but, rather, on what you could all gain with success.”

“The power of persuasion lies in making people understand the big picture.”

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written and a comfortable read, but it didn’t go deep enough for me in terms of content.

Its half-half blend of autobiography and business how-to kept me interested and kept the book marching along at an easy pace, but it’s perhaps also part of the reason why there never seemed to be enough ‘meat in the sandwich’. I wanted to know a lot more about the manufacturing business and/or more about the author’s personal journey - both are interesting in their own right - but the book fell short on both fronts.

[Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watch Lori Greiner on Shark Tank every week and enjoy her and read her new book and enjoyed it even more. The complete history behind this strong woman and how she got started, all the ups and downs and the failures before making it big. She is a very compassionate woman and enjoys helping everyone she can. A powerful story everyone should read if trying to sell their product.

[Tealia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Differently a how-to guide for an American trying to sell a product they made. Very niche and I was expecting more overall business sense. Started with her life then how to copy it. I enjoyed it but was a bibliography followed by a how to guide that I didnt need.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Read and incredibly helpful in current details. Honest and personal insight to her own journey and strengths

[Nancy Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Greiner's genius is so outside my box of thinking. I loved this book and learned many practical insights.

[Stacey Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and helpful to anyone who ever wanted to learn how to invent a product and bring it to market. Cool!

[David Rosage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the major steps in launching a consumer product. Enjoyed her positive disposition and passion for creation.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori Greiner is an inventor with an impressive track record. At the time “Invent It, Sell It, Bank It” was published she had 120 patents.

Her book appealed to me because it was one of the few my library had shelved that included marketing in the keywords. The books target audience is inventors rather than authors. It wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but I checked it out.

“Invent It, Sell It, Bank It,” reads as much like a memoir as a how to. For many readers the lack of a direct how to approach, is its downfall. Lori’s personal experiences are laid out as a guide and in some cases as a caution. She’s honest about both her successes and missteps. There are few circumstances that I’d call failures. None of them that stood out as a direct result of Lori’s choices. There were setbacks and production issues, and world events getting in the way of progress, but they weren’t direct failures.

Some of the topics covered included:
• Market research,
• How to find manufacturers,
• How to tell if a product will be sellable,
• Business plans,
• Funding sources,
• Sales pitch,
• Use of social media to promote your business/product.

Even if you’re not an inventor the information is useful for anyone that wants to run their own business.

I wavered on how to rate the book. My initial impulse was 4 stars. I wanted to rate it 5, because I personally really enjoyed the book. In a lot of ways, I consider it a five-star book, for the most part it follows through on all its promises, but there are things that could be better.
The book presents itself as a how to. It’s more of a memoir than a step by step guide. The principles are in the chapters. The headings help make it clearer what the main point of a section is. If you’re looking for a business guide it’s not straight forward. Not sticking to the expected how-to format decreases it’s effectiveness.

The paragraphs are long and there are large stretches that there’s no real stopping points. The book has large sections of unbroken text, and several ill placed text boxes.

I love the use of information text blocks; however, the impact of the blocks was lost because of the format of the book. There weren’t good places to stop to read over the information blocks. Occasionally the top of the next page would be a marginally relevant text box rather than the continuation of story.

Without clear and easy places to stop to read the text boxes you have moved onto another subject or anecdote by the time you’re able to read the tips/tricks/checklist, so it takes some skimming to remember exactly what the information is referring to.

I had to go back through the book after my initial read through to make sure I hadn’t missed any of the information.

I would have liked to see an index in the back of the book or some of the check lists and formulas copied into an appendix for easier reference.

This book is great for people who already are familiar with Mrs. Greiner’s work. If they are wanting to read more about her life and personal journey this is a perfect book. If you’re looking for a guide book it’s mediocre. There are more detailed and informative business guides available.
Overall, I would say it’s a solid 4-star book. What it delivers on it does well. What it’s lacking in it still does a passable job.

[Mikayla Koleff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I am obsessed with Lori Greiner. Lori is an absolute boss and her career path is incredibly inspiring. I have owned this book for a few years now and it sat on my shelf because I was waiting for the perfect time to read it. I am at a point in my career and life where I am ready to channel Lori’s powerful, boss energy into my own daily practices.

I really enjoyed learning about Lori’s personal story and her rise to success. I wish that the book included even more information about her life and what made her rise to success unique. I would have loved if the book consisted of two parts. Part 1 being her rise to success and Part 2 being life post success. I felt that the book was a bit too literal and specific. Everyone’s journey to success is unique and this felt kind of cookie cutter. As a reader I was waiting for those serendipitous, exciting, WOW moments and even though Lori is BEYOND inspiring.. the book felt a bit lackluster.

