The Patent Hacks Podcast

In this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Sam Sells, a former Air Force officer turned real estate visionary and founder of Impact Growth Capital. Sam shares his incredible journey from growing up in rural Oklahoma to transforming slums and distressed housing into clean, affordable communities that truly uplift people out of poverty. We dive into how he's using a for-profit business model to create massive social impact while delivering strong investor returns.

Sam breaks down how his team partners with public housing authorities, leverages government-backed funding, and integrates AI-powered tools to support tenants with access to education, job training, childcare, and more. If you've ever wondered how you can build a sustainable business that actually changes lives, this episode is packed with real-world strategies, inspiration, and actionable insights.

Timeline Summary:

[1:35] - Sam's humble beginnings in rural Oklahoma and how the military became his escape from poverty

[4:30] - From global health strategist to impact-driven real estate investor

[8:18] - Identifying the U.S. government as the biggest slumlord and seizing the opportunity to partner for change

[13:50] - How affordable housing becomes a launchpad for breaking the cycle of poverty

[18:05] - Building a 3-part system: housing, on-site services, and AI-powered support

[24:42] - The importance of aligning incentives to create sustainable impact

[32:10] - How Sam structures deals to attract foundations and mitigate investor risk

[40:55] - Simple yet powerful strategies to reduce crime in distressed housing communities

[45:30] - Taking the mission global and advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs

[52:00] - Sam's advice for founders: never give up, prioritize cash flow, and expect challenges at every level

Links & Resources:

• Sam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ 
• Sam’s Website: https://impactgrowthcap.com/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Closing Remark:

If this episode inspired you to think differently about business and impact, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the Patent Hacks Podcast. Your support helps us keep bringing on incredible guests like Sam. Share this episode with someone who dreams of doing well and doing good!

In this value-packed episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with David Goldstein, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of the 9% Club. David's mission is to help founders join the elite 9% of startups that actually succeed, and in this episode, he delivers actionable advice from the trenches of entrepreneurship. We discuss everything from his first "pooper scooper" business at age nine to building and scaling multiple ventures, and the critical role that systems play in making businesses scalable and sustainable.

David shares why passion, preparation, and process are essential to winning in business, and he breaks down how founders can avoid black holes that quietly destroy startups. You'll also hear why analysis paralysis can be more dangerous than failure, how to pick the right investors, and why daily execution habits matter more than big ideas.

Timeline Summary:

[1:05] - David’s first business at age 9 and the hustle that launched his entrepreneurial journey

[5:45] - Lessons learned from failure and why passion and sales are non-negotiable for success

[11:20] - How systems separate successful founders from the 91% who fail

[16:15] - Overcoming fear and analysis paralysis with action and mindset shifts

[22:40] - The danger of chasing the wrong revenue and shiny objects

[29:05] - What makes startups scalable and attractive to buyers

[36:12] - The truth about automations and creating lean, efficient growth

[41:30] - Understanding black holes in business and how to avoid them

[47:00] - Daily execution habits every founder should adopt

[52:10] - Managing mental stress, staying confident, and preparing for pressure moments

[58:25] - One piece of advice for aspiring and scaling founders

Links & Resources:

• David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-goldstein5/
• David’s Website: https://9percenter.com/9-percent-club 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Closing Remark:

If this episode gave you the inspiration or tools to push your startup further, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the Patent Hacks Podcast. Share this with your fellow founders who need a little extra momentum on their journey to becoming part of the 9%!

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Eschliman—executive coach, leadership strategist, and former VP of Operations at Tri Pointe Homes—to explore how to lead with purpose, build high-performance teams, and master the "monotonous" steps that actually lead to success. With over 30 years in the corporate trenches and now working as a Gravitass Impact coach, Jeff shares timeless leadership wisdom for founders at any stage of their journey.

We unpack why clarity beats complexity, how to take accountability like a true leader, and why scaling a business always starts with self-mastery. Whether you’re just breaking into entrepreneurship or leading a growing team, this episode is full of powerful frameworks, honest insights, and mindset shifts that can help you scale without burnout.

• [1:25] Jeff’s path from military service to the homebuilding industry to coaching
• [5:40] Why working for others can be a powerful way to build your leadership toolkit
• [11:20] The “do it for free” test: finding a path that fuels you long term
• [17:05] How to bring clarity to business chaos through mission, values, and core competencies
• [24:15] What it really means to “master the monotonous” in business and life
• [31:00] Why real leadership means looking in the mirror—and taking 100% ownership
• [38:45] The biggest hiring blind spots founders face (and how to fix them)
• [49:10] Why action—not knowledge—is what drives progress
• [56:00] Building mindset muscles: the daily power of gratitude and personal grounding
• [1:03:00] Final advice for early-stage founders and those looking to scale

• Website: https://www.jeffeschliman.com/ 
• Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffeschliman
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

This conversation with Jeff is a masterclass in leadership, mindset, and growth. If you're building something big—or even just trying to grow into the next version of yourself—his frameworks and honest storytelling will help guide the way.

