In this inspiring episode of The Bold Inventor Show, hosts J.D. Houvener and Matt Kulseth sit down with entrepreneur Maddie DeJong, the inventive mind behind The Green Sling—a sustainable running belt designed to solve the age-old problem of “Where do I put my extra layers?”

What started as a personal pain point during marathon training turned into a unique blend of functionality, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Maddie shares how she went from frustrated runner to product creator, conducting market research while completing her master’s in entrepreneurship, and ultimately launching her business from the ground up.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how she:

• Developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that went viral on LinkedIn.
• Built a supply chain of upcycled leggings to keep spandex out of landfills.
• Partnered with a Houston-based cut-and-sew studio that provides employment for women in need.
• Navigated the provisional-to-non-provisional patent process while bootstrapping her business.

Maddie opens up about the realities of product tweaks, the challenges of scaling sustainably, and her aspirations to bring The Green Sling into big-box retail stores. She also shares candid insights about pricing strategy, influencer marketing, and how staying true to her values differentiates her from fast-fashion copycats.

From her marathon finish line to pitch competitions and intellectual property strategy, this conversation is a goldmine for inventors, small business owners, and sustainability advocates alike.

Teasers:

• The “aha moment” when old leggings became the perfect solution.
• Why upcycling is both a mission and a challenge for growth.
• How LinkedIn became her unexpected launchpad.
• The one feature coming in The Green Sling 3.0 that runners have been begging for.

📌 Key Takeaways

• 🏃‍♀️ Innovation from frustration can lead to breakthrough products.
• ♻️ Sustainable materials can be a competitive edge, not just an eco-choice.
• 📈 Provisional patents buy you time to test market demand affordably.
• 🤝 Local partnerships can solve production and social impact goals simultaneously.
• 📣 Social media virality can happen in unexpected places—like LinkedIn.
• 💡 Product evolution is constant—listen to customer feedback.

🚀 Hashtags

#Entrepreneurship, #StartupStory, #ProductDesign, #RunningGear, #Upcycling, #Sustainability, #Patent, #Trademark, #MarathonTraining, #Innovation, #SmallBusiness, #GreenBusiness, #MadeInUSA, #Athleisure, #EcoFriendly, #LinkedInViral, #Inventors, #FoundersJourney, #WomenInBusiness, #BoldIdeas, #BoldPatents

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DISCLAIMER
Everything discussed on this podcast is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.