Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property

Hosted by David

Business Investing

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Episodes

155

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

My name is David Spears and I am an Intellectual Property attorney who manages patent portfolios for client ranges from start-up companies to multibillion dollar companies around the world. I am also a former college football player for Michigan State University. I am interviewing people who have invested in themselves and Intellectual property, and who then goes on to start a business around their intellectual Property.

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60 recent

July 30, 202639 min

He Invented a Safer Way to Unclog Gutters | Derek Thompson's Sputter Inventor Journey

Every great invention begins with a problem that everyone else has learned to live with. In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Derek Thompson, inventor and founder of The Sputter, a patented tool designed to safely unclog gutter downspouts—all while keeping homeowners safely on the ground. What started as a simple observation about a common household problem evolved into a mission to make home maintenance safer for everyone, especially seniors, veterans, and anyone who shouldn't have to risk climbing a ladder just to keep water flowing properly. Derek shares the remarkable story behind developing the Sputter, from identifying the problem and designing the solution to navigating the patent process, product development, manufacturing, and bringing an entirely new product to market. He opens up about the challenges every independent inventor faces, the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and why persistence often matters more than having the perfect plan. 00:00 – Meet Derek Thompson & the Story Behind the Sputter 01:48 – The Gutter Problem That Inspired the Invention 06:14 – Why Cleaning Gutters from the Ground Matters 11:37 – Developing the Product and Early Challenges 17:52 – Patents, Protecting the Invention & Intellectual Property 24:28 – Manufacturing and Bringing the Product to Market 31:45 – Entrepreneurship, Persistence & Learning Through Failure 39:21 – Advice for First-Time Inventors and Product Developers 46:54 – Growing the Business and What's Next for the Sputter 53:42 – Final Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Hear #DerekThompson #Sputter #Inventor #Patents #IntellectualProperty #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #StartupJourney #FounderStory #HomeImprovement #GutterCleaning #DIY #SmallBusiness #PatentProcess #InventorLife #EverythingIntellectualProperty #ConsumerProducts #InnovationPodcast

July 22, 202644 min

From a $1 Prototype to a Patented Product | John Spivey’s Comb With Me Inventor Journey

In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with John Spivey, founder and inventor of Comb With Me, to explore the remarkable journey behind his patented folding pocket comb designed for both hair and beards. What began as a simple observation quickly turned into an entrepreneurial mission fueled by creativity, determination, and an unwavering belief in solving everyday problems. Armed with nothing more than a vision, a drill, and a prototype assembled from inexpensive parts, John set out to create something the market had never seen before. John opens up about the emotional roller coaster of becoming an inventor later in life, balancing entrepreneurship with family, navigating product development, and learning the complexities of patents and manufacturing. He shares how a single idea evolved into a commercially viable product, why persistence often matters more than perfection, and the lessons every first-time inventor should hear before bringing an idea to market. #CombWithMe #JohnSpivey #Inventor #Entrepreneur #Patents #IntellectualProperty #ProductDevelopment #ConsumerProducts #StartupJourney #FounderStory #Innovation #SmallBusiness #Manufacturing #BrandBuilding #ProductDesign #PocketComb #BeardCare #HairCare #EverythingIntellectualProperty #InventorLife 00:00 – Meet John Spivey & the Story Behind Comb With Me 01:01 – What Makes the Folding Pocket Comb Different? 03:05 – The $1 Prototype That Started Everything 06:42 – From Everyday Observation to Product Idea 12:18 – Learning Manufacturing as a First-Time Inventor 19:36 – Protecting the Invention with Patents 27:14 – The Challenges of Bringing a Consumer Product to Market 34:28 – Marketing, Branding & Building Comb With Me 42:03 – Advice for New Inventors and Entrepreneurs 49:15 – What's Next for Comb With Me?

July 16, 202629 min

From Operating Room Nurse to Medical Inventor: How Jim Licensed a Life-Saving Surgical Innovation

