Poi Pointing the way to important lessons to be learned
This Blog list is my curated collection of wisdom, experience and advice from myself and others.
Included are discoveries of ideas, recourses, and fun things for innovative and curious minds - Dave Savage
September 18th
Subscription software solutions are one of the biggest ways companies are forming and growing quickly. Y Combinator, in San Francisco, has a famous incubator program for training the mostly young founders. At the end of each multi-week training program, targeted investors are invited to a pitch event. Many of today’s biggest tech companies got their start there. On the Y combinator site, YouTube, and elsewhere, there is a bounty of videos providing guidance and best practices from the many years of the programs.
Start your search with these sites: (SaaS = Software as a Solution)
Ycombinator.com
YouTube.com/ycombinator
September 17
Are you thinking of solutions to global issues?
Springwise.com is a free website, with regular email posts, that shares the trends, innovations and the companies/organizations that are working on the big problems.
Learn what they are doing to see if what you can offer might help.
September 16th
The Best of Steve Blank. Steve was and still is a world wide speaker, trainer and professor and author about what he has learned as a serial company founder and the experiences of tech startups for 30+ years. He and his team have condensed his videoed advice and resources into lists on his website. And just searching his name on Google and Youtube will bring up much more. https://steveblank.com/tools-and-blogs-for-entrepreneurs/#LeanLaunchPadVideos
September 14th
The history of the machines that make things?
120+ videos covering the companies, founders, and engineering decisions that built the physical world.
Including the history of the companies that build metal working machinery and the people who created and used them. These videos also show how American has mostly lost the world of making the machinery that makes things. And the challenges attracting and training the people to run manufacturing machinery.
This video tells and shows the history of units that followed and were in the battle zones of WW11
I found this video particularly interesting. Most people are familiar with the mobile medical units that are in war zones and natural disasters. There were and are extensive mobile equipment repair centers that have machine shops and repair centers for the wide variety of fighting and support equipment that the military requires.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpq-PCt28AY
September 15th
The Manhattan, NY, Inventors Association video recorded their guest presentations several years ago. Most are an hour +. There are 38 of them.
Take notes and add the advice and resources into your database, for future research and needed contacts. https://www.youtube.com/@ManhattanInvents
September 13th
Ideas alone are just future regrets.
Paraphrasing Steve Jobs
September 10th
“Licensing Isn’t What It Used To Be”
An hour and 22 minutes of sharing insights from serial consumer product marketer Warren Tuttle.
Warren also has a long history of helping consumer product developers to avoid his mistakes.
He has shared his hard earned lessons at hundreds of inventor support organizations.
He shared here with Grant Martin the host of the Invent with Me podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5IsbUGbvsTQ
September 9
Dave’s recommended webinar
From IPWatchdog.com, a discussion among noted patent attorneys about their use if ai in patent creation and prior art searching. This hour long Q&A sharing has most of its’ content that also relevant to independent inventors.
IP Watchdog is now primarily an educator to IP professionals. It has articles, blogs, webinars and events. The site continues to feature a large collection of still relevant articles for independent inventors that were published in the early years of the site. I have included some of them in the libraries of this site.
I encourage independent inventors to subscribe to the site emails because the free articles and webinars highlight the complexities of:
IP litigation for prosecution, defense, prevention and case studies
IP planning, prior art use and search
IP use of ai as the tools become more powerful and the need for human oversight becomes crucial.
You’ll come away with more understanding of costs and time it takes to create solid patents and the required work of responding to the usual multiple patent examiner’s Office Actions. You’ll also learn about court cases and the many forms of appeals and challenges.
This 60 minute webinar is from September 3rd 2026 and is titled
Before the Draft: Deciding what is worth patenting in the ai era
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/lFKsDar7XmMn-kOl6ZdQ_ynzYDkIhnpuSqMq0AS80Sm7JRhz3JBDJkpW41Uqqs7h.3uk5gK8imcYvQumU
All of the webinars on IPWatchdog.comhave their links available the next day.
And the site lists the links to dozens of past webinars.
