The Road to an Infomercial
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| Easy Crown Molding is currently being sold on QVC. |
Jim Jensen had a patented idea with a working prototype, but did not know what to do with it next. After hearing about INPEX®, through word of mouth two weeks before the 2000 show, Jensen decided on a whim to drive to Pittsburgh to check the show out and see what it was all about. INPEX® is a unique exposition showcasing numerous inventions, new products and innovations available to business and industry. "I did not have enough time to buy a booth that year, so I decided to visit the show. I discovered first hand that INPEX® would be a good place to get started," he said. "It seemed like a friendly environment for a guy with an idea."
After visiting the show, Jensen decided to exhibit his invention "Easy Crown Molding" at INPEX® 2001. "I made so many valuable contacts while at INPEX®," he said. Jensen found that making contacts was the easy part. Finding a good manufacturer was more difficult.
Jensen's first attempt with an overseas manufacturer took eight months. He says the manufacturer kept trying to get the idea correct, but they just could not master it. He then decided to take another route and found a different factory that got the Easy Crown Molding idea together and had it working and ready in three weeks. "My advice for finding a manufacturer overseas is if they do not produce your idea within a reasonable amount of time, they are never going to understand it," Jensen said. "If a factory does not get the idea together from the beginning, move on."
While at INPEX® 2001, Jensen met Karen Hyman, president of Live Shop TV. She was intrigued by his idea. "INPEX® is a great place for inventors," Hyman said. Hyman took the Easy Crown Molding to a QVC buyer and the buyer liked the product but required Jenson to manufacture the product. The product aired four or five-times on QVC.
At this point, Tim Harrington, President of Reliant International made a deal with Jensen to create an infomercial. Harrington stated, "QVC is a great way to develop product pitches. Appearance after appearance, QVC helps you regulate what you say during a pitch. We always test before we invest into an infomercial." A 30-minute infomercial was created by Reliant based on the beneficial points that were made while on QVC. The infomercial was released during the summer of 2005. At this point, after QVC airings, some sales in catalogs and an infomercial campaign has begun. "Persistence is the key to getting your invention out there," Jensen said. Jensen has worked hard for the past four years and is now enthusiastic at the possibilities of what may come of Easy Crown Molding in the future.
According to Jennifer Lawlor, the Show Director of INPEX®, "As you can see from his story, much hard work was involved since our 2001 show and some good fortune as well. Nonetheless, this isn't typical of what most inventors experience but we are pleased to have played a part in helping Jim get his product to this stage."
While the above exhibitor's experience is not typical of what most INPEX® exhibitors can expect from attending the trade show, the events reported are a result of what can happen from attending INPEX® - The Invention Show.
