About Mark Rappaport Expertise I can give advice on any product or toy related question. I design, engineer and manufacture all of my own products. I have a unique perspective from the creative side all the way through to production. If you have question on next steps or how to get something done, I would be glad to help. I am knowledgeable with regard to licensing agreements and negotiating them from the inventors perspective. I will keep you from spending money where it is not necessary.
Experience I have been inventing for over 40 years. I have work inside 2 major toy companies and understand the corporate environment well. I have own my own development company and licensed toys to many of the major toy companies. I currently own Marky Sparky Toys, Inc. We make and manufacture toys for the specialty toy market. We source and produce everything overseas. www.markysparkytoys.com
Organizations ASTRA,
TIA
Education/Credentials Art Center College of Design,
UCLA
Awards and Honors Hasbro, Toy of the year '95 - '96 - '99
Parents Choice Award 2003
Parents Choice Award 2005
Astra Best Toy 2009
Question I have an idea to add a simple flavoring to a very popular condiment. These two items are use together already but they are not combined yet. I would like to get a smaller manufacturer of one of items to produce it. But how would I go about even finding out how to accomplish this?
Answer Nathan,
Tough problem to have. A simple example (since your not disclosing the recipe) would be dijon mustard and mayonnaise... The results make Dijonasse! You can't really protect a concept like that for many reasons. What you can protect is that very cool name. That is why Colonel Sanders protects his "eleven herbs and spices" like Fort Knox. I know I am not helping much but this is the problem with food type items. If it is a simple combo, maybe you can create a small start up company and just make them in your kitchen. Otherwise, you need an amazing name at least to start. Make sure you control your finances. I can almost guarantee you will lose all of your investment so don't spend more than you want to lose. I built a small candy company in the 80's using spoons and a microwave. More production meant more spoons. Be thrifty. Do most everything yourself. That includes graphics and packaging. Don't pay big bucks for this. Maybe a graphics designer will work for a piece of the action instead of a fee. Anyway, many people will encourage you and tell you your idea is great. Ask them for money. That will qualify their opinion. If they give you money, they weren't just being nice. Check out the FANCY FOOD SHOW. They have lots of people just like yourself. http://www.specialtyfood.com/do/Home They have shows on both coasts. Maybe you could walk the show and find a small manufacture with similar stuff to take on your item. Make sure you have a good name and some decent packaging. Good luck. Hope this was enough info to get you to your next step.