If you found this episode valuable, please rate, follow, share, and review the Patent Hacks Podcast—it helps more builders and founders like you discover us. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you in the next one!

In this episode, I talk with Irfan Jafrey (founder of Roosterly, ex‑Google researcher, and personal branding expert) about the psychology behind social media, how to build a brand without burning out, and how AI is already reshaping content creation. Together we dig into the discovery process he used early on, the three types of executives he’s seen in his work, and what authentic storytelling looks like in an era of formulaic content. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or a creator, you’ll get real, actionable insights—not just hype.

• [2:10] Irfan’s transition from law + Google research into founding Roosterly
• [6:30] How small-scale proof of concept laid the groundwork for raising capital
• [9:45] The “three buckets” of executives & their social media challenges
• [16:20] Does every entrepreneur or executive need a personal brand? (Spoiler: No)
• [20:50] The danger of AI-generated “same-sounding” content & the future of gated, high-value content
• [28:15] What actually makes content land in big publications vs getting lost
• [35:05] Irfan’s internal framework: choosing projects, avoiding burnout, and working with purpose
• [41:40] Unpopular opinions + advice for early-stage founders (e.g. slow down, don’t chase quick wins)

• Website: https://roosterly.com/ 
• Connect with Irfan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfanj/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/ 

I truly enjoyed this conversation with Irfan — I hope his clarity, honesty, and strategic mindset left you with just as many takeaways as it did me. If this episode resonated, please rate, follow, share, and review PatentHacks—it helps more creators and innovators find us. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next one.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Timothy Coffin, a health‑informatics veteran, AI innovator, and CEO of ConQiro. Tim walks us through how he turned personal tragedy (a hospital incident involving his son) into a mission to improve hospital operations with real‑time AI for asset tracking and predictive maintenance. Along the the way, we dig into his entrepreneurial journey, from building early computer systems in high school to working in defense and intelligence, then pivoting to healthcare. We also explore what it really takes to deploy AI in hospital settings (from ethics to training to security), what’s next with large language models in clinical care, and the wisdom he’s learned about scaling startups, fundraising, and reinventing yourself across industries.

If you want to peek into the future of AI in health, or you’re a founder trying to navigate the messy intersection of compliance, speed, and meaningful impact, this is one you’ll want to listen to.

• [2:30] Tim’s early tinkering days: creating a “match‑survey” app and one of the earliest point-of-sale systems
• 
  
• [6:15] From Air Force AI to telecom to defense: how his background built a foundation for healthcare
• 
  
• [11:40] The catalyst: his son’s hospital experience and the problem of missing or misplaced medical equipment
• 
  
• [16:20] The hidden cost: nurses spending 75 minutes per shift looking for equipment, and hospitals losing ~$4,000 per bed annually
• 
  
• [22:50] Deploying AI in healthcare — misconceptions, pitfalls, and non‑negotiables (ethics, security, model drift)
• 
  
• [28:10] The promise of LLMs in clinical settings: conversational programming, real‑time decision support, and integrating domain expertise
• 
  
• [33:40] Commercial vs government innovation: why timelines differ, procurement challenges, and strategies to bridge the gap
• 
  
• [38:20] For AI founders: “Don’t sell AI, sell purpose.” Advice on fundraising, investors, and scaling
• 
  
• [42:00] Final advice: risk, reinvention, and surrounding yourself with talent that complements your strengths
• 
  

• Website: https://conquiro.ai/ 
• Connect with Dr. Coffin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothypcoffin/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/
• 
  
• 
  

Tim’s story is a powerful reminder that great innovations often arise from real, painful problems. His approach blends deep technical savvy, domain knowledge, and a relentless drive to make things better. As he says, founders often fail when they chase buzzwords instead of purpose. His journey also shows that you can reinvent yourself—medical tech, defense, telecom, academia—and carry common threads of curiosity, ethics, and solving problems.

If you got value from this episode, I’d appreciate it if you’d rate, follow, share, and review The Patent Hacks Podcast so more people can discover these conversations. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you next time.

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Josh Case, a seasoned energy executive, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Sober.Buzz. We explore Josh's fascinating evolution from a high-stakes career in renewable energy to launching a mission-driven digital recovery platform that’s already seeing global impact.

