It's funny how I got involved in the Renewable, Alternative Energy sector, and, within a period of 5 months, came to develop a patent-pending invention that addresses the current issues concerning the need for these new technologies. Now, this invention of mine might not change the world entirely, but, somehow, I think I can at least leave a small footprint behind. This is how it all started.....
One day last fall I was just sitting on the couch staring at the TV, not really paying attention to what was on really. I had bought a newspaper (a rarity these days with the Internet) to look for a job, as my own home-based business was quickly drying up and becoming a victim of the current economic situation, to put it mildly. So I pick up the business section instead of going directly to the want ads, as I was (and still am) trying to avoid going to work for someone else. I resist this because at 48 years old, at this point in my career with an extensive and relatively successful business track record, no one is willing to pay me for what I am really worth in this economic slowdown, and, secondly, I just can't stand anyone telling me what to do. I've worked for myself for too long. Now, that doesn't mean I demand an exuberant paycheck and that I don't work well with others, it just means I'd rather be part of the decision making process and have some influence in what I do, and how I do it. Alright. Okay, I'll admit it: My name is Richard, and I'm an entrepreneur. There, I said it!!!
Okay, where was I? Ah yes, I remember: As I am avoiding the want ads, and perusing the business section, there it was, the answer to my situation, plain as day staring me right in the face. It was a challenge I so desperately wanted. More so, needed. That day's topic in the business section happened to be Alternative Energy, and how even the wildest of concepts were getting attention from some pretty serious folks with some pretty serious money to invest in these wacky ideas. It was fascinating to read what one of the Venture Capitalist interviewed stated, saying he doesn't mind if 90% of its ventures fail, as long as 10% hit the jackpot. U.S. Energy Department Secretary Stephen Chu had just about the same ratio in mind when he announced in 2009 that the agency was giving $151 million to clean-tech ventures in the form of 37 grants. Chu said that only three of the projects had to work out for the funding program to be a success."We are trying to hit home runs, not base hits," Chu said.
Wow. Continuing to read further, because now this really has my attention, I read some of the really neat and cool things people and companies are doing to address the ever-growing concern for the need of renewable and alternative energy sources. Now, the defining moment; I come across one company featured in the article who's idea seemed so simplistic, yet they received funding from Google to the tune of $15 million dollars and a $3 million dollar federal government grant through the the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. WHAT??? That idea got $18m big ones? I can do better than that, I thought to myself. So, out comes the pad and pencil, and the brain starts cookin', the old coconut is shakin' the coconut milk, the gray matter is sizzlin', the ol' gears are a grindin'.You get the idea.
As my mind and hands are taken control of from some unseen and unknown force, over the next few weeks, the idea starts to develop and take shape. Hmmmm, am I really onto something here? Or,is it just me falling in love with my own idea? (As the universe would have it, I've NEVER had a bad idea.Well, at the time of the ideas they seemed like good ones!). The idea now becomes formal drawings, I've even written down a pretty comprehensive description of it. Now, to validate it. I can't tell everyone about it, so I have to pick and choose a select few to expose it to and who can keep it under their hat and not steal my idea and just give me their honest opinion, no matter how bad it might sting. (To be continued in my next post. Stay tuned!)
Earth In Hands
Can Renewable Energy Save the Planet?
