R.J.’s Invention

A big part of R.J.’s business is showing people how Tip Tough works by holding demonstrations at markets, fairs, and more. “I’m constantly talking the whole day,” R.J. says. “I sit there and demo my product. Once people see it, they go, ‘I need that.’”

Because R.J. relies on local events to tell people about Tip Tough, most of his sales are from the East Coast where he lives. But R.J. wants to change that. “Our goal is to break out nationally,” he says.

A big part of R.J.’s business is holding demonstrations. He shows people how Tip Tough works at markets, fairs, and more. “I’m constantly talking the whole day,” says R.J. “I sit there and demonstrate my product. Once people see it, they go, ‘I need that.’”

R.J. relies on local events to tell people about Tip Tough. That means most of his customers are on the East Coast where he lives. But R.J. wants to change that. “Our goal is to break out nationally,” he says.

To help support other young inventors and entrepreneurs, R.J. gives talks at local schools about the invention process and teaches kids how to get patents for their ideas. A patent is official recognition from the U.S. government saying that only the patent holder has the right to make and sell an invention. R.J. is still working on getting the patent for Tip Tough—it’s a long process!

R.J.’s advice for aspiring inventors? Write down everything. “Everybody forgets that quick idea they think of, but that quick idea can lead to a business, like mine did,” he says.

R.J also wants to support other young inventors. He gives talks at local schools about the invention process. He also teaches kids how to get patents for their ideas. A patent is official recognition from the U.S. government. It says that only the patent holder has the right to make and sell an invention. R.J. is still working on getting the patent for Tip Tough. It’s a long process!

R.J.’s advice for aspiring inventors? Write down everything. “Everybody forgets that quick idea they think of,” he says. “But that quick idea can lead to a business, like mine did.”

KEY MATH IDEA: Prototypes with nets

Most inventions go through multiple different versions, called prototypes, before they’re finalized. Prototypes help inventors test materials and determine the final product’s size, shape, weight, and more. You can make your own simple prototypes out of paper by creating nets. A net is a 2-D pattern than can be folded into a 3-D shape.

KEY MATH IDEA: Prototypes with nets

Most inventions go through multiple different versions, called prototypes, before they’re finalized. Prototypes help inventors test materials and determine the final product’s size, shape, weight, and more. You can make your own simple prototypes out of paper by creating nets. A net is a 2-D pattern than can be folded into a 3-D shape.