Josh takes us through the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial ventures, including multi-gigawatt solar developments and major acquisitions by industry giants. But it's his candid story of burnout, addiction, and the transformative power of recovery that brings a whole new depth to this conversation. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn personal pain into global purpose, this one’s for you.

Timeline Summary:

[2:10] - Josh shares how he transitioned from banking to energy entrepreneurship and identified a critical market shift in California.

[7:45] - The inception and exit of Utah Solar One and the strategic moves that led to a joint venture with Photosol.

[14:22] - Building a lean yet powerful team and leading one of the industry’s largest pipeline acquisitions.

[18:38] - The personal toll of high-pressure success: burnout, addiction, and the breaking point.

[23:05] - How a 90-day rehab program became the foundation for Josh's sobriety and the birth of Sober.Buzz.

[28:40] - The surprising global reach of Sober.Buzz and its grassroots growth through authentic content and community.

[35:55] - Sober Buzz Token: Using cryptocurrency to democratize charitable giving and community engagement.

[44:18] - Josh reflects on mental health, imposter syndrome, and what truly helped him stay sober.

[51:30] - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and those navigating sobriety: trust yourself, stay connected, and don’t be afraid to fail.

Links & Resources:

• Website:https://sober.buzz/ 
• Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcase/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/ 

Closing Thoughts:

Josh's story is a powerful reminder that burnout isn't the end, it's often the beginning of something more meaningful. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Patent Hacks Podcast. Your support helps us bring more real, raw, and revolutionary stories like Josh’s to innovators like you.

In this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Will Haire, CEO and co-founder of BellaVix, to unpack his journey from working in the power industry to launching a successful e-commerce marketing agency. Will shares how he transitioned from a comfortable six-figure job into the chaotic but rewarding world of entrepreneurship, all while side hustling with his wife and eventually building a business around his true passion: marketing.

We dive deep into the strategies that helped him grow BellaVix, the lessons he learned from an early startup setback, and the game-changing importance of contracts and mentorship in the business world. Whether you're just beginning your startup journey or looking for insider marketing advice to level up your brand, Will's insights are gold.

Timeline Summary:

[1:44] - Will shares his background and the leap from a secure job to startup life

[5:55] - How a side hustle in e-commerce led to BellaVix

[10:27] - Lessons from losing equity: why contracts matter

[15:48] - The realities of e-commerce and scaling through services

[20:15] - Why startup founders should lean into what they know

[26:30] - Building campaigns: Will's marketing strategies for products vs. services

[35:42] - SEO for the Chat GPT era and content as a lead engine

[40:11] - The single most valuable investment Will recommends for new entrepreneurs

Links & Resources:

• Website: https://www.bellavix.com/ 
• Connect with Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhaire/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a fellow innovator or entrepreneur. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dean van Zyl, CEO of EISH Management Consulting, wh. Dean walks us through a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, from humble beginnings in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), through sweeping floors in a furniture workshop, to founding 17 startups across continents (some that soared, some that tanked). We peel back the layers on resilience, failure, and growth. Together, we unravel the power of market validation, mentorship, cultural humility, and operational systems. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling globally, Dean’s insights deliver both practical tools and emotional clarity.

[1:00] – Intro: Welcome to the Patent Hacks Podcast and intro to today’s guest, Dean Zyl.

[2:00] – Dean’s background: From missteps and getting fired to sweeping floors and launching his first business as a teenager.

[5:30] – Accidental entrepreneurship: How selling raw materials to competitors sparked a new path (and eventual success, and bankruptcy).

[8:20] – Multiple startups: Dean shares that he’s launched 17 ventures, some successful, some forced to close, and what each taught him.

[11:45] – The value of failure: “Failures are where my best lessons came from,” Dean shares his take on resilience and personal growth.

[16:10] – Going global: How Dean’s upbringing in Eswatini and South Africa shaped his ability to navigate culture and business across continents.

[19:50] – Cultural humility: Why assuming others are less intelligent because of language or differences is a critical misstep.

[23:30] – Systems matter: The importance of putting scalable, clear systems in place, especially as you grow and go remote.

[26:10] – Raising capital in the U.S.: What Dean learned about fundraising, pitch decks, networks, and “betting on the jockey, not the horse.

[29:50] – Market validation: Before building your product, validate the idea with real customers, avoid emotional biases and false assumptions.

[33:15] – Building market dominance: Don't just be first; execute better. Learn from competitors’ weak spots.

[36:20] – Consulting red flags and green lights: Dean looks for clarity of direction, delegation, systems efficiency, and aligned teams.

[40:10] – Evolving beliefs: Early on, Dean blamed external circumstances—but learned that as leader, responsibility always begins with you.

