Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT)
CLICK HERE to Watch Live or catch up on previous episodes

In this episode, Johnny Georges will share how he launched a new product, achieved mass market success and the experience of striking a deal with John Paul Dejoria on Shark Tank season 5.

Hearing from someone who has done it successfully can be a powerful way for you to learn firsthand how successful inventors develop marketable products.

Meet our guest:

Johnny Georges grew up in Winter Haven, Florida where their single mother raised him and his brother. Johnny has been a hard worker ever since he was a kid; he got his first job in the 4th grade at a gas station on Avenue G in Inwood. After graduating from job school, Johnny went to work for his father for over 20 years; learning firsthand how to engineer and install irrigation, drill wells and install pumps and motors. Over that 20 year span, Johnny put in over 10,000 pumps and motors and installed over 30,000 acres of irrigation for citrus. The tree T-PEE was first made by Rick Georges and Georges Enterprise Inc. for frost protection for young trees. The idea came about while banking trees in preparation for a night where frost was predicted. Banking trees is a method where you pack dirt around the young trees in order to keep them warm and prevent damage from frost. The next day, the dirt would be removed so the sun could warm the tree. This process was repeated each night the temperature was predicted to be below freezing. While banking trees one day, Johnny commented that there has to be an easier way to protect the trees from frost. So, Rick developed a small cone and placed it around the tree…and it worked. However, the cone still had to be manually installed with every freeze warning, and then removed the following day, which was very time consuming and manpower intensive. The cone only solved half of the problem.

Johnny saw the water saving potential and decided to make the T-PEE we have today. While conserving water, Johnny saw it as a domino effect. Not only was the tree T-PEE conserving water, it was conserving the electricity, or fuel, it takes to pump the water. The fertilizer savings were just as dramatic with farmers using 75% less because they were only putting it where it was needed. Same with herbicide; when not fertilizing the weeds and grass, you won’t need the roundup to kill the non-existent weeds. However, changing generations of farming practices doesn’t happen overnight! Despite rejection by traditional farmers and their conventional methods, Johnny continued with unyielding tenacity to chip away at the old outdated conventional practices…one farmer at a time. Then, in November of 2013, Johnny got his big break! He appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and landed a deal with entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul Dejoria. Together, and more determined than ever, Johnny’s dream and his father’s dream of changing the world is becoming a reality…one farmer at a time!

Meet our host:

Chris Guerrera is an accomplished executive with over 34 years enjoying National Media exposure and hosting a weekly podcast Made in America. He was recently interviewed by Kathy Ireland for her Modern Living national syndicated television show. He has been featured on Good Morning America Shark Tank and was the MCee of the Shark Tank panel for the MAKE48 competition hosted by the Smithsonian Lemelson Center in Washington DC. His “Made in America “products are displayed alongside such household name products as Scrub Daddy®, Squatty Potty®, Paint Brush Cover®, Drop Stop®, and ReadeRest®, all products that have achieved mass distribution & sales after their appearance on the reality TV series “Shark Tank”.

Mr. Guerrera was instrumental in the BMW start-up and success in the United States where he managed the interior group for the BMW Z3 and X5. He spent over 5 years in Greenville, South Carolina developing the BMW interior group during their USA launch. He was awarded the JD Powers and Associates best in class Quality Award from BMW and listed as LMJ Top 25 Lean Experts in the World.

Mr. Guerrera was an integral part of the 1/8 turn fuel system design for Ford Motor Company and is listed on the patent as the Chief Design Engineer. He was the Director of Engineering responsible for four plants with sales revenue of 170 million. He spent three years developing the on-board fuel vapor recovery system for the Ford Taurus vehicle that was first in its class to have such a sophisticated fuel system design that revolutionized the industry.

Schedule is subject to change!

Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT)
CLICK HERE to Watch Live or catch up on previous episodes

Many inventors dream of getting a deal on Shark Tank. In this episode, you will learn from Judy Edwards how to launch a new product and achieve mass market success. She will share the story of how they struck a deal on Shark Tank, in Season 6, with Lori Greiner.

Meet our guest:

Judy Edwards along with her son Bobby and husband Bill are the designers and creators of Squatty Potty® toilet stools and the owners of Squatty Potty, LLC Judy is also the mother of 7 children and 33 grandchildren, 7 of which are great grandchildren. Bill and Judy have been married for almost 52 years. She started Squatty Potty at the early age of 60.

