Invent, Innovate, and Prosper: A Step-By-Step Guide to Successful Inventing

by Michael G. Colburn

You don't need to be lucky, or a genius, to create a successful invention. You just need a clear process to spark ideas and bring them to market.
Michael Colburn is an inventor. He wasn't always, but he made himself into one and realized a powerful inventing is a skill anyone can master. Over the last four decades, he has created inventions and built businesses and partnerships worth millions of dollars based on his inventions.Michael's success was not an accident. With every invention, he followed a clear process for finding an idea, researching, testing, and bringing it to market. Along the way, Michael studied history's great creators and realized their processes were not very different from his. Artists, writers, inventors, entrepreneurs-they all follow a similar method for bringing ideas to life. We just so rarely get to see it. Invent, Innovate, and Prosper is a practical handbook for inventing based on Michael's decades of work as a successful inventor. He shares his step-by-step system for launching profitable inventions, along with the surprising real-life lessons that helped him thrive. You'll learn how * Adopt a detective's mindset to find invention ideas in everyday life* Research your idea's viability and troubleshoot glitches* Design, engineer, and build prototypes with minimal financial investment* Prepare and test your products for the marketMichael also profiles some of the world's most prolific inventors, from Alexander Graham Bell to Lori Greiner, and offers legal templates to help you navigate red tape. Whether you're already a maker or are just starting to brainstorm new products, you'll discover how to turn the kernel of an idea into a lucrative invention.

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Michael G. Colburn has spent more than 45 years founding and running businesses based on creativity and design. In 2005 He and his wife Mary Esther Treat launched Ideas Well Done, a firm that focuses exclusively on inventing new products and bringing them to the marketplace. Since then Mike has created over 25 inventions that have generated millions of dollars in revenue and has patents issued in multiple countries. Mike and Mary Esther live in Vermont and enjoy being close to family, cross-country skiing in winter, and taking long distance walking vacations in warmer weather.

Reviews

[William Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have a natural head for business and would probably have sunk if you'd thrown me into that pool. This book can put anyone, even someone as clueless as me, on the path to patents and money-making inventions. Michael Colburn rests this book on a long career of making profitable inventions, in the food-service industry and beyond. He's had a career of enviable commercial success. Here he shares his firsthand experience. He also looks at the habits of many other inventors like George Westinghouse and Alexander Graham Bell. He has the mind of a mystery solver and Sherlock Holmes often appears in the text. Like Holmes, he has a step-by-step method for confronting problems and arriving at practical solutions. Unlikes Holmes, he knows how to take these solutions to market. He has a sense of humor about himself. As a kid, he remembers, he wondered whether being a pirate might be a good adult occupation. Instead, every line shows him to have grown up into the nicest guy possible. Full disclosure, I am thanked in the acknowledgements, but I can tell you that without ever having met Mike, I'd recognize in this book a restless need to create and a generous habit of giving away the whole of his personal toolbox to help others invent.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invent, Innovate, and Prosper is a really useful and inspiring guide to inventing. The title is a little misleading, in that the book does not merely relate to invention in the traditional sense but also to creation more widely. Although Colburn's own experiences lie with invention, his advice is really relevant to a lot of associated types of creation and innovation, such as writing or entrepreneurship.

The structure of the book is nothing if not comprehensive. The book follows a logical, step-by-step progression which is particularly useful when it comes to practical applications, as it's never too overwhelming, with each chapter instead building comfortably on the chapter before. It can occasionally feel a little on the long side, but I found there were some absolute gems in every chapter - it's worth reading (or listening) the whole way through. Every topic is broadly and easily applicable to everyday settings, and the inspirational motifs that run throughout the book are practical and encouraging without being too cliche.

[Marco Sobreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever watched Beakman’s World, or seen great inventors like Einstein, da Vinci, Edison, Ford, and said to yourself: How can they create things like that? How can I ever be able to do something like that, too complicated, too complex. Now is your chance to change your life and start the process to bring the genius in you out and place the world in awe with your story! Invent, Innovate & Prosper: A Step-By-Step Guide to Successful Inventing by Michael G. Colburn came to deliver.

