Each Wednesday join me as I share the ins and outs of that quilt life. If you don't have a sewing machine, can bust out a super fly Y seam, or just want to hear about the newest or coolest quilty news, this is the podcast for you
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Weekly podcasts with Paul Merriman. Strategic planning for investing at every stage of life.
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My name is David Spears and I am an Intellectual Property attorney who manages patent portfolios for client ranges from start-up companies to multibillion dollar companies around the world. I am also a former college football player for Michigan State University. I am interviewing people who have invested in themselves and Intellectual property, and who then goes on to start a business around their intellectual Property.
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IP Secrets Behind a $299 Cat Frame Revolution š¾
1:04:40
1:04:40
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1:04:40Frame Your Feline co-founders Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes discuss their revolutionary $299 cat frame and its game-changing design. From their journey in innovation to securing patents and trademarks, they share insights on intellectual property, overcoming manufacturing challenges, and the inspiration behind their feline-focused invention. Tā¦
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$100 a month to $37 million, Bear markets, Bogleheads and a free education
48:44
48:44
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48:44Today Iāve got a lot to share: my recent trip to Western, new educational tables from Daryl Bahls, a must-read article by Ben Carlson, a fantastic free resource called Rebel Finance, and some takeaways from the latest Bogleheads meeting. Last week, I spent two full days at Western, meeting with students, faculty, and staff. I gave presentations to ā¦
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From NASA to Patents: How Air Tulip Was Invented
52:06
52:06
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52:06AirTulip CEO Arjen de Jong, PhD discusses his groundbreaking IP-protected air-purifying headboard that transforms how we think about clean air. Unlike traditional air purifiers, this innovative headboard creates a pure, allergen-free bubble of air around your bed, leveraging laminar flow technology. Arian shares insights into his engineering backgrā¦
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Vanguard vs. Mutual Shares, Who is the Long Term Champ
32:28
32:28
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32:28In this episode, Paul Merriman details his upcoming presentations at Western Washington University, where he will be connecting with students, professors, and staff about the critical importance of personal finance education. Paul also gives practical investing advice, including a hands-on guide to using Morningstarās chart and comparison tools to ā¦
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Swat & Scoop: From Patent to Market Success
54:00
54:00
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54:00Scott Putnam, founder of SWAT and Scoop and creator of Inventor's Edge, talks about mastering intellectual property and licensing secrets that give inventors the edge in their journey. Scott discusses his invention of the innovative SWAT and Scoop, a first-of-its-kind tool that combines a swatter and scoop, and shares how it went from idea to patenā¦
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Prior to discussing his topic of the day, Paul shares his thoughts on a recent podcast featuring Truth Tellers Tom Cock and Don McDonald, joined by Weston Wellington from Dimensional Fund Advisors. Weston weighs in on some of the most critical issues facing investors right now. Here are the topics on the podcast with Tom Cock and Don McDonald- 0:53ā¦
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How IP Saved Rinseroo from Knockoffs šæ
41:14
41:14
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41:14In this interview, the founders of Rinseroo, Lisa and Jake Lane, discuss how intellectual property (IP) protections like patents and copyrights played a critical role in saving their innovative rinsing device from knockoffs flooding the market. They share their journey of turning a simple idea into a multimillion-dollar business, their experience cā¦
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Mastering Patience: Insights for Long-Term Success in DIY Investing
1:04:13
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1:04:13Being a do-it-yourself investor can be both rewarding and challenging. In this episode, we explore the essential mindset and strategies needed to succeed in the long term. Drawing from academic research, historical data, and decades of experience, this episode covers: Why short-term returns are often just noise and how to focus on the bigger picturā¦
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RIVERBEND: Secrets to Patent Success They Donāt Tell You
1:03:54
1:03:54
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1:03:54In this interview, inventor Erik Diedrichsen discusses the secrets to patent success and the challenges inventors face when protecting intellectual property. He shares his journey from shelving an idea to turning it into a multimillion-dollar business and talks about battling knockoffs, navigating lawsuits, and working with attorneys. Eric highlighā¦
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Market Timing vs. Buy & Hold: Why market timing fails the test for most investors
38:17
38:17
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38:17"Buy and hold investors donāt just win on average returnsā they win by avoiding the behavioral landmines that sabotage long-term success.ā Paul Merriman In this podcast Paul addresses one of the most important investment decisions a do it yourself investor will make. Paul opens the discussion with comments from a Forbes article from 2008 that discuā¦
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Mastering IP: Lessons from Awkward Gamesā Success
55:27
55:27
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55:27Brittane Rowe, co-founder of Awkward Games, discusses how mastering intellectual property (#IP) helped her team build a multimillion-dollar business with their hit card games like Hella Awkward and Build A Bae. She talks about the challenges of navigating #patent and trademark processes, the role of feedback in refining ideas, and the journey from ā¦
