Question

Topic: Strategy

Taking My Kutebootz Invention To Sketchers

Posted by jennie_cantu on 1/5/2012 at 9:06 AM ET 250 Points
I am and inventor and entrepreneur. 3 weeks ago I had an amazing idea to create removable, customizable decor to regular suede boots for young girls. My amazing friend created a blog,
Kutebootz.blogspot.com/. and also wrote a provisional patent as well by the end of the first week. I also had a working model by the end of the day with tons of positive feedback from friends and fam as well as on Facebook. We have made over 40 kits now with instructions and packaging. We also have a patent attorney and a couple interested investors.
I am super inspired by the story of Jibbitz who were bought by Sketchers as it is very similar to mine. I am going to Cali this weekend and was thinking about walking into Sketchers Headquarters. What is your advice?????
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted on 1/5/2012 at 6:14 PM Accepted
    Enjoy Southern California. Save the stop at Sketchers HQ for when you're fully prepared to present your business proposition to them. Besides, you don't even know if the right person will be in the office while you're there.

    What you might want to do is some market research that extends beyond friends and family. The fact that you have "tons of positive feedback" is good news, but not nearly enough to make your invention interesting to Sketchers.

    Don't rush to the end-zone too quickly. First see if you can really sell your product to strangers. Once you've mastered that there will be time to go to Sketchers (or someone else).
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 1/5/2012 at 8:22 PM Accepted
    What Skechers (etc.) are looking for in new products aren't ideas but sales. If you can prove lots of people in your target area will pay for your product, then they can take your idea, and manufacture/market it themselves. Until then, you've got something that has some interest now.

    Also - just because you have a patent doesn't mean that others won't make copycat products. A patent is simply a piece of paper, and the work/money is in actively defending the patent.
  • Posted by jennie_cantu on 1/8/2012 at 8:03 PM Author
    Wow, I am so grateful for all your responses. I''m definitly taking all of that into consideration. I am thankful for your website and wisdom.
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Strategy)