PTM 028 – How to Patent a Product and Sell Truckloads with Kim Nimsgern of Click-n-Curl

Part Time Money Podcast - How to Patent a ProductKim Nimsgern is a true part-time entrepreneur, recently launching a new product to market called Click-n-Curl (a hair styling tool). She also works full-time in higher education at a Technical College as part of the leadership team.

In the interview, Kim shares how she worked with the Small Business Administration to find a local university willing to help her do a feasibility study and prototype. She also shares how to patent a product (including cost information).

Kim launched Click-n-Curl in August 2012 and 5 months later she is shipping cases out to wholesale accounts via semi-trailer. She’s still just a one woman company (with lots of help and support from her family) trying to balance this new venture, her full time job, her teenage kids and life in general.

Listen to the Podcast

Highlights from the interview:

1:00 – Tell us why you got started with this part-time business?
5:30 – What gave you the confidence to think you could make an actual physical product vs just having a prototype?
9:00 – How Kim found her mentor, who helped her make her product.
11:15 – Kim’s first phase (ten years ago). What about things like patents? Attorneys vs Agents vs DIY.
14:30 – Using the Small Business Administration to find help in the early phase.
14:50 – Current phase (last 12 months) of the business. Professional prototype, website, trade show appearance, etc. Including costs.
21:25 – Kim shares what gave her confidence to order her first big order.

Click-n-Curl
The Click-n-Curl

24:15 – Kim talks about how to patent a product, competition, etc.
30:20 – The buyers who wanted Kim’s product and how she found them.
36:15 – Selling through Amazon.com
37:00 – Why Kim is still at her full-time job and plans for that to change.
40:45 – Kim’s plans for product 2.0.
42:00 – How to know if you’re dealing with a good sales rep.
43:15 – Talking with the full-time employer and family-life balance.

Mentioned in the Interview:

Watch the How to Patent a Product Google Hangout

Thank you so much for listening!

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Transcription: Just click show

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5 Comments

  1. Avatar successfulWT says:

    ptmoney hi there, how are things going?

    1. successfulWT good. good. How bout you?

      1. Avatar successfulWT says:

        ptmoney all good here :). When is your conference?

        1. Avatar successfulWT says:

          ptmoney sounds like a great event

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