The author will take you through the mental process behind an inventor’s mind; how to think, imagine, question, analyze and properly understand an object of your interest. You will do research following successful proved methods to master all that you can about the subject. You will enter deep into your mind, learning how to communicate with your creative mind, get an answer, and how to translate the insights of your subconscious mind into useful and profitable solutions. You will learn how to search the best market in need of your invention; design, build and protect your master piece for further commercialization.

The book is packed. One quote, from Henry Ford, that shares the author’s view on creative inventing is: “I invented nothing new, I simply assembled into a car the discoveries of other men whom were centuries of work.” If you think of an inventor as someone whose mind is pure calculus and numbers, you will be shocked like me about this piece of art: this book was created on shoulders of giants from many fields. Through the author, you will be learning from masters like: James Allen, William James, Tony Buzan, Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Pink, Joseph Murphy, Denis Waitley and many more; on subjects like autosuggestion, hypnosis, visualization, meditation, focus, planning, motivation and the list goes on (did you ever imagine these subjects being important to an inventor’s life? Neither did I). I will tell the truth: you went for a sandwich and got a full banquet.

This book will become a classic in the art of learning and self-development, for those who are in pursuit of them and those who never gave a thought on these issues. With a simple, step-by-step approach; flawlessly edited, many insightful quotes and “Kernels of inventions” is surely a must read. Personally, I loved the Think and Grow Rich approach in good part of the book (Napoleon Hill is quoted more than once). For the disciples of the master principles like: deftness of purpose, specialized knowledge, desire, visualization and suggestion to the subconscious mind, will see these principles being wildly applied with mastery and great results, being this book a fruit of decades of creation of inventions and millions of dollars in profit.

I will rate it 5 out of 5 stars for the value of the wisdom shared; for the clear purpose to make mastery accessible to “less-sophisticated” readers (like me, for example); and for leading me through the process of acquiring an attitude of courage, open-mindedness, being observant of the world, not a mere seer, and for rekindling the childlike curiosity in me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to both read the book and listen to the audio book verson of it. Each has its advantages and better options. While having the information available to me as I performed other tasks, such as driving or gardening, cooking, etc. allowed my subconscious mind to work on the content as well as my creative ideas. Being able to consume the book content and information via reading it gave me more time for it to be absorbed and understood in different parts of my brain/mind and learning process. I found the narrator's voice easy to listen to, even soothing. However, my co-driver made me turn it off as he did not appreciate the tonality, found it was either irritating or it was putting him to sleep. So, different approaches appeal to different types.
Besides step 1 to whatever, or an A to Z approach, this book explains the act of idea creation, how to prepare your mind to be a fertile field into which ideas may be planted with best chance of successful fertilization. You do not need to have all the answers, especially How-To, at the beginning. It starts with identifying a problem to be solved, and cautions us that not all problems are meant to spend time on. Identify those with value, specifically financial or humanitarian value, to spend you time and effort on. One that will stick with me is how does one properly cook a camel, or rather, vent a camel capable cooking oven.
Michael shares with us how to prepare the mind, identify a problem to solve, and go about finding resources to solve that problem. He also alerts us to the need to keep proper records to prove the solutions we discover are our own and to protect them in order to prosper. We are introduced to inventors and other resources are provided. I found the entire book very interesting.
The format is not intimidating. It is presented in a clear and organized manner. I did find myself talking to myself in more positive terms while reading and listening to the book.

[Crystal Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're actually interested in inventing something, for a sense of accomplishment and/or to make money, this would be a great book to read.

Colburn is extremely thorough in covering the steps necessary to be a successful inventor including, but not limited to: identifying a problem that you want to solve, phrasing that problem in the right way, tapping into your creativity, building a prototype, building a business to sell your invention, etc. All of the information is presented in an easily digestible manner and he provides many useful links for things like patent searches, manufacturing resources, and safety standards for various industries.

And then there was an unexpected element: Tapping into your subconscious for ideas. After some early, unnecessary focus on the history of inventing and his obsession with this subject (which is the reason I gave only 4 instead of 5 stars), diving into practical methods for linking one's conscious mind with their subconscious in order to tap that as a source of creativity was quite a welcome surprise. And as with everything else, he covers the topic thoroughly but clearly.

