How This Latina Turned $25K Into a Multi-Million Dollar Patent

Everything Intellectual Property

How a Latina inventor transformed $25,000 into a multi-million dollar success story with her innovative crystal application tool. Norma Rapko shares her incredible journey from crafting at home to securing major retail partnerships and becoming a top seller on HSN. Despite having no high school diploma or formal business training, she developed the CryStyler, revolutionizing how crystals are applied to various surfaces. Learn how she overcame challenges, secured crucial patents, and built a thriving business while breaking barriers as one of the few Latina inventors in the industry. From packaging 30,000 units by hand to landing deals with major retailers, Norma's story exemplifies persistence, creativity, and the power of believing in your vision. She discusses patent protection, manufacturing challenges, retail partnerships, and how she's now helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams through coaching and workshops.
#issuedpatent #latinaentrepreneur #latinaownedbusiness #patentfirm #patentexamination
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - What is the CryStyler
03:26 - Inspiration Behind the CryStyler
05:06 - Crazy to Be an Entrepreneur?
08:16 - Vision for Entrepreneurship
09:22 - Importance of Supportive Spouse
10:20 - Dealing with Unsupportive People
12:41 - Understanding the American Dream
17:04 - Underrepresented Groups in IP
19:58 - Importance of Showing Up
22:46 - Intellectual Property (IP)
26:53 - Biggest Breakthrough Moment
31:51 - Becoming #1 Best Seller on HSN
34:50 - Most Challenging Moment
37:42 - Future Product Launches
40:52 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
44:00 - How to Follow Norma
47:38 - Outro