What happens when a veteran operating room nurse spends decades witnessing the same preventable safety risk—and decides to do something about it? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Jim Siedlack, inventor of StopGuard, a groundbreaking surgical safety device designed to provide a critical second layer of protection for patients during medical procedures. Drawing on more than three decades as a nurse and over twenty years in the operating room, Jim transformed firsthand experience into an innovation that has the potential to improve patient safety in hospitals around the world. But Jim's journey didn't stop with the invention. Instead of taking the traditional path of building a manufacturing company, he pursued a licensing strategy. He shares the realities of navigating patents, developing a medical device, working with industry partners, and why licensing proved to be the right decision for bringing StopGuard to market. Along the way, Jim offers an honest look at the persistence, setbacks, and strategic thinking required to move an idea from the operating room to commercial success. 00:00 – Meet Jim Selak & the StopGuard Story 01:02 – The Patient Safety Problem That Inspired the Invention 04:28 – How StopGuard Protects Patients During Surgery 09:15 – From Operating Room Nurse to Medical Inventor 14:42 – The Patent Process for Medical Devices 20:36 – Why Jim Chose Licensing Instead of Manufacturing 28:11 – Commercializing a Healthcare Innovation 35:04 – Lessons Learned Bringing StopGuard to Market 42:27 – Advice for Medical Inventors 48:15 – The Future of StopGuard and Healthcare Innovation #StopGuard #MedicalInnovation #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalDevice #Inventor #Patents #Licensing #IntellectualProperty #PatientSafety #Entrepreneurship #Startup #FounderStory #OperatingRoom #Nursing #Healthcare #ProductDevelopment #Commercialization #EverythingIntellectualProperty #Innovation

July 8, 202648 min

How Bon AppéSweet Is Reinventing Dessert | The Founder’s Journey from Family Recipe to National Brand

What does it take to transform a cherished family recipe into a nationally recognized dessert brand? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property , we sit down with the founder of Bon AppéSweet to uncover the inspiring journey behind one of the most unique emerging brands in the specialty dessert industry. What began as a passion for creating unforgettable sweets quickly evolved into a mission to build a company that delivers premium desserts while preserving the authenticity and tradition that made them special in the first place. Behind every successful food business is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and relentless execution. Our guest shares the emotional highs and lows of leaving the security of a traditional career, developing products consumers would fall in love with, and navigating the challenges of manufacturing, branding, and scaling a food company in an incredibly competitive marketplace. We also dive into the importance of protecting recipes, trademarks, and intellectual property, revealing how building a recognizable brand can be just as valuable as creating a great product. #BonAppeSweet #FoodStartup #Entrepreneurship #FounderStory #Desserts #Baking #SmallBusiness #FoodInnovation #BrandBuilding #Startup #BusinessPodcast #ConsumerProducts #Trademarks #IntellectualProperty #WomenInBusiness #ProductDevelopment #FoodEntrepreneur #EverythingIntellectualProperty #AmericanDream #SweetSuccess 00:00 – Meet the Founder of Bon AppéSweet 02:06 – The Family Recipe That Started It All 05:48 – Turning a Passion for Baking into a Business 10:15 – Building the Bon AppéSweet Brand 15:02 – Protecting Recipes, Trademarks & Intellectual Property 21:44 – Scaling a Food Business from Local to National 28:36 – Manufacturing, Distribution & Retail Challenges 35:21 – Marketing a Premium Dessert Brand 42:07 – Lessons Learned as a Food Entrepreneur 47:53 – Advice for Aspiring Founders

July 1, 202648 min

How Go Nutz is reinventing Men's and Women's grooming

What does it take to disrupt an industry that's barely changed in decades—and convince people to talk about one of the most uncomfortable grooming topics imaginable? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Landon McKinnis, founder and CEO of Go Nutz, to hear how a college athlete with an entrepreneurial mindset set out to reinvent personal grooming with a patented 360-degree body hair trimmer designed specifically for the body's most sensitive areas. What began as an idea in 2018 quickly evolved into a bold mission to build a category-defining brand that consumers would literally "go nuts" over. Landon shares the behind-the-scenes journey of turning an unconventional idea into a real business, from developing innovative product designs and navigating the patent process to building a memorable brand in one of the most competitive consumer product categories. He explains how persistence, creativity, and an obsession with solving a real customer problem helped him overcome skepticism while bringing a first-of-its-kind grooming product to market. Along the way, he reveals why branding can be just as valuable as the invention itself and how thinking differently became his biggest competitive advantage. www.thegonutz.com 00:00 – Meet Landon McInnes & the Go Nutz Story 01:58 – The Grooming Problem That Inspired the Invention 05:34 – Designing a 360° Patented Grooming Solution 10:18 – Building a Brand Around an Uncomfortable Topic 15:42 – The Patent Process & Protecting the Innovation 22:07 – Manufacturing Challenges & Bringing the Product to Market 28:54 – Marketing Go Nutz in a Competitive Industry 35:11 – Lessons Learned as a First-Time Entrepreneur 42:38 – What's Next for Go Nutz? 47:20 – Advice for Inventors and Consumer Product Founders #GoNutz #LandonMcInnes #MensGrooming #Innovation #Inventor #Patents #IntellectualProperty #Entrepreneurship #Startup #FounderStory #ProductDevelopment #BrandBuilding #ConsumerProducts #Manufacturing #BusinessPodcast #PatentProtection #ProductDesign #InventorLife #EverythingIntellectualProperty #Ecommerce