September 8th
Unreasonable Hospitality - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
UnreasonableHospitality.com
The Hospitality Principles that create meaningful and long lasting fond memories that get shared.
SMALL GESTURES THAT CREATE ABOVE, BEYOND AND UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES.
A Cajun word for it is Lagniappe “Lan Yap”
Founder and Primary sharer Will Guidara
My First Million Podcast - Experiences Sharing Interview 59 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h7kZNmM8dY&t=112s
TED Talk 14 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwcyXcOpWVs&t=362s
Oprah interview 48 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXaeqMzEzYQ
https://www.youtube.com/@TheWelcomeConference/videos
Well over 100 videos from Will’s past Welcome conference presenters
September 7th
The Great Kite Festival Time Suck
Around the world there are huge Kite Festivals. Each one is on YouTube in many short and long versions.
Inventor topics related to this site: there are elaborate prototypes and production models sold by kite inventing and importing enterprises and accessory inventor suppliers.
Start out with search terms Kite Festival - Japan, International, Rhode Island and the country of your choice.
Here is a Jaw Dropper - Come and see this video, to get started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_kww1g_VY8
September 6th
Retail infrastructure trade shows
There are major trade shows that are all about the infrastructure needed for supplying retail stores.
VFairs.com/blog/retail-trade-shows has a list of the trade shows that you or your representative should attend.
Researching the websites of the shows, the show organizers, the seminar presenters and the exhibitors is important too, especially in advance of attending a show.
September 5th
Product Vendor Contracts
There are extensive requirements, terms, conditions and options to be a product vendor to chain retailers
Check out the article in the Library 4 list. And research the website of SPSCommerce.com.
It is one of the largest education and service providers to help you sell products to major retailers.
One of their unexpected services is Invoice/purchase order funding.
They provide a less expensive alternative to investor funding for fulfilling large purchase orders.
September 4th
Bullets and Dividers in the WingDings and WebDings Font
After spending substantial time formatting a page to place here, I found that SquareSpace does not recognize or allow for the use of WingDing or WebDing fonts.
Please email me and I’ll reply with my Big List of bullets, dividers, math symbols and accented letters.
If you are not already on my email list please send me your contact information.
And please add some information about you to allow me to NetWeave connect you with others of common interests or help you directly.
Dave@InventorsEducationForum.org
September 3rd
SEO’s Hottest Debates Now
Let this interview video be your entry into the world of how the world finds or doesn’t find your website and Landing Pages.
youtube.com/watch?v=TjrrE_OAWkU&t=2418s
SEO = Search Engine Optimization
SEO is ever changing “3 dimensional chess” in the world of how you add and change the content of your website to attract prospects and customers today.
Top SEO content consultants and educators Joy Sterling and David G. Quaid hash out SEO’s Most Heated Debates for an hour and 26 minutes.
You and your service provider needs to be on the “same page” to make sure you are getting the most current best practices to engage your best prospects.
Joy and David’s content is on YouTube and multiple other platforms, including their own.
Joy is at SterlingSky.ca – YouTube.com/SterlingSkyinc
David is at DavidQuaidSEO.com On YouTube search David G Quaid
September 2nd
Today I discovered the extensive content from Ilana Golan and her Leap Academy.
She has big events and entrepreneur training. Her sites include dozens of insightful interviews with accomplished people.
This is the first one I’ve watched:
Lovesac Inventor and company founder Shawn Nelson: The Entrepreneurial Mindset That Built a Billion-Dollar Brand
Aug 25, 2026 episode 168 Leap Academy with Ilana Golan Podcast
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXQhzYN6RJHrb
At 18 years old, Shawn Nelson had a crazy idea: build a beanbag so massive it could fill an entire room.
That idea eventually became Lovesac, a publicly traded furniture company and major consumer brand.
