Contributors

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Host

J.D. Houvener

J.D. Houvener is a Registered USPTO Patent Attorney who has a strong interest in helping entrepreneurs and businesses thrive. J.D. leverages his technical background in engineering and experience in the aerospace industry to provide businesses a unique perspective to their patent needs. He works with clients who are serious about investing in their intellectual assets and provides counsel on how to capitalize their patent in the market.

His background in business and experience as an engineer and patent attorney empowers him to clearly communicate to a broad range of clients about their immediate and long-term needs for patenting in order to protect assets, leverage opportunities, and limit liabilities. Some key areas of the patent prosecution practice are: patentability searches, patent applications, office actions, infringement opinions, post-grant actions and consultation on patent strategy and portfolio management.

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Co-host

Matt Kulseth

Matt focuses his legal practice entirely on trademark law and works with both large and small clients throughout the United States. He has a love for protecting brands but an even larger passion for his entrepreneurial clients. He’s a “people person” attorney. Matt resides in Minneapolis where he was born and raised but has lived on the East Coast, Italy, and South Africa. When Matt isn’t practicing law he spending time at his lake cabin in northern Minnesota with his wife Maggie, daughters Faye and Ruby, and dog Otto.

Guests

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Guest

Adam Zimmer

I'm an outside the box thinker that has a passion for patentable product development. I use my experience as engineer, patent examiner, industrial/mechanical designer, manufacturer, and artist to improve upon and create new products for a wide range of industries.

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Allaire Schneider

I am a lab technician / SOP writer at College, where I have been working for over two years. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Medical Lab Science from Grand Valley State University in 2018, after completing a med tech internship and studying pharmacology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology, and more. My core competencies include clinical practices, molecular biology, and life sciences.

As a lab technician / SOP writer, I am responsible for making reagents, water sampling, processing RNA for Covid qPCR testing, inventory and equipment maintenance, and wellness ambassadorship. I have also developed standard operating procedures (SOP) and cost analysis for testing drugs of abuse and antibiotic resistant genes.  I am passionate about applying my skills and knowledge to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients and communities. 

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Ana Juneja

Ana Juneja is a leading intellectual property attorney and the founder of Ana Law LLC. With expertise in trademark, copyright, and patent law, she helps entrepreneurs, celebrities, and businesses protect and monetize their brands. Ana graduated cum laude from Michigan State University and earned her J.D. magna cum laude from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Before founding her firm, she gained experience at the USPTO and Dennemeyer & Associates. Ana’s firm is known for its flat-fee, 100% guaranteed IP services, maintaining a perfect success rate. Recognized as the #1 trademark attorney on social media, she educates over 250,000 followers on legal topics. Her accolades include Super Lawyers® Rising Stars and Best Lawyers® honors. Licensed in multiple states, she is dedicated to making legal protection accessible and effective for modern businesses.

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Carlo Cooper

Carlo Cooper is the inventive force behind CooperGroove®, a revolutionary grip technology transforming how musicians, athletes, and everyday tool users experience performance and control. As founder and CEO, Carlo combined his background in music, design, and entrepreneurship to engineer a patented groove system that reduces vibration, increases comfort, and enhances precision. His innovation has gained traction in both the drumming and baseball worlds, with endorsements from top-tier performers and athletes. A creative thinker and relentless problem-solver, Carlo is passionate about helping people elevate their craft through better design. With a deep respect for user experience and innovation, he continues to expand CooperGroove’s impact across industries—one grip at a time.

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Dr. Mark Noar

At the helm of EndoSure, Inc., strategic development is my forte, bringing forth groundbreaking noninvasive diagnostics to revolutionize women's health. My leadership at The 3CPM Company reflects over two decades of steering multidisciplinary teams, guiding research and development, and mastering regulatory compliance to deliver medical innovations. 

My approach is characterized by a commitment to excellence in entrepreneurship, public speaking, and strategic planning. Collaboratively, we've transcended traditional boundaries in healthcare, fostering advancements that resonate on a global scale. The synthesis of my expertise in technology with a focus on patient care propels the mission of improving lives through medical science.

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Facel Casta-Báez

Facel Casta-Báez is a Puerto Rican inventor, entrepreneur, and the founder of Emu Comfort, a company that designs orthopedic pillows to relieve conditions like sleep apnea, chronic pain, TMJ, and post-surgical discomfort. Her patented cervical pillow system is recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is eligible for health insurance reimbursement in Puerto Rico. Born in San Germán and raised in Mayagüez, she earned degrees in Modern Languages and Finance from the University of Puerto Rico. Fluent in five languages, she taught French and later became a visiting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, where she taught creativity and innovation in organizations. Motivated by her own health challenges, Casta-Báez developed her product line to address real pain points and improve quality of life. She continues to lead Emu Comfort with a mission to expand access to effective, comfort-driven health solutions worldwide.

https://emucomfort.com/
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Julio Martinez-Clark

