At some point in your chemist career, you are going to have an idea that you think would make a great product. You might even think the idea is so incredible that once it’s developed it will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams! (or at least make you wealthy). This is good. You should continually be thinking up ideas like this.

If you are like most people, you won’t know what to do next. For cosmetic chemists who work for companies, the next step is typically to share your idea with your boss and do what you can to push the idea up to people who can make it happen. Sadly, this is rarely effective & the direct financial gain realized by you isn’t much.

But if you are on your own and feel a bit entrepreneurial, you might start thinking about how you can get the idea created on your own.

Idea sharing fears

One of the most common things I’ve heard is that people don’t want to share their ideas with anyone because they are afraid the ideas might get stolen. If this is you, read this article about ideas. I know it’s about software but it’s relevant to cosmetics too.

The bottom line is that even if your idea is incredible you don’t have to worry about it being stolen because

1. Most people won’t care
2. More people won’t understand it
3. People care more about their own ideas

What to do with your new idea

The best thing you can do with a new idea is tell everyone you know about it. Ask them for their input and ways that you can make it happen or make it better.

Remember, ideas are practically worthless. It’s what you do with your ideas that makes them valuable to you and your chemist career. This is especially true in the cosmetic industry. A new product in your head is no good to anyone.

Ideas are worthless. Execution of ideas is valuable.

Incidentally, this is why I freely share any idea that I have. I’d rather see my idea realized (even if it’s not by me) than to take it to my grave. Ideas locked up in your head are lost forever.

Got an idea you haven’t been able to get developed? Leave it below and set it free in the world. Someone might provide just the right feedback that will help you actually do something to make the idea happen.