Shane Chen was getting bored with his job. For 20 years, the founder of CID Inc. had focused on his Camas business, selling electronic instruments to plant scientists. He wanted a change.
“One day I saw an exercise equipment ad,” the Camas resident said. “I thought, ‘I can do better than that.’ ”
And he got to work. The result, the Body Toner, went on sale six years ago through infomercials and QVC, the television shopping network.
Suddenly Chen, 52, was not just the president of CID Inc. He was heading a new venture, Inventist, and he was enjoying his work again.
Following the success of the Body Toner, Chen started seeing new ideas everywhere he went. The Orbitwheel, which he invented to create a smoother ride than roller skates and skateboards provide.
A willingness to fail is one secret to an inventor’s success, Chen said.
“People come up with ideas daily,” he said. “One out of 100 might work, but you have to try. You have to absorb failures and not get discouraged.”
That attitude has paid off. Born six years ago at the hands of a bored tinkerer, Inventist has grown into a business that does $1 million per year in sales and has four employees.
Photo by Inventist, Inc.
Inventor’s Ideas Pay Off
July 21, 2008 by Rich | 3 Comments
In Creativity, Ideas, Invention
Angela on July 21st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I absolutely love the advice given here:
A willingness to fail is one secret to an inventor’s success, Chen said.
“People come up with ideas daily,” he said. “One out of 100 might work, but you have to try. You have to absorb failures and not get discouraged.”
That is absolutely true, unfortunately people forget that at times.
etavitom on July 21st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
very coo. thanks for sharing!!
cassy on July 22nd, 2008 at 4:21 am
“Absorb failures and not get discouraged.” This phrase is very common to us. Usually we got discouraged easily if we failed in everything we do. But some are willing to try again untill they achieve all their dreams.