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Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar Decisions
30:57
30:57
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30:57Watch Video here April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Educatiā¦
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How a Theme Park Was Built on Perseverance & IP Protection
53:26
53:26
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53:26Jacob Robinson, co-founder of Dig World, talks about protecting your ideas and shares the journey behind creating a multimillion-dollar construction theme park. Learn how his passion, perseverance, and smart decisions led to Dig World's success, uncover valuable lessons for entrepreneurs. Jacob discusses what it takes to turn ideas into reality, frā¦
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WSCPA- The ultimate buy and hold portfolio
59:38
59:38
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59:38Watch video here This updated discussion of the Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio highlights the advantages of equity asset allocation and worldwide diversification. The presentation was presented to members of the Washington State Society of CPAs. At the end of the presentation Paul adds his list of 15 million dollar decisions that all investors wilā¦
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The Untold IP Lessons Behind Dr. B's Elixir
56:41
56:41
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56:41In this interview, Curtis Breville, creator of Dr. B's Elixir, discusses the untold intellectual property lessons behind his groundbreaking invention. He talks about how his cooling mouth spray eliminates pain from spicy foods, the challenges of securing patents, and the importance of trademarks in protecting his brand. Curtis shares his journey frā¦
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How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick Ferri & Paul Merriman
1:35:02
1:35:02
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1:35:02Watch the video here Join me on Catching Up to Fi l with Rick Ferri to discuss key investing topics like asset allocation and the pros and cons of small-cap value vs. total market funds. TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS 00:00 āļø Understanding Bonds and Young Investors 02:31 š Introduction to Financial Literacy Titans 03:12 š Paul Merriman's Financial Educatioā¦
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Protecting Your Ideas: Lessons from a Quilt Innovator
1:00:54
1:00:54
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1:00:54Mike O'Dell, founder of Legit Kits, discusses protecting ideas, entrepreneurship, and the power of innovation in "Protecting Your Ideas: Lessons from a Quilt Innovator." In this interview, Mike talks about his journey creating a multimillion-dollar quilting business, his Shark Tank experience, and how intellectual property like trademarks and copyrā¦
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Small Cap Value Showdown Between Financial Legends ā (This Could Add Millions To Your Retirement!)
1:56:06
1:56:06
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1:56:06In the left corner, we have Paul Merriman, the seasoned finance veteran weighing in at 183 pounds. In the right corner, Dr. Karsten Jeske, the scrappy newcomer at 208 pounds. The bell rings, and the small cap value debate begins. This episode features a financial boxing match between two investment heavyweights with dramatically different perspectiā¦
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How Dori Young Revolutionized Eyewear Cleaning
46:57
46:57
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46:57In this interview, Dori Young discusses her journey as the inventor of Clean Peepers and how she revolutionized eyewear cleaning with her innovative hand-fitted cleaning cloth. She talks about the inspiration behind her invention, overcoming challenges in product design, and the importance of intellectual property in protecting her ideas. Dori alsoā¦
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If a retired investor has the ability to use a flexible distribution strategy it will likely produce one of the best financial outcomes in retirement. Before discussing flexible distributions Paul lists the reasons he believes that 99% of successful long term depends on defensive steps. After listing 18 defensive decisions he explains why flexible ā¦
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How We Built the World's First EVA Foam Cooler
1:12:19
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1:12:19In this interview, co-founders Chad Lee and David Kittle discuss designing and building the world's first EVA foam cooler. They talk about the innovative use of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), the challenges they faced in manufacturing, and the role of intellectual property, including patents, in protecting their invention. The duo shares their Sharkā¦
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Boot Camp #6 Fixed Distributions 2025 Update
46:33
46:33
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46:33The move from the accumulation to distribution period of an investors lifetime includes some very important decisions. What asset allocation between equities and fixed income? What combination of equity asset classes in the equity portion, as well as fixed income asset classes? What amount of distribution will be made annually? Will the payments beā¦
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From Broke to Shark Tank: The Card.io Rise
54:27
54:27
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54:27In this interview, Destin George Bell, creator of the groundbreaking app Card.io, talks about building an app that turns running and walking into an exciting team-based turf war game. He discusses the inspiration behind the idea, challenges of starting from scratch, and how he landed a deal on Shark Tank. Destin shares insights on navigating entrepā¦
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Bootcamp #5 Fixed Contributions Update 2025
1:05:58
1:05:58
