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What if the biggest threat to your home isn’t what you see — but what’s happening underground?

On this episode of The Bold Inventor Show, J.D. Houvener and Matt Kulseth sit down with inventor and soil expert Bob Brown, founder of Transparent Engineered Solutions and creator of SpatialVision™ 3D Software.

Known as “The Dirt Whisperer,” Bob has spent decades diagnosing structural failures caused by soil movement, expansive clay, moisture imbalance, and corroding rebar. After building and selling a successful foundation repair company, he turned his attention to solving systemic problems in the construction industry through patented systems, non-corrosive materials, and powerful 3D visualization software.

From composite rebar systems to moisture mitigation technology and foundation lifting innovations, Bob shares how he moved from costly early invention mistakes to licensing real-world solutions contractors actually use.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why most foundation failures are misunderstood
• The science of soil expansion and structural lift
• How rusting rebar silently destroys stem walls
• Why better diagnostics unlock better inventions
• The real economics of licensing engineering innovations
• When a patent makes sense — and when it doesn’t

Bob also discusses SpatialVision™, his 3D floor elevation mapping software that helps engineers, inspectors, and contractors visualize slab movement in ways never before possible. Instead of guessing at settlement or heave, professionals can now see it — clearly, precisely, and visually.

🔎 Key Takeaways

• 🧱 Most foundation issues start with misunderstood soil mechanics
• 💧 Moisture migration can lift a home just as easily as it can sink it
• 🧪 Carbonic acid + steel rebar = long-term structural decay
• 🔬 Composite materials may replace steel in future construction
• 📊 Better data visualization leads to better engineering decisions
• 💡 Invent what people need, not just what sounds clever
• 💼 Licensing can be a powerful path after exiting an operating business

Bob’s journey is a masterclass in practical innovation — solving expensive real-world problems with smarter systems and better materials. Whether you’re in construction, engineering, real estate, or product development, this conversation reframes how we think about what’s beneath our feet.

🔥 Hashtags

#BoldInventors, #InventorStory, #SpatialVision, #TransparentEngineeredSolutions, #FoundationRepair, #ConstructionInnovation, #SoilEngineering, #StructuralEngineering, #PatentStrategy, #LicensingDeals, #3DSoftware, #EngineeringEntrepreneur, #BuildingScience, #CompositeMaterials, #StartupFounder, #IPStrategy, #InnovationLeadership, #RealEstateTechnology, #SmartConstruction, #GoBigGoBold

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.

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What starts as a cold morning in a Minnesota tree stand turns into a fully patented, premium outdoor product business. In this episode of The Bold Inventors Show, hosts J.D. Houvener and Matt Kulseth sit down with Todd Hanson, founder of Compass Carts, to unpack the real, unfiltered journey from idea to execution.

Todd didn’t start with a factory, investors, or a perfect plan. He started with a frustrating problem: hauling gear and game on public land where vehicles aren’t allowed. Instead of settling for rattly, flimsy carts, he asked a better question—why can’t a game cart and hitch rack be the same thing?

That question sparked 19 product iterations, countless field tests, and ultimately a granted U.S. utility patent protecting a clever wheel-rotation and hitch-mounted cart system that’s now used by hunters, anglers, outfitters, e-bike riders, and outdoor pros across the country.

In this episode, Todd breaks down:

• How to validate an idea before spending big money
• When it actually makes sense to file a patent (and when it doesn’t)
• Why premium materials can be a competitive advantage
• How patents increase company value—even before big sales
• The realities of trade shows, copy risks, and overseas manufacturers
• Why resilience matters more than perfection for inventors

Whether you’re a first-time inventor, a weekend tinkerer, or a founder thinking about patents, licensing, or acquisition, this episode delivers practical insight without the fluff.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 🦌 Solve a real problem you personally experience
• 🔁 Expect many iterations—version 1 is never the final version
• 📄 Patents work best after market validation, not before
• 💰 IP can raise valuation even before major revenue
• 🛠️ Premium design + durability = long-term brand trust
• 🌎 Trade shows create exposure and copy risk—be prepared
• 🧠 Resilience beats perfection every time

🎧 Perfect for: inventors, product founders, outdoor entrepreneurs, hardware startups, and anyone curious about patents, trademarks, and real-world commercialization.

🔥 Hashtags

#BoldInventors, #InventorJourney, #ProductDevelopment, #StartupStory, #Patents, #EntrepreneurLife, #HardwareStartup, #OutdoorInnovation, #HuntingGear, #EbikeAccessories, #PatentLaw, #TrademarkStrategy, #InventorMindset, #FromIdeaToMarket, #FounderStories, #AmericanInnovation, #IPStrategy, #StartupLessons, #ProductDesign, #GoBigGoBold

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.

Send us a text

This week on the Bold Inventors Show, hosts J.D. Houvener (patent attorney, Bold Patents) and Matt Kulseth (trademark attorney) sit down with Steve Waddell, the founder of Nasoni—the company reinventing the everyday faucet into a hands-free fountain + smart accessibility platform.

Steve’s journey is a masterclass in what it really takes to go from problem → prototype → pitch wins → product → pivots → clinical trials → grants. If you’ve ever wondered “Is my idea too small?” or “How do I fund this thing?”—this episode is for you.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

💡 The “rinse test”: why brushing your teeth inspired a whole product category
🏗️ How Steve built early proof-of-concept prototypes (and what he learned the hard way)
🏆 Startup competition strategy: how pitch wins helped fund real momentum
📺 Steve Harvey’s Thunderdome: what it’s like to pitch on a high-pressure stage
🧪 From consumer product to healthcare tech: how Nasoni evolved into assistive innovation
🧓♿ Accessibility & independence: adapting faucet control for users with mobility challenges
🔬 Clinical trials + NIH grants: what it takes to validate and scale a medical-adjacent product
⚖️ Patents, timing, and ROI: when filing too early can backfire—and how to think about IP strategy
🌀 Motion mark trademark: yes, that’s a thing—and Steve actually has one

🔥 Why this matters for inventors

Nesoni’s story shows how a product can start as a simple consumer “aha” moment… and become a mission-driven platform that helps real people live more independently—while still requiring smart decisions around funding, manufacturing, IP, and go-to-market timing.

📌 Watch live

We’re live every Wednesday at 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern on LinkedIn + YouTube.
Bring your questions—patents, trademarks, product launches, licensing, and more (just keep it non-confidential since we’re live).

🔗 Want confidential guidance? Book a free discovery call at BoldPatents.com.

#BoldInventorsShow #Nesoni #SmartFaucet #Innovation #Patents #Trademarks #InventorJourney, #Nasoni, #SteveWaddell, #BoldInventorsShow, #BoldPatents, #PatentLaw, #TrademarkLaw, #Inventors, #Entrepreneurship, #StartupJourney, #ProductDevelopment, #HardwareStartup, #SmartHomeTech, #AssistiveTechnology, #AccessibilityInnovation, #NIHGrants, #ClinicalTrials, #PitchCompetition, #Manufacturing, #IPStrategy, #MedicalDevices

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.