In this episode, Shawn joins Ilana to share the real journey behind building Lovesac, from taking risks and learning as he went to winning Richard Branson’s The Rebel Billionaire and leading a company at scale. They also dive into what failure teaches us, why success never means you’ve “arrived,” how Shawn gets through the hardest days, and why his philosophy is to maintain top ambition with infinite patience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMTArtL7sQ&t=232
September 1st
Check out the Growth Mavericks Podcast channel, with host Adam Callinan
YouTube.com/@GrowthMavericksPodcast
August 31st
Mr. Beast’s Lessons learned and shared.
Jimmy Donaldson “Mr. Beast” shares his mindset and best practices for 53 minutes.
If you don’t already know, he has billions of views and resulting income from his YouTube content and other social media platforms.
Jimmy is interviewed on the My First Million channel. My First Million is one of my favorite and inspiring channels on YouTube and Spotify - Dave
youtube.com/watch?v=eFKLymJpZS8&t=479s
Show Title “MrBeast Isn’t Cute. Here’s his Brutal Business Lessons.
August 30th
More effective subject lines
For personal messaging
Keep it short: Aim for under 40 to 50 characters so the text does not get cut off on mobile phones.
Be direct: State the main point right away instead of using vague words.
Add context: Mention a shared project, event, or mutual connection to show why you are writing.
Ask a simple question: Use a relevant question to prompt a quick mental reply or reaction.
Examples by Situation
Catching up: "Great seeing you!" VS. "Thinking of you / Coffee Tuesday Noon?"
Asking a favor: "Quick question about [Topic]" VS. With hat or without for tonight?
Sharing an update: "Update on [Project Name]" VS. The committee voted yes 7 to 5. Your vote?
Saying thank you: "Thanks for your help with [Thing]" VS, We Greatly Appreciate your help last night!
Anticipate the questions your reader will have in your statement
Keep it under 8 words in case they are reading it on a mobile device
Thoughts on the wedding date. VS. Wedding date Sept. 3rd or 12th?
What information should they have when you ask them a question?
Call me about your patent VS. Competitors patent #s needed tomorrow
August 29th
From The Pocket podcast with Chris Griffin Titled “Why the Dumbest Ideas sometime make the most money” Interview guest Rory Sutherland posed a question to ask in a planning meeting “Are we progressing on an inaccurate assumption?” The interview is 2 hours long and Rory drops pearls the whole time.
August 28th
Check out the website Hagley.org, The site shares information about the museums, research library and estate grounds that showcase early American inventions and innovation.
Included is one of the largest collections of US patent miniatures. Exacting and precise scale models were required to go with the earliest patent applications. The history of the place and the models is fascinating to inventors and mechanical geeks.
August 27th
Are you keeping a list and ID of the US and Canadian patents that are close to your CURRENT problem / opportunity product? A patent attorney or agent needs to not only be able to explain the details of your product but also will have to study any similar product patents to be able to explain how yours is significantly different in form or function to deserve it's’ own patent. That is one of the reasons a review of the facts to give you an educated opinion on patentability is also expensive.
And don’t forget, if there should be any significant sales from your patented product, another inventor will likely do the same to you. They may not even bother with a patent and just understand that you’ll unlikely not be able to afford any legal action. Maybe you can partner with them in some way for distribution in different markets.
August 26th
Are you going to the San Diego California area on vacation?
I strongly suggest to any mechanically minded person that you go to:
The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum a free attraction located in Carlsbad, California, about 30 miles north of San Diego.
CraftsmanshipMuseum.com
Over 200 fully functional miniature working engines (including tiny V-12s, steam engines, and car motors).
This is a place where the families of inventors and precise model makers donate the the models that were crafted over many years.
These are fully functioning miniatures.Intricate scale models, including aircraft, ships, and a massive 60-pound, 35-inch long working Duesenberg model.
Detailed dollhouses and fine displays from groups like the San Diego Miniature Crafters.
An on-site working machine shop where visitors can watch volunteer machinists build small-scale parts.
August 25th
Research the many trade shows and conference websites of the markets for your products.
Some are niche, like wholesale plumbing distributors.
Some are put on by the publishers of the industry trade magazines. Most are free to subscribe.
