Our Featured Guest for Sunday, October 5, 2025 is Lisa Ascolese
Lisa Ascolese, “The Inventress” is an inventor, entrepreneur, true mentor, philanthropist, keynote speaker, and independent product agent. who’s helped countless people turn ideas into market-ready products. In this episode, she shares her journey, biggest lessons, and practical tips for avoiding mistakes, overcoming fear, and turning passion into profitable innovation.
Lisa is the CEO & founder of Inventing A to Z, a 100% Black woman-owned business that guides clients through product development from concept to fruition. Whether prototyping, inventing, patenting, or licensing, Lisa helps turn ideas into products that land on shopping networks like QVC, HSN, in retain stores nationwide as well as in her own Inventors Spotlight TV program. Lisa also uses her decades of experience to educate others through keynote speeches at large-scale events and college campuses nationwide.
Lisa has been featured on major networks such as BravoTV & ABC, heard on Sirius XM, iHeart Radio, WOBM, and WJRZ, and highlighted in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Essence, and The New York Times. She has been manufacturing and bringing products to QVC & HSN for more than 25 years and has dozens of patents & trademarks to her name. In 2023, she was featured on the cover of Jenleeion Magazine and unveiled her Times Square billboard. Her client roster includes corporations such as Sylvania Lighting Co. and Amertac, showcasing her range and credibility in innovation.
Lisa hosts Inventors Spotlight TV, a digital shopping network platform dedicated to showcasing inventors and entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional shopping networks that may have restrictive requirements like large inventory, this show invites individuals with great products, inventions, or ideas to participate if they qualify. Its mission is to ensure everyone has a chance to be featured and have a “seat at the table.”
Lisa’s inventing journey began with the Bosom Buddy nursing cape, sparking her passion for creating. Since then, she has developed dozens of patents and products, many of which appeared on QVC & HSN. Her personal products span categories from mother-care items to kitchen organizers, hair accessories, and more. Her inventions include the Bun Tie Hair Accessory, The Wrap and Store Organizer and The Perfect Pockets Organizer.
She is also an author of The Inventress’s Guide to Inventing The Right Way!: All Or Nothing Now Or Never! and My Favorite Book of Lullabies. Read more at: https://www.inventingatoz.com/
Lisa founded The Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs (AOWIE), a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring, motivating, and supporting women inventors and business owners. The mission is to bridge the gap between ambition and success through kindness, motivation, and education—lifting each other up, two hands at a time. Read more at: https://www.aowie.com/
Our Entrepreneur Presenters:
Ariel Schur, LCSW, is the CEO and sole founder of ABS Staffing Solutions, a New York City–based staffing firm located in midtown. ABS Staffing Solutions has built a strong reputation for both permanent and temporary placements. Ariel’s leadership is defined by a high-touch, service-oriented approach that sets a new standard for “boutique” staffing. She focuses on developing highly customized client relationships and tailoring every aspect of the hiring process to deliver exceptional matches. With over twenty years of experience, her team brings unmatched expertise to employers and job seekers alike.
Ariel’s path into the staffing industry was unconventional, and her unique background has helped her firm stand out in a crowded market. Her early career began as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselor for Fortune 500 companies, giving her unique insight into the relationships between employees, employers, and job requirements. After 9/11, she worked with a federally funded program supporting victims and families impacted by the World Trade Center attack. Following that mission-driven work, she was recruited into the staffing industry, where she quickly rose to become a senior operations leader. After nine years, she decided to bring her own vision to life by founding ABS Staffing Solutions. Read more at: https://www.absstaffingsolutions.com/
Gina Triantafillou is the founder of Tiny Tot Co., a brand dedicated to creating functional and stylish solutions for everyday parenting challenges. Inspired by the messy realities of mealtime with her own toddler, Gina designed the Catch the Mess bib — a patent-pending product that combines comfort, functionality, and fun. The bib features a wide, seamless catch-all pocket, comfy and easy-to-clean materials, and playful kid-friendly patterns, making it a must-have for parents dealing with spills and food messes. Gina’s mission is simple: to take the stress out of mealtime so families can focus on creating memories instead of cleaning up. Tiny Tot Co. was built for everyday parents who want products that are both useful and adorable, with the Catch the Mess bib being the first of many solutions designed to make life a little easier. Read more at: https://www.instagram.com/tinytotco/