A couple of weeks ago, I was in a blue funk – feeling a bit down about the economy, the drop in project opportunities, and the fact that many of my friends in the engineering sector no longer have jobs. None of us are immune to emotional stress. The problem is that a poor mood or attitude can keep us from doing those things that we need to be doing – things like marketing, networking, and innovating. Many times, all we need is a little inspiration to pick us up. Sometimes that inspiration comes from the most unlikely of sources.

I was at the Bakersfield Home and Garden Show, helping my parents drum up new customers for their home improvement business. Although this annual event draws a lot of people and seems to be a good business development venue for my parents, I personally would probably never attend such an event apart from helping them out. There is just something that rubs me the wrong way about paying an admission fee to have people try to sell me something that I probably don’t need. But every year, I take a quick pass through the show to see if anything innovative catches my attention. This year, while walking through the aisles of aggressive vendors while trying to avoid direct eye contact with them, I noticed an older gentleman in a small booth by himself selling a single product, neatly packaged and simply displayed: the Doggy Doo Drain.

It didn’t take long to recognize the brilliance behind the Doggy Doo Drain. Basically, it’s a green plastic funnel that attaches to the sewer cleanout that is located just outside of most houses. It has a lid with a long handle that’s easy to remove and replace. Instead of burying dog waste or thowing it in the trash, you simply toss it in the Doggy Doo Drain and wash it down the sewer with a water hose. So simple, yet so practical. I have two dogs and this clever invention suddenly promised to diminish the only resentment that I have towards them.

The retail price on the side of the box was $44.95. My first reaction, being the cheapskate that I am, was that I would simply take this guy’s idea and make my own device out of some PVC fittings from Home Depot. But wait! The “special, limited-time, Home Show price” was only $20! This was less than what I would probably end up spending to do it myself. How could I say no? This retired plumber had done such a great job developing and marketing his business that I had no choice but to give him my money… and I was happy to do it because I felt like I was getting great value in return. I watched in amazement as this guy sold over 100 of these things within the span of about 6 hours. I don’t care what business you’re in; you have to admire the genius of the Doggy Doo Man!

Here are the 5 keys to business success, as inspired by the Doggy Doo Man:

1. Create a great product or service that solves a recognized problem for a well-defined target audience.
2. Package your product or service in a simple, yet effective way.
3. Price your product or service in a way that creates clear value in the customer’s mind.
4. Put your product or service in front of your target customer.
5. Deliver on your promises.

Without getting too graphic, I am pleased to announce that my Doggie Doo Drain is doing its job and I am less resentful of my pooping pooches. Even better, though, is the inspiration received from an entrepreneurial retiree who has yet to feel the impact of this “recession.” Who would have thought?