Story & Lesson Highlights with Lisa Lloyd

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lisa Lloyd. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think the biggest misunderstanding comes when inventors are looking for help. Most assume the way to judge a service provider is by how many products they’ve personally licensed — because licensing feels like the finish line. I’ve licensed 9 of my own products, and while that matters, it isn’t the most important thing. No one can guarantee a licensing deal, because every idea, market, and company fit is different.

The problem is, that expectation is exactly what some companies prey on. They’ll flatter you, promise the world, and sell expensive services that feel productive — but don’t actually move your invention closer to a deal. The reality is, licensing only happens when a strong product meets a professional presentation in front of the right decision-makers. Everything else is just noise.

So when you’re looking for help, the real question to ask is: can this person get my idea ready to present professionally, coach me to pitch it confidently, and get it in front of the right people? That’s what actually gives an invention a shot at success.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an inventor, entrepreneur, and mentor who helps people take their ideas from concept to licensed product. Over the years, I’ve personally licensed nine products and have guided hundreds of inventors through the process of turning their inventions into real opportunities with major brands.

I work with inventors at every stage, starting with the idea. I help them validate their concepts to save time and money, develop commercially viable products that have a real chance of success in the marketplace, and protect their inventions strategically. From there, I guide them through preparing professional presentations, building the right pitch, and getting in front of the right decision-makers — all the steps that truly increase their chances of licensing success.

What makes my approach unique is that I focus on giving inventors the knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate a process where so many fail. My goal is to help them take control of their ideas, approach the licensing process strategically, and show up like professionals in a space where most don’t, so their inventions have the best possible shot at success.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was stupid. I didn’t do well in school, only took a few college courses, and struggled mentally and emotionally with severe ADHD. I often felt like I couldn’t keep up or measure up to others, and I carried that belief about myself for a long time.

What I’ve learned since then is that struggling in traditional educational systems often isn’t about lack of intelligence — it’s about learning differently, thinking creatively, and being wired in ways that don’t always fit the standard mold. Many inventors share this experience: highly curious, highly creative, and driven to solve problems, but often misunderstood in school or work environments. Understanding that my challenges were a reflection of my unique way of thinking, rather than a limitation, has been transformational. It’s also shaped how I guide inventors: I help them recognize that their ideas and abilities are far greater than early setbacks or labels might suggest, and that thinking differently is exactly what makes them capable of innovation.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
One of the biggest things I changed my mind about after failing hard came with my first invention, the French Twister. I went all in — sold my car, quit my job, and spent about 18 months developing and pitching it. I even signed a contract with Goody®, but after months of negotiation, they were acquired by Newell Rubbermaid and ultimately backed out before returning the fully executed agreement. At the time, I felt like it was over and put the idea aside to go back to my “normal” life.

What I learned is that a setback doesn’t mean the end. A few months later, we found another company, Scunci®, who loved the product, signed an agreement, and I got my first check for $20,000 in just a few weeks. That experience completely changed my perspective: failure doesn’t define the idea or your potential — persistence, timing, and finding the right partner do. It taught me to treat setbacks as redirections, not dead ends, and that mindset has guided every product and inventor I’ve worked with since.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Most people think licensing an invention is about having a “big idea,” but the truth is, the idea itself is only a small part of the equation. Success comes from execution: a commercially viable product, a professional presentation, and getting it in front of the right decision-makers. Very few inventors understand that, which is why so many great ideas never get licensed.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand what it’s really like to be an inventor — the excitement, the uncertainty, and the frustration of believing in an idea that others don’t see yet. I’ve been an inventor for over 30 years, so I’ve lived every step of the journey, from prototypes to licensing deals. Most people don’t realize how much strategy, persistence, and emotional resilience it takes to turn an idea into a real product, and having experienced that myself, I see it as my legacy to share what I’ve learned so other inventors don’t have to make the same mistakes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theinventionaccelerator.com
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisavlloyd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/icaninvent