Welcome to the very first episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast! I'm your host, Trevor Skene, and today I'm kicking things off with a personal deep dive into my own entrepreneurial journey and how Patent Hacks came to life. If you've ever wondered about the story behind a business or felt the sting of missing out on a big idea, this episode is for you. I share my own experiences—from my early inventive mindset and my pivotal "Tile moment" to my time as a federally contracted Patent Examiner—and how these shaped our mission to make patents more affordable and accessible for everyone.

We also discuss the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the importance of having a clear "why," and some hard-earned lessons about working with marketing teams, finding the right audience, and building a business plan. Tune in to learn more about what drives Patent Hacks and get actionable advice if you're thinking about starting or scaling your own venture.

• [1:45] - Why this solo episode is your essential introduction to Patent Hacks.
• [4:10] - My journey from inventor-minded high school student to federally contracted Patent Examiner.
• [8:25] - The "Tile" story: How my first big idea became a $200 million missed opportunity.
• [13:30] - Meeting my business partners and how our mission to democratize patents began.
• [18:50] - Building Patent Hacks’ educational platform to empower DIY patent filing.
• [25:15] - Learning from our audience and introducing actionable patent-prep services.
• [31:45] - The realities (and pitfalls!) of working with marketing agencies.
• [38:10] - Advice on choosing the right audience and creating a winning business plan.
• [43:30] - My ultimate advice to new entrepreneurs: why believing in yourself is crucial to your success.

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

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