If I Can Invent Things, Why Not You?

Inspiration for this blog struck while watching a video in my daughter’s 7th grade math classroom at Back to School Night. The video was meant to encourage the parents to allow our children to push beyond the struggle of what they know now and to what they will learn this year. Dr. Boaler’s said:

“The researchers found that nobody was born with a special brain, but they engaged in a very particular kind of practice…The people who achieved the most, were those who were always pushing at the edge of their understanding. Making mistakes, correcting them, making more mistakes… They were always struggling. They set high targets for themselves…if they became stuck they tried a different approach…there really are no limits to what people can do..when people don’t go onto high achievement it’s because they gave up.  Not because they’ve hit actual road blocks that they can’t get past. ”  - Dr. Jo Boaler

 Wise advice, and I want to add a twist on this for you. 

Often I hear people say “I could never invent things like you do!” And my very first thought is “why not??” 

The truth: I am not the only one with great ideas. I may be one of the few, especially in the world of Pilates, who is delulu enough to go out there and make them. Every single invention takes me to the edge of my understanding. It’s super uncomfortable and I’m stretched so far beyond my edge right now as I create a brand new category with my upcoming home machine launch: HLNA.

The mistakes: In 2010, I genuinely believed that creating the WundaFormer - now called the Aurum Reformer would be as simple as bolting a Wunda Chair to the back of a Reformer. That could not have been farther from the truth. The first prototype was unusable - the Chair pedal sunk to the ground instead of lifting you up. Even after countless changes before we went into production, we were still making fixes in the alley behind our flagship Studio City location. A welder literally came out and redid a part that didn’t feel right once we saw it in a full studio setup. But that belief in my vision to drive an idea into reality served me well and continues to serve me well. 

The secret: Don’t do it alone. I am smart enough to work with experts who can bring these ideas to market. I’ve worked with dozens of mechanical engineers, product designers and developers, and design experts. While my name is listed at the top of each patent, it takes so much more than just me. It even takes my Dad (link the word “Dad” to the patent IG reel).

If you’re reading this and thinking “but my idea isn’t any good” …… really? Really?? You bring your own unique lens and wisdom to your slice of the world. If it’s something you want or need, there are likely many others who also want and need what you are dreaming of. 

The belief: Here’s what it will take, more than anything else. You must trust yourself enough to believe your idea will work. You must keep your promises to yourself to keep going even when prototypes don’t work, or things get hard, expensive, and boring while you wait on manufacturing and shipments and bids. Because there’s a LOT behind the scenes of being an inventor that isn’t glamorous. But it is worth it. 

The action: reach out to meet  someone in the industry you have an idea for today. Or an engineer. Or simply pick up a pencil and sketch your idea. I sculpted the first WundaCore Resistance Ring out of clay from the drugstore, and it was sized to my daughter’s Barbie doll. That sculpture is now serving thousands around the world every day.  You’ll never know unless you start. 

If I can do it, why not you? 

WundaLove, 

A