February 16, 2000 Manteca Bulletin by Brandon Bowers Inventors gather in Manteca for fun and profit A handful of people, mostly men, sat in the McFall room of the Manteca Library, listening to Barbara Arnold speak about the various ways to market a product. As the creator of the Change-A-Robe, the Modesto resident has made a living by successfully marketing her invention to organizations ranging from national swim teams to Hollywood studios. The Change-A-Robe is currently used by the cast and crew of the Baywatch television show. Not long after her first robe became successful, she made some alterations to the robe so that it could be used while sitting down, ideal for disabled people. Thus was born the Handi-Robe. She has been featured on television shows such as "Sally Jess Rafael" and mentioned in a variety of magazines. Last Saturday, she shared her experiences with members of the Central Valley Inventors' Association during a speech about gaining free publicity. The Manteca-based CVIA meets once a month at the Manteca Library, where they hold discussions on topics ranging from the patent process to product marketing. "If someone has gone through the patent process, they can help others. That is very valuable information they can share," said club members Warren Sargent. The CVIA consists of approximately 35 members, but the numbers can fluctuate during different times of the year, said association president John Christensen. Christensen, along with his wife, Ann, started CVIA in 1992 as a way to counter the growing number of marketing firms that seemingly preyed on inventors desperate to make money. "Our mission is to work as a community support organization," Christensen said. "We are a nonprofit corporation set up to help people with a project or invention. We show them how to get started." Christensen currently runs Sandpiper Technologies, a Manteca-based company that is helping pave the way for research electronics in the field of nature studies. Sargent is the head of Visalia-based Ag Attack, a company that manufacturers equipment to dispense beneficial insects into crops. "The original idea for the product was developed at U.C. Davis. I've taken their ideas and commercialized them," Sargent said. "The CVIA has been helpful in bringing an association of people getting together that have similar problems." >From students to seasoned veterans in their respective fields, the club's member base is as varied as the products they create. CVIA officer and newsletter editor Bert Brown is currently designing an educational flashcard game for students. He recently completed the testing stages for the product, and was given an evaluation by business students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. "I've learned a lot about the competition in the field and got a dose of reality as far as the money-making aspect." As far as his involvement in the CVIA, he says the club provided insight into the copyright process. "We're at the grassroots level," Christensen said. "We help people get better prepared before going to the small business development centers. People that have gone through the processes have probably done things the hard way. We can help people avoid the same mistakes." Perhaps the most successful of inventions produced by CVIA members was an accessory car seat for the Ford Explorer vehicle. The seat was designed by former member Russ Edmonson, who now owns a small company based on the product. Other inventions by CVIA members include a "water pressure plunger" and miniature engraved globes, as well as kitchen appliances, car products and toys. With the exception of a handful of other dates, the CVIA meets the second Saturday of each month. The topic for the next meeting, scheduled for March 11, will be market analysis. Since the gatherings are open to the public, people interested in finding out more about the group are encouraged by association members to attend, Christensen said.