The ads and articles are full of mentions of niche service providers that have the connections you need.
Many of the larger wholesale and retail distribution groups have their own very large trade shows. (ACE and True Value, among them)
Discover the organizations that sponsor them, the people who speak at them and the exhibitors that display at them.
Some of the larger shows video record and post, on their websites, targeted seminar speakers and panel discussions / Q&A
I reached out and met the VP of new technology for one of the largest restaurant equipment manufactures from a video of a show seminar.
Subscribe to the notification trade show lists.
TSNN.Com/trade-show-calendar lists hundreds of events in the US and around the world. And their are other comprehensive lists.
Develop industry friends who might attend shows for you as a scout or ambassador.
Each has a wealth of resources and connections for your market validation, product development and distribution journey.
Look at the websites from past trade shows to start learning, connecting and preparing for the next one that you might attend.
Every product category has their own events or is co-hosting with others.
Look for videos of “walk around highlight tours” of shows. Some Youtube content creators do this every year.
US based trade shows, that are international in scope, will have many overseas product manufacturers that show products that won’t show up on a US patent search.
If you’d like my advice in finding trade shows and conferences in your market, let me know. dave@inventorseducationforum.org
August 24th
In this video Grant Martin, the host of his podcast, “Invent With Me”, interviews / challenges / debates Stephen Key on the concepts of licensing vs “venturing” for inventors. Stephen’s coaching and Gateway program promotes educating dreamers and encouraging licensing as a path.
I wish the topic of earning the level of personal spendable time and money you have promised your family was addressed. Anything less is just a“cupcake celebration” stepping stone toward the true marker of success that inventors dream about. Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqjXPdWrres&t=3966s
August 23rd
Why Things Fail
The role of behavioral Science in explaining “illogical” consumer behavior
Podcast title "The Day Rory Sutherland Became a Marketing Genius
Rory is the Lead of the Behavioral Science Department of the International Marketing agency Ogilvy Mather, UK
This interview is on the High Performance Business Podcast. On Youtube and elsewhere.
youtube.com/watch?v=ifGTU7jGN6I May 20 2025
Rory’s presentations and interviews go viral on a regular basis, for good reasons
August 22nd
Check out the EmpoweredInventing TV videos
There are Dozens of 4-15 min long videos from Don Skaggs
Don is the long term leader of the Acture Network, which sells it’s content topic courses at ActureNetwork.org
youtube.com/@EmpoweredInventing/videos
August 21th
I strongly recommend “How I Built This”
A Listen Only Podcast by Guy Raz
Subscribe on Wondery.com and Spotify
Originally on NPR, Guy Raz interviews the world’s best entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. The interviews focus more on the personal journeys than on their business methods.
In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.
Some shows are also on YouTube. Guy is also on YouTube dropping pearls when being interviewed about his book, How I Built This.
In this episode Guy is interviewed by Stacey Brown, the founder of Chicken Salad Chicks who was interviewed in the Guy’s book.
youtube.com/watch?v=iVxg5VquDoY
August 20th
My Ear Hair Allegory Tale.
An allegory is a story that tells or implies a deeper meaning or lesson.
This morning, while shaving, I took a closer look at the length of the hairs growing on and out of my ears.
I am an older guy and the my ear hairs seem to grow at alarming speed.
Time for a trim. I brought my wife the small scissors and sat in front of her, in a well-lit area of our office.
She gladly did the job to the near-best of her ability. And I paid her with a thank you very much and a kiss.
Usually it’s a satisfactory job for just hanging around the house.
In the bathroom mirror I took a close look at the job done and wished I would have brought her our small battery powered trimmer.
The trimmer does a better and faster job than the scissors.
She uses it when cutting my hair, so she is very familiar with it. When seeing the quality of the job she had done, did she ask for the better tool? No, she did as I asked, with the tool in hand. Did I think which tool I should bring her, knowing the quality of work each tool could provide? No!
I took the trimmer and worked on my ears myself. Perfect job? No. I could have then brought her the trimmer to finish the job because it is hard to reach all parts of my ears, in the mirror. So I settled for what I had.
