I emailed our bag drawings to a friend who organizes a dads-and-kids club. He responded immediately and said, “You need to talk to my friend, Amy Meadow. She’s a fashion consultant.”

“But, wait,” I texted. “What did u think of design?”

“It’s awesome!”

Phew. Validation is nice. I’m such an actor.

I called Amy.

I pitched my idea, talked about my own search for a cool diaper bag, and made self-conscious disclaimers about my own un-stylish jeans-and-t-shirt aesthetic.

Over the phone I could hear her typing. “Ohmigod, this is a great idea. I can’t believe it doesn’t already exist. Ok. We can talk more, but my expertise comes in later. First you need to talk to my friend, Julia. She’s an international bag sourcer.”

“Thanks so much. This is awesome. Um, also, because I’m so fashion-unconscious, do you think I should start subscribing to Vogue Men, or something, to be more fashionably aware?”

“No. Your naiveté is refreshing. Hold onto that. And go call Julia.”

Phew. Less tedious work for me. I’d rather remain naive, still wearing expensive jeans and cheap t-shirts, and avoid cramming my brain with fashion trivia.

I called Julia.

As with Amy, I could hear Julia googling “stylish dad baby gear,” and (as with Amy), she said, “Ohmigod, this is a great idea. I can’t believe it doesn’t already exist.”

Feeling good.

“OK. I can help you find a factory for mass production. One of my biggest clients is Vera Bradley. I’ll set you up in Vietnam or South Carolina or wherever. We can help you outfit everyone so they aren’t carrying those hideous things that tourists schlep while standing in line at TKTS.”

I guffawed, being an actor whose job relies on tourists standing in line at the TKTS booth in Times Square for ½ price tickets. Julia was a snob I’d like to have on my side.

“BUT. I can’t help you, yet. First, you should go talk to my friend Howard. He imports Italian fabrics. He won’t be the cheapest, but he’ll be the best.”

“Great. Thanks.”

“And there’s one more ‘but’. Don’t tell anyone else your idea. You can trust me, you can trust Amy, but don’t tell everyone your idea. Be very careful. This is a tough business.”

“Huh. Ok. Thanks. When should I tell the idea?”

“Don’t, anymore.”

And now I’m writing about it online for half-a-dozen blog followers to read. Whatever. We’re creating a baby gear for stylish dads, not mapping the human genome. We’ll just hope no one steals this idea and beats us to it. Y’all best take note.