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 CEO@vapenprop.com 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...

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!

I’m thrilled to introduce you to another inspiring journey on Patent Hacks – this time, with Jon Brewton, CEO and founder of Data Squared. Jon’s story begins in the U.S. Air Force, spans global engineering roles in oil and gas, and evolves through top-tier education at NYU, LSE, MIT, Stanford, and Harvard, to running a ML/AI consulting business in Australia. Ultimately, he co‑founded Data Squared in 2023 with a bold vision: develop the world’s only hallucination‑resistant, fully explainable AI system, backed by patent protection.

In this episode, we delve into Jon’s personal transformation, the pivotal moments that shaped Data Squared, the technology edge behind their AI platform, and how intellectual property fuels strategic advantage. Whether you’re curious about startup journeys, AI reliability, or the power of teamwork, this conversation delivers insights you’ll feel empowered to guide your own path.

• [1:05] – Jon shares his journey from military service to engineering and why he pivoted toward business education at NYU, LSE, MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.
• [4:12] – The founding of Data Squared in September 2023, co‑founded with veterans from the Navy SEALs and the Marine Corps, aimed at building smart human‑machine decision‑making.
• [10:20] – Jon reflects on entrepreneurial readiness: his decision to “bet on himself” after working for a large company, resulting in a leap to run an AI‑focused service in Australia.
• [21:30] – Explanation of what “hallucination‑resistant” and “fully explainable” AI means—and why these qualities are game‑changing for enterprise trust.
• [35:05] – Jon unpacks their patented data architecture: knowledge‑graph orchestration, harmonized multimodal data, and how they deliver traceability and auditability in AI systems.
• [40:40] – On patents and IP: how glasses of expertise with the patent office helped shape their roadmap, underscore competitive advantage, and inform product strategy.

• Data Squared website:https://data2.ai/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data2us/
• Jon Brewton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-brewton-datasquared/
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Thanks for listening to Patent Hacks, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share. Your support means the world and helps us bring you more conversations with innovators like Jon. Catch you next time!

In this powerful episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, I sit down with Douglas Crowe, the dynamic CEO of Author Your Brand, who's spent over four decades helping founders, CEOs, and visionaries shape their personal brands and legacies through storytelling. From the highs of multi-million dollar real estate deals to the depths of personal loss during the 2008 crash, Doug shares his raw and inspirational journey back to success—and how he found healing and purpose through the power of his own voice.

We talk about the importance of building a personal brand before you think you're ready, why books are the ultimate long-term marketing tool, and how leveraging your network can become your greatest business asset. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting to think about your legacy, this episode is packed with lessons that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Timeline Summary:

[2:05] - Doug’s unexpected leap from radio to real estate investing and the lessons learned

[6:33] - Losing everything in 2008 and the moment that pulled Doug out of clinical depression

[12:17] - The psychological shift from despair to resilience

[17:02] - The underestimated value of your network

[22:14] - Common misconceptions about building personal brands—and why your story matters

[27:01] - The real impact a book can have on your brand, your business, and your legacy

[34:42] - Why documenting your journey is never too early

[44:55] - How to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay focused on your long-term vision

[49:23] - Doug’s favorite client success story: from $600 office rent to industry influencer

[53:10] - The danger of AI-generated content and how to use AI without losing your authenticity

[55:00] - Building team culture and turning employees into brand advocates

Resources:

Doug Crowe’s Website: https://dougcrowe.com/

Doug Crowe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougcrowe/

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

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

If you enjoyed this episode...

Share it with someone who needs to hear Doug’s incredible comeback story or who’s ready to turn their own journey into a powerful personal brand.

Hey everyone, it’s Trevor Skene, back with another episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, where we dive deep into the minds of today’s top innovators and industry experts.

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Nadja Fromm, powerhouse founder of Fromm Consulting and the strategic marketing mind behind billion-dollar brands like Lindt, Kraft, Heinz, Colgate, and Weber. Nadja shares her fascinating journey from climbing corporate ladders in global boardrooms to taking the bold leap into entrepreneurship—and building a thriving business helping other founders market with purpose.