Did I even consider going to a barber shop and paying a profession to do a professional job for a professional price? No.
I got what I got for the investments I was willing to pay at the time.
Now the allegory part, in case you missed it.
Be careful of who you hire and what the costs and benefits of their service, in advance.
Be aware of the tools and skills they have and prefer.
Will they suggest you getting better tools for them to use?
Will they refer you to another service provider with different skills and tools?
Plan for the inspection tools you can bring to check the quality of the work while you are with them.
If they are insulted by your planned or actual inspection, you have the wrong service.
Decide in advance on what things you are willing to compromise; Time, Price and Quality, you can’t have them all, at the same time.
My story – Dave Savage – August 20th Blog post at InventorsEducationForum.org
Maybe you have an allegory tale involving car or home maintenance /repair to keep in mind for your inventing journey.
August 19th
Invent With Me is a video podcast on YouTube and other channels that I watch. Now 100+ episodes
Inventor and show host Grant Martin shares his ongoing journey of developing products, marketing, sales and distribution.
He created specialized cargo straps. Torqstrap.com
Grant also periodically interviews other inventors to get their best practices, bad experiences and advice.
He also has group and one on one consulting.
In this episode he passionately shares the experience he has learned and what has been shared with him from clients and interview guests.
“I’m Done with Licensing” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGS9xhD3nBY
August 18th
There are several short and long videos on the life and challenges of James Dyson.
James created an empire from the vacuum cleaner technology he pioneered.
This one is 7:36 minutes and some interviews are over an hour.
James Dyson: A Story Of Perseverance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nKKoZsZr8A
In this video it is quickly mentioned that he also founded a large technical university to foster more inventing engineers.
The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Maybe you know a kid who can be inspired to work toward attending it.
DysonInstitute.AC.UK - I’m sure their admissions office can translate the UK requirements into US equivalents.
It looks rigorous for even for top students. I’m sure the credentials and life experience / resume will get you quickly employed anywhere in the world.
August 17th
A few of the well established and technically savvy inventor groups have been video recording, and freely sharing their meeting presentation speakers.
The Inventors Association of Connecticut is one of them. Watch them to learn, confirm and question what you think you know and what you need to know.
InventUS.org
August 16th
This week I’m also busy investigating the status of the listings of Independent Inventor support groups in the US.
Organizations have been copying each other’s lists of groups without checking if they are up to date. The lists don’t have “Last Updated” dates and who did the checking. The United Inventors Association has been thought to have the most accurate list. Many of the listed groups on the UIA and various lists on the web have been out of business for 10+ years.
I’m creating a spread sheet and row display of the most findable information. I’ll be sharing it with any group or company who wants to post it.
August 15th
The Inventor’s Digest Magazine’s digital edition is available free!
That includes past issues!
It is full of articles related to the inventor’s journey.
The publication is loosely tied to the United Inventors Association.
The UIAUSA.org site has been suffering from a lack of volunteers to make needed upgrades.
The magazine is doing fine and you can pay $42 for the print addition as well.
Go to InventorsDigest.com to read the digital flip-page edition.
Be sure to have your subject categorized note taking materials at hand.
A three ring binder with 20+ subject pages is a good start for next step and resource planning.
Contact me for page titles if you can’t get to 20. Dave
August 14th
For all of you Super Mechanical Inventing Geeks
I just discovered the YouTube channel of Chris Herr
These are the first two videos I watched.
Darpa Bet $6.5 million in combined awards to see if any worldwide team could build a heavy lift drone that can carry 5 times it’s own weight. Nobody has done it so far.
A group of teams would share the money who lifted the highest weights short of that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjSditBf-pU
For those of you who don’t know Darpa = Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is a U.S. defense agency in Arlington, Virginia, created in 1958 after Sputnik.
Its main goal is to build new, high-risk technologies for national security and stop technological surprises by working with universities and private companies.
Open “Sauce” 2026 event walk through tour
It is a Science Fair for VERY geeky inventing adults and companies.