Julio G. Martinez-Clark is the co-founder and CEO of bioaccess™, a U.S.-based contract research organization (CRO) specializing in early feasibility and first-in-human clinical trials for medical devices in Latin America. With a background in electronics engineering and an MBA, Julio has extensive experience at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and international business. He previously held roles at major telecom firms and served as a consultant in healthcare technology. Julio is also the host of the LATAM Medtech Leaders podcast, where he shares insights into regulatory, clinical, and market access strategies across Latin America. Through bioaccess™, he helps medtech companies accelerate innovation and navigate the complexities of clinical research in emerging markets. Based in Miami, he is a recognized voice in promoting Latin America as a key region for medical device development and global healthcare advancement.

https://www.bioaccessla.com/
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Justin Knowles

Justin Knowles is the Founder and Principal of Facture, a Seattle-based product design and development firm established in 2016. With over two decades of experience in engineering, design, and entrepreneurship, he specializes in transforming innovative concepts into market-ready products. Facture collaborates with startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies to develop a diverse range of products, from smart home appliances to industrial machinery. Justin's approach emphasizes user-centered design, technical precision, and strategic market alignment. Beyond his work at Facture, he actively engages in thought leadership, sharing insights on product development and scaling strategies through podcasts and industry events. His commitment to innovation and practical execution has made him a respected figure in the product development community.​

https://www.facture.design/
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Ken Lemons

🎹 Ken Lemons is the inventor and founder of Musical DNA, a revolutionary music technology company that transforms the way we see and understand sound. With an eclectic academic background spanning engineering, oil painting, theater, and music — including a master’s in piano performance — Ken brings a uniquely creative and analytical lens to music education and innovation. After breaking his hand before a recital, Ken began mapping musical intervals, which led to the patented visualization system known as Musical DNA. With over 29 approved national patents, his work spans education, child development, audio tech, and live performance. Ken’s mission is to make music more intuitive and accessible by revealing its underlying geometry through interactive, colorful, 3D visualizations. His upcoming Musical DNA Visualizer App is set to redefine how we learn, play, and connect with music across generations.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-lemons/
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Kristin Larson

Kristin Schmidt Larson, CAPM, MBA, is an innovative product inventor, published author, and certified project manager. With a background in business and leadership, she combines creative thinking with practical execution to develop solutions that improve everyday life—most notably her invention, Kool Lips, a cooling lipstick case. Kristin is also the author of Traveling Caravan and Growing, two books that explore personal growth and adventure. Her career spans entrepreneurship and team leadership, where she leverages her MBA and CAPM certification to guide projects with precision. Passionate about wellness and kindness, she also founded Simple Kindness, a platform promoting mental health resources and compassionate living.

https://www.simplekindness.co/
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Peter Petroulas

Peter Petroulas is a visionary entrepreneur and the inventor of WizButler, a groundbreaking AI-driven restaurant reservation and optimization platform that’s transforming how venues manage space, timing, and guest experience. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality, Peter combines deep industry insight with cutting-edge technology to create scalable solutions for the modern dining world. He’s served in key executive roles and led award-winning venues, earning recognition for innovation and operational excellence. Peter is passionate about disrupting traditional systems and empowering restaurants to unlock their full potential through automation and data-driven strategy. As the founder and CEO of WizButler, he continues to drive forward-thinking change across the global hospitality landscape.

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Scott McIntosh

Scott McIntosh is a Nashville-based entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist, renowned for inventing the Cell Phone Seat—a versatile vehicle accessory designed to securely hold mobile devices in cup holders without obstructing windshields, vents, or dashboards. Over three years, McIntosh meticulously refined the product's design to ensure universal compatibility and ease of use. His innovation gained significant traction through social media, notably benefiting from the "TikTok Made Me Buy It" trend, which amplified its visibility and consumer interest. Beyond his invention, McIntosh leads Digital Treehouse, a digital marketing agency that leverages tools like Sitechecker to enhance SEO performance for clients and his own ventures. His commitment to creating practical solutions and effective marketing strategies underscores his influence in the entrepreneurial landscape.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmcintosh/
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Troy Schmelzer

Troy Schmelzer is a registered patent attorney who has spent much of his career as a partner in the intellectual property groups of some of the world’s largest law firms. 

Troy has a multi-faceted intellectual property practice that focuses on patent preparation and prosecution, opinions relating to patentability, validity and infringement, freedom to operate assessments and due diligence investigations.

He has experience in a wide array of technologies including smart phones, artificial intelligence, communications equipment, semiconductors and integrated circuits, smart home automation, retail personalization systems, and many others.

Troy received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering as well as his J.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the state bars of Arizona and Illinois.

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Vince Edwards

Hello! I am the CEO and Warrior Chief of Empire Builders. A full-service business consulting firm that builds, grows, and elevates companies to new levels. I am passionate and I love what I do! Empire Builders and I have recently embarked on our mission to help create 500 new 7 figure businesses over the next 5 years! The firm has experts in every discipline of business and decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, startups and scalable businesses. As an individual, I love life, positive people and things. I smile and laugh every day! 

My specialties include Management consulting, executive coaching, debt financing, private equity, HR, project management, strategic planning and other leadership skills.