Mom-Invented Friday...I have an idea..Now what?

You have an idea...Now what?  I get asked this question quite often.

Having no background in business or bringing a product to market, I had no idea what came next. 

My daughter was born in July of 2009, by the end of October I was juggling with a coat, car seat and diaper bag while running my errands.  My "a-ha" moment came during one of those crazy trips where I was down to 4 items, each fitting into the pockets of my jeans.  I thought "I need to get a bag that attaches to the car seat so I can carry my wallet, keys and bottle for the baby".
I popped onto the internet but wasn't able to find anything that would fit my needs, so my next step was to dust off my sewing machine and make myself a bag that I attached onto the car seat.

It was not the best looking thing, but it had potential.  While looking at this bag, I realized that maybe...just maybe if I had this problem, then other parents might be going through the same issue.

And so began my roller coaster journey into becoming a mompreneur and bringing the SeatPak to market.

With the first professionally sewn prototype of the SeatPak

Here we are, back to...I have an idea...Now what?

I would advise to begin on the internet.  Research to see if your "idea" is already on the market.  If it is not then you will have to decide if this is something you are passionate enough to want to make into a reality.  It will be a tough road, we live in a world where we need to see quick results, bringing a product to market is not a place where you will want to rush.

If your "idea" is already on the market don't get discouraged.  I had a few ideas after the birth of my son in 2004, one of which I did nothing about and saw on the market a few years later.  It took me a few more years before "the one" came along.

Perhaps your "idea" is of something that is already on the market but you are improving on it somehow.

Whatever it is.  Are you willing to put in the hard work to bring your "idea" to market.  If the answer is yes then your next step will be to protect your work before moving forward.

Stay tuned.  Next week...How to protect my invention

In the event of a crash...Important car seat information

I spotted a Facebook post which I thought was very important to pass on to parents.  Lauren Becker an Emergency Service Volunteer  has graciously allowed me to quote her on such an important safety topic.  One that I had never thought to do.  Thank you Lauren.

"I work in emergency services both at volunteer firehouse and in EMS and this is very important, I post it every few months to remind people to both do it and update it.

Too frequently firefighters come upon a car wreck where the mom is unconscious and there are children in the car who are too young to speak or communicate anything useful to the rescue team.

ADVICE: Place a sticker on each child'...s car seat providing information that can help rescuers.

Include: child's name & DOB, parent's names, DOB & phone, emergency contact info, child's doctor, any medical issues and any medications.

Please update this information as needed as well."

 

Best Books to read during Pregnancy

I was 31 and pregnant. Now what? 

I knew nothing about babies!  I had changed a diaper once on a 2 year old and had to do it while holding my breath, by the time I was done there were tears streaming down my face, the gagging reflex in full mode and one quite little boy with a "crazy lady alert" look on his face.  I think I was 30 at the time.

So I hit the book store and came out with What to expect when you're Expecting.  It was a God send.  It took me month by month of what to expect and also covered a little of what to expect with my body after delivery.

As I got further into my pregnancy, I had a few moments of panic as to what to DO with the baby after he was born.  I found What to expect the First Year.  It was a wealth of information from what baby would do month to month, things to look for in milestones, information what to expect when baby is sick, what foods to feed and so much more.

I also loved the books written by Gary Ezzo.  His Babywise books taught me about schedule feeding vs demand feeding.  I had Post Partum Depression, so scheduling helped me differentiate my baby's crying, making things a little less stressful while my meds kicked in to stabilize my panic attacks.

Lastly, don't forget to get one for the dad to be.  A good one is The Expectant Father.

Books are a wonderful resource, but once your baby comes your instinct will take over as well.  You will do just fine!  Take a breath and enjoy your pregnancy.  Your baby will be here in a blink.

Do you have any books that you would recommend to other parents-to-be?




Written By Sandra Frawley, Mom & Inventor of the award winning SeatPak.
"The SeatPak was inspired by the birth of my daughter.  My trips to the store were a circus act of juggling the car seat, diaper bag and coat.  I needed something that would attach to the handle of the car seat with the essentials for those trips when my larger diaper bag was impractical."
The SeatPak holds All essentials, plus Mom& Dad's stuff too!  Lightweight and Compact it is easy to install.  Our universal fit can be used with any car seat or stroller.

Visit www.babybindle.com for more information.






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