Here's a question that might make you uncomfortable: What if I told you that 90% of your business value exists in something you can't touch, can't see, and probably aren't protecting?

Most entrepreneurs would laugh that off. "Dan, I'm not Apple. I don't have any IP worth protecting."

I used to think the same thing. Until my intellectual property got stolen.

Multiple times.

My Wake-Up Call (And Why I Became an IP Advisor)

Over the last 15 years building my CPA firm, I developed a lot of intellectual property. Frameworks, processes, methodologies. That IP spun out into books, certification programs, and speaking opportunities.

Then the theft started.

Previous employees took my intellectual property and used it in what became competitor businesses. A business partner co-opted my frameworks and had people reaching out, crediting them for things I had developed. It was incredibly painful and caused me to pause for a couple years on what I was putting out into the public domain.

The shame and guilt were real. How did I let myself get into that situation?

Then, in January at our leadership off-site, we made a declaration: We are an IP company.

A few months later, I got an email about an IP certification program from 14-time bestselling author Dr. Kary Oberbrunner. I was the first person to sign up because it resonated immediately. I had to learn everything about protecting intellectual property—not just for my clients, but for my own survival.

That's how I became the first Instant IP Certified Advisor.

Recently, Dr. Kary and I held a webinar to share what every entrepreneur needs to know about intellectual property protection in today's economy. If you missed it, you can watch the full recording here.

What we covered in that session should fundamentally change how you think about business value. Here are the key insights from our discussion:

What We Covered: The Great Asset Migration You're Missing

During our webinar, Dr. Kary shared data that will blow your mind: In 1975, about 83% of the value in the S&P 500 came from physical assets—buildings, equipment, inventory, cash. The gray stuff you could touch.

Today? As he showed us with his compelling visual, that's completely flipped. Now 90% of the value comes from intellectual property—patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets. The intangible stuff.

Dr. Kary's iPhone example really drove this home: About 90% of its value isn't in the parts and pieces. It's in the patents on the home screen, the design patents on those rounded edges, the trademark on that bitten apple. Apple didn't become a trillion-dollar company by making better hardware. They became a trillion-dollar company by protecting their ideas.

This isn't some abstract economic theory. This is the new reality of business value.

Webinar Insight: Why "I Don't Have Any IP" Is Costing You Everything

I shared my story during the webinar, and Dr. Kary reinforced a critical point: Every entrepreneur makes the same mistake I made: "I'm not Google. I don't have any IP."

As Dr. Kary put it perfectly: "If you don't value yourself, if you don't value your IP, people don't take you or your IP seriously."

He walked us through examples that opened everyone's eyes: Krispy Kreme has IP because of the way they make donuts. Play-Doh has trademarked their scent. Tiffany's owns a color. These aren't tech companies or pharmaceutical giants. They're businesses that recognized their unique approach had value worth protecting.

The question isn't whether you have IP. The question is whether you're protecting it or giving it away for free like I did.

The Traditional IP Problem Dr. Kary Exposed

During our session, Dr. Kary revealed why the conventional IP protection system is broken and why I was so vulnerable:

Patents cost $30,000 and take 1-3 years. The average rejection rate on first filing? 86%. Every rejection means more time, more money, more office actions with your IP lawyer.

Trademarks? 12-18 months and climbing. Dr. Kary showed us the shocking data: The USPTO has over 800,000 patents in backlog. We're in the middle of an innovation explosion—AI, robotics, technology breakthroughs happening daily—and our IP protection system is still operating like it's 1975.

Dr. Kary calls this "the IP Dam Dilemma." While you're waiting years and spending tens of thousands to protect your ideas, your competitors are stealing them and moving forward.

That's exactly what happened to me. By the time I realized I needed protection, my IP was already out there being used by others.

The Instant Solution Dr. Kary Demonstrated Live

This is where our webinar got really exciting. Dr. Kary actually demonstrated his Instant IP system live during our call. You can try it for yourself here too.

What if you could go from idea to protection in under a minute?

That's not hyperbole. Dr. Kary showed us exactly how it works in real-time: Instead of waiting years for the USPTO, you create a smart contract on the blockchain that's timestamped and immutable. Anyone can see it, but nobody can change it. You've created what's called "prior art"—proof that you had the idea first.

The beautiful part Dr. Kary explained: If someone later tries to patent your idea, your blockchain timestamp invalidates their patent. You can shut down a $30,000 patent application with a $97 smart contract (or, try it for free once with my link here).

Right before our webinar, Dr. Kary protected a new concept called "the IP Economy" in just minutes. He walked us through the entire process live.

Dr. Kary's "Name, Package, Protect" Framework

During our session, Dr. Kary shared his powerful framework using Simon Sinek as a perfect example.

Take Simon Sinek's Golden Circle—that simple diagram of three circles: Why, How, What. As Dr. Kary explained, Sinek didn't just copyright his book. He trademarked that specific framework.