We have always been a health conscious family, but after a lifetime of colon issues Judy was searching for an alternative solution to her problems instead of laxatives. Judy was seeking a natural and inexpensive solution that would help correct and heal the problems she was experiencing. That’s when we found a wonderful and simple solution…Squatting!”

The simple knowledge of getting our knees up while going to the bathroom made a remarkable difference. We searched and searched but we could not find a good solution for putting us into a squatting position while using our toilet. After trying different stools, books, buckets – not to mention stubbing our toes many times (especially in the middle of the night) we decided to take matters into our own hands. That’s when we came up with the Squatty Potty® toilet stool.

Squatty Potty® wraps perfectly around your existing toilet and easily stores out of the way when not in use. We designed and created, tried and tested and then did it again and again. We thought of everything to make your experience better and more enjoyable. It is the perfect height, shape and design to work with any toilet. It is comfortable, ergonomic, easy to use, attractive and affordable. https://www.squattypotty.com/

Meet our host:

Chris Guerrera is an accomplished executive with over 34 years enjoying National Media exposure and hosting a weekly podcast Made in America. He was recently interviewed by Kathy Ireland for her Modern Living national syndicated television show. He has been featured on Good Morning America Shark Tank and was the MCee of the Shark Tank panel for the MAKE48 competition hosted by the Smithsonian Lemelson Center in Washington DC. His “Made in America “products are displayed alongside such household name products as Scrub Daddy®, Squatty Potty®, Paint Brush Cover®, Drop Stop®, and ReadeRest®, all products that have achieved mass distribution & sales after their appearance on the reality TV series “Shark Tank”.

Mr. Guerrera was instrumental in the BMW start-up and success in the United States where he managed the interior group for the BMW Z3 and X5. He spent over 5 years in Greenville, South Carolina developing the BMW interior group during their USA launch. He was awarded the JD Powers and Associates best in class Quality Award from BMW and listed as LMJ Top 25 Lean Experts in the World.

Mr. Guerrera was an integral part of the 1/8 turn fuel system design for Ford Motor Company and is listed on the patent as the Chief Design Engineer. He was the Director of Engineering responsible for four plants with sales revenue of 170 million. He spent three years developing the on-board fuel vapor recovery system for the Ford Taurus vehicle that was first in its class to have such a sophisticated fuel system design that revolutionized the industry.

Schedule is subject to change!

Thursday, April 1, 2020 at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT)
CLICK HERE to Watch Live or catch up on previous episodes

Don’t miss this conversation,  where you will meet T. David Petite. He was the first to patent and introduce wireless mesh technology (SMART CLOUD) to the utility and health care industries. You will hear about the work he is doing on the reservations with youth IP education, his thoughts on the USPTO, and what his general take is on innovation in America today. He served on the UIA Board from 2014 through 2016.

Meet our guest:

David Petite is an American independent inventor with approximately 100 issued patents. He is best known for being one of the key inventors of wireless networking technology which helped lay the ground work for IoT technology and wireless mesh. Mr. Petite is a proud Native American and a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe. He is also a founder of the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council, a non-profit organization helping Native American inventors and communities.

Petite has over 50 US patents pending, dating back to 1995 on ad hoc networks. A listing of his inventions can found at Patent Genius or by a search at The US Patent Office. Petite is considered to be a visionary scientist/engineer, with business knowledge skills. His early inventions seem to demonstrate a foresight to see the technology curve with business values.

Today Mr. Petite operates several companies that license his existing patents and technologies while he continues to develop exciting new wireless and wired products.

