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!