Overall, this is a holistic, step-by-step guide to being a successful inventor, not just inventing something. If that makes sense. Highly recommended. I would give it 5 stars if there was less time and space devoted to the history of invention and the "Kernel of Invention" sidebars, which are stories about famous inventors and are intended to inspire or inform but to me were kind of boring in their level of detail.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invent, Innovate & Prosper is a super easy-to-read handy guide to becoming an inventor in 2019! The author, Michael G. Colburn, who is also the founder of Ideas Well Done, has put together a nifty guide for anyone involved in any step of the inventing process. The background and history of inventions, as well as the intriguing excerpts, The Kernal of Inventions, apply to today's reader and is not just a recap for the sake of looking back. The action steps throughout the stages are highly practical showing how multi-dimensional the process of inventing is. I was fascinated by the section when Colburn addresses how to intentionally have Cooperative Mind Functioning, especially while tapping into the endless imaginations of the creative right brain. I have a friend who is in the beginning stages of inventing a product. I highly recommend Colburn's book to her and anyone in this field! Invent, Innovate & Prosper will help individuals gain a solid overview and foundation to their inventing process.

[Ariel G · Rating 4 out of 5]

INVENT, INNOVATE & PROSPER is a guide book for a calling that you might expect can't be taught: invention. Aimed at creating an inventor out of someone who has never invented anything before - starting entirely from scratch - this book breaks down the process of invention into a step-by-step operation, quickly learned and easy to follow.

In addition to the basics of invention, which begins with the identification of a problem and proceeds to the steps of researching and solving that problem, INVENT, INNOVATE & PROSPER includes information about notable inventors from history and how they followed the process. The brief biographical details add a dose of inspiration to the instructional aspect. This, along with the short, digestible chapters, helps to keep the book from losing steam.

Before reading this book, I considered inventing to be a work of art rather than a skill, but INVENT, INNOVATE & PROSPER makes a case for why anyone can learn to invent. For that intriguing argument alone, this book is worth the read.

[THEA E · Rating 4 out of 5]

With over 4 decades of first-hand experience and 25 successful inventions under his belt,
Colburn is well placed to define a process for success around innovation. This book sets out his step by step guide devised to help support independent inventors while also using case studies from some of history’s greatest inventions and contemporary success stories to illustrate key points.

Colburn takes us through his process that includes setting a purpose, defining the problem your invention is solving, research, creative thinking tools, eureka moments, evaluation, taking it to market, prototypes, patents and protection. By drawing parallels with the way Sherlock Holmes works, the writer brings to life some of the challenges and skills inventors face. He gives us plenty of practical tools and exercises to use, helping to demystify the process around innovation.

This is an accessible read and Colburn’s can-do attitude is inspiring. Indeed, with the right positive mindset and a rigorous process, it feels that anything is possible and perhaps we can all access our inner inventor.

[Annie Flint Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been quite intimidated by the idea of 'inventing' as someone who's never felt I have a natural knack for creativity or innovation. However, Michael Colburn lays out the steps to getting into the right mindset for this in a way that makes it seem a lot more doable than I've ever thought it might be. I particularly found myself reconsidering how I approach the concept of inventing - I hadn't really thought about how important it is to observe (rather than just see) your surroundings and find problems that need to be solved. Overall I've finished the book feeling much less daunted by the whole concept and intrigued to see how I might apply what I've learnt now to my life. Definitely recommend this book to those who like self-help/development guides and want to feel motivated by many helpful real-life examples as well as the entertaining quips to Sherlock Holmes throughout the book.

[Carol Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

On “Invent, Innovate and Prosper” by Michael G. Colburn:

If you have ever thought to yourself, “I could never invent anything!”, then read this book. Mike Colburn guides the reader through the innovation process step-by-step with readable, relatable language and a sprinkling of humor to keep his book enjoyable while being thoroughly educational.

After reading of Mike’s experiences and insights, the motivated reader will be able to develop an idea from a passing thought to a finished product ready for market. As a former leader of a small manufacturing company, I wish I had read this book 20 years ago- our company would have reached new heights and I would have been a better CEO as a result.

Carol Wallace
Retired CEO of Cooper-Atkins Corporation

[Hannah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is so fantastic about this book is how simple and accessible it is. The author, Michael G. Colburn writes with such simple specificity that it becomes impossible not to grasp the concept he expounds upon. Everyday folks can pick up this book and take away a great deal of practical information.
Colburn breaks the book down into very direct sections, including well-described subsections within each culminating into a very thorough 18 step process. Additionally, Colburn gives the reader further tools they would need to continue their journey and set themselves up for success. All in all this book is a great read for people looking to break into the world of inventing. Colburn does a wonderful job at making you realize that anyone can be an inventor and truly believing it.

