What does it take to turn a simple car cupholder idea into a multi-million dollar invention—while fending off a tidal wave of copycats? In this high-energy episode of the Bold Inventor Show, JD Houvener and co-host Matt Kulseth sit down with the tenacious and innovative Scott McIntosh, founder of the Cell Phone Seat, to dive into his wild entrepreneurial journey.
Scott shares how a messy car moment sparked the idea for a sleek phone holder that fits snugly into a cupholder—without sacrificing beverage space. But the story only starts there. 🚗📱
🛑 He faced a failed Kickstarter
🎯 Turned a caffeine-fueled brainstorm into real traction
🧠 Bootstrapped 3D prototyping with a college student
💡 Discovered TikTok virality (50M+ views!)
🛍️ Sold over $2M in product
⚖️ Battled waves of counterfeits across Amazon, eBay & AliExpress
🧱 Built IP defenses with utility & design patents
From tooling in China to getting shut out of his own listings, Scott gives a masterclass in what real IP enforcement looks like on the modern battlefield. He also opens up about the emotional toll, the wins, and why he’s still pushing forward.
You’ll also learn key takeaways on:
✅ Design vs. Utility Patents (and which saved his business)
✅ How to use Amazon Brand Registry to fight knockoffs
✅ Tips for handling takedowns on TikTok, eBay, and Alibaba
✅ The truth about counterfeits and global IP law
✅ Why building a brand still matters—especially when tech is copied
Whether you’re an inventor, entrepreneur, Amazon seller, or just fascinated by how products are built and protected, this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Tune in and get inspired by Scott’s resilience, bold thinking, and practical advice on how to fight back and win in the real world.
#GoBigGoBold
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.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.