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!

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 journey from Wall Street to founding a hedge fund and ultimately building a powerful syndicate of family offices managing billions in assets. We dive into how these private entities differ from traditional private equity and venture capital, the concept of "patient capital," and why family offices may be the future of both innovation and philanthropy. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the future of wealth, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Timeline Summary:

[1:22] - Ron shares his career beginnings and early experience at Drexel Burnham

[5:45] - Launching his hedge fund and transitioning into family office investing

[9:03] - Differences between family offices and traditional private equity/VC

[14:16] - The advantage of patient capital in the family office model

[18:50] - Creating Family Office World Media to drive collaboration and education

[26:32] - How Stanford and Booth schools helped build a family office curriculum

[32:10] - The lack of a playbook and how education is changing the family office model

[39:18] - Investing with purpose: how family offices are solving real-world problems

[46:27] - What Ron looks for in startups and why he bets on the entrepreneur

[53:06] - Advice for entrepreneurs on navigating funding and maintaining balance

Links & Resources:

• Ronald’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronalddiamond/
• Ronald’s Website: https://www.diamondwealthstrategies.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 enjoyed this conversation with Ronald Diamond, please take a moment to rate, review, and follow the show. Don’t forget to share it with friends or colleagues who might benefit from the insights. Catch you in the next episode!