Jules Pieri is Co-Founder and CEO of The Grommet – a marketplace for unique and innovative ideas to launch. She helps entrepreneurs bypass the corporate chain by reshaping how consumer products get discovered, shared, and bought. Her new book is “How We Make Stuff Now: Turn Ideas into Products That Build Successful Businesses.” Jules loved fine arts in school. She went to the University of Michigan and subsequently put herself on an “art diet” so she could focus her studies in other areas. She eventually took a sculpture class and saw some unique tools that were created by students. She had a light bulb moment-wanting to know how to get into the space of creating new products. Jules started her career as an industrial designer for technology companies and later moved into senior executive roles for large brands, such as Keds, Stride Rite, and Playskool. When Jules worked at Playskool she saw a large concentration of power among the big brands and noticed innovation slipping away as big retailers like Walmart, Kmart, Target and Toys-R-Us were unwilling to buy new/fresh products. They would take on new products but only ones with slight variations or products with a little new twist. The Grommet was later formed as a response – Jules saw a new route for getting products made and she jumped on the idea. Since October 20th, 2018 The Grommet has launched one new product a day and given small brands the chance to grow among the big competitors. In this episode of Trend Following Radio: Inventing Patents & Trademarks Innovation Amazon and counterfeit products New product launches