I recently went one-on-one with Wayne Fromm, inventor of more than fifty commercially successful products, including the selfie stick, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Magic Talking Mirror, and the Snoopy Magic Mixer.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Wayne: I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but I stumbled into inventing as a hobby when my daughter was two years old. My first project was a greeting card concept that took me to the Javits Center’s Stationery Show. While there, I noticed a small glass bubble bottle designed for adults trying to quit smoking, a form of distraction therapy. I thought it could be reimagined for children, so I teamed up with the jewelry designer and created a safe, plastic version. I cold-called Disney and turned it into The Little Mermaid Bubble Pendant. That was my first step into the toy industry.
From there, Disney showed me the script for their upcoming Beauty and the Beast film and asked me to design products around the rose and mirror icons. That’s how I created the Beauty and the Beast Magic Talking Mirror. Over time, I realized my greatest growth has come from staying curious, learning by doing, and treating every setback as part of the process, not the end of it.
Adam: What is your creative process? How have you been able to come up with your best ideas?
Wayne: I spend months visualizing ideas in my head, working through the end product before I even begin building. My years in the arcade industry gave me a solid technical foundation. I taught myself how to repair circuit boards, power supplies, and monitors. That hands-on problem-solving gave me a deep understanding of how things work. Not bad for someone with a psychology and economics degree! I blend technical skills with imagination, and that helps me create products that are fun, practical, and durable.
Adam: What are the keys to actualizing innovative product ideas and bringing them to life and to market?
Wayne: It’s essential to understand what’s technically feasible, how to manage costs, anticipate challenges, and pivot when necessary. You need to be hands-on with prototyping. I torture-test everything I create – freezing, heating, dropping, shaking – simulating what might happen during shipping or everyday use. In the toy industry, especially, I’ve learned to think like a child but outthink the adults. That’s how you land on ideas that are truly safe, functional, and fun.
Adam: How can anyone unlock their creativity?
Wayne: Ask questions! Always stay curious. Study how things work and ask yourself: could this be done better? Take something as simple as a patio umbrella; why do people have to duck under it to crank the handle? If I had the time, I’d add a foot pedal. Sure, motors could work, but they fail eventually. I had a solar-powered umbrella light that didn’t even last a season. My philosophy is: keep it simple, keep it practical.
Adam: How can leaders foster a culture of creativity and innovation?
Wayne: That’s a challenge today, especially with people turning to AI for almost everything. Maybe set aside one day a month with no tech: no phones, no computers. Just encourage people to talk, share, and think out loud together. Innovation often starts in conversation.
Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?
Wayne: Confidence, capability, accountability.
Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Wayne: Be kind. Be fair. Lead by example.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Wayne: Stay healthy! No one would fuel their car with contaminated gas or feed their pet something harmful, yet people often don’t treat their own bodies with the same care. That’s why I’m so passionate about encouraging healthy habits in kids. Starting them young is key.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Wayne: Never invest more than 10% of your net worth in one project. These days, there are angel investors, crowdfunding, and other resources to help mitigate risk.
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Wayne: Prioritize your health. Be grateful. Stay resilient. Never retire. Never stop being curious.
