Do you have an original idea for a product or business?

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How many times have you come up with a great idea for a new product only to pooh-pooh it for lack of funds or time?

I can think of one.

When my son was still playing with action figures he used carry Spiderman and the rest of his crime fighters in a chocolate bar box. It was one of those used for a fundraiser at school. It was nice because it was sturdy and it had a plastic handle and dividers, which were originally used to separate Kit Kats from M & Ms and Baby Ruth chocolate bars. In this case they served to keep the heroes away from the villains or the meat-eating dinosaurs from the herbivores.

My idea was to create something similar but instead of cardboard, make it out of plastic.

The following Christmas the action figure case I had in mind was sitting on a shelf in a department store. It was exactly how I imagined it to be but with one exception. It wasn't my idea and instead of $9.99 it was selling for $20.

Do you have a great idea?

The Bright Ideas Program from Mirassou Winery has launched a national program that will reward five people with innovative ideas a $3,000 grant. 

“I am proud of my family’s optimistic and entrepreneurial spirit that has served as the foundation for Mirassou Winery,” said David Mirassou, wine expert and sixth generation member of the Mirassou family, whose pioneering spirit for the past 155 years, has led to many winemaking innovations that continue to shape the wine industry today. “We’re celebrating that spirit and paying it forward by supporting the best and brightest ideas through our first-ever national grant program.”

The top winners will also be voted on at the Mirassou Winery’s Facebook page, with the highest vote earner being awarded an additional grant of $5,000.

For consideration, submit your ideas (big or small) now through Oct. 31 at Mirassou Bright Ideas Grant Program  Participants are asked to describe the idea and how the grant would help to make it happen. Descriptions must be kept to 1,000 words or less and will be judged on criteria that includes relevance of the bright idea to the Mirassou spirit, entrepreneurism, innovation and empowerment.

TODAY'S MUSE

Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage -- Alice Cornyn-Selby.