Rosalee Dodson  

  As a new inventor you listen to anyone that seems to have more knowledge than you.  The school of thought is if you think you have a good product you need to protect it. This was the route we took because we as young inventors listened to our instructor. The first atty we met  wanted us to do our own drawings . We knew this wasn't happening so we started our search for someone that could get it through the first time, and get it right. Our product was on a divine path from the very beginning so the things that happened to us would probably not be the case for all of you. And then again maybe it will.  My partner Cindy and I are both realtors , and we were both appraisers, so we both knew the importantence of knowing what the bank was looking for and making sure the appraisal was what they wanted in the first place so we didn't have to go back and do it again. Appraisals are all usually on the same form but different underwriters look for different things on an appraisal. When you do alot of them in a week you learn what they are looking for and then they fo right through. They also learn to trust you and don't look as hard at your as they would a new person. We then applied that theroy to finding our patent atty. We asked questions and quickly found he was the one we wanted to do our patent. He was also highly recommended. As I said earlier our invention story goes down a divine path meaning as we needed anything it would appear.  I was showing houses to a couple from out of town for a few weeks, and I finally asked the wife where she worked and it was for a man that did patent searches. This is the first step in obtaining your patent. You need to search to make sure no one else has the idea. Her boss was from an old establishment and had done many so we were very comfortable and moved forward. After the search was finished and we could move forward we asked him if he would recommend someone he had as a client to do the patent?  He is the one that lead us to our patent atty. Turns out this atty used to work on the patent review board earlier in his career, and still sits on the review board if there is a problem. Now do you think this atty has an edge over some new atty. I would surely hope so. You all know the phrase, " it's who you know". Now a year has passed and we are still waiting on that patent.  We were told 18 months to 3 years. Later I will tell you how this comes into play. Now we are a year smarter. and have been on many T.V. shows, radio shows, news media, been from one end of the United States to the other with expo's, inventor shows, and anyone that would lallow us to set up a table and talk about our product , " that sucks "  We quickly found out we sure have alot to learn and a long way to go. Every step moves you up a notch, and with that move is a whole lot of new problems. Growing pains like you wouldn't believe, and credit card debt that is unbelivable. You first go through your savings, your commission checks, demand loans, and anything you can get your hands on. We even purchased another inventors product  marked it up and went to a flea market. We have turned into creative old ladies that have moved from our living rooms, to our garages, to a storage shed. We are now in the position that all our marketing has paid off and orders are coming in.  Part 2 coming in tomorrows blog.