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 your business, your projections, and your potential.

We dig into the realities of fundraising that most founders never get to hear, how investors think, what they look for, and the data that separates believable projections from “pie in the sky.” Nathan also shares incredible insights on leadership, strategic planning, relationship-building, and personal development that every entrepreneur needs in their toolkit. If you're preparing to raise capital, build a team, or scale with confidence, this is absolutely a masterclass.

[1:42] – Nathan shares the unexpected path that led him into banking—and how a college basketball challenge shaped his competitive drive.

[8:55] – The three traits Nathan sees in every successful business, from $1M to $1B in revenue.

[15:40] – Why entrepreneurs must write their business plans through the eyes of the investor, not themselves.

[22:50] – Nathan explains how funders evaluate projections—and why anything beyond 18–24 months is noise.

[33:05] – What peer data really means, and the red flags investors look for when your projections exceed industry averages.

[44:10] – A breakdown of funding stages: self-funding, angels, private equity, senior debt, and when each makes sense.

[58:02] – Nathan’s leadership philosophy and how he builds cultures where people feel seen, supported, and eager to grow.

[1:11:20] – The importance of mentors vs. sponsors—and how to position yourself to be championed by the right people.

[1:21:44] – Nathan’s final advice for aspiring founders: trust your heart, drown out the noise, and never give up.

• Nathan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-nathan-cox/
• Nathan’s Website: https://www.inroadscu.org/
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

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 insights into system-building, team development, and creative sales hacks are absolute gold for anyone in the startup world.

Jacques shares how he bootstrapped a tech business from one desk to 40+ employees, and why clarity, focus, and creative resourcefulness were key to his success. We also dive into how he thinks about startup execution, the "barbershop test" for new ideas, and how to know when (and how) to raise funding. If you're building a company or leading a team, you won't want to miss this episode.

Timeline Summary:

[2:02] - How childhood curiosity and early exposure to business shaped Jacques' entrepreneurial mindset

[6:30] - Discovering inefficiencies in digital legal evidence and launching a disruptive data firm

[11:10] - Why he didn’t hire salespeople—and got business from competitors instead

[16:25] - The importance of hiring right: building a team that trains itself

[20:45] - Jacques’ advice on executing ideas: countdowns, clarity, and the "barbershop test"

[28:10] - How to know when it's time to raise funding (and what kind of raise you need)

[35:30] - Making smart decisions about scaling: partnerships, pricing strategy, and timing

[42:15] - What makes a great CEO at different business stages

[48:00] - Final advice: stick to your spot, work hard, stay honest, and get a little lucky

Links & Resources:

Jacques Nack Website: https://www.jacquesnack.com/

Jacques Nack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacques/

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

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

Closing Remark:

If you found value in Jacques' story and insights, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the Patent Hacks Podcast. Share this episode with a founder or leader who's ready to scale smart and build bold!

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 through every phase of product development and IP strategy.

We talk about the real-world implications of patenting, navigating cash flow challenges, and building a strong team through thoughtful delegation. Cliff also pulls back the curtain on how Innovate leverages in-house inventions, licensed products, and strategic acquisitions to grow their IP portfolio and market reach. If you want to understand how innovation and intellectual property drive sustainable growth, this one is a must-listen.

Timeline Summary:

[1:10] - Cliff shares his startup journey and lessons from his first company

[6:34] - The cash flow trap: Net 90 terms and their hidden impact

[11:42] - Transitioning to Innovate and building an IP-focused culture

[15:20] - Offensive vs. defensive patent strategies in real-world business

[19:56] - Innovate’s product development pipeline and provisional patent strategy

[24:31] - Mistakes, delegation, and the 60% rule for scaling effectively

[31:02] - Evolving from in-house IP to licensing and third-party products

[38:45] - Defending IP against infringers and the costs of enforcement

[46:12] - How patents impact valuation during M&A and investor interest

[50:08] - Communicating ideas to attorneys and vetting prior art

[54:36] - Cliff’s advice to early-stage and scaling inventors: embrace failure

Links & Resources:

• Cliff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliff-budnick-mba-bb277011/
• Cliff’s Website: https://inovate.com/
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Closing:

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast! If you found Cliff's insights helpful, please take a moment to follow, rate, and review the show. And don’t forget to share it with fellow founders, product leaders, or anyone navigating the world of IP and innovation. See you in the next one!