I have a product idea, Help

Question

I have a neat, cute, and fun product idea. I'm not too sure what the next step should be.

I'm thinking about making a few of them, going to a department store, and trying to convince the manager to place them in his store (Just to raise awareness of my product/ make some money/ see if my product sells).

If I get a good response, should I then try contacting a venture capital firm to raise capital?

My goal is to sell my product via an online store.

Answer 1

You should first consider a patent, a trademark, or a copyright to protect your interest.

If you show your product to a dishonest person, there would be nothing to stop him from copying the idea and stealing the idea from you.

Answer 2

a department store is unlikely to take on a new sample product.

how about taking it onto the street or a shopping mall. show passers by your product and ask them questions, like a mini questionairre. you can also post pictures and a questionairre on-line.

if this is a genuinely unique product it might be worth getting the patent office to register it.

if you get good response from this, then you've also done a bit of market research. next step would be to, either, approach manufactures to see if they are interested in your idea or start producing them yourself.