[43:30] – Advice for founders: Get a mentor, ask the hard questions, launch imperfectly, and keep putting yourself out there.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanvanzyl/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/ 

If you found today’s episode valuable, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate, follow, share, and review the Patent Hacks Podcast. It helps us reach more aspiring founders and innovators like you, plus, it keeps the conversation growing. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you next time.

In this captivating episode, I sit down with Kirsten Velasco to explore the intersection of invention, innovation, and cannabis industry challenges. Kirsten shares her journey of designing practical yet promotional accessories, VapenProp and Grip & Clip, that not only safeguard cannabis devices but also amplify brand presence in an industry restricted by conventional marketing methods. Expect candid insights around the cost dynamics of patenting, staying agile with product pivots, and why accessibility and emotional messaging are critical in the cannabis space. This is a conversation filled with inspiration, pragmatism, and real-world takeaways for entrepreneurs navigating niche markets.

• [00:02:00] – Origins of Innovation: Kirsten explains how personal “necessity is the mother of invention” and how real-world problems drive her ideas.
• [00:06:30] – Patent Process Realities: She contrasts high-priced attorneys in big cities versus cost-effective suburban options, and the pragmatic advantage of being “patent‑pending” rather than fully protected.
• [00:12:15] – ROI of Patents: Discussion about how patents become strategic assets for funding, exits, licensing—even acting as deterrents instead of litigation tools.
• [00:18:45] – Cannabis Industry Dynamics: Kirsten reflects on how limited marketing channels in cannabis spur creative solutions and how ancillary products like hers offer lower-risk, more scalable opportunities.
• [00:23:00] – Positioning Products for Use & Branding: The evolution of the puzzle-piece VapenProp and Grip & Clip demonstrates usability, customizability, and manufacturing decisions anchored in user context.
• [00:30:20] – Leveraging Accessories as Brand Tools: Why physical, usable items hold more emotional and strategic weight than typical swag—especially when traditional advertising is off the table for cannabis brands.
• [00:36:10] – Educating & Advocating: Kirsten recounts her grassroots work in dispensaries, her background in public speaking (Toastmasters), and how empathy shapes her approach to cannabis consumers.
• [00:41:30] – Staying Grounded Across Roles: She reflects on navigating the contrasts between innovation, advocacy, marketing, and surviving C-suite volatility in the cannabis industry.
• [00:47:20] – Final Advice: Emphasis on building real-world networks (“your net worth is your net work”) and designing products that are intuitively understood in a few seconds.
• [00:50:00] – Where to Find Kirsten: Guests can connect via [email protected] or explore her whimsical design offerings—and place orders—at vapenprop.com.

• Kirsten Velasco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenvelascocannabisadvocate/ 
• Kirsten Velasco Website: https://vapenprop.com/ 
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Thanks for listening to this inspirational and insight-rich chat with Kirsten Velasco. If you're passionate about innovation, patents, or making an impact in unconventional industries, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom. If you enjoyed it, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review, it helps us bring more great conversations your way!

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and battle-tested Adam Marez, CEO of SDA Agency and the visionary mind behind Neblit. Adam’s journey from humble beginnings to scaling multi-million-dollar businesses is nothing short of inspiring. We dive deep into his early struggles, the explosive success of his first startup, and the brutal lessons he learned from a high-stakes IP litigation that nearly cost him everything.

But here’s the twist: that setback became the catalyst for a complete reinvention. Today, Adam shares the IP strategy he developed from the ground up — a tactical playbook that’s helping him build defensible, high-impact innovations in the data compliance and software space. If you’re serious about startups, patents, or scaling a tech company with real staying power, this is one you do not want to miss.

• [1:45] – Adam’s unconventional start: teenage parents, GED, and how curiosity sparked his obsession with problem solving.
• [6:30] – Building his first company from $3,000 to $7.5 million—and what led to its sudden unraveling.
• [15:40] – The brutal reality of IP litigation and why he burned through $80–90K/month on legal fees.
• [26:25] – How Adam’s patent mindset shifted from ego-driven to strategic after litigation forced a complete reset.
• [34:12] – Developing a data-driven IP strategy: scraping 33,000 patents, reverse-engineering the USPTO, and targeting specific examiners.
• [50:20] – Why you should read 1,000 patents if you want to master IP — and how visual patents gave Adam an edge in location cloaking.
• [1:00:05] – Balancing CEO responsibilities with innovation, and how he stays grounded while chasing long-term vision.

Adam Marez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammarez/ 

Glowstik Website: https://www.glowstik.com/onboarding 

SDAgency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemdesignagency/about/ 

Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com

Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

If this episode hit home for you, be sure to follow, and share the Patent Hacks Podcast. Your support keeps these stories flowing and helps more innovators navigate the wild world of patents and entrepreneurship. Catch you next time!