A Different Kind of Energy From the Start

On Monday, the day before The Inspired Home Show opened, you could already feel the momentum building inside the Inventors Corner.

Inventors were arriving, setting up their booths, and taking in the scale of the Show for the first time. For many, it hit all at once. The size of the Show. The major brands exhibiting. The reality of where they were standing. However, what stood out most was not just the magnitude of The Inspired Home Show. It was the way the Inventors Corner came together.

Thirty-two inventor kiosks were set, organized, and ready. The space looked professional, and it felt intentional. Just as importantly, the inventors were not strangers meeting for the first time. Through pre-show preparation led by Inventor Process, Inc., a sense of community had already formed, and it showed. They were sharing ideas, asking questions, helping each other set up, and preparing for what was ahead.

Of course, there were nerves, and there were questions about logistics and timing. But there was also a noticeable confidence. No one was wondering if they should be there. If anything, most realized they had made the right decision the moment they stepped into the building.

Tuesday Morning: When It Became Real

The Inspired Home Show opened at 8:30 AM on Tuesday. Ten minutes later, the Inventors Corner was already in motion.

At 8:40 AM, while I was answering a question from an inventor, I looked up and saw a full television crew setting up. Cameras, lights, sound, and an on-site anchor were all in place. This was not casual coverage. It was live TV.

Stations like WGN and CBS Chicago did not stumble into the Inventors Corner. It was at the top of their Tuesday morning agendas. They came straight to it, filmed the space, and interviewed several inventors live on air. Then, as the day moved forward, even more media showed up.

Wednesday morning, the media activity started even earlier when Matt Rodrigues from NBC 5 Chicago’s “Matt in the Morning” arrived to interview inventors and learn about their products. Additionally, media personalities like Kathy Emery and Emmy Award-winning on-camera expert Jane Clauss spent time in the Corner interviewing inventors and capturing content.

You could feel the excitement. Inventors were not just standing in their kiosks. They were being recognized and featured, and more importantly, they were being taken seriously.

The Inventors Corner Drew the Right People

As Tuesday continued, and then into the following days, the Inventors Corner at The Inspired Home Show stayed active. Not just busy, but meaningful.

Buyers from numerous companies like Walmart, Target, Costco, and QVC spent time in the Corner. Brand executives from companies including Lifetime Brands, Honey-Can-Do, Widgeteer, and others walked through, stopped at booths, and engaged directly with inventors. Additionally, Kevin Harrington, one of the original sharks from Shark Tank, visited multiple times.

But what mattered most was not simply who showed up. It was what they did once they got there. They didn’t just casually pass through. They stopped, asked real questions, stayed long enough to have meaningful conversations, and often established next steps.

Most inventors spend years trying to get in front of these exact people with little to no results. And that can make opportunities feel out of reach. Yet here, inside the Inventors Corner, those same decision-makers were walking up, leaning in, and actively engaging.

Conversations That Meant Something

Because of that engagement, and because the inventors came in prepared, conversations quickly moved beyond surface level. And to be blunt, this is where most inventors miss it. They think getting the conversation is the win. It’s not. Knowing how to handle it is.

While at the show, I heard a retail buyer ask an inventor about their ability to handle the kind of volume they were looking for. That’s not a casual question. That’s a business conversation.

In another instance, an inventor smiling so big she could have eaten a banana sideways, hurried over and said, “I’ve already signed two purchase orders.” That kind of outcome is rare because most deals are finalized after the show. So, what made things different now? It was the strength of the product, the preparedness of the inventor, and the Inventors Corner environment, all of which made retailers comfortable enough to make immediate purchasing decisions.

There were also moments that captured both excitement and uncertainty. One inventor came over and said, “I just met with an Australian pharmaceutical company. They want to license part of my product. Can we even do that?”

Another inventor shared, “I just met with Lifetime Brands. They said they would extend their typical licensing agreement. A three-year deal. Is that normal?” He was excited, but he also wanted to make sure he handled it correctly.

