I took bizarre ideas like those into the University of Wisconsin, the University of Minnesota, and the MIT Sloan School of Management. It should surprise no one that they are all embarrassed to have let me in.
I've launched hundreds of new products over a career that's spanned more than 25 years – as an entrepreneur, product designer, advertising strategist, and executive – everything from medical devices, to virtual healthcare, to non-dairy consumer cheese, to next-generation alternatives to the dreaded "cone of shame" for pets, to sex aides for cows (really!).
The secret to my success has been a careful observation of the world around me – especially stories from history – that show me how others have solved challenges and created new opportunities.