From Idea to Income: A Practical Guide to Product Development and Manufacturing

In this episode, Jon LaClare sits down with Jim Wilkinson, a multi-patented inventor, author, manufacturer, and longtime mentor to inventors and entrepreneurs. With more than three decades of hands-on experience, Jim has helped bring countless ideas from concept to real products found in homes, and even automobiles, around the world.

Jim shares how his lifelong passion for innovation led him to write "The Practical Inventor," a no-nonsense guide designed to help inventors avoid costly mistakes and follow the correct sequence when developing a product. He explains why rushing into patents, branding, or marketing too early often derails promising ideas and why simplicity, planning, and discipline matter more than enthusiasm alone.

We dive into product validation, profitability, and how inventors can use modern tools like AI and basic market research to determine demand before spending significant money. You’ll also discover why American manufacturing can be more beneficial than many realize when factoring in quality, communication, speed to market, automation, and overall value. 

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we’ll cover:

• Why inventors should focus on sequence and planning before patents or marketing
• How to validate product demand and profitability early
• The biggest mistakes that prevent inventors from ever launching
• Why defining a clear minimum viable product is critical to success
• The hidden costs and risks of overseas manufacturing
• The value of mastermind communities for mentorship, collaboration, and growth

If you’re looking to bring an idea to market, to improve manufacturing, or to scale, this episode delivers practical, real-world guidance from someone who’s been through it all. And to learn more about Jim Wilkinson, schedule a conversation, or receive a complimentary copy of The Practical Inventor, visit www.veritek.com.

To be a guest on our next episode of the podcast, contact us today!

Do you have a brand that you’d like to launch or grow? Do you want help from a partner that has successfully launched hundreds of brands totaling over $2 billion in revenues? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and set up a free consultation with us today!