Inventor Stories: Robert Cameron and the Power of Perseverance

​​Patently Strategic - Patent Strategy for Startups

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We’ve seen few entrepreneurial success stories that haven’t involved heavy doses of perseverance, grit, observation, and creative problem-solving. Today’s guest possesses these qualities in spades. And while I can’t necessarily recommend some of the more death-defying specifics of his approach … at least not without a lot of “don’t try this at home” fine print :) … I do think that most inventors and aspiring entrepreneurs will benefit immensely from studying our guest's thoughtfully crafted, time-tested, and wildly inventive approaches to innovation and business.
Robert Cameron is the Owner and CEO of Multi Wedge – as well as the inventor of some brilliant products sold under the same name. Multi Wedge non-marring pry tools are designed to pry delicate materials without damage. These are excellent tools for woodworking, electrical wiring, delicate mechanical work, and so much more. Robert’s wedges were recently tested by SpaceEx and used in the manufacturing process of Jet Engines at G.E Aviation. And of slightly less significance, but much closer to home, found under the Christmas trees of several of my closest relatives this past December. Robert has molded 1.3 million 3-piece sets, 3.3 million single wedges, and has been selling Multi Wedge in over 18,000 stores since 2010.
I met Robert back in October at the US Inventor Conference in DC. I was lucky enough to bump into him over dinner when he shared his incredible story with me. It's one of the funniest and most inspiring success stories you’ll hear.
** Mossoff Minute **
In this month's Mossoff Minute, Professor Adam Mossoff discusses findings from the recently published World IP Day Patent Litigation Study. This study clearly shows problems with the patent system but not the problems you typically hear from the companies that have been dominating the patent policy discussions for the past decade. Adam also highlights the importance of injunctions and damages – something we'll be discussing a lot more in segments to come.
** Discussed Links **
⦿ Multi Wedge: https://multiwedge.com/

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Thanks for listening!
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Note: The contents of this podcast do not constitute legal advice.

Chapter

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Mossoff Minute: World IP Day Study (00:01:57)

3. Robert Cameron interview (00:05:22)

4. Bob's Machine Shop and dodging bullets (00:10:12)

5. Product-market fit lessons learned the hard way (00:17:35)

6. The turning point (00:23:52)

7. Keeping the lights on (00:29:09)

8. No cost market research (00:40:11)

9. Business lessons learned (00:45:09)

10. Distribution model (00:51:19)

11. Advice for new inventors (00:59:49)

12. The Robert Cameron Framework (01:02:00)

13. Outro (01:06:00)