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The latest in the series of our successful Stylist Network events – created by Stylist to encourage our readers’ entrepreneurial spirit – Invent Your Way To A New Career will focus on inventing and will be packed with real advice and tips from the women who’ve made their ideas happen. We’ve assembled some of the brightest names in inventing to share their stories and help you navigate your way to market success.

The Speakers

Kicking it all off will be Sophie Cornish, Stylist’s business ambassador who co-created leading gift website notonthehighstreet.com and has a wealth of experience in the creative, legal and financial implications of creating a digital concept. You’ll also hear from Mandy Haberman, who found success by inventing the Anywayup® cup, a cup for babies and children which has a patented valve so they can never spill their drink, and Lisa Irlam, the inventor of the Swimovate watch, an instant bestseller, and a winner of Enterprising Women Of The Year 2009 and Special Recognition Award 2011 from European Union Women Inventors and Innovators Network (EUWIIN).

Scroll down to read extended biographies of our guest speakers at the bottom of this page.

Get Involved

Our brilliant panel will talk about their paths to success before you ask them questions. Working the room afterwards will be two women every prospective inventor needs to speak to. Bola Olabisi – an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network and Cally Robson, founder of inventor mentoring site, She’s Ingenious! Experts from the Business & IP Centre at the British Library will also be there to help as will intellectual property and patent lawyer Suzy Schmitz from Kemp Little so you can find out about the legality of your idea.

The Agenda

Enjoy fizz and canapés in the British Library Conference Centre before taking your seats for the discussion and Q&A with our experts, followed by an hour of networking with them and industry experts. Bring your inventions with you!

The Details

Venue: The Conference Centre at the British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1

Date: Wednesday 17 August 2011

Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm prompt start to 9.30pm

Dress code: Business casual

Speaker Biographies

Sophie Cornish

Stylist’s business ambassador is not only an entrepreneur, but also a journalist and author with experience in product development and advertising for No.7, L’Oreal and Monsoon. As co-founder of acclaimed shopping website notonthehighstreet.com, Cornish has won many prestigious awards including the ECMOD Direct Commerce Award for the last three consecutive years and the Online Retail Award Prix D’or 2010. Understanding the needs and implications of a business right from the inception of an idea to going through the legalities and finding funding, Cornish’s words are invaluable to an inventor with a design idea.

Mandy Haberman

Starting out with no experience in product design or business, Haberman came up with the revolutionary design of the 'no spills' Anywayup® cup for babies, which has gained turnover of £10m per year since launching in 1995. Haberman can also give invaluable insight into dealing with the legalities and patenting of an invention, having fought through a court battle with a major corporation, who used her patented technology for their own range of non-drip cups.

Lisa Irlam

Previously shunned by the Dragon’s Den panel for her Swimovate watch, Lisa Irlam is set to turn over her first £1m this year. Working for 10 years in the electronics industry and a keen triathlete, Irlam noticed a huge gap in the market for a feedback device for swimmers. So despite her first setback, went ahead with her idea for a lap-counting watch, which was an instant success. Having recently won the Special Recognition Award 2011 from the European Union Women Inventors and Innovators Network (EUWIIN), Irlam is proof that perseverance can pay off.

The following women will also be on hand to offer their advice after the main event:

Bola Olabisi

Bola Olabisi, founder and CEO of the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network and the British Female Inventor of the Year Award, is internationally recognised for her work in bringing female inventors into the spotlight, with a case of awards to show for it.

Cally Robson

Cally Robson, corporate media executive turned innovative crockery designer, founded inventor mentoring site, shesingenious.org. From juggling family life to overcoming confidence issues, Robson also works as a personal coach for entrepreneurs and inventors.

Main picture credit: Rex Features

Invent your way to a new career