June 24, 202632 min

How Orlando entrepreneur reinvented dreadlocks with a patented invention

What if you could solve a problem that millions of people have accepted as "just the way it is"? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Majorya Pascal, founder and CEO of Instant Loc, the inventor behind a patented machine that is transforming the way dreadlocks are created. What once took up to six months can now be accomplished in just a few hours—a breakthrough that is reshaping an entire segment of the beauty industry and challenging decades of traditional methods. Marge shares the remarkable journey behind Instant Loc, from identifying a widespread frustration in the natural hair community to developing, patenting, and commercializing an invention that many believed couldn't be done. She opens up about the years of persistence required to move from idea to reality, the obstacles of bringing a first-of-its-kind product to market, and the moment her patent was finally granted. Along the way, she discusses the importance of protecting intellectual property, educating customers on a disruptive technology, and building credibility as an inventor in a competitive industry. #InstantLoc #MargePascal #Inventor #Patents #IntellectualProperty #HairInnovation #BeautyIndustry #Entrepreneurship #FounderStory #Startup #ProductDevelopment #NaturalHair #Locs #Dreadlocks #Innovation #BusinessPodcast #WomenInventors #PatentProtection #EverythingIntellectualProperty #AmericanDream 00:00 – Meet Marge Pascal & the Instant Loc Story 02:18 – The Problem That Inspired Instant Loc 05:47 – Inventing a Faster Way to Create Dreadlocks 10:12 – From Hairstylist to Inventor 15:36 – Securing Patents & Protecting the Innovation 21:40 – Overcoming Skepticism and Industry Resistance 28:14 – Building a Business Around a First-of-Its-Kind Product 34:22 – Manufacturing, Marketing & Growing Instant Loc 41:05 – Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur and Inventor 47:10 – Marge's Advice for Future Inventors

June 10, 202644 min

From Emergency to Innovation: The CPR Wrap Story and the Mission to Save Lives

What if one of the most difficult moments of your life became the catalyst for an invention that could help save countless others? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Felicia Jackson, the inventor behind CPR Wrap, to hear the deeply personal story that transformed a mother's fear into a mission-driven innovation. After experiencing a traumatic event involving her son, she found herself confronting a question no parent ever wants to ask: What happens when the people around us aren't prepared to respond in an emergency? That life-altering experience sparked a relentless pursuit to create a product designed to make CPR more accessible, effective, and less intimidating when every second counts. What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. From navigating the emotional weight of reliving her family's experience to learning the complexities of patents, product development, and commercialization, Felicia shares the realities of bringing a purpose-driven invention to market. She opens up about the setbacks, self-doubt, and persistence required to keep moving forward when the mission becomes bigger than the product itself. #CPRWrap #Innovation #HealthcareInnovation #Inventor #Patents #IntellectualProperty #Entrepreneurship #MedicalDevices #EmergencyPreparedness #CPR #StartupStory #FounderStory #Healthcare #ProductDevelopment #LifeSavingInnovation #InventorLife #BusinessPodcast #MedicalInnovation #EverythingIntellectualProperty #purposedrivenbusiness 00:00 – Introducing the Story Behind CPR Wrap 02:18 – The Emergency That Sparked the Idea 05:42 – Identifying a Critical Gap in CPR Response 09:15 – From Concept to Prototype 13:48 – Navigating Patents and Intellectual Property 18:27 – The Challenges of Commercializing a Medical Innovation 24:36 – Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Mission Focused 31:50 – The Importance of Emergency Preparedness 38:12 – Lessons Learned as an Inventor and Entrepreneur 44:25 – Advice for Anyone Looking to Bring an Idea to Life

June 5, 202645 min

From Hunting Stand Idea to Patented Product: How Compass Carts Landed a Camping World Opportunity

