Meet Lisa Lloyd of Invention Accelerator

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Lloyd

Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was 23, I came up with my first invention—a hair tool called French Twister. After inventing, protecting, and manufacturing the product, I sold a small batch but soon realized that licensing was more appealing to me than building and scaling a company. I struck a licensing deal with Scunci®, securing a minimum royalty of $60,000 per year—a significant upgrade from my $18,000-a-year job! This success marked the start of my career as an inventor. I went on to license seven more products to brands like Vidal Sassoon®, Goody®, and Suave®, generating over $30 million in sales.

Back in 2010, when Shark Tank was new and scouting for entrepreneurs, I was invited to audition and made it on the first season of the show with TC Pets—a line of plush toy organizers. Unlike my previous licensing deals, this was a full-fledged business with 70 line extensions. On the show, I received offers from three of the five sharks and ultimately accepted Daymond John’s offer, with Barbara Corcoran joining the deal. Unfortunately, the funding fell through, and after two years of selling through seven container loads to over 400 stores, we had to shut down due to slim profit margins and the economic downturn.

The success of my inventions led to a consulting business, driven by the influx of calls from inventors eager to learn how to replicate what I had accomplished. I founded a non-profit club for inventors and launched a consultancy for more personalized support. Today, I run Invention Accelerator™, offering a suite of training products designed to help anyone with a bright idea validate it, protect it, and ultimately license it to great brands for residual income.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! No entrepreneur would ever describe starting something new as “smooth.” Innovation is inherently tumultuous, and my journey has been no exception. Launching TC Pets involved grueling hours, costly mistakes, and navigating through “professional” service providers who exploited my business rather than protecting and supporting it. Combined with the economic downturn at the time, these challenges made profitability unattainable, leading to the loss of my home and forcing me to reboot my entire life.

As an expert in licensing, I’ve faced numerous challenges, both within and beyond my control. Whether it’s dealing with licensees who fail to deliver quality products, the difficulties of developing something unprecedented, or persuading decision-makers to embrace a vision, the journey has been marked by continuous learning and perseverance.

Even now, running my consultancy, I encounter difficulties helping new inventors navigate the complexities of licensing. There’s a lot of misinformation online and unscrupulous individuals who prey on hopeful inventors, charging tens of thousands of dollars with no results. When these shysters make irresponsible promises, I find myself having to untangle their misleading advice and guide good people back onto the right path.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Invention Accelerator?
What should we know?

Invention Accelerator is a leading consultancy dedicated to helping inventors bring their ideas to life. We offer comprehensive training and personalized support to guide inventors through the entire process of innovation, from idea validation to licensing. Our mission is to empower inventors with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the competitive world of product development and licensing.

What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?

We specialize in providing tailored guidance for inventors at various stages of their journey. Our expertise lies in helping inventors validate their ideas, protect their intellectual property, and successfully license their inventions to major brands. We are known for our detailed, step-by-step approach and our commitment to demystifying the licensing process, making it accessible and manageable for inventors of all experience levels.

What sets you apart from others?

What sets us apart is our blend of practical experience and personalized support. Lisa Lloyd, our founder, has a proven track record of successful product licensing and has leveraged this experience to create a robust program that includes practical tools, resources, and one-on-one consulting. We stand out for our dedication to providing honest, actionable advice and for our unique combination of instructional content and personal guidance, which helps inventors navigate the complexities of the industry with confidence.

What are you most proud brand-wise?

We are most proud of the transformative impact we’ve had on our clients’ lives. With over 100 testimonials and positive feedback, Lisa consistently demonstrates that her thoughtful guidance and proven approach resonate deeply with clients. Her methods provide immediate, actionable steps that instill the competence and confidence needed for success.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?

At Invention Accelerator, we are committed to helping inventors succeed by providing a comprehensive suite of services designed to cover every aspect of the invention and licensing process. From our in-depth courses and practical tools to personalized consulting and support, our goal is to equip inventors with everything they need to bring their ideas to fruition. We invite you to explore our resources and join our community to start your journey towards turning your innovative ideas into successful products.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing the success of my clients. There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing that the guidance and resources we provide at Invention Accelerator have helped someone turn their innovative idea into a tangible, successful product. Witnessing their growth and achievements, and knowing that our support played a role in their journey, is incredibly rewarding. Personally, I also find joy in continuous learning and overcoming new challenges, which keeps me engaged and excited about my work every day. Additionally, I take great pride in the legacy we’re building—helping to foster a community of successful inventors who can inspire future generations to pursue their own creative dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theinventionaccelerator.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icaninvent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninjainventor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/icaninvent