Meet our host:

Warren Tuttle has for many years overseen the Open Innovation product programs for several industry leading companies including Lifetime Brands in the housewares and table top arenas (Farberware, Kitchen Aid and 40 other brands), Techtronics Industries Power Tool Group in the power tool and hardware industries (Ryobi, Rigid, Hart Tools and other brands) and Merchant Media in the Direct Response Television category (Smart Spin, True Touch and many other brands). He was also the person behind the launch of several highly successful consumer products including MISTO, The Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer and the SmartSpin Storage Container System. Warren personally interacts with many thousands of inventors every year and has initiated well over 100 new consumer product licensing agreements that have collectively generated over a billion dollars in retail sales. Warren is also a well-known advocate for inventor rights. He served for 12 years as the President of the United Inventors Association Board of Directors, a national 501c3 non-profit with high ethical standards that helps inventors through education, advocacy and the sponsorship of inventor booth pavilions at several industry trade shows, most notably the National Hardware Show. Warren is also a member of the National Pro Bono Patent Commission and the United States Patent and Trademark Office National Council for Expanding American Innovation. Warren’s new book, Inventor Confidential: The Honest Guide to Profitable Innovation, is published by Harper Collins an available for pre-order on Amazon for a March 23^rd, 2021 release. He lives with his wife Lynn in Southern Connecticut and has three wonderful daughters, all well-educated and working. He enjoys skiing, motorcycling, golf and travel.

Schedule is subject to change!

Sarah Gibson Tuttle, the Founder and CEO of Olive & June will share why she started and grew her business, which helps people achieve a salon-quality manicure at-home, into a successful enterprise.  She will talk about the importance of intellectual property protection. Consumer engagement is an important element for any company. Learn how she created valuable resources that help her customers know how to use the products to achieve the best mani possible.  

 Meet the Panel

Building a brand and developing growth strategies are essential in today’s business environment. 

Featured Speaker: Larry Gulko, Harvard Business School Fireside Chat.  Larry is recognized for successfully launching over 25 brands in the consumer goods, lifestyle/luxury, healthcare, and technology markets. Organizations have spanned early stage companies, emerging growth businesses and entrepreneurial ventures to the Fortune 500. He is recognized as a ‘trend setter and trend spotter’, thrives on building best-selling brands, creating category leaders, enhancing brand equity, and creating great business stories leveraging his wealth of brand building, entrepreneurship, and strategic marketing expertise.  Larry’s core business philosophy focuses on Ralph Waldo Emerson’s mantra – “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” He provides leadership direction as a visionary creating bold and disruptive strategies to uniquely position brands to compete more effectively in today’s rapidly evolving and ever–changing business landscape.

This episode features two entrepreneurs, with very different backgrounds, and how they bring new products to the market that have become household brands. 

Featured Speakers: Chris Guerrera and Aaron Krause

What goes on behind the scenes when a professional product developer takes an idea and brings it to life?  John Ellis will share the hard work involved in taking an idea through the stages from concept to a fully developed product.

John Ellis founded Optics for Hire in 2002. His company helps clients research, design, prototype and commercialize imaging and illumination optical devices. Their team of 14 optical, mechanical and electronics engineers provide ray tracing, custom lens designs, complete opto-electronic/opto-mechanical systems and applied optics research.

Optics for Hire clients’ range from startups to the Fortune 50 and work in markets ranging from self-driving cars, medical devices, and consumer products to industrial equipment. More information is available at http://www.opticsforhire.com

In addition, the company has sold or licensed technology used in toys, 3D displays and kitchen gadgets.

Several years ago a Small Claims Patent Court conference in Washington DC was led by Federal Court Judge Susan Braden and Chicago based patent attorney Rob Greenspoon. With the recent Congressional vote to launch a Small Claims Copyright Court, it’s time to revisit this worthy IP pursuit. Listen to Susan and Rob, along with inventor advocate Josh Malone, discuss the logistics and benefits.

Meet our guests:

Robert Greenspoon is a founding member of Flachsbart & Greenspoon, LLC. He is a registered patent attorney who concentrates his practice in the litigation, trial and appeal of patent and other complex cases. Rare among lawyers, his practice spans every aspect of the patent field. He works with inventors to file new patent applications, defends those inventions in all types of Patent Office proceedings (including PTAB challenges), tries patent cases in the courts, wins for appellants and appellees in patent appeals at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and brings and defends patent proceedings at the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Greenspoon is the author of the 2009 law review article that brought widespread attention to the plight of small inventors facing intractable infringement, Is the United States Finally Ready for a Patent Small Claims Court?

In a recent notable win, Mr. Greenspoon convinced the Precedential Opinion Panel of the PTAB (which included the Patent Office Director) to apply the one-year time bar more broadly to dismiss an untimely inter partes review proceeding (GoPro v. 360Heros). Last year, Mr. Greenspoon obtained confirmation of patent validity in an ex parte reexamination requested by an infringer who sought to nullify a multi-million-dollar jury verdict. (Opticurrent v. Power Integrations). Mr. Greenspoon frequently writes and talks on policy matters of interest to innovative individuals and small companies.

