Leslie Adami invented the Shoe In. She never sold a single unit. Leslie Adami sold her patent to a sold to a large mid-western industrial boot/shoe company for One Million Dollars. We invite you to listen to this episode of the Invention Stories Podcast to learn how.
The Invention Stories Podcast Episode 42 Recap:
Leslie Adami grew up as a tomboy. She loved playing sports and didn’t get into inventing until much later. Leslie has always been a very creative thinker.
Leslie attended Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was a pretty good student but felt she could’ve done better had she stayed more focused. Leslie was a liberal arts major who believed that fate would become her destiny.
Leslie owned the Forerunner Ski Shop with her then husband for 20 years. There were 10 other ski shops in the area but the competition wasn’t fierce. Each ski shopped develop their own niche. The Forerunner Ski Shop was known for selling clothing from Europe.
One day while skiing, Leslie was eating lunch and noticed every table was filled with gear the skiers had removed so they could eat. She believed there had to be a better way. So Leslie designed a mesh bag that was able to clip on pretty much any chair. This would allow you to put your glasses, goggles, hat, gloves, scarf, etc. in them instead of on the table while you ate. She sold a few hundred but the idea just sort of fizzled out.
One Million Dollar Idea
Living in Vermont can be very harsh. Every time Leslie needed to go grocery shopping or get the mail she would have to change her footwear. She felt for a variety of reasons that this process should be improved. It was especially frustrating removing your shoes in mud and snow.
The Shoe In was her answer. She designed it to clip on your existing footwear. This would allow your shoes stay to remain on warmly your feet. She created open toes , close toes , and a spike version (for ice).
three separate versions. You just set your shoe into the Shoe In. This allowed you to clip into the Shoe In. No hands required. No Velcro required and nothing to tie. Just Kick and kick out.
Leslie believes that dollar stores are a great place to find material for your prototype. She developed 4 different sizes for her Shoe In. So there is no left, no right…The Shoe Ins fits either foot.
Leslie shared some of the challenges she faced during patent process. When her patent paperwork was completer, she had an uneasy feeling. Acting on her instincts, she sought advice from a more established patent attorney. The paperwork that she filled out she thought was too ambiguous. So she ended up having her patent paperwork re-written more clearly.
To learn how Leslie sold this Patent for One Million Dollars, we invite you to listen to the invention stories podcast. To listen or download this episode please push the button at the top left of this page.
Magnifeyer
The magnifeyer was her next invention. Leslie was eating lunch at Applebee’s and was checking her phone. She’s at that age where she needs to wear glasses and wondered why she needing to break out her readers. She noticed everybody eating lunch was looking at their phones when the idea struck her. Why not have a magnifying glass or reader glass be part of the phone case. She worked this idea for several years. Leslie hadn’t take into consideration that phone models change every year. The problem was that with so many different models, too many molds would need to be made. Lot of time, money, and sweat before realizing this was not another one million dollar idea. She abandon it.
Leslie has also just signed a licensing agreement for a fashion accessory. She looks forward to receiving royalties.
Leslie is an inventor. And she’s very passionate about inventing. She loves the feeling when a great idea comes to her, whether she acts on it or not. Leslie enjoys the challenge of solving problems . Her goal is to achieve it in the easiest, most efficient way.
Leslie believes finding the best person to help her when she was new to inventing was the best use of her money. A waste of money for her was spent on having people evaluate her idea.
Leslie shares her passions, hopes and gives advice for new inventors in this podcast. We thank her for allowing us to share her one million dollar deal. So, we invite you to download listen and please tell a friend.
Upscale men’s/women’s boutique. Attends buying shows in Las Vegas,New York and California to find latest fashions for the store.
MAGNIFEYER
Inventor
Apr 2013 – Jan 2017
Killington, Vermont
iPhone cell phone case with slide out magnifying lens Handy when at a bar, restaurant, store and need to read a bill, menu or receipt. Might not always have your readers but you always have your phone ! Patent awarded 5/2014
Kollmarc, LLC.
Inventor
2006 – 2010
Killington, Vermont
Inventor of Shoe In …an overshoe that fits over almost any shoe/boot. Involved in all aspects from conception,prototyping,to manufacturing in Asia. Patent awarded in 2010. Successfully sold to a large Midwestern industrial boot/shoe company (for One Million Dollars).
Forerunner Ski Shop
Owner
1985 – May 2005
Killington, Vermont
Buyer for men’s/women’s ski apparel and accessories Known for sourcing skiwear that was new,innovative, Able to retain exclusivities on lines to establish as a leader in emerging trends.
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