Model Approach Creating a prototype that will wow investors.

Let's say you've just come up with an idea for aladies' shoe with interchangeable heels. How can you knowwhether this brainstorm would really work? And how would youexplain your idea to someone else so they'd want to buy it? Theanswer to both questions: Make a prototype.

A prototype is simply a working model of your idea. Most of thetime, it's not an exact model of the eventual finished product.In fact, it will most likely be very rough around the edges.However, it will provide you with a means to demonstrate your ideaand give you--and investors--a glimpse at what your idea mighteventually look like.

Many times an idea makes perfect sense in your mind. When it isturned into a working prototype, however, unexpected flaws appear.This is especially true for complex ideas needing many parts towork. The exercise of building a prototype will help you betterdevelop your idea: You'll discover areas that need improvementand implement changes that could make your idea more valuable andmarketable.