Pickleball Musical Birthday Candle Launch: Stanley and Ruth Brown of Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch have introduced their final invention, the Pickleball Musical Birthday Candle. The patented product was inspired by their earlier Amazing Candle. The couple plans to launch 10,000 candles, aiming to tap into the growing popularity of pickleball.
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A Life of Invention
The Browns have a long history of creating products. In 2014, Stanley and Ruth Brown received a patent for the Amazing Candle. The couple once sought a spot on the television show Shark Tank, but Stanley Brown said, “I had high hopes for Shark Tank. The show had young producers and you can’t just pass through them. We couldn’t get through the second stage.”
Despite setbacks, the Browns found modest success with their inventions. Stanley Brown said, “We’ve probably broke even to some degree,” referring to his five patents. He added, “And can you put a price on fun? You have setbacks, because there is rejection all around us. But you plow forward.”
Even pitches to famous infomercial hosts had mixed results. Stanley Brown recalled, “Billy Mays liked the idea, but Sullivan asked, ‘What problem does it solve?'” Stanley admitted, “I don’t have a problem.”
From Keep-Fresh to Pickleball Candles
Stanley Brown’s first invention was Keep-Fresh in 1981, a reusable bag clip designed to replace twisty ties. He explained, “In the operating room, they used an umbilical cord clip, and I thought about a similar concept. It would work in the freezer or in boiling water.”
Over the years, Stanley Brown tried several products, including variations of the Amazing Candle. He sold small batches and learned, “You can invent a better mousetrap, but it’s about marketing and distribution.” He reflected, “It showed me that it’s not always good to be ahead of your time.”
Pickleball Sparks a Final Venture
After moving to Del Webb, Stanley Brown discovered pickleball. He said, “It’s an incredible sport. It’s multigenerational. You can teach your kids, your grandkids. It is fast, it is social. You can play at any particular level.” With the sport’s popularity rising to 44 million players in the U.S., the Browns decided to create a pickleball-themed candle.
Stanley Brown described the process: “The desire is having something nobody else has. We had a patent on the round ball (in a candle). So the challenge was to draw the mold. We found someone and worked with a company in China. We thought, ‘Let’s make it.’ My wife was against the idea. This (retirement) was supposed to be our time. She knows when I get involved in a project, it gets obsessive. But enough is enough, this is my last project.”
Partnership and Launch Plans
The Browns have partnered with Marc Rosenthal, owner of Jumpin Fun Inflata Park in Lakewood Ranch. They have ordered 10,000 candles, which are stored in a warehouse on Lena Road. Stanley Brown said, “We found a marketing company. We are going to launch. This is my last project. I am finished.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Musical Birthday Candle Launch
Stanley and Ruth Brown of Lakewood Ranch have created the Pickleball Musical Birthday Candle, their final invention. The patented candle follows their 2014 Amazing Candle. The couple has ordered 10,000 units with plans to launch soon, tapping into the rising U.S. pickleball craze, now played by 44 million people.