It’s an big annual event!! that I’ve never heard of!!
Amazing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukCxiCR4_Us
August 13th
I was recently reminded of the CNBC TV show “The Big Idea” with host Donny Deutsch.
Donny did 4-5 minute segments with inspiring entrepreneurs and inventors of all ages.
You can watch the segments on YouTube.
August 12th
If you are not familiar with them or need a reminder, there are “Maker Faires” around the US and around the world.
Innovative and creative folks gather to spire and share with each other. These are family events to encourage exploration and curiosity.
https://makerfaire.com/upcoming-faires
August 11th
Your life and inventing journey will likely be determined by your curiosity.
What are the the questions you ask? Are you asking the right people?
Who you do you surround yourself with to ask directly and for advice?
What are the type of answers you are satisfied with? When do you stop asking?
What do you think is possible for you and maybe more for others? What do you deserve?
How do you respond to the negative answers you will be given.
How you gather the the knowledge, skills and resources to move you toward your next step and eventual goals?
And…
August 10th
The shift from bar codes to QR codes is underway!
Plan your package labeling accordingly.
For a while you’ll need both to sell in stores.
QR code readers require cameras and new software that will take a while to be everywhere.
This is a good introductory video
“Everything You Buy is about to change”
youtube.com/watch?v=R32j6ZA3byI
Much more is on the web
The global shift from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D GS1 Digital Link QR Codes by the target year 2027 aims to revolutionize retail. Driven by the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative, this transition replaces simple linear black-and-white lines with dynamic, web-connected square codes capable of storing significantly more data, improving supply chain tracking, and allowing consumers to access rich digital content instantly via smartphones
August 9th
It is most valuable to have an intellectual property, or any service provider who, already specializes in your targeted market niches and attends association and tradeshow events in your category.
Who will be your ambassadors and influencers?
Reading the trade journals, the related association online sites and the website of the past trade shows, in your market, will be a great source of service providers. You want people with a big “rolodex” and have the phone numbers and personal relationships of some of the people you will want to meet.)
“Hi Janet, this is Bob and I’m helping someone you’ve go to meet” Who can do this for you?
August 8th
Go to the retail store where you’d like to sell your products. Look for the shelf or display space where you want your products to be sold and find the empty spaces with a label that says reserved for “your company”.
Can’t find the empty space? Learn what it will take to get the existing product or brand taken out of the store. Who and what committee needs to approve it and what are all of the factors that are considered and negotiated store or chain wide.
Even for a small test / trial they may require “slotting Fees” and a marketing and training budget. - Dave
August 7th
On Youtube, Cameron Herold’s experience sharing talk titled Let’s Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs has 255,000 views.
After watching the video alone, plan to watch it with kids in your life and then have a conversation with them to perhaps discover an ember of interest that you can fan into flames of action and passion. There are plenty of YouTube videos from and about entrepreneurial kids. And Tedx.com has more inspiring kids as role models. If some income comes, that you might chose to match, discuss what kind of company they might like to own a piece of, so they can follow it’s value on the stock market, the web. And Google money making ideas for kids. You might offer rewards for learning and sharing personal development knowledge and and skills. Juggling? Saying please and thank you in different languages? Email me for my big list of suggestions at dave@inventorseducationforum.com.
Three containers for cash income, fun, invest and contribute. Youtube.com/watch?v=nx3GuO41Jyg&t=499s
Also search Cameron Herold on Youtube for the ways he has made his money and his advice from his experiences.
August 6th
Cracker Barrel’s Decor Warehouse Tour
If you’ll ever been to a Cracker Barrel restaurant you’ve wondered where all of the decor items come from.
The answers are in the many videos on the web. Most are short and come from local TV news shows.
Related to this site are the warehouse management, storage and software issues. How do store. arrange and categorize such a diverse range of items?
When you expand the warehouse multiple times, how do you resort the entire place?
This one is 48 minutes long and interviews the collector, curator and manager of the facility from its’ beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMockV0MFGE&t=425s