Something that is becoming more obvious - find good partners and trust their expertise. While working with a product engineer, I’ve learned to rely on the knowledge of others when I lack the needed experience.
Specifically, we have been able to take an idea and turn it into an almost fully fleshed out product. Emphasis on the almost. Upgrades are in the works.
- Frequent communication with product engineer - we have been able to refine the design and aesthetics of the product. Upgrades and the cost of the upgrades has also been explored. TIP - get as many quotes as you can from as many sources possible.
- Filing of Trademark - Truthfully, I had no idea how to file for a trademark or deal with any of the legal jargon. I was, however able to work with a great attorney through UpWork that helped with the process. It cost about $300 for their help and took about a week. TIP - when it comes to legal, outsource to the experts!
- Patent Exploration - In the world of Amazon selling, there is an abundance of copy cats. It is often the wild wild west of ecommerce. So, the pursuit of a patent will suit me well to ward off unwanted competition. I plan on filing for a provisional patent first, then moving towards a non-provisional patent within the next 12 months. TIP - think about going through this process for other countries, like China!
- Brand Planning - Initial phases of planning for logos, website design, and marketing has started. Nothing has been solidified here, but will have more information next time! TIP - don’t rush into anything!
To protect Hangstr, I plan on pursuing trademarks and patents. The worst thing would be hundreds of copy cats that slowly destroy margins. Branding and identity will take some long consideration to get the feel right. I will look to find another expert to help me with the next steps before launch.
R&D - Technology Transfer
11 个月Awesome Josh Sanders, it's been great to be a part of the process, excited to see this selling soon.