Entrepreneurial Persistence: Bentley Alumnus Pursues Innovation

Father & Son Invention Team Solved The Packing Tape Industry's Biggest Problem

Packing Tape Innovation Helps To Eliminate Frustration Around Packing, Boxing & Shipping

BRIELLE, NJ, UNITED STATES, March 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Bentley Alumnus Pursues Long-Term Interest in Product Development

For Doug Bard ’94, persistence has played a central role in both his professional career and personal projects. Alongside his work in the technology sector, Bard has spent more than two decades developing consumer product ideas with his father, Bob Bard, a retired aerospace engineer.

“Nothing can beat persistence,” Bard says. “Many projects take longer than expected, but staying committed is an important part of the process.”

Bard currently serves as director of strategic sales at ThreatMetrix, a fraud-prevention platform owned by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Outside of his primary career, he regularly collaborates with his father on product design and prototyping. The pair typically dedicate several hours each week to refining ideas and exploring potential applications.

Over the years, their work has resulted in several prototypes and patent filings. Among their earlier concepts were a universal beverage holder designed to reduce the likelihood of spills near desks and electronics, as well as a Christmas tree stand intended to simplify the process of stabilizing a tree during setup.

Exploring Everyday Problems

Their most recent project focuses on a common household challenge: locating the loose end of packing tape after it has been pressed back onto the roll.

To address this issue, Bard and his father developed a concept known as Wave Tape, which incorporates a patterned marking system along the edge of the tape to help indicate where the tape was last separated. The idea emerged from repeated experiences using packing tape for shipping and storage.

As with many independent product development efforts, the process has involved experimentation, design adjustments, and ongoing evaluation of manufacturing and intellectual property considerations.

Bard says the work reflects an ongoing interest in identifying everyday problems and attempting to design practical solutions.

A Long-Term Effort

The collaboration between father and son began more than 20 years ago and has continued alongside Bard’s professional career. Without outside investors or a formal company structure, the effort has remained a small-scale operation focused primarily on design exploration and patent development.

Over time, several of their concepts have reached the prototype stage, and some have been submitted for patent review. While not all projects advance beyond early development, Bard says the process itself has remained an important motivation.

“These projects have always been about the experience of building something and seeing whether an idea can become a real product,” he says.

Influence of Bentley University

Bard credits part of his entrepreneurial outlook to his time at Bentley University. As a student, he chose to major in marketing rather than pursue finance or accounting, fields in which he also showed aptitude.

He recalls encouragement from Philip “Perry” Lowe, a marketing professor at the time who now serves as special assistant to the university president. Bard says the experience helped reinforce his interest in creative work and problem-solving.

During college, Bard also developed an interest in music and songwriting—an activity he continues alongside his professional work.

Lasting Connections

Another lasting connection from Bard’s time at Bentley is his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. A group of friends from those years has remained close for more than three decades. Members of the group stay connected regularly and gather for reunions and trips.

The most recent gathering took place in November in Destin, Florida, where more than 30 fraternity brothers met for a reunion.

Bard says those relationships have provided both professional encouragement and personal support over the years.

Continuing New Ideas

In addition to the tape project, Bard and his father have also been working on another concept designed to assist individuals who rely on walkers and their caregivers. The device aims to provide additional stability during transfers and movement.

The project remains in the prototype stage as the pair continue to evaluate design considerations and potential partnerships.

For Bard, the work represents an ongoing interest in invention that continues alongside his career in technology.

“Working on new ideas has always been something I enjoy,” he says. “It’s a process that requires patience and persistence.”

Original Content Written by Rosemary Hamilton - Edits made to meet publisher recquirements

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