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Winter 2020 Review

Mothers of Inventions

By Blair Kloman, MA English ’94
February 25, 2020
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“If she can do it, then so can I.” That’s exactly what Hilary Eidinoff Meyerson ’92 and her coauthor Mina Yoo are hoping you’ll think after reading their lively and encouraging new book, Be an InventHer: An Everywoman’s Guide to Creating the Next Big Thing. Packed with practical advice and the latest tips for launching just about any entrepreneurial idea today, this guide also includes realistic profiles of  women who have turned their napkin scrawls of creativity into full-fledged successes in the marketplace: Chez Brungraber of socially responsible Gobi Gear; Fran Dunaway of people-focused TomboyX; Judy Edwards of the brilliantly practical Squatty Potty; and more. The backbone of the authors’ reasoning is that women are naturally creative thinkers—and also, by nature of our society’s pressures on them to constantly multitask, they are highly inclined to get things done. The guide is written in a straightforward and spunky style that is easy to read, and sections are sprinkled with fun illustrations and relatable “how-to” lists and “get-started” worksheets. Most importantly, though, the content is realistic and accessible enough to act on. The authors cover topics that detail the entire process—from an inkling of an idea to design, manufacturing, marketing, team building, and ultimately establishing a successful company. And while they acknowledge that many women still get short shrift when it comes to opportunities in the start-up and corporate world today, they don’t belabor that issue and instead choose to focus on opportunities. If there’s one thing these insightful and encouraging women want other women to get from this book, it is indeed “Why not me?”

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