Open for Business

Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen
  • 5.0 (3)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Running a business and maintaining smooth-sailing operations is no small feat. Aside from the many moving parts to oversee, you must also deal with its direct impact on your daily life and relationships. If you find that running your business is running your life rather than enabling a more successful and joyful life, this podcast has everything you need to become a better informed and more content business owner. Welcome to Open For Business, the show offering insights and practical tips for navigating today’s demanding and often uncertain business environment. Whether you are growing your existing business or launching your next venture, each episode presents compelling conversations with accomplished business owners and credentialed advisors offering fresh perspectives and data-backed strategies.   Businesspeople who just happen to be attorneys, Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen host this podcast, where you are assured of getting up-to-date advice from fellow entrepreneurs as well as authors, educators, and other experts about all aspects of being a business owner -- professional AND personal.  So join us for a seat at the table to hear informative yet entertaining discussions with guests that include top-tier financial advisors, organizational strategy experts, and fellow business owners, among others.  This podcast delivers a wide range of resources and advice you can easily apply to your own business venture and to your daily life. Elevate how you manage your day, from overseeing your operations and taking note of critical innovation strategies, to aligning your product and service delivery with current market trends. Discover the best tactics for leading a multi-generational workforce, creating a diverse culture, and maintaining healthy professional and personal relationships.  But it’s not all work and no play! We’ll delve into maximizing your spare time, enhancing your relationships with family and friends, even elevating your golf game, or selecting the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion.  Your hosts Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen have dedicated their careers to guiding business owners through every point in the life cycle of owning a business, from formation to sale. Stuart and Norman aren’t just advisors to business owners -- they recently completed their own succession plan in which their 28-year-old business law firm joined forces with Stevens & Lee, becoming its third New Jersey law office. Stuart Brown was co-founder and managing partner of Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. and is now a shareholder at Stevens & Lee and co-chair with Norman of the firm’s New Jersey commercial transactions practice. A highly experienced commercial transactions attorney and former general counsel of a publicly traded company, Stuart takes pride in adding value to his clients’ ventures by making mutually rewarding introductions and fostering long-lasting relationships among all concerned parties. Norman Kallen, a former partner at Brown Moskowitz & Kallen and now a partner at Stevens & Lee, dedicates his practice to advising clients in diverse business, commercial and transactional matters, particularly mergers and acquisitions for middle and lower-middle-market companies. A former general counsel for an early-stage software company and co-founder of a technology company, he has first-hand experience in advising businesses and business owners regarding software, technology development and licensing and building your company with an exit strategy in mind. Owning and running a business may involve a labyrinth of twists and turns, but it does not have to be a constant struggle. Join us at Open For Business to equip yourself with the skills, strategies, and resources to manage a highly successful venture while maintaining a meaningful and genuinely enjoyable personal life. Tune in to Open For Business at the Stevens & Lee Podcast URL: https://www.stevenslee.com/podcast/open-for-business-with-stuart-brown-and-norman-

  1. Building A Company Culture That Drives Success With Brent Beene

    APR 7

    Building A Company Culture That Drives Success With Brent Beene

    What truly sets high-performing companies apart? According to Corient Private Wealth Partner Brent Beene, the answer lies in an intentional, well-defined corporate culture.   In this episode of Open For Business, Brent joins hosts Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen to unpack how leaders can build and sustain a culture that fuels engagement, resilience, and long-term success -- especially in an era shaped by remote work, generational shifts, escalating M&A activity, and post-COVID workforce expectations.   Brent shares practical insights on defining culture with purpose, leveraging employee feedback to strengthen trust and performance, and treating culture as a strategic asset -- one that can serve as an “insurance policy” during times of disruption. The conversation also explores how to integrate cultures during mergers and acquisitions, balance tradition with innovation, and scale a company without losing its identity.   Key topics include: How to define a company culture that drives engagement and resultsBuilding strong culture across remote and hybrid teamsUsing employee feedback as a tool for continuous improvementWhy culture is a strategic risk-management and retention toolSuccessfully merging cultures in M&A transactionsThe multi-generational lens on workplace values and expectationsHow the COVID crisis reshaped corporate culture -- and what leaders must do nowPreserving culture while accelerating growth and expansion  Whether you’re leading a fast-growing company, navigating change, or rethinking your organization’s identity, this episode delivers actionable insights on building a culture that not only supports success – but drives it.