These were real questions tied to actual opportunities.

Additionally, inventors would call us over throughout the three days of the show. “You’ve got to hear this,” or “Can you take a look at this?” These were not hypothetical conversations. They were moments where something real was happening, and they wanted guidance on how to move forward. As host of the Inventors Corner, the Inventor Process, Inc. team was on the show floor, ready to support inventors in real time.

Prepared Inventors Changed the Dynamic

One of the biggest differences inside the Inventors Corner at The Inspired Home Show was how the inventors carried themselves. They stood, smiled, and welcomed people in. Just as importantly, they knew what they were trying to accomplish and how to communicate it clearly.

And throughout the Show, I reminded them of something simple: “They see you before they hear you.”

Fair or not, appearance and demeanor influence whether someone stops or keeps walking. The inventors understood that, and it showed in how they engaged prospects. That might sound simple, but most inventors get it wrong. They focus on the product and forget they’re part of the pitch.

At the same time, as you can probably imagine, the excitement was constant. After strong interactions, inventors would light up. That is natural. However, the Inventor Process team would consistently remind them, “Where is the deal made? In the follow up.”

That balance kept them focused. Sure, they were excited, but they were also thinking ahead. They gathered the right information, asked better questions, and positioned themselves for what comes next.

Because of that preparation, they did not freeze when serious conversations started. They stepped into them.

Moments That Captured the Experience

There were several moments throughout The Inspired Home Show that captured what was happening in a very real way.

For instance, Colleen of Tilted Colander walked over to the Oggi booth, introduced herself, and brought a member of their team back to her kiosk. She was confident, professional, and fully engaged. When the representative responded positively and set up a follow-up conversation, it was clear that her willingness to step outside her comfort zone had paid off. A group of us watched it unfold in real time, and we were genuinely impressed by her boldness and how it played out. That moment mattered.

In another case, Rene from My Snap Board! had just met with executives from Lifetime Brands, including I believe the CEO. They came directly to her booth. After the meeting, she immediately called me over, holding their cards and already talking through the next steps. That type of interaction does not happen by chance.

Of course, it wasn’t without its challenges. Gerald’s shipment of ErgoWare samples never arrived at the Show. It was a stressful situation and could have derailed his entire experience. However, with some quick adjustments, including sourcing available samples and arranging additional shipments, he was able to move forward. Gerald went on to have strong media coverage, receive multiple offers, and was a Global Innovation Awards finalist.

These moments, both the highs and the challenges, are what made the experience real.

From Low Energy to Real Momentum

To understand what took place inside the Inventors Corner, it helps to look at the contrast from the previous year.

In 2025, there were six exhibitors. The space felt quiet, traffic was limited, and many inventors were unsure of their goals or how to engage effectively. It lacked direction, and as a result, it lacked momentum.

This year was different.

Above all, thirty-two inventors showed up prepared. The Inventors Corner was active. The environment felt welcoming and professional. More importantly, it felt like a place where business could actually happen.

That shift changed everything.

For instance, buyers and brand executives stayed longer, and their conversations went deeper. Opportunities began to take shape, and as more people engaged, more followed. The energy of the Corner built on itself.

Why It Worked

The Inventors Corner at The Inspired Home Show was re-envisioned as a serious place to do business. That may sound obvious, but it’s not how most inventor showcases operate.

And this was something people felt the moment they stepped into the space. Retail buyers, brand executives, and media recognized it immediately. They responded to it by stopping, engaging, and having real conversations with inventors.

And that is what made the difference.

Additionally, The Show provided the opportunity, and the environment allowed inventors to take advantage of it. For the first time, these inventors weren’t chasing the industry. The industry came to them.

If you’re an inventor and want to understand how opportunities like this actually come together, we’d be glad to have that conversation. Schedule a Conversation.

In the next post, we will break down what went into preparing inventors for this kind of environment, and why that preparation played such a critical role in what happened on the show floor.

By: Edward Ayres, CEO of Inventor Process, Inc.