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You’re lost at sea, sharks swimming around you, what do you do? Dr. Rob Yonover answered this question himself when he invented the See/Rescue® Streamer, a device used to easily find those lost at sea.
In today’s episode, Jennifer sits down with Dr. Rob Yonover, inventor of the SeeRescueStreamer, PhD geochemist, and big wave surfer, who shares his incredible journey of creating life-saving products and his unique approach to entrepreneurship. From developing the military-adopted sea rescue streamer to working on a revolutionary pocket desalination device, his work focuses on solving critical issues like safety and water scarcity.
“People don’t like a simple idea whereas [in] my mind the simplest idea is the most elegant [and] that is the best way to solve a problem.”
Ingenuity and persistence are key to driving meaningful change, even when faced with adversity. Dr. Yonover opens up about the challenges of promoting safety products, navigating exclusive contracts, and how his experiences with Shark Tank and military contracts have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Whether you’re an aspiring inventor, business owner, or someone passionate about innovation and problem-solving, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Dr. Yonover’s story is not just inspiring—it’s a masterclass in overcoming obstacles and making a lasting impact.
5 key takeaways
- Selling Safety Products: Dr. Yonover discusses the challenge of convincing consumers to buy life-saving products, even when their value is clear.
- Performance-Based Marketing: He values marketing strategies that link agency success to product performance, ensuring a win-win outcome.
- Innovating for Critical Issues: Dr. Yonover’s inventions, like the See/Rescue® Streamer and desalination device, address real-world problems like water scarcity and emergency rescue.
- Exclusives and Pricing: He highlights the challenges of exclusive contracts and the risks of price undercutting, especially on platforms like Amazon.
- Nature and Creativity: Dr. Yonover believes true innovation thrives in nature, contrasting it with the creativity-stifling effects of modern technology, particularly smartphones.
About Our Guest
Dr. Robert Yonover is a Ph.D. geochemist and volcanologist with a track record of groundbreaking scientific innovations. His work has earned U.S. Military and DARPA funding, as well as multiple U.S. Patents. One of his notable inventions, the military-approved See/Rescue® Streamer, has saved countless lives both on land and at sea. A North Shore big wave surfer and Molokai Channel rough-water fisherman, Dr. Yonover combines his passion for the ocean with his scientific expertise, using it as his personal laboratory to drive real-world solutions.
Follow Dr. Robert Yonover on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Make sure to check out his favorite book, Thick Face Black Heart by Chin-Ning Chu.
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