[T. Vand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that broke down how to invent something and be successful. The reading was easy to follow, pacing was great, and the book was organized and broken down into sections that make sense. The author even ended with one of the most underrated issues no matter what you are looking to do...marketing. I think this section could have been a bit better but I am definitely glad he touched upon it. I loved that the book started with mental preparation and really got you into the mindset before he went on with the step-by-step process. The only issue I found boring was the history lesson on inventions. It could have been shorter or cut out altogether.

[Ravin Maurice · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time fan of shows like Dragons Den and Shark Tank, I have always been fascinated by inventors and inventing. This book gave me a very concise look into what goes into inventing a product, from initial concept to production to the patent process. The author even provided form templates in the back which I think would be really helpful, especially the NDA. I would recommend this book for any rookie inventor trying to put their product out into the market. Anyone who is interested in inventing will also get a lot from this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great guide and resource to learning about all that different inventing factors that go into inventing. I found it to be an engrossing read as it take readers step by step on the various processes while using real world examples and sharing stories of notable inventors. The writing is solid and the technical terms are explained in a clear manner, which I appreciated.

While this book is heavily focuses on the art of inventing, I think it can also be used as a tool to help jumpstart any creative projects that you want to work on in your career or personal life. Recommended

[Mark Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Colburn’s new self-help guide helps inventors pull those gruesome details out of the brain and puts readers on a journey to creating their inventions. His simple, yet professional tone encourages faith and makes technical phrasing and legal terms easy to understand. His book covers the basics from putting the ideas on paper, securing legal protections, and preparing for the next invention. Anyone who wants to put their new creation on the market or simply pull some ideas out of the cobwebs should read this book.

[Fred Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the ABCs of inventing. Along the way, the author explains how to be innovative and make money on your inventions. The author is well qualified to write this book. That gives him credibility. The book is well-written and goes deep into the main areas that help the inventor through the process to invent a product. This book should also serve as a resource for future investigating subjects at a later date. Lastly, the book is very well researched and provides sources for the reader to go back to the original source.

[Jose Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about inventing, the mindset for inventing, and practical information about how to get your invention to market (either by venturing or licensing). The book describes inventions and intellectual property protection (patents) history in a very well weaved story. To me the most interesting parts of the book are the ones where Mike Colburn's describes the circumstances that led to big idea inventions and the path in which his ideas became commercial products. It left me wanting to listen to more details about the stories of the products by the author.

[Jon Esping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having worked with Mike Colburn for many years, I always admired his entrepreneurial spirit and his creative ability with business challenges he was faced with and chose to undertake. What I did not fully understand during the time we worked together was the very systematic process that Mike used to accomplish what he accomplished, and his accomplishments have been substantial.

Now, after reading Mike’s book ‘Invent, Innovate & Prosper’, I can better understand the very structured and systematic process that Mike employed to solve problems he had identified and wanted to address. This gave me a much better understanding why Mike has been successful as both an inventor and as a businessman. In this book, Mike created an easy to understand ‘roadmap’ that will help anyone to solve the problems they have identified and want to address.

Whether you are an aspiring inventor, or you are simply trying to solve some type of challenging problem you have identified, this book will not only help you in many ways, it will also inspire you.

Jon Esping

[Chichi Obi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invent, Innovate and prosper is a book about inventions which defines an invention as being beyond creating a product but it could be dance, music or something else which is made. Colburn writes about how you can ensure that the invention you create is suitable for its purpose.

[Ed Malaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invent, Innovate, and Prosper is a fantastic book that will teach you everything you need to know to become an inventor, from where you get the initial idea, to how to market the finished product.

It is also an excellent book for non-inventors because much of the book is devoted to looking at the world around you in new ways while recognizing problems and devising ways to solve them. It's almost a self-help book geared towards strengthening your observational skills with the potential for a high financial reward.

There are also plenty of stories about all kinds of inventions included in the book as well as lots of Sherlock Holmes quotes, making it a lot of fun to read.