Here are some suggestions for protecting your product idea and taking steps to realize it without fear:

File a provisional patent application with the USPTO. This establishes an early filing date and allows you to further develop the idea for a year before deciding on a regular patent.

Conduct a prior art search to ensure your idea is truly novel and non-obvious. Document any prior art you find for future reference.

Mark all development documents, drawings, prototypes, etc. with clear copyright and do not publicly disclose details until protections are in place.

Incorporate as an LLC or similar entity. This provides liability protection as you work to commercialize.

Start small, build an MVP, get early customer feedback, and validate assumptions before going all in. De-risk as much as possible.

Consider bringing on an experienced co-founder or advisor you trust for guidance and support.

Apply to startup accelerators or incubators. The structure and funding can help propel ideas forward.

Look for grants and other non-dilutive funding sources if possible in the early stages.

Don't share too widely until you are ready to partner or license. Sign NDAs with any potential partners or investors.

The key is establishing ownership, validating demand, de-risking, and then scaling incrementally with the right support. Patents, entity protection, and early customer feedback can help build confidence to pursue the idea further.