According to a new book called “Invention to Marketplace” by writer Patrick Allen it can. His book details his own experience of getting his idea from conception through the manufacturing process and ultimately to when it finally showed up on the market.
Allen wanted to learn and understand the process of taking an idea and turning it into a new product, so last year he developed one just so he could take it through the entire process from beginning to end. He decided to turn his experiences into a book to help demystify the manufacturing process. According to his book the entire process cost him less than $500, which, if true, seems amazing.
“To be financially independent is a form freedom. Our time should be spent with family, not working hard to make other people rich,” says Allen. “I just want to share my knowledge with others so they can be successful too. If it weren’t for other people sharing their stories, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
In the book Allen details how 3D printing made the process possible, and specifically praises the work of the rapid prototyping company that he used The 3D Printing Store in Denver, Colorado. He also details how he streamlined the manufacturing process, and how he sold his new product to suppliers.
Of course, in the press materials Allen hasn’t mentioned what the product was, or how successful it was so take it with a grain of salt — remembering that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. But the little bit that I skimmed (It’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited) was well written and didn’t come off as someone selling snake oil. I’ll probably try to finish the book this weekend.
If you’d like to buy a copy of Invention to Marketplace (or have Kindle Unlimited yourself) it is available for sale on Amazon as an ebook for $2.99 or as a paperback for $7.59.
