Introduction and Welcome
Taryell Simmons: Welcome back to another episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast, where we spotlight stories, strategies, and soul behind Black and Pan-African entrepreneurs changing the game. Have you ever had a million-dollar idea but did not know where to start? Today's guest has helped everyday dreamers bring their products to national TV, QVC, HSN, and beyond for over twenty-five years. I am thrilled to welcome Lisa Ascolese, also known as The Inventress, the visionary behind Inventing from A to Z. Lisa, welcome to the show.
Lisa Ascolese: Thank you for that amazing introduction. I am all about the music. Thank you for having me.
Taryell Simmons: It is a pleasure having you. I was watching one of your episodes featuring Hot Plated. How did you meet that inventor and how did Hot Plated come to be?
Lisa Ascolese: She is a client of mine who came to me with a napkin idea after doing patent research. She found me through Sandra Bookman on ABC and contacted me with an idea to keep food and plates hot without getting burned. We engineered, built, and designed it together, and now it is a product out for licensing.
Origins of an Inventor
Taryell Simmons: What sparked your journey into the world of inventing?
Lisa Ascolese: It has been with me my entire life. I was born in London and raised in Brooklyn by West Indian parents. As a child playing handball, my shoelaces constantly untied, so I created shoelaces that would stay tied. I designed hair wraps and accessories, selling them at school. At nineteen, after having my first child and feeling uncomfortable nursing publicly, I designed the Bosom Buddy Breastfeeding Cape. I found a manufacturer, mailed samples to stores across the country, and placed it into hundreds of retail locations. Once you know you can do it, you keep going.
Taryell Simmons: What was your first retail product and how did it reach television?
Lisa Ascolese: The Bosom Buddy was my first retail product because there was a genuine need for it. Later, I created a hair wrap from fabric after people constantly complimented a makeshift hair wrap I made from a clean designer sock. That wrap became my first product on QVC television and sold repeatedly. Since then, I have brought kitchen and luggage accessories to QVC, HSN, and ShopHQ, while pulling other entrepreneurs up alongside me.
Overcoming Challenges and Pitching Buyers
Taryell Simmons: What inspired your transition from inventor to mentor, and what challenges did you face along the way?
Lisa Ascolese: The day someone said yes to my first product, I knew other inventors needed guidance to bring their ideas to market. I launched Inventing from A to Z to guide entrepreneurs step-by-step from concept to shelf. Entrepreneurship requires relentless persistence. Getting on television is never a one-call or one-email process. You must follow up and not take rejection personally.
Lisa Ascolese: When I pitched the Wrap and Store Organizer prototype to a QVC buyer, she initially declined. Instead of walking away, I asked why. She explained what additional pockets and features were missing. I returned to the drawing board, added those features, and she accepted the product. You must listen, ask questions, and demonstrate versatile value.
Taryell Simmons: Was there a time you doubted your path, and how did you navigate financial hurdles?
Lisa Ascolese: Early on, affording patents and startup costs was daunting. I simplified my journey into baby steps, relied on faith, and saved incrementally by cutting small everyday expenses. Over time, I built relationships and discovered cost-effective ways to file patents and manufacture goods.
Navigating Retail and Key Product Steps
Taryell Simmons: How did you break into the intimidating world of television retail?
Lisa Ascolese: I met a QVC contact serendipitously while my two-year-old daughter was modeling. The secret was diligent follow-through. When opportunities arise, you must walk through the door with faith, push fear down, and embrace teachable moments.
Taryell Simmons: What key steps do you walk clients through from concept to product launch?
Lisa Ascolese: First, protect yourself by executing a non-disclosure agreement. Next, name and claim the idea, create a working prototype, source manufacturing, manage shipping and customs, and establish clear marketing goals regarding your target audience.
Taryell Simmons: What is your top advice for an elevator pitch?
Lisa Ascolese: Focus on three core points: what the product is, whom it serves, and why you created it. Keep it simple and direct without overcomplicating the narrative.
Building an Ecosystem and Empowering Community
Taryell Simmons: Tell us about the ecosystem you have built, including conferences, books, and boot camps.
Lisa Ascolese: I founded the Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs, hosting annual conferences featuring education, networking, and entertainment. Our upcoming conference takes place on May 3, 2026, at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. I also authored The Inventor's Guide to Inventing the Right Way: All or Nothing, Now or Never, which pairs practical steps with affirmations and journaling space. Furthermore, I host The Inventress Podcast and facilitate four-week virtual boot camps like the 7-7-Ask program to help founders execute foundational business steps.
Taryell Simmons: What mindset shift is vital for Black entrepreneurs today?
Lisa Ascolese: Shift from limitation to possibility. Adopt the mantra: I can, I must, and I will. Write your goals where you can see them daily, speak them into existence, and back your faith with persistent action.
Taryell Simmons: How can listeners connect with you?
Lisa Ascolese: Visit https://inventingatoz.com, email [email protected], or follow @the_inventress on social media.