What does it take to turn a simple idea conceived in a hunting stand into a patented product that catches the attention of one of the biggest names in the outdoor and RV industry? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Todd Hanson, founder of Compass Carts, to uncover the entrepreneurial journey behind an innovative all-in-one utility cart system that transforms from a hitch-mounted cargo carrier into a versatile trailer and glide-rack solution. What began as frustration with constantly loading and unloading gear evolved into a product designed to solve a problem millions of outdoor enthusiasts, campers, hunters, and travelers face every year. Todd shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of bringing an invention to life—from building early prototypes out of wood and aluminum to navigating countless design iterations before arriving at a commercially viable product. He reveals the emotional rollercoaster of securing his first major opportunity with Camping World, the pressure of preparing for a make-or-break pitch, and the lessons he learned about perseverance, product development, and protecting intellectual property along the way. https://compasscarts.com #CompassCarts #ToddHanson #Inventor #Innovation #Patents #IntellectualProperty #ProductDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #CampingWorld #OutdoorGear #Manufacturing #Prototype #InventorLife #BusinessPodcast #FounderStory #EverythingIntellectualProperty #AmericanMade #Commercialization #ProductInnovation 00:00 – Meet Todd Hanson & the Compass Carts Story 00:46 – The Problem That Inspired Compass Carts 01:22 – Turning an Idea Into a Prototype 02:03 – What Motivated Todd to Become an Inventor 03:01 – The Importance of Intellectual Property Protection 03:53 – The Camping World Opportunity 04:47 – The Emotional Rollercoaster of the First Big Pitch 05:10 – Racing Against the Clock to Build a Production Model 06:00 – Lessons Learned From Early Product Development 07:15 – Advice for Inventors Looking to Commercialize an Idea

May 28, 202655 min

From Shark Tank to the NBA: How Stomp Athletics Changed Basketball Traction

What happens when two entrepreneurs decide to solve a problem every basketball player experiences? In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Stomp Athletics, David Gonzalez and Michael Manoogian, to discuss the journey behind their innovative traction product designed for athletes across court sports. What started as a simple frustration—constantly slipping on dusty basketball courts—eventually turned into a patented product, a Shark Tank appearance, and partnerships with elite programs and professional teams. David shares the story of sketching the original concept years before launching the business, while Michael explains how he helped scale the company from local school sales into a rapidly growing brand. Together, they break down the realities of entrepreneurship, product development, intellectual property protection, and what it takes to prepare for one of the biggest stages in business television. #StompAthletics #SharkTank #Basketball #SportsInnovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupFounder #Inventor #Patents #IntellectualProperty #BusinessPodcast #SportsBusiness #AthletePerformance #Innovation #FounderStory #StartupJourney #BasketballTraining #SportsTech #BrandBuilding #EverythingIntellectualProperty #EntrepreneurLife 0:00 Intro to Stomp Athletics 1:25 The problem every basketball player understands 5:00 The original idea behind the product 10:00 Early sales and scaling the business 15:00 The Shark Tank entrepreneur community 20:00 Patents, trademarks, and IP challenges 25:00 Preparing for Shark Tank 30:00 Practice, pitching, and confidence 35:00 NBA teams using the product 40:00 Building relationships through entrepreneurship 43:00 The future of Stomp Athletics

May 20, 202651 min

How Rise is reinventing education after Shark Tank

What happens when a former teacher decides the education system is broken… and builds a company designed to completely reinvent how students learn? In this episode of Everything Intellectual Property, we sit down with Trevor Safransky, founder of Rise, the innovative academic and recreation center that captured national attention on Shark Tank. What started as frustration inside the classroom evolved into a bold mission to create the ultimate student experience—one that combines elite academic support with dream-like recreation spaces designed to make kids actually want to learn. Trevor takes us behind the scenes of building Rise from the ground up in Michigan, revealing the emotional highs, financial risks, and relentless belief required to transform a local concept into a nationally recognized brand. From basketball courts and gaming lounges to leadership development and academic coaching, he explains why modern education must evolve beyond traditional tutoring and how Rise is challenging everything parents and students expect from after-school learning. We also dive into the Shark Tank experience, entrepreneurship, branding, intellectual property strategy, and the reality of scaling an education-focused business in today’s world. If you care about innovation, startups, education, or building something that genuinely changes lives, this episode is a masterclass in vision, persistence, and purpose. #Rise #TrevorSafransky #SharkTank #Education #Entrepreneurship #Startup #FounderStory #EducationReform #StudentSuccess #BusinessPodcast #Motivation #Leadership #Innovation #IntellectualProperty #BrandBuilding #MichiganBusiness #Tutoring #YouthDevelopment #EverythingIntellectualProperty #AmericanDream 00:00 – Meet Trevor Safransky & the Rise Story 01:12 – Why Traditional Education Is Failing Students 03:48 – The Vision Behind Rise’s Academic & Recreation Model 06:25 – From Teacher to Entrepreneur 09:40 – Building a Student Experience Kids Actually Love 13:18 – The Business Challenges of Scaling Rise 17:05 – Inside the Shark Tank Experience 22:44 – Branding, Intellectual Property & Protecting the Business 28:10 – The Future of Education & Student Development 34:52 – Trevor’s Advice for Entrepreneurs Building Purpose-Driven Companies