[quote style=”boxed”]Don’t ignore the power of the blogging community. For any new product that you wish to bring to the public domain, first contact the top bloggers, offer to provide a sample for independent review and then sit back and watch the global power of the internet.[/quote]
Jovan Van Drielle had a brilliant idea when no one else considered the best way to transport an iPad. The enthusiastic inventor created the Geminus Genius Case as a way to carry and protect her iPad while traveling. Her husband Bill, had gifted her with a birthday present of an iPad with the thought that it would help her beyond her desktop computer. However, when attempting to purchase a case for her iPad, the local Apple store was out of stock.
Jovan then decided to read up on the pros and cons from those who had purchased iPad cases. In finding that many of the reviews showed a lack of user friendliness and quality support of the product, Jovan decided the best route was to design the ultimate iPad case. Jovan mentions that her father was an inventor, who started the first color newspaper in the country, which gave her an early interest in design and innovation.
Jovan knew how to market her product to a major audience once she had produced her case because she had a marketing background.
As Marketing Director for a division of Mobil Oil, Mobil Land Development Corporation, Jovan was no stranger to the idea of product sourcing as well as manufacturing. Van Drielle had become even more familiar with product design after founding her branding company, Geminus Inc., which has been going strong since 1997.
Her concept was to produce a perfect case for all users with a variety of specifications that was also well organized. Her major focus was convenience, which included: a microfiber cloth for wiping away fingerprints, a pop up Post-it note pad holder, a pen and stylus loop, hidden document storage, business card slots, and other important options for iPad owners. She also wanted to have multiple viewing positions for watching videos, a low angle for easy typing access, a secure snap closure, padded protection, and a place to store a license without having to carry a wallet.
The initial interest began with Jovan carrying around her iPad prototype case. The general public would ask Jovan where she purchased the case, which gave her the notion of putting the product out there on a larger scale by sending samples to the tech community. Ultimately, the iPad case had to be perfect for the public before Jovan would produce her cases in mass quantities. The large positive reaction from bloggers made the iPad case a huge sensation throughout the world. Everyone who reviewed her invention called it “pure genius”.
What are you working on right now?
An ergonomic pet safety handle.
What does your typical day look like?
Rise at 7:00am, kiss my husband, pet my dog, go to my office, answer emails from suppliers and clients. NOON: stop for lunch (and errands) 2:00PM back at desk til 5:00pm. During the summer months in Arizona, I don’t normally leave my office as it’s too darn hot outside!
What is the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Before I decided to attend college, I thought it might be “fun” to clean houses and earn a “ton” of money! So I took a job cleaning a wealthy neighbor’s home. I spent 8 hours cleaning from top to bottom, even removing the hair from brushes in bathroom drawers. After spending all day going thru every nook and cranny of the mansion the lady of the house presented me with my bounty for the day: $25.00 – SAY WHAT???
After doing the math, $3.12 per hour, I decided at that moment this was no way to earn a living, as my “attention to detail” made me too slow for this kind of work. I came home and immediately enrolled at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Never cleaned another home!
3 Trends that excite you?
- Mobile food vans
- Ergonomic products for baby boomers
- Tablet technology
How do you bring ideas to life?
Sketch out a concept, make a prototype, assemble a focus group, bring product to marketplace.
What inspires you?
Nature and the beauty of the Arizona desert.
What is one mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?
I used to add new client case studies to my website. Then I discovered that some competitors were attempting to poach my clients so I decided to stop listing new client case studies on my website.
What is one business idea you are willing to give away to our readers?
Don’t ignore the power of the blogging community. For any new product that you wish to bring to the public domain, first contact the top bloggers, offer to provide a sample for independent review and then sit back and watch the global power of the internet.
What do you read every day and why?
I like visiting Feedback Roulette to discover new websites, sometimes before they hit the web!
IM note: Check out our interview with Michael Dadashyan – Founder of FeedbackRoulette.com
What is one book you recommend we read?
“365 Thank Yous” by John Kralik. In this fast paced email society that we live in, sending “old fashioned”, hand written thank you notes is a supreme act of gratitude. It will impact your life, your friendships and your business more than you could ever imagine.
What is your favorite gadget?
My iPad 2.
Who is one person we should follow on Twitter?
Piers Morgan, only because I like how he cares so much about his growing list of followers. It cracks me up when he brags to Howie Mandel.
Who would you like to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
“The Power of Play” founders, Richard Rossner and Rahla Kahn. They are doing great things for
cancer victims that should be talked about.
When is the last time you laughed out loud?
I laughed out loud about one minute ago. My dog Lucy was striking a funny pose in my office.
How do I make my product or service literally “stand out from the crowd”?
By sending a 3-D pop-up “handy” card – another unique invention from the mind (and hands) of Jovan Van Drielle.
What is the meaning of life?
Spreading happiness to others, which I do daily by sending hand written thank you notes.
Connect:
www.Geminusinc.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.