Outskirts Press, INC.

The Right Sisters reveals the creative mind at work in a context never before examined so intimately—the journeys taken by ten modern women inventors. Their stories are compelling and they are instructive.

When Julia Rhodes created the prototype for her first invention, she knew nothing about manufacturing and marketing. She nevertheless moved ahead wholeheartedly. She took risks and made mistakes. She dealt with the complexities of applying for a patent and navigating the corporate world of business. She made friends and garnered the invaluable support of women. The Right Sisters is about the women inventors she met.

Rhodes has now combined forces with Patricia Harrelson to record the stories of these 21st Century women inventors. The book is rich with imagination, intelligence, and the uniquely feminine perspective that led these women to succeed in a field typically dominated by men. Ultimately each story reveals the generous nature of women as they turn dreams into tangible products.

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An inventor and founder of KleenSlate Concepts, Julia Rhodes longed for female role models as she introduced her first product and began to grow her company. She now offers mentorship and guidance to every woman with an inventive idea by sharing her experience along with the stories of nine other women inventors in The Right Sisters.

Susan Solovic, author

The Girls Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business



Understanding the strategies necessary to develop a successful product, Julia Rhodes effectively worked with Office Depot to get her educational products to market. Drawing on this experience, she worked with Patricia Harrelson to write an innovative guide for women who are embarking on the inventor/entrepreneurial journey.

Shari Francis

Manager of Vendor Development

Office Depot





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Julia Rhodes is a motivational speaker, inventor, and entrepreneur. Patricia Harrelson is a freelance writer and author of Between Two Women: Conversations About Love and Relationship.

“Name three inventors,” I said, to my 8th grade language arts class. “Write each name in your notebooks and raise your hand when you are done.” In short order, hands went up around the classroom. I called on Eric, who said, “Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and the Wright Brothers.” “Good,” I said writing these names on the white board. “Kristan?” I said inviting a girl on the other side of the room to speak. “I had Edison and the Wright Brothers too and Henry Ford,” she said. I added Ford the list. After calling on few more students only one more name was mentioned: Bill Gates. These were well known inventors; I wanted the students to dig deeper, so I said “What about a woman inventor?” I asked. “Did anyone include a woman on their list?” No one raised a hand. I waited. After a moment, one student raised his hand tentatively. “Yes, Steven,” I said. “I don’t think there are any women inventors,” he said. My mouth dropped open; I was speechless. For months, I’d been sharing stories with this class my about the eraser I had invented. In fact, the inspiration for my invention had actually happened the previous year right in this classroom albeit before another class. At that very moment, my invention was right front of them on the end of the dry-erase marker I held in my hand. All year I’d related stories about the eraser and getting it manufactured. They’d asked questions, offered opinions, and applauded when I brought the first sample eraser to class. And