    38 min
  2. The Business Case For Comedy: Lessons With Corporate Comedian Shaun Eli

    MAR 24

    The Business Case For Comedy: Lessons With Corporate Comedian Shaun Eli

    Looking for smart, uplifting corporate comedy that goes beyond punchlines? Today, hosts Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen sit down with internationally touring comedian Shaun Eli—founder of The Ivy League of Comedy and one of the rare performers blending stand-up skill with the science of human flourishing. From late-night TV writing to mastering positive psychology at UPenn, Sean reveals how laughter shapes well-being, why clean humor is a powerful business strategy, and how comedy can strengthen human connection at work and beyond. This conversation is sharp, funny, and unexpectedly insightful—perfect for anyone curious about the craft, the business, and the psychology behind making people genuinely happier. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://www.stevenslee.com/

    27 min
  3. Betting on the Jockey, Not the Horse: EisnerAmper’s Alan Wink On Raising Capital

    MAR 10

    Betting on the Jockey, Not the Horse: EisnerAmper’s Alan Wink On Raising Capital

    What if the biggest mistakes founders make when raising capital have nothing to do with their pitch -- and everything to do with timing, team, and expectations?   This fast paced, founder friendly episode features Alan Wink, recently retired Managing Director of Capital Markets at EisnerAmper, one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in the U.S. With decades of experience in venture capital, private equity, and capital strategy, Alan breaks down what entrepreneurs really need to know before taking on outside investment.   What You'll Learn Why investors bet on people, not products – and why team quality outweighs early metrics.How much to raise and when – the misconceptions that derail founders early.VC vs. PE vs. family offices – who they are, what they want, and how they think.Why coachability matters – and how alignment influences investor decisions.The "game of thirds" in venture capital – and what 10x expectations mean for founders.Why fundraising always takes longer than expected – and how to plan for 18–24 months of cash flow.  Alan shares why Investors care far more about future projections and unit economics than historical performance. Founders must show they can solve a meaningful problem, scale efficiently, and deliver returns that match investor expectations. Alan also emphasizes that taking on third party capital is a marriage – one that brings accountability and investor oversight. Alan shares how founders can perform effective due diligence to vet investors as carefully as investors vet companies.   Why This Episode Matters Alan’s experience advising technology, life sciences, clean tech, and emerging growth companies gives him a unique vantage point on what separates fundable startups and mid-stage companies from the rest. His guidance is practical, realistic, and essential for any founder preparing to scale.   A concise, high-impact conversation packed with insights you can apply immediately.

    44 min
  4. Maximizing Value in the Middle Market: M&A Lessons from Alan Scharfstein

    FEB 24

    Maximizing Value in the Middle Market: M&A Lessons from Alan Scharfstein

    On this episode of Open for Business, Stuart and Norman welcome Alan Scharfstein, Founder and CEO of The DAK Group, one of the nation’s most trusted advisors to middle-market business owners navigating high-stakes M&A decisions.  With more than 750 transactions completed across industries and borders, Alan shares what founders most need to know before they sell: why an unsolicited offer isn’t the same as a true market process, how the right advisor can locate buyers you’d never expect, and why buyers don’t “buy your past” — they buy a company’s future story and the roadmap to growth.  You’ll also hear Alan’s candid take on:  When it makes sense to not sell — and how the best bankers talk owners off the ledgeWhat sellers obsess over that doesn’t matter to buyers (and what buyers care about most)The most common ways founders unintentionally leave money on the tableWhy “due diligence” can feel like a “colonoscopy without anesthesia,” and how to manage it without losing momentum in the businessHow to evaluate value beyond price: employees, legacy, life-after-sale, and the emotional reality of closing dayRed flags in buyers, deal “retrades,” and how to protect yourself from terms that shift risk back onto the sellerA lightning round of hard-won lessons on handshakes, negotiation mistakes, and what owners should never say at the table Alan also weighs in on what’s ahead for the deal market — private equity dry powder, increased international interest in U.S. businesses, and why strategic acquirers continue to rely on M&A for growth — plus how AI is reshaping diligence and deal execution without replacing the human judgment that closes great transactions.  Whether you may be years from an exit or are getting approached right now, this conversation is a practical masterclass in preparing, positioning, and protecting what you’ve built — so you can maximize value and walk away feeling great about the outcome. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://www.stevenslee.com/

    45 min
  5. Beyond The Balance Sheet: The Human Side Of Family Businesses With Jeff Savlov, LCSW

    FEB 10

    Beyond The Balance Sheet: The Human Side Of Family Businesses With Jeff Savlov, LCSW

    Family businesses, especially uber-successful and wealthy ones, are often seen as untouchable and otherworldly. But in reality, they are just like any other family: they have their own dynamics and experience inevitable conflicts. Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen chat with Jeff Savlov, Founder of Blum & Savlov, who talks about his consulting work for high net-worth families who balance personal relationships with business transactions and generational wealth. He explains how older and younger generations can work better together, the right way to handle conflicts, and how to properly introduce in-laws in a family business. Jeff also presents strategies on making business transitions as smoothly and conveniently as possible to secure a positive and long-lasting legacy. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://www.stevenslee.com/

    45 min
  6. Securing Success Through Private Equity With Adam Coffey

    JAN 27

    Securing Success Through Private Equity With Adam Coffey

    Private equity is an intricate but also rewarding venture – if you just know how to play your cards right. Adam Coffey has been guiding people in learning and mastering the ropes of private equity so they can grow their wealth and secure profitable opportunities. In this conversation with Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown, he details how he became a blue-collar CEO who utilizes the so-called “napkin math” to help entrepreneurs and organizations achieve financial success. Adam also shares how working under Jack Welch and serving in the military influenced his no-BS approach to leadership and coaching. Visit https://www.stevenslee.com/ for more information!

