Stories From Our Dreamers

"I submitted my idea for a self-watering plant pot. Six months later, I saw it on Amazon under a different name. I cried tears of joy—and then just regular tears."

"I always knew I was smart. Now a corporation has confirmed it by profiting from my intelligence. That's better than money."

"They said my idea wasn't good enough. Honestly, that hurt more than if they'd just stolen it. At least then I'd know it had value."

"I submitted seventeen ideas over three years. One of them became a product. I can't say which one or prove it in any way, but I know. And that's enough."

"My therapist says I need to stop checking their website to see if my idea launched. But she doesn't understand the pride economy."

"I used to feel bad about not being an entrepreneur. Now I realize I AM an entrepreneur—I'm just not the one who profits from my entrepreneurship. It's very freeing, actually."

"Submitted an idea for a better mousetrap. Two years later, saw a better mousetrap at Home Depot. Coincidence? I choose to believe no."

"The email they sent when my idea 'was being considered' was the happiest day of my life. I've framed it. They never followed up."