OUR TOP 10 LISTS

10. Nikki Laffel

While getting the company off the ground, I presented at a NY tech mixer where I met Nikki Laffel, who now goes by Nikki Kaufman as of last week.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

9. People pay me to hear what I think

People pay me to hear what I think. I speak at conferences all over the world on design, co-creation and product development and people are apparently really interested in what I have to say. It's pretty flattering.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

8. I got to present on the stage of TED

I got to present on the stage of TED just before Vice President Al Gore did.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

7. It has made me realize that being a dentist probably wasn't the right thing for me

It has made me realize that being a dentist probably wasn't the right thing for me, despite the theme of my Bar Mitzvah.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

6. I have paid my parents back

I have paid my parents back in a way that goes way beyond the second mortgage they took out on their house to fund the development of my first product, the mophie songsling.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

5. Quirky has confirmed my belief that 100,000 minds are better than 1

Quirky has confirmed my belief that 100,000 minds are better than 1. It amazes me to witness the community work together every day to collaboratively develop awesome new products.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

4. It has given me faith in the creative and inventive spirit of humanity

It has given me faith in the creative and inventive spirit of humanity. It has also made me realize that there are some people out there with some very, very strange ideas.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

3. It's allowed me to take a deep dive in to the engineering and design of toilets

It's allowed me to take a deep dive in to the engineering and design of toilet bowls, toilet bowl plungers and toilet bowl cleaners full stop.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

2. My ''professional network'' has people in it from 178 countries

My ''professional network'' has people in it from 178 countries. Quirky has touched the lives of people all over the world and as a result, I personally feel connected to each and every community member who has been a part of this amazing process.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky

1. Quirky got me into the mean streets of NYC

Quirky got me out of the green mountains of Vermont and into the mean streets of NYC where I am surrounded by some of the most creative people. Plus I never have to doubt my decision to have dropped out of college.

Anyone can be the next great inventor. Watch QUIRKY, Tuesdays at 10p.

Author: Ben Kaufman, CEO Quirky