    48 min
  7. Positive Psychology At Work With Leona Brandwene And Andrew Soren

    JAN 2

    Positive Psychology At Work With Leona Brandwene And Andrew Soren

    Every workplace must prioritize everyone’s happiness to produce the right results and retain the right people. With the proper grasp of positive psychology, business leaders can elevate their cultures and help the entire team flourish. Exploring this topic with Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown with Leona Brandwene of the University of Pennsylvania and Andrew Soren of Eudaimonic by Design. They discuss how positive psychology can lead to a resilient business, empower employee management, and help address work-related stress. Leona and Andrew also share how they take care of their own well-being and the importance of surrounding yourself with positive individuals. Visit https://www.stevenslee.com/ for more information!

    36 min
  8. Something To Wine About With Gary Fisch Of Gary's Wine And Marketplace

    12/26/2025

    Something To Wine About With Gary Fisch Of Gary's Wine And Marketplace

    Ever wonder what it takes to turn a political science degree into a multi-million dollar wine empire? Today, we're about to find out! The legendary Gary Fisch of Gary's Wine & Marketplace joins hosts Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown to go behind the scenes of a retail revolution, from navigating unexpected pivots and the challenges of rapid growth, to the surprising impact of a global pandemic on a beloved wine business. If you're an entrepreneur, a wine enthusiast, or just curious about the art of the pivot, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Pull up a chair, and let's pour into Gary's incredible story. Visit https://www.stevenslee.com/ for more information!

    45 min
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Running a business and maintaining smooth-sailing operations is no small feat. Aside from the many moving parts to oversee, you must also deal with its direct impact on your daily life and relationships. If you find that running your business is running your life rather than enabling a more successful and joyful life, this podcast has everything you need to become a better informed and more content business owner. Welcome to Open For Business, the show offering insights and practical tips for navigating today’s demanding and often uncertain business environment. Whether you are growing your existing business or launching your next venture, each episode presents compelling conversations with accomplished business owners and credentialed advisors offering fresh perspectives and data-backed strategies.   Businesspeople who just happen to be attorneys, Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen host this podcast, where you are assured of getting up-to-date advice from fellow entrepreneurs as well as authors, educators, and other experts about all aspects of being a business owner -- professional AND personal.  So join us for a seat at the table to hear informative yet entertaining discussions with guests that include top-tier financial advisors, organizational strategy experts, and fellow business owners, among others.  This podcast delivers a wide range of resources and advice you can easily apply to your own business venture and to your daily life. Elevate how you manage your day, from overseeing your operations and taking note of critical innovation strategies, to aligning your product and service delivery with current market trends. Discover the best tactics for leading a multi-generational workforce, creating a diverse culture, and maintaining healthy professional and personal relationships.  But it’s not all work and no play! We’ll delve into maximizing your spare time, enhancing your relationships with family and friends, even elevating your golf game, or selecting the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion.  Your hosts Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen have dedicated their careers to guiding business owners through every point in the life cycle of owning a business, from formation to sale. Stuart and Norman aren’t just advisors to business owners -- they recently completed their own succession plan in which their 28-year-old business law firm joined forces with Stevens & Lee, becoming its third New Jersey law office. Stuart Brown was co-founder and managing partner of Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. and is now a shareholder at Stevens & Lee and co-chair with Norman of the firm’s New Jersey commercial transactions practice. A highly experienced commercial transactions attorney and former general counsel of a publicly traded company, Stuart takes pride in adding value to his clients’ ventures by making mutually rewarding introductions and fostering long-lasting relationships among all concerned parties. Norman Kallen, a former partner at Brown Moskowitz & Kallen and now a partner at Stevens & Lee, dedicates his practice to advising clients in diverse business, commercial and transactional matters, particularly mergers and acquisitions for middle and lower-middle-market companies. A former general counsel for an early-stage software company and co-founder of a technology company, he has first-hand experience in advising businesses and business owners regarding software, technology development and licensing and building your company with an exit strategy in mind. Owning and running a business may involve a labyrinth of twists and turns, but it does not have to be a constant struggle. Join us at Open For Business to equip yourself with the skills, strategies, and resources to manage a highly successful venture while maintaining a meaningful and genuinely enjoyable personal life. Tune in to Open For Business at the Stevens & Lee Podcast URL: https://www.stevenslee.com/podcast/open-for-business-with-stuart-brown-and-norman-

Information

  • Creator
    Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved | http://www.bmk-law.com/
  • Show Website
    Open for Business

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