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1:05:58Watch video here Young and first time investors have to address a number of monumental decisions. How much money to save for the future How much they should invest in equities and bonds How much of the equities should be in large, small, value, growth, U.S. and international asset classes How much to increase the investment each year This podcast/vā¦
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From Bear Coats to Business Success on Shark Tank
46:54
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46:54In this interview, Giancarlo DiMeo , founder of Wild Coat, talks about turning fun animal-themed ski coats into business success. From the invention of bear coats to Shark Tank negotiations, Carlo shares insights on entrepreneurship, product design, and creating a standout brand. He discusses the coats' unique functionality, sustainability, and howā¦
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Bootcamp #4- Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation 2025 Update
49:31
49:31
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49:31Here is the video link- This is the 4th in a series of 9 Boot Camp videos/podcasts. The previous three segments covered : Stocks vs. Bonds The Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio Sound Investing Portfolios. In this presentation Paul focuses on the differences between the risks and returns of different percentages stocks and bonds. He also discusses oneā¦
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In this interview, Sara Slettebo discusses how she patented her invention, Dry in Stride, and built a business from the ground up. She talks about navigating challenges like securing a patent, finding the right attorney, and scaling her product for the market. Sarah shares insights on entrepreneurship, the value of intellectual property, and how cuā¦
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Bootcamp #9 - Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations
1:10:53
1:10:53
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1:10:53Watch Video here Chris Pedersen updates his recommendations and describes his selection process in an interactive presentation with Paul and Daryl along for the ride. This "Best In Class ETFs Recommendations" presentation is the 9th in the Boot Camp Series. (We have not completed some of the earlier presentations due to the high interest in Chris' ā¦
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How I Scaled a $150K Startup with IP and Innovation
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43:01In this interview, Jake Piekarski shares how he scaled his $150K snow removal startup, Snow Scholars, by leveraging intellectual property, innovation, and a unique business model. Jake talks about employing college students, creating flexible job opportunities, and developing custom software with a pending patent to manage operations across multiplā¦
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Bootcamp #1 - The Biggest Decision of All: Stocks vs. Bonds
1:13:07
1:13:07
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1:13:07The 2024 numbers are finally in and we have produced the #1 investment decision in the Bootcamp series. There is no question that the biggest lifetime decision an investor makes is the choice between the safety of bonds and the potential long term growth of stocks. Here is aā linkā to the pdf of the set of slides Paul uses in the presentation. The ā¦
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From Low-Income Living to Shark Tank Success š¼
53:03
53:03
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53:03Matt Hall, founder and CEO of TrueFit Customs, discusses how he risked $125K to build a $15M business. He talks about his journey from low-income housing to scaling his revolutionary custom-fit mouthguard company, which now serves NFL and NHL teams like the Eagles and Rams. Matt shares the challenges of starting with credit card debt, his breakthroā¦
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The Good, Bad, Ugly and Average Risk and Returns of Small Cap Value, S&P 500 and 2 and 4 Fund Portfolios
48:53
48:53
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48:53The purpose of this podcast/video is to help investors understand the likely risk and return parameters of small cap value, S&P 500, 2 Fund Portfolio (50% each SCV/S&P) and 4 Fund Portfolio (25% each SCV/S&P/SCB/LCV). In each case the best, worst, and average 1, 2, 3, 5, 10. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 year returns are listed. The following tables are dā¦
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Patent Power: How a Teen Secured $1M in Sales
10:59
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10:59In this interview, Mickey shares how protecting intellectual property turned a school idea into a $1M business. He discusses the invention of the Ornament Anchor, created to keep Christmas ornaments safe, and how he and his brother started the business as kids. Mickey talks about securing a patent, their grassroots strategy to test the product at lā¦
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How IP Saved SwiftPaws from Knockoffs š¾
27:22
27:22
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27:22In this interview, Meghan, the founder of SwiftPaws, discusses how intellectual property, including patents, helped her tackle knockoffs and protect her invention. She talks about turning challenges into wins with a groundbreaking licensing deal and highlights how IP can safeguard small businesses. From handling lawsuits to collaborating with manufā¦
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Bootcamp #2 The Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio: Update 2025
40:33
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40:33This is the second presentation in the Boot Camp Series.Click for video. The first presentation (Stocks Vs. Bonds) will be available in the next two weeks. This presentation makes the case for diversifying a portfolio using multiple equity asset classes. Paul uses 4 set of tables to make his case: A1a:Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (50% US/50ā¦
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In this Podcast, Paul, Chris, and Daryl describe the Sound Investing Portfolios and their background, rationale, construction, and performance. 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - DFA Background 05:47 - Portfolio Rationale 11:45 - Allocations 14:11 - Backtesting & Comparisons 19:32 - Rewards of Diversification 28:42 - Differing Good Times 32:40 - 70/30 US/Int'l ā¦
