Innovation often hides in the unlikeliest places — a shoelace that won’t stay tied, a kitchen drawer in need of order, or an idea sketched on a napkin during a sleepless night. For Lisa Ascolese, known to many as The Inventress, invention isn’t just a career — it’s a lifelong calling.
Lisa is the founder and CEO of Inventing A to Z, a product development powerhouse dedicated to transforming nascent ideas into market-ready realities. Her mission is simple but profound: to empower inventors and entrepreneurs to take their dreams from concept to creation and beyond. Lisa Ascolese+1
Lisa’s journey began at age nine in Brooklyn, where her inventive spirit first emerged out of necessity. While playing handball (a game notorious for loose shoelaces), she engineered a way to keep laces tied — spark number one in a lifetime of innovation. Lisa Ascolese
Her first widely sold product as an adult was the Bosom Buddy Breastfeeding Cape, designed to allow nursing mothers to feed discreetly and comfortably in public — a simple solution to a very real problem. From there, she went on to develop hundreds of products — from hair accessories to kitchen organizers — many of which have become beloved household items. Lisa Ascolese
Lisa’s impact extends far beyond ideation. Over the past 25+ years, she has successfully invented, marketed, and launched products on national television — including QVC, HSN, EVINE Live, and ShopNBC. One standout success, The Perfect Pockets Organizer, famously generated $6,000 in sales in under six minutes on QVC. Forbes
Her products have touched countless lives, turning everyday frustrations into elegant solutions. But it’s not just her own creations that define her legacy — it’s the countless inventors she’s helped usher into the marketplace.
At the heart of Lisa’s mission is Inventing A to Z, a full-service product development company that guides aspiring inventors through every step of the invention journey — from concept and prototyping to manufacturing, marketing, and licensing. Lisa Ascolese
Lisa’s philosophy is rooted in practical mentorship: helping people who may have the spark but lack the roadmap, support, or confidence to bring their concepts to life. Her business doesn’t just teach how to invent — it empowers inventors to believe they can.
Lisa’s commitment to empowerment extends into the nonprofit sphere with the founding of The Association of Women Inventors & Entrepreneurs (AOWIE). This organization exists to nurture women inventors and business owners through education, mentorship, financial guidance, and motivation — bridging the gap between ambition and success. Inventing A To Z
AOWIE’s quarterly conferences — musically inspired and community-focused — bring together seasoned inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to uplift and educate through workshops, pitching opportunities, networking, and encouragement. Inventing A To Z
Dubbed The Inventress, Lisa’s influence stretches into media and thought leadership. She hosts Inventors Spotlight TV, a digital platform offering inventors a stage to showcase and sell their products. She also helms The Inventress Podcast, where she shares stories, strategy, and inspiration weekly with a global audience of creators and entrepreneurs. Apple Podcasts
Featured on major media outlets and platforms including Forbes, Black Enterprise Magazine, Essence, Ebony, Sirius XM, Bravo TV, ABC, and The New York Times, Lisa’s story resonates because it is grounded in grit and generosity. Lisa Ascolese+1
Lisa’s guiding philosophy — “when you think it and believe it, it can be done” — isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a lived practice that has transformed industries and empowered countless inventors to pursue their creative potential. Lisa Ascolese
Her work is a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets mentorship, when success is shared, and when community is built one idea at a time.
Lisa Ascolese isn’t just an inventor. She’s a legacy-maker — lifting others up two hands at a time. Lisa Ascolese
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