Author: Patricia Nolan-Brown
Publisher: Amacom
ISBN: 978-0-8144-3293-8

“If you need something and it doesn’t exist, rather than seeing a problem, see an opportunity. All it takes is one good idea and you can make a difference, fill the need, solve the problem,” Patricia Nolan-Brown writes in her book, Idea to Invention: What You Need to Know to Cash in on Your Inspiration.

At two hundred and seventy-two pages, this paperback targets readers who want to turn an idea into an invention but have no clue where to start. After pages of reviews, acknowledgements, and introduction, eighteen chapters cover the topic, ending with an index and the author’s biography.

Firmly believing that anyone can become a successful inventor, the author explains in the first chapter how she turned a simple idea into an inventive product that still sells successfully around the globe today. 

Establishing that there are six personality traits combined with six simple steps, one can produce a successful invention. Taking a multiple choice test, the reader learns the acronym I.N.V.E.N.T. for the six needed personalities of inquisitive, nerve, voice, energy, nourish and tenacity. With an answer guide, one can find his or her strong points and those that need work and improvement.

Covering a chapter on each personality, the author promotes ideas such as keeping a curiosity journal, asking questions, reframe criticism, ignite the passion, care for the body, feed the dream carefully, and have flexibility.

Nolan-Brown’s six simple steps to turn an idea to an invention are to think, cook, protect, pitch, make, and bedazzle it. By organizing and mapping out ideas, the notion needs to be defined through research and creating a prototype. By protecting the design with NDAs, PPAs, or patents, the inventor safeguards it. Marketing through cold calls, press releases, and trade shows help pitch it. Also discussed are techniques of licensing, insuring, and manufacturing as well as ways to add pizzazz.

One chapter involves advertising through social media, or blogging. The final two chapters are helpful hints to experience a positive lifestyle of inventing along with a forty-five question quiz with an answer key. 

This comprehensive go-to book is a great resource guide for any new inventor shy or scared to take the first leap into a venture. Nolan-Brown’s motivation and knowledge will help push the novice to a successful entrepreneur.

Thanks to Amacom for furnishing this book in exchange for a review based on the reader’s opinions.

Follow Here To Purchase Idea to Invention: What You Need to Know to Cash In on Your Inspiration