We dive into the mental shifts required to escape the 9-to-5, how to silence the doubters (including the ones in your own head), and why niching down is the secret to marketing that truly connects. Nadja also unpacks practical strategies for solo founders and startups to build impactful brands—even on lean budgets. If you’re thinking of launching your own venture or ready to sharpen your marketing game, this episode is packed with wisdom you don’t want to miss!

[2:02] – Nadja shares her career journey from Germany to U.S. boardrooms, working with global brands, and how burnout became the catalyst for starting her own consulting business.

[9:28] – The moment of existential crisis in front of a PowerPoint slide that convinced Nadja the corporate climb wasn’t her true path.

[14:15] – “Revenge businesses” and how frustration in corporate environments can become fuel for starting something of your own.

[21:01] – The critical mental shift from employee to entrepreneur: giving yourself permission, leading yourself, and embracing uncertainty without waiting for approval.

[33:20] – How surrounding yourself with the right people—and removing toxic influences—is essential for entrepreneurial success.

[40:12] – The importance of celebrating small wins and Nadja’s Post-it Note trick to track progress and boost confidence.

[45:45] – Why analysis paralysis kills startups and how to treat failures as neutral data points for growth rather than personal judgments.

[51:10] – Nadja explains why businesses rarely fail because of a bad product—and how poor marketing and lack of clear messaging are usually the real culprits.

[56:25] – Deep dive into niching down: why trying to talk to everyone means connecting with no one, and how to create offers that make audiences “lean in”.

[1:00:22] – The one piece of advice Nadja would give any new founder: trust your gut, listen to yourself, and don’t let anyone make you small.

Resources:

Nadja Fromm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadja-fromm/

Nadja Fromm Website: https://www.fromm-consulting.com/

Free Resource for all listeners: https://www.fromm-consulting.com/messaging-playbook

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

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

Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to rate, follow, share, and leave us a review—it helps more founders and innovators like you discover the show. Catch you next time on the Patent Hacks Podcast!

Hey everyone! It’s Trevor Skene, back with another episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, where we dive deep into the minds of today’s top innovators and industry experts.

This week, I’m talking with Timothy Tello, a true visionary and the CEO of 3THIX. Tim’s career spans over a decade in the gaming world, with three successful gaming studio exits under his belt—and now, he’s on a mission to transform how digital advertising, blockchain, and privacy intersect. In this episode, we talk about everything from building startups in gaming, to navigating the nightmare of getting the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain gaming tokens, to why patents matter for entrepreneurs—even if you never plan to enforce them in court.

We also go deep into how Tim’s new venture, 3THIX, is flipping ad-tech on its head, cutting out middlemen, and putting real money back into the pockets of gamers and consumers. If you’re curious about how blockchain can enable new business models, or how to think about patents as strategic assets in tech startups, you won’t want to miss this episode.

[2:20] – Tim shares how he went from Texas oil fields to the gaming industry—and how networking and relentless hustle opened doors in an insular industry.

[7:45] – Inside Tim’s journey as a four-time founder and three-time gaming studio exit, including how gaming companies often center on single-IP plays and why he pivoted from language-learning games to influencer-driven games.

[15:08] – The grueling two-year process of securing the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain tokens in gaming—and how it paved the way for credit card processing and stablecoins in crypto.

[25:42] – Why entrepreneurs need to pause and celebrate wins, big or small, and how Tim balances ambition with mental health and gratitude.

[31:15] – Tim’s perspective on patents: why they’re critical as proof of innovation and how they make startups more “acquirable,” even if you never plan to litigate.

[41:09] – The fine line between moving fast and protecting IP, and how patents, regulations, and competitive landscapes all fit into the startup puzzle.

[51:23] – Tim breaks down how 3THIX is revolutionizing ad-tech by storing purchase data anonymously on blockchain, enabling hyper-targeted ads that reward consumers directly—and why this could transform industries far beyond gaming.

[55:12] – Tim’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “Everything you need is already within you”—plus the power of routine for staying grounded, calm, and confident, especially when pitching investors.

3THIX Website: www.3thix.com

Timothy Tello LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytello

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

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

Thanks so much for tuning in, everyone! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to rate, follow, share, and leave us a review—it helps more innovators like you discover the show. Catch you next time on the Patent Hacks Podcast!