Josh Malone quit his corporate job in 2006 to take his shot at the Inventor’s Dream. Eight years later, savings depleted and kid’s college unfunded, he took one last swing before trudging back to the corporate world. And hit a homerun with Bunch O Balloons. His solution to the 63 year old problem of filling and sealing water balloons instantly became the number one selling summer toy. His invention was stolen by a notorious infringer who convinced the USPTO to invalidate his patent under a controversial procedure of the 2011 America Invents Act. A brutal and costly legal battle combined with an anti-corruption crusade ultimately resulted in a $31M award and restoration of his patent rights. He is now a full time volunteer with the inventor advocacy organization US Inventor.

Meet our host:

Judge Susan G. Braden was appointed in 2003, by President George W. Bush, to the United States Court of Federal Claims which has exclusive jurisdiction over cases against the federal government arising from: breach of contract/false claims; bid protest; patent and copyright infringement; land, water, and certain environmental and federal tax refund disputes. In March 2017, she was designated as Chief Judge. Since her retirement from the federal bench in April 2019, she has been appointed as a Public Member of the Administrative Conference of the United States, a Fellow of the American Bar Association; and to the J. W. Fulbright Board. In June 2020, she was appointed by the USTR to serve as one of ten arbitrators who will represent the U.S. in disputes arising under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. In November 2020, she was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the USPTO Patent Public Advisory Committee.  In addition, Judge Braden serves of the Board of Directors of privately-held companies in the software, artificial intelligence, and construction industries and is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s M&A, IP/Technology, and Large Complex Commercial Panels. In the winter of 2021, Judge Braden will join the Antonin Scalia School of Law (George Mason University) as an Adjunct Professor in the Center For The Protection of Intellectual Property.

Schedule is subject to change!

Thursday, March 25, 2020 at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT)
CLICK HERE to Watch Live or catch up on previous episodes.

During this week’s episode you will hear Warren share stories about his years as the President of the UIA, the importance of educating the inventor community, tips for inventors and why the book “Inventor Confidential” was written.

Meet our guest:

Warren Tuttle has for many years overseen the Open Innovation product programs for several industry leading companies including Lifetime Brands in the housewares and table top arenas (Farberware, Kitchen Aid and 40 other brands), Techtronics Industries Power Tool Group in the power tool and hardware industries (Ryobi, Rigid, Hart Tools and other brands) and Merchant Media in the Direct Response Television category (Smart Spin, True Touch and many other brands). He was also the person behind the launch of several highly successful consumer products including MISTO, The Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer and the SmartSpin Storage Container System. Warren personally interacts with many thousands of inventors every year and has initiated well over 100 new consumer product licensing agreements that have collectively generated over a billion dollars in retail sales. Warren is also a well-known advocate for inventor rights. He served for 12 years as the President of the United Inventors Association Board of Directors, a national 501c3 non-profit with high ethical standards that helps inventors through education, advocacy and the sponsorship of inventor booth pavilions at several industry trade shows, most notably the National Hardware Show. Warren is also a member of the National Pro Bono Patent Commission and the United States Patent and Trademark Office National Council for Expanding American Innovation. Warren’s new book, Inventor Confidential: The Honest Guide to Profitable Innovation, is published by Harper Collins an available for pre-order on Amazon for a March 23^rd, 2021 release. He lives with his wife Lynn in Southern Connecticut and has three wonderful daughters, all well-educated and working. He enjoys skiing, motorcycling, golf and travel. Please visit Warren’s website www.tuttleinnovation.com or email him at wwtuttle@yahoo.com for more information.

Meet our host:

Andrea Pass Public Relations creates and implements public relations campaigns in a wide range of categories including consumer products, lifestyle, business-to-business, education, health/wellness/fitness, beauty, food, authors, non-profits and more. Andrea has an expertise in national, regional and local media relations outreach. Her strength in relationships coupled with her knowledge of the ever-growing media base results in securing top tier, targeted media placements to increase brand awareness, reputation management and sales for established businesses and growing entrepreneurs alike. www.AndreaPassPR.com

Schedule is subject to change!