I do not personally have an invention that I am passionate about bringing to life but I am passionate about marketing myself and inventing my own career path. That is why I picked up this book. This book was less about overall business advice and more of a step by step guide on how to invent a specific product and to sell it in store and on TV. If you have a specific invention in mind that you are beyond stoked about, then this book is for you!

Lastly, one of the main takeaways from this book - all of the fabulous quotes that Lori included at the beginning of each chapter. One quote can change your entire perspective on life. Here are a few from this book that have forever changed mine….

“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible’.”
Audrey Hepburn

“All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”
Walt Disney

“Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.”
Will Durant

[Micole Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my little sister was heading to college,I bought her a bunch of books - this was one. She lived with me for a bit during the summer break and left it so I ended up reading it. I am a fan of Shark Tank and any forum that allows for business pitches to take place in exchange for possible aid, support, etc. I know my mom used to have her business classes watch it and later I even did my own version of it with my ELA students. So I was eager to hear the insight from one of my favorite Sharks.

The book is an easy read. It is to the point - which I like. It is informative. Nothing is too new or unheard of, but I think the author's visible credibility helps. Some items are tried and true and should be noted and applied with whatever product you have invented or that you produce. I really liked the selection of quotes presented throughout he book. They were thoughtful and motivating.

The book does cover a lot of ground, so it can easily help any businessperson at least access how efficient their current set-up is and/or needs to be.

[Mike Morgenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Lori Greiner, has invented and patented hundreds of products herself. But she is also an investor - and this is how I first knew of her - in many inventions and companies that were started by inventors. She has a ton of wisdom, and when you couple that with amicability and enthusiasm you get this text. It's true, as others have said, that it is not immediately practical for people who can not afford the tens of thousands of dollars that are absolutely necessary in order to build a prototype and test products. This is unfortunate, and i agree for the most part but I happen to believe that even if a book is not immediately relevant to you, there is some perspective you can get out of it. Perspective broadens your scope, and with a bigger scope comprehension becomes more feasible for future use.

[Ryan Manganiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of the absolute best entrepreneurial related books I have ever read, especially as it pertains to self-made individual products.

If you are planning on bringing a brand new concept to life, and want to know what you should and shouldn't do as far as the patent and creation process is concerned, this is definitely the right book for you!

Although it is an older book, the great majority of all the content within it still holds up today, with the exception being the social media best practices chapter... that chapter can definitely use some updating.

[LAMONT D · Rating 3 out of 5]

FROM MY FAVORITE SHARK TANK PERSONALITY; THIS BOOK IS PERFECT FOR THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE A GO OF IT BY STARTING THEIR OWN COMPANY OR TAKING THEIR NEW INVENTION OR PRODUCT TO MARKET. VERY PRACTICAL ADVICE. I JUST WISHED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FEW MORE PERSONAL STORIES THOUGH SHE HAD SOME OF WHAT IT TOOK FOR HER TO BECOME SO SUCCESSFUL.

[Summer Yang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how nice, smart and female power Lori showed in Shark Tank, and Lori has been patiently and elaborately explaining how to invent a product and make it into a business from the scratch. But after reading too many business book for the past years, I couldn't get too much useful information from this book anymore. Salute.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The info is good, it's simply not the most practical starting text for someone who doesn't have extensive capital or who isn't yet ready to give up their day job. I recommend starting with Stephen keys books on licensing

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book! I felt like I was apart of Lori’s journey! She is truly one of my idols. This book is very informative and it motivates me to build my own career and stop at nothing to follow my dreams!

[Pandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK - a book about the steps involved in designing, patenting, manufacturing and selling (to dealers) your own products.
It is also a good acoount of the amazing battle and success Lori Greiner (Shark Tank) had in producing her first product - the earring organizer.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori offers many good tips for inventors who want to go into business.

There are good resources and advice is from her own experience and those she's worked with.

A must read for anyone thinking about starting a business with their inventions.

[Cj 888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book to learn more about Lori's path. Her lessons and past interwoven in an easy to read way. It sounds like she had access to more money than most, when starting out. Yet that doesn't detract from her process and work ethic that was used to pursue her products success.

[johhh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains lots of valuable information for nascent inventors and entrepreneurs. Language of book is very simple and therefore easy to read.