What does it take to turn a backyard game into a scalable business with patents, licensing deals, and national recognition? In this episode of The Bold Inventor Show, hosts J.D. Houvener and Matt Kulseth sit down with Brian Poeter, inventor and founder of Fanbags Cornhole, to unpack the journey of transforming a simple idea into a thriving company that’s innovating one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Brian takes us back to his college days when he first spotted the problem: cornhole boards were clunky, worn out, and expensive to replace. From a $350 garage prototype to a patented interchangeable playing surface system, he reveals the scrappy beginnings and the pivotal design iterations that made Fanbags stand out in a crowded market.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Brian shares the hard lessons learned from trying DIY patent filings, how COVID nearly shuttered his 6,000-sq-ft shop, and why licensing with other companies became a survival—and growth—strategy. He pulls back the curtain on the art of negotiating licensing deals, what pros and cons come with allowing other brands to white-label your patented product, and why he chose to keep tight control over the Fanbags name.

You’ll also hear about Brian’s foray into sponsorships with ESPN cornhole pros, near-misses with NFL licensing, and how he balanced protecting IP with building authentic business relationships. The conversation is rich with practical nuggets for inventors, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to take an idea from concept to commercialization.

💡 “If you’ve got an idea, write it down, protect it, and just take your shot. You only get one life—why not throw that bag?”

👉 Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, legal insights from J.D. and Matt, and Brian’s no-nonsense advice for bold entrepreneurs ready to bring their visions to life.

• 🛠️ How Brian turned a $350 garage project into a patented product
• 📜 The dangers of DIY patent filings (and how pros saved the day)
• 🔄 Lessons from pivoting product design through four iterations
• 🤝 Licensing deals: handshake agreements vs. formal contracts
• 🎯 Why Brian refused to let others use the Fanbags name
• 📈 Sponsorships, ESPN exposure, and building credibility in niche sports
• 💰 The real costs of licensing with the NFL, NCAA, and Marvel
• 🚀 Entrepreneur mindset: protect your IP, but never stop iterating

Support the show

Have an invention or brand to protect? Or just curious about learning more? Download our FREE Inventor Kit here: https://keap.page/gw292/inventor-kit.html

DISCLAIMER
Everything discussed on this podcast is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.

On this episode of The Bold Inventor Show, hosts J.D. Houvener (patent attorney) and Matt Kulseth (trademark attorney) kick things off by exposing a bizarre Amazon trademark scam. Imagine someone registering generic design marks — like outlines of scissors — then using them to file takedowns against legitimate sellers. The duo breaks down how bad actors exploit loopholes, how Amazon’s automated system often enables these tactics, and why small businesses lose millions before appeals catch up. It’s a must-listen for any brand owner navigating Amazon’s complex IP battlefield.

But the spotlight shines brightest on guest Sarah Noah, inventor, founder of Apex Concrete Innovations, and director of global engagement at Clistar. Sarah’s journey is anything but conventional — from growing up in a household of 11 siblings and foster kids, to co-inventing a patented power trowel with her brother John, to spearheading sustainable building initiatives worldwide.

Her patented tool reimagines the ancient hand trowel, attaching to a drill for faster, safer, and more ergonomic concrete finishing. Yet Sarah’s impact doesn’t stop at tools. Through Zeolite Composites and GreenerConcrete.com, she’s advancing low-carbon, high-strength cement alternatives — a breakthrough that not only reduces emissions but also cleans contaminated soil and water.

The conversation covers:

• Why being a female founder in construction tech means breaking stereotypes daily.
• How 3D concrete printing combined with zeolite could transform affordable housing in Africa.
• What it takes to commercialize a patent beyond the grant — including prototypes, safety hurdles, and manufacturing partnerships.
• How global networks like GNII and collaborations with the UN’s SDG Academy are fueling her mission to scale.

Sarah also teases her next big stage: launching at the World of Concrete 2024 in Las Vegas, where she’ll showcase the patented power trowel alongside a book release documenting her founder journey.

This episode blends hard-nosed IP strategy with visionary sustainability goals. If you’ve ever wondered how inventions move from a patent drawing to global impact — or how one founder can juggle concrete tools, greener building materials, and global development — Sarah’s story is proof that innovation knows no boundaries.

📌 Key Takeaways

• 🛡️ Amazon IP scams are real — automated systems often side with bad actors.
• ✍️ Design mark ≠ word mark — know the difference before filing.
• 🛠️ The power trowel reinvents concrete finishing — faster, safer, drill-powered.
• 🌍 Zeolite replaces cement — stronger, lower carbon, and cleans toxins.
• 🏗️ 3D printing with zeolite enables durable, sustainable housing.
• 👩‍🔬 Female founders innovate differently — persistence breaks barriers.
• 🌱 Sustainability partnerships matter — global networks accelerate adoption.
• 🚀 Prototypes > paperwork — investors want to see real-world proof.

Support the show

Have an invention or brand to protect? Or just curious about learning more? Download our FREE Inventor Kit here: https://keap.page/gw292/inventor-kit.html

DISCLAIMER
Everything discussed on this podcast is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.

On this week’s Bold Inventor Show, hosts J.D. Houvener (patent attorney) and Matt Kulseth (trademark attorney) open with fresh Q&A from inventors and entrepreneurs before sitting down with a guest who has turned decades of media experience into a tech solution for our cluttered digital age.

The show kicks off with JD and Matt answering real-world questions:

• Can you legally resell and restore old patented products, like fishing lures?
• How do expired patents open opportunities for innovators?
• What happens when trademarks, trade dress, and design patents collide?
• Is it trademark infringement to use real names or character-inspired names in creative works?

Their legal insights, explained in plain English, help demystify the overlapping worlds of patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Then, from Amsterdam, Geoff Harrison joins the conversation to share his entrepreneurial journey. A veteran of professional radio and journalism, Jeffrey was first introduced to email at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer — a moment that inspired him to think ahead about how technology would transform everyday life. By 1996, he was envisioning what became the Multi-Screen Menu, a mobile filing cabinet designed to simplify how we store, organize, and access documents.

Fast forward to today, and Harrison has brought that vision to life:

• 18 customizable boxes to organize everything from travel papers to pet records.
• Offline access to critical documents, especially useful for travelers and in natural disasters.
• Encrypted storage, offering security at the same level as WhatsApp.
• Real-world use cases from airport check-ins to emergency evacuations, where seconds matter.

But building an app is only the start. Harrison reveals the uphill battle of getting listed on app stores, why 2.8 million apps were rejected in 2024, and why his strategy focuses on licensing deals with phone manufacturers instead of fighting for visibility in a sea of millions of apps.

From surviving rejection, pitching investors, and navigating IP strategy, this episode is a masterclass for anyone looking to transform a simple idea into a real-world solution.

📌 Key Takeaways

• 🎣 Expired patents open doors — innovators can legally improve old products.
• ⚖️ Trademark vs. trade dress vs. copyright — why knowing the difference matters.
• 📱 Multi-Screen Menu app organizes your life into 18 simple boxes.
• 🌍 Perfect for travelers, students, parents, and professionals.
• 🔒 Fully encrypted — even the app creator can’t see your data.
• 🛠️ Building an app is just step one — marketing and licensing are the real hurdles.
• 💡 Inventors should think beyond the app store and toward device-level partnerships.
• 🚀 Entrepreneurial wisdom: keep it lean, stay persistent, and focus on solving real problems.

Support the show

Have an invention or brand to protect? Or just curious about learning more? Download our FREE Inventor Kit here: https://keap.page/gw292/inventor-kit.html

DISCLAIMER
Everything discussed on this podcast is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.