Making a Living: Patent, Sell, Scale

Join us for an inspiring and interactive evening featuring three expert speakers who have navigated the product development journey from concept to patent and beyond. Whether you’re still sketching out your idea or ready to take the next step, this evening is designed to give creative entrepreneurs practical skills and lessons, and supportive environment to ask the most basic questions or dig into bigger challenges facing creative small business in 2026. This free, public event is happening at Phoenix Forge on April 30th, 6-9PM. Spots are limited to ensure an intimate evening, RSVP below to save your spot.

What you'll learn

Patent attorney Joe Meaney will demystify the patent process—what is protectable, when you need to start the process, and the vital first steps to securing a patent.

Kate Benjamin, a solo entrepreneur and Phoenix Forge member, will share insights from her wide-ranging experience in identifying the right market for your product, from small-scale production to overseas manufacturing with national distribution.

And for those ready to scale, Gabby Klein of Gab Art + Design will provide an overview of what it takes to get your products into the wholesale market, including how it can increase brand exposure in new communities and, when done correctly, profits.

Speakers

Gabby Klein

Gabby Klein is the creative behind Gab Art & Design: a Phoenix-based brand rooted in a love for color and the simple things that bring us together. From home goods and stationery to accessories and more, her work is designed to spark connection through humor and an appreciation for everyday life.

→ gabartdesign.com
→ @gab.art.design

Joseph R. Meaney

Joe Meaney is an engineer, a patent attorney, and a partner at Venjuris. With nearly 30 years of legal experience guiding independent inventors and small businesses, he knows that IP protection is never “one-size-fits-all.”

→ vennjuris.com

Kate Benjamin

Kate Benjamin is the owner of Hauspanther, a lifestyle brand for design-conscious cat lovers. She has been writing about cats and design since 2007 and co-authored two New York Times bestsellers, Catification and Catify to Satisfy. She has designed, manufactured and sold cat products in both small-scale production and overseas manufacturing with national distribution. Her journey as a solo entrepreneur has had lots of ups and downs, but it has always brought her satisfaction and supported her overall mission to make the world a better place for cats and the people who love them.

→ hauspanther.com

This event is made possible in part thanks to funding from Blackstone LaunchPad