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How Social Justice Shaped a Sneaker Empire
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46:39
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46:39In this interview, Sam Hunt, cofounder of 1587 Sneakers, discusses why intellectual property matters for startups. As the first Asian American sneaker brand, 1587 Sneakers stands out with its bold mission and unique identity. Sam shares lessons on navigating the challenges of the sneaker industry, protecting IP, and embracing authenticity. He also ā¦
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1
The Index Edge: Paul Merrimanās Investment Insights
1:15:50
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1:15:50In this insightful conversation, renowned financial expert Paul Merriman shares his wealth of knowledge and experience in investing. He discusses his journey from stockbroker to founding his own investment advisory firm, and eventually establishing the Merriman Financial Education Foundation. Paul delves into various topics, including: ā
The importā¦
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In this interview, the founders of Tavern to Go discuss their groundbreaking inventionāpre-assembled backyard bars that have taken Shark Tank by storm! š¦š¹ Learn how they turned a $100 idea into a multimillion-dollar success, offering cost-effective and customizable solutions for backyard makeovers nationwide. The duo talks about their Shark Tank exā¦
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The podcast starts with a brief history of the growth of the Merriman Financial Literacy Foundation. From itās small beginning in December 2012, it has produced over 1000 videos, articles and podcasts, published 6 books, spoken at many national conferences, underwritten a university class on investing for non finance majors at Western Washington Unā¦
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By David
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Why should small cap value make higher returns?
56:23
56:23
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56:23In this first Q&A podcast of 2025, Paul, Daryl, and Chris discuss several listener questions and expand on Paul's rebuttal of Big ERN's recent criticisms of diversifying with small-cap value. 0:00 ā Introduction 0:29 ā Responding to Big ERN's critique 2:11 ā Small-cap value lumpsum vs. dollar-cost averaging 6:38 ā Daryl's take on SCV's premium persā¦
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The Truth About IP Investment: From Pop-Up Idea to Shark Tank
46:21
46:21
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46:21Tyler Simmons, inventor of Bucket Golf, shares his journey from pop-up idea to Shark Tank success. He discusses how his backyard game for golfers and non-golfers alike grew into a multimillion-dollar business. Tyler reveals the challenges of bringing an invention to market, including patent considerations and the decision to invest in IP protectionā¦
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There has been a lot of anti small cap value articles and podcasts over the last several years. I have been asked many times whether I think the small cap value premium is a thing of the past.In this podcast I have addressed the most commonly discussed criticisms of small cap value. During the presentation I reference a blog entitled, "Small-Cap Vaā¦
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From Lab to Shark Tank: Chalkless Grip's Journey
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57:17From Lab to Shark Tank: Join James Pidhurney, chemical engineer and co-founder of Chalkless Grip, as he reveals how a simple grip problem led to a revolutionary product. Discover how this innovative grip enhancer emerged during COVID-19 when James applied his chemical engineering expertise to solve a friend's tennis grip issues. Unlike traditional ā¦
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How This Latina Turned $25K Into a Multi-Million Dollar Patent
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48:30How a Latina inventor transformed $25,000 into a multi-million dollar success story with her innovative crystal application tool. Norma Rapko shares her incredible journey from crafting at home to securing major retail partnerships and becoming a top seller on HSN. Despite having no high school diploma or formal business training, she developed theā¦
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Could this be the #1 Reason to Invest in Index Funds? Part 2
18:13
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18:13On December 26, 2019 Paul recorded a podcast entitled, āCould This Be the #1 Reason to Invest in Index Funds?ā We were shocked to learn that over 1,000,000 investors opened the podcast. In this podcast he addresses the topic again in āCould This Be the #1 Reason to Invest in Index Funds? Part 2ā The podcast reviews the well established index advantā¦
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Paul, Daryl, and Chris discuss the risks of investing and life. Paul starts with an introduction and admission of his challenges managing risks related to diet and health. He then gets Chris and Daryl to chime in with their definitions and perspectives on risk. Daryl then shares a framework for evaluating risk from his days as a systems engineer. Tā¦
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From Healthcare to Cat Care: A $288 IP Success Story
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1:03:59From Healthcare to Cat Care: Watch how a former healthcare executive created an innovative $288 elevated cat litter solution that's changing lives for both cats and their owners. Amy Leiker shares her inspiring journey of identifying a critical need in pet care and developing the world's first elevated litter station, Lofty Loo. Learn how she transā¦
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While I was at the Bogleheads conference in Minneapolis earlier this year, I had a lengthy interview with Paula Pant. I enjoyed the interview and found lots of questions and comments under the YouTube presentation that I wanted to answer. While I wrote short comments on the site, I decided many of the questions were worthy of more discussion.Here iā¦
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