Inventor, Entrepreneur

Tanja Neubauer, Inventor Entrepreneur

cimg5480_tanja1

http://www.fring-ez.com/

 

As part of my series I am introducing you to an entrepreneur who is a good example of picking a great name  and trademarking! Tanja Neubauer is both a give big and a start big story!  Tanja is a soccer mom and SAP whiz and now she is an inventor too!  Tanja has a patent pending and a trademark logo for the Fring-ez. 

Fring-ezThe Fring-ez is a tool that provides an easier way to cut fringe on the popular No Sew fleece blankets. It is an adjustable clear acrylic cutting template. It allows a person to place the fabric’s edge in it and run a pair of scissors down a row of slots to cut fringe all the same length and width in a straight line. It can accommodate four ply of fleece and can adjust to cut fringe that’s 2-, 3- or 4 inches long and an inch wide. It can be used on any kind of material to make fringe on items such as blankets, scarves, pillows and sleeping bags.

Have you always been inventive?  Not really I am not crafty at all however I always looked for ways to make a job easier and more efficient.

How did you come up with the idea? I was having a hard time making a fringed fleece blanket for my great niece. I don’t sew, and I’m not a crafty person at all. I had a terrible time cutting because I can’t cut straight.  I could not find a suitable cutting tool, so I invented one.

How do you market Fring-ez?  The Fring-ez, which sells for $19.95, plus shipping, can be ordered on Amazon.com, Etsy.com and at my website: Fring-ez.com.  I also now have a mini Fring-ez for half-inch-wide tab for small fringe.

So you are not just an inventor but also an entrepreneur?  I guess so! It all came together from September to October. My first marketing venture was at the November Holiday Gift show at Hara Arena.  I am not only inventing but I have had to learn how to source fabricators, understand packaging and all the other aspects of starting a business.

Where else are you selling your product?  I currently have 200 Fring-ezs in stock, which I sell on Amazon and at area shows, including at the recent Bargain Mania at Veteran’s Memorial in Columbus.

What are you most excited about?  I am hopeful that my template will be featured on a national craft show!  I am most excited about helping others. I hope the success of  Fring-ez will allow me greater resources to help the homeless and other community outreach programs. In the past year I have become very involved in with church and their outreach programs.

What has been your greatest surprise? My entire family looks at things differently. At first my kids (Neubauer and her husband, Scott, both IT consultants, with six children between them.) did not understand why I was pursuing making this product. They are now seeing ideas for new products in many things they do every day!

One Response to “Inventor, Entrepreneur”

  1. From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur is a wonderful resource for anyone who sees the value in creating a passive income source from their current area of expertise - either hobby or profession. If you don’t understand or see the value in becoming an Infopreneur, then this book is definitely for you.

    The book is well written, organized and full of valuable information. It offers an easy to understand, step-by-step guide for the entrepreneur to transform their business and become an information marketer.

    It is very easy for the entrepreneur to under estimate the market potential for their knowledge. Stephanie does an excellent job of illustrating how to take the knowledge we have acquired and to package it into a valuable product that can generate income on a passive basis. The internet has made it possible - actually easy - for anyone to package and sell their knowledge worldwide.

    While it is often referred to as passive income, Stephanie is quick to point out that creating an informational product is simply the first step. If you are not willing to actively market your product/idea then you will have wasted a lot of time and energy in creating it. The income might be passive but there is this huge need for very active marketing. But do not despair. All the steps and instructions for effective marketing are in the book.

    The book is full of hints, helpful tips and resources. I had read less than 30 pages when I was given a suggestion that made me put the book down and implement it. There are literally hundreds of helpful website addresses in the book. In addition there are profiles of successful infopreneurs, explaining what they do and how they did it.

    One other extremely valuable lesson that is hammered home throughout the book is the value of becoming a recognized expert in your field. There is nothing like publishing book(s), articles, special reports, etc, that will establish your credibility as an expert. This can dramatically increase your value and thus income from other sources.

    The book has way too much information to absorb in just one reading. If you are serious about becoming an informational marketer, read it a couple of times and then use it as a handy reference. A great resource for those just starting out or the seasoned infopreneur.

Leave a Reply