Saturday, November 8, 2008

It Was MY Idea First

I'm usually one of those people on the plane. It isn't that I'm not a friendly person, but especially when I was traveling regularly for business, the plane is the one place where I can relax and unwind in peace and quiet for just a little while.

I sit in my seat, and my magazines or newspapers or (if I'm lucky) book get opened. And I'm reading. Please don't bother me; I'm just not interested. I've been known to rattle my papers when interrupted and put them up higher to block out the face of the person talking to me. I promise this is only when I've had a really bad day, and it isn't quite as bad as it sounds.

However, on my most recent flight, I was reading the magazine that my health club sends out (hey, I didn't even know they sent one out with membership until now). One of the pages was talking about neti pots. Ironically, Manic Mommy had just given her demo recently on using a neti pot (Sept 6).


The woman next to me asked me if I'd ever used a neti pot, and I actually answered. We ended up talking the entire flight about various things, but the neti pot started it. We discussed how she uses it and how she introduced it to her son but how that didn't go so well.

We talked about how great it would be to have a neti pot for younger children since they so often get colds and allergies, and the neti pot can really help. Good luck getting a kid to sit still while you stick a watering can into their nose and have water run through.

I figured out how to get rid of all the issues, however.

To get kids interested in it, you make it look like an elephant. Just make it a nice pretty blue, and add some cute legs and ears.

The trunk is pretty obvious. However, putting something ceramic and cold and hard into a child's nose? Not gonna happen. Well, ok, it might happen, but not for more than six milliseconds or so. Instead, you make it out of a flexible neoprene. That way, when the child moves, the trunk moves with it and you don't spill the water everywhere. And it's soft and closer to room temperature.

I'm brilliant so far, aren't I?

The other issue is that the child is not likely to want to stand over the sink on a stool to drain into a sink. Solution? The elephant "lives" in a jungle. The jungle is a large shallow bowl with a couple of palm trees sticking out and four imprints for the elephant to rest comfortably. Obviously, this is made out of a shatterproof plastic or other material. You just have the child sit or stand near the jungle, and you're set.

The woman sitting next to me was really impressed with my ideas. In fact, she was so impressed she made notes when I was finished explaining my invention. And then she talked about how she's going to look into getting it made.

HEY! Wait a minute. This was my idea. She's stealing my idea! Maybe I wasn't ready to market it yet, but still, this was all me.

So when you see the child size elephant neti pot on QVC, you'll know who should really be getting all those royalties.

17 comments:

Outnumbered2to1 November 8, 2008 at 5:21 PM  

Nice idea. You should have signed the bottom of the notes so you are sure to get a kick back.

Kellan November 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM  

Cute idea - REALLY! Did you get that lady's name????

Have a good weekend - Kellan

MaBunny November 8, 2008 at 8:10 PM  

I never even knew what a neti pot was till I saw Manic using one... now however I see them on sale in drugstores and such. I ahve sinus problems, but not bad enough to warrant sticking one of thoes up my nostris;)

Michelle November 8, 2008 at 10:18 PM  

Outnumbered2to1 - Unfortunately I didn't think of that part. Her notes were being taken in her lap in an airplane seat, so it's not like I could really have reached over and grabbed them! ;)

Kellan - Thanks :) And yes, actually I got her card. It's in my office because I do truly want to check out the card thing she does -- she's a consultant for a pretty cool business concept.

Mabunny - Good, so you know what I'm talking about. And would you believe that in the magazine I'm reading right now (Parents, March 2008 and yes I know I'm behind; I was reading October 2007 issues of magazines when I was in Florida so I'm making progress), they talk about a survey done that saline water via bulb or neti pot is more effective than nasal sprays for allergies. Huh. Two posts in a row this issue is timely for!

Cookie November 8, 2008 at 10:55 PM  

I used to have to do something like this when I had my sinus surgery 2 years ago. I like the neil med (I think that's how it's spelled) brand. They just came out with a smaller version for kids. you can buy it at Rite aid for about $8. Or you could have gotten free after rebate a month ago. Or better yet, you could have found the peelie coupon on the package and still gotten the full price back for your rebate ;) That's what I call a deal!

Denyse November 8, 2008 at 11:18 PM  

I gotta go Google "neti pot"...

angela | the painted house November 9, 2008 at 5:54 AM  

I've never heard of this contraption! Now I have some homework to do. :)

Michelle November 9, 2008 at 1:04 PM  

Cookie - You're crushing my dreams! I thought my elephant for the kids idea was so unique and special. But apparently I could have gotten it for free had I shopped at the right time :)

Denyse - Welcome! Definitely google it. Or take a look at Manic's demo. It's an interesting concept!

Angela - I'm shocked that you haven't heard of this one before. It seemed like it would be totally up your alley. Go do your homework. I'm interested to hear what you think.

Unknown November 9, 2008 at 1:42 PM  

Stopping by from SITS... you were in front of me in Roll Call today. You have a very pretty blog! I have had similar things happen to me... don't let it crush you. I agree with the rest of your readers... dont give up!

MaNiC MoMMy™ November 9, 2008 at 3:06 PM  

I couldn't see the picture! My Tukey is 7 and he uses the plain one -- he knows how it IMMEDIATELY makes him feel better. They are the best invention in the world for sinus sufferers!

Michelle November 9, 2008 at 6:53 PM  

Christie - Welcome! Thanks for stopping by, and such nice things to say about my blog :)

Manic - Thanks for the heads up. No one else mentioned that. I'll have to figure out what I did wrong. Whoops :) I may need to figure out how you taught Tukey how to do it, as Little Miss in particular could really use it!

edbteach November 9, 2008 at 7:28 PM  

I love the Neti pot. I started using last spring when I was having lots of trouble with my allergies.

My son, who is 5, has been using it since then too. I was afraid he was going to have a huge fit, but actually he does really well.

I let him hold the pot and play with it in the tub when we are finished. I know all kids are different but give your kids a shot - they just might suprise you!

Michelle November 9, 2008 at 9:36 PM  

edbteach - That's interesting. Mister Man has some sensory issues, and we do showers now, but maybe I can get him to work with it there. And Little Miss, who's actually the bigger one with allergies, etc. Thanks for the positive ideas!

Sometimes Sophia November 10, 2008 at 4:47 AM  

Hey, I'm 55, but I'd buy an elephant neti pot. Still think you should market one...

Michelle November 10, 2008 at 8:23 PM  

Sometimes Sophia - Welcome! And I'll keep your contact info for when I get around to patenting it. At least I know I have one customer! ;)

WeaselMomma November 14, 2008 at 8:46 AM  

That will teach you to talk to people on a plane!

Michelle November 14, 2008 at 3:50 PM  

Weaselmomma - Oooo, good point! Fortunately I did better on my flight to Seattle last night and dutifully ignored the guy next to me.

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