**About My Idea: Sip Klip**

My journey in innovation began with a simple yet impactful idea: creating a closure for to-go cup holes in lids to prevent splashing and retain heat. I named this invention the "Sip Klip." The idea struck me in 2002 when I recognized the need for a practical solution for coffee lovers on the go.

After conceptualizing the product, I dedicated myself to developing it further. With the right partners and securing funding, I was able to take the necessary steps to bring the Sip Klip to life. I successfully obtained a patent for my invention on December 6, 2007, which marked a key milestone in my entrepreneurial journey.

In 2008, I found a manufacturer, and production officially began. The moment I had been waiting for arrived when I sent a sample of my product to Starbucks. I was thrilled to receive a letter from one of their executives expressing admiration for the Sip Klip. However, they mentioned that they only produced in-house products.

Interestingly, within a year of my product introduction, Starbucks launched their own version called the green sip hole clip, which further validated the market need I had identified. Unfortunately, though, after Starbucks stole my idea, the recession hit and my partners lacked the suffiient funding to proceed with marketing and production.

On a positive note, this experience reinforced my belief in the power of innovative ideas and the importance of persistence in bringing them to reality.