Several weeks ago, I suggested in a YouTube video that I was considering developing a new device for handling unruly nose hair. I spent less than $10 to come up with a couple “proof of concept” prototypes. A few weeks later, someone who watched the video created an animation of a 3D concept for a nose hair trimming device (I still haven’t met this person even via email, but I thank them for their interest). The other day while shopping for a few household items, I visited the personal grooming aisle. There are quite a few gadgets available claiming to be the best nose hair trimmers on the market. And maybe one actually is. I don’t plan to purchase each one by one to find out. But at the same time, noticing how many products are currently available has me a little concerned about the ability to penetrate the market.

The other day, I learned that people sometimes have nose hair removed via hot wax. And yes, there are plenty of YouTube videos on this as well. I decided to do a little research into this and found a local spa who is willing to rip my nose hairs out later today. Yes, I plan to have a video of this experience too.

Why am I sharing all this? Despite being a little bit of a cheesy example, I am actually traveling slowly down the path of medical device product development. It started with an idea and since, I’ve been in discovery mode–learning some about the market, competitors, etc. I have limited my expenses while trying to make progress. And depending on how the spa session goes later today, I might just kill the concept altogether.

This is an important point for product development of any kind. If you are going to fail, do it fast. Do it cheap. Then move on to the next idea. Product development is a process. There is (or at least should be) a method to the madness.