The Patent Hacks Podcast

Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sher Downing, systems thinking strategist, EdTech veteran, and founder focused on helping entrepreneurs make smarter decisions faster. We dive into what it really takes to turn an idea into a scalable business, from defining your end goal early to building the right systems, team, and tech stack that won’t slow you down later. Sher also shares p...

In this episode, I sit down with Will Morris, CEO of The Morris Organization, serial entrepreneur, investor, and dealmaker operating at the crossroads of global trade, acquisitions, brand building, and frontier tech. Will shares an incredible journey that starts on a tobacco farm in Eastern Kentucky and expands into building, scaling, and exiting multiple companies across construction, manufacturi...

In this episode, I sit down with Jorge Zavala, serial entrepreneur, global mentor, and CEO of Latteware, to unpack what it really takes to turn an idea into a scalable business. Jorge shares his journey from building early microcomputers in Mexico to launching multiple companies and mentoring founders across Silicon Valley and beyond. We dive into the mindset shifts, practical frameworks, and real...

In this episode, I sit down with Zach Wright, a founder whose journey into entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. From dropping out of college multiple times to working blue-collar jobs and eventually rising to an executive role at a publicly traded company, Zach shares how purpose, persistence, and self-awareness shaped his path. We unpack what it really takes to break into the startup wo...

In this episode of Patent Hacks , I sit down with Maribeth Martorana , CFA and CEO of Sapient Advisors, to unpack the real foundation behind successful AI and data-driven businesses. While AI is dominating headlines, Maribeth explains why most projects don’t fail because of the technology, they fail because companies skip the fundamentals like clean data, governance, infrastructure, and user adopt...

Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with Eric Leaver , a high-velocity CEO and board member who has spent decades scaling SaaS and healthcare companies, leading acquisitions, and transforming underperforming businesses into profitable industry leaders. From launching Zipfizz from a kitchen-table idea to $30M in sales to overseeing dozens of acquisitions, Eric shares hard-earned lessons fro...

In this episode, I sit down with Emanuel Rose , award-winning author, B2B strategist, speaker, and founder of Strategic eMarketing , to unpack what it really takes to market effectively right now… when AI is everywhere, attention is scarce, and trust is the ultimate currency. We dig into why authenticity is suddenly easier (and harder) than ever , what legacy brands keep getting wrong about Gen Z...

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Finkelstein , founder, startup advisor, coach, and the mind behind Sales Scalers , to unpack the real shift that turns someone from a “corporate employee” into an entrepreneur. Scott opens up about the identity change that finally clicked for him, why mindset isn’t just motivational talk (it’s operational leverage), and how impact became the core driver behin...

In this episode of the PatentHacks Podcast , I sit down with Zach Gentry , co-founder and CEO of ConcertVDC , to dig into how real innovation happens when you’re building in the physical world, and why intellectual property strategy can’t be an afterthought . Zach’s path into entrepreneurship is anything but traditional (finance → business school → deep tech), and his story is packed with hard-ear...

In this episode, I sat down with Jeff LoCastro , a serial entrepreneur, innovation “artist,” and the Founder/CEO of Neener Analytics . Jeff’s built and scaled companies across wildly different industries (including being part of the early executive team behind Classmates.com ) and he’s got a rare ability to spot patterns “100 miles down the road” before most people even see the first mile. We get...

In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Preston, CEO of Gaelic Business Solutions, a seasoned operator and coach who’s spent 35+ years helping companies navigate messy growth. Bryan’s been in the trenches across tech, manufacturing, and financial services, and he’s even earned a U.S. patent for supply-chain finance work from his time at UPS. We dig into what actually causes “chaos” inside businesse...

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan Cox , President & CEO of InRoads Credit Union, and one of the sharpest financial leaders I’ve had the pleasure of talking to. Nathan has spent 35+ years guiding companies through every stage of growth—from million-dollar start-ups to billion-dollar corporate portfolios. And today, he gives us a rare behind-the-scenes look at how funders actually evaluate...

In this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Jacques Nack, founder and CEO of JNN Group and Quantum Inc. Jacques brings a powerful mix of tech innovation, leadership insight, and entrepreneurial grit to the conversation. We explore his journey from tinkering with early computer systems and learning QBasic at age 12 to leading high-performance teams and advising global startups. His...

In this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Ronald Diamond, founder and chairman of Diamond Wealth and a leading voice in the world of family offices. With a background that spans hedge funds, private equity, and innovation in wealth management, Ron brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on how family offices are transforming the investment landscape. Ron shares his jour...

In this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Cliff Budnick, president and general manager of Innovate Technologies, to unpack the lessons of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the powerful role patents play in building and protecting a business. From launching his first startup in the custom partyware space to leading a multimillion-dollar HVAC solutions company, Cliff has lived thr...

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 busi...

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 a...

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 fo...

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 loo...

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...

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...

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 buildi...

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 gr...

Episode Summary 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...

Summary 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 litigati...