Simon Sinek charges over $150,000 for a keynote.

He took three basic concepts—why, how, what—named them the Golden Circle, packaged them into a framework, and protected the intellectual property. Now he gets paid six figures to share ideas that, without protection, would just be common knowledge.

Dr. Kary's Name, Package, Protect system:

Name it: Give your process, framework, or methodology a specific name. 

Package it: Document how it works, why it's different, what results it produces.

Protect it: Create that fence around your IP before you promote it to the world.

Dr. Kary's golden rule that resonated with everyone: "Protect your idea before you promote your idea."

The AI Threat Dr. Kary and I Both Face

One of the most sobering parts of our webinar was when Dr. Kary shared his discovery that Meta's AI had ingested five of his books without permission. Five books. Years of work, research, and intellectual property—just scraped and fed into their algorithm.

Dr. Kary nailed it: "AI's your friend until it steals from you."

This isn't some dystopian future scenario. This is happening right now. If you have no fence around your IP, it's your word against an algorithm.

Your Tactical Action Plan (As Promised)

In my last newsletter, I promised to make my content more tactical and actionable. Here's your step-by- step implementation guide based on everything we covered in the webinar:

Action Step 1: Conduct Your IP Audit (This Week)

Don't wait. Set aside 2 hours this week to audit all your existing content:

1. Pull out every slide deck, worksheet, framework, and methodology you've created Look for anything unique to how you do business

2. Make a list of processes that differentiate you from competitors 

3. Document any phrases, terms, or concepts you use repeatedly

My personal example: I can safely tell you I've now protected "vCIPO" (Virtual Chief Intellectual Property Officer) a book I’m developing called “You Before Who” and "Try Before Why" (the idea that you need to experiment before you find your purpose…who knows if I’ll develop that further but it’s protected).

Action Step 2: The Google + USPTO Test (Next 30 Minutes)

For each unique concept you identified:

1. Google the exact phrase or concept

2. If it doesn't appear broadly, check the USPTO trademark database

3. If it's available in both places, it's yours to protect

Action Step 3: Protect Before You Promote (Before Your Next Launch)

Here's my new operating procedure, and it should be yours too:

Before any content goes public:

1. Name your framework/process

2. Document how it works and why it's different

3. Create blockchain protection through Instant IP (first one free using my link here. $97 thereafter in under 5 minutes) 

4. Add the superscript "IP" certification mark to your materials

Never again should you put intellectual property into the world without protection first.

Action Step 4: Implement AI Defense Protocols (Today)

Given the AI threat we discussed:

1. Set up Google Alerts for all your key concepts and frameworks

2. Screenshot and document your original publication dates for everything

3. Consider adding copyright notices to all digital content

4. Review what content you have that could be training AI systems

Action Step 5: The Business Value Assessment (This Month)

Ask yourself these questions:

1. If someone wanted to buy my business, what would they really be purchasing? What processes, methodologies, or frameworks are unique to my approach?

2. How much more could I charge if clients knew my methods were proprietary and protected?

3. What would happen if a competitor started using my exact methodology?

Action Step 6: The Preventive Approach (Ongoing)

Moving forward, make IP protection part of your standard operating procedure:

1. Every new framework gets named, documented, and protected

2. Every significant process improvement gets evaluated for IP value

3. Every client-facing methodology gets assessed for protection needs

4. Every piece of training content gets reviewed for unique concepts

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Remember the S&P 500 data Dr. Kary shared? 90% of business value comes from intangible assets. That's not just for Fortune 500 companies—that's the new reality for all businesses.

When I help business owners value their companies, the ones with protected IP consistently receive higher multiples. The ones without protected IP struggle to prove sustainable competitive advantage.

Your Next Decision Point

You're at the same crossroads I faced three years ago:

Option 1: Continue operating like IP doesn't matter, hope nobody steals your best ideas, and remain vulnerable to competitors copying your methods.

Option 2: Recognize that you ARE an IP company, start protecting what you've built, and create defensible competitive advantages.

I chose option 2 and became the first Instant IP Certified Advisor. My business is now more valuable, more defensible, and more profitable.

The question isn't whether you can afford to protect your intellectual property. The question is whether you can afford not to.

Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't wait until your IP gets stolen to realize it had value. Start with Action Step 1 this week. Your future self will thank you.

Ready to start protecting your intellectual property? Here's what to do right now:

This Week: Complete Action Steps 1-2 (IP audit + Google/USPTO test)

This Month: Implement Action Steps 3-4 (protect your most valuable concepts)

Ongoing: Make Action Steps 5-6 part of your standard business operations

Want help with your IP harvest and protection strategy? As the first Instant IP Certified Advisor, I offer free IP clarity calls to help entrepreneurs identify and protect their most valuable intellectual property.

Watch our full webinar here