Open for Business

In this return appearance on the Open For Business podcast, Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen are once again joined by Medal of Honor recipient and former investment executive Colonel Jack Jacobs . This time, he provides valuable insights into the impact of current global geopolitical conflicts on middle-market and small businesses. Colonel Jacobs addresses the resilience of the equity markets, why t...

Fraud isn’t just a big company problem -- it’s often more damaging, more frequent, and harder to detect in small and mid-size businesses. In this episode of Open For Business, featuring our guest, accountant and advisor to mid-sized businesses Steve Nicokiris , we unpack the hidden realities of fraud that many business owners overlook. From employee theft and manipulation of financial records to v...

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 e...

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 laught...

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...

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...

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 persona...

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...

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 disc...

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 o...

Money and family – two of life's most powerful, and potentially volatile, forces. What happens when they collide in the high-stakes arena of a family business? That's exactly what we're exploring today. Family business succession planning is a minefield of emotions, expectations, and often, unwritten rules. Our guest, Adam Blecker , has walked that path. From co-founding a top-tier home healthcare...

People often see retirement as a never-ending vacation, a time to relax, and a special opportunity to pamper yourself. But instead of sitting around the house or wandering aimlessly without actual goals, you can make it more fulfilling with the right preparation and mindset. Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown sit down with Joel Malick , author of Afterwork , to discuss how to prepare yourself emotiona...

One of the absolute truths in running a business is that it will eventually end. Therefore, you must prepare for your business transition as early as you can to lessen the headaches when it finally comes. Laurie Barkman , the Business Transition Sherpa, helps business owners navigate this challenging process. She joins Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown to share valuable advice on preparing for a tran...

The public’s awareness about their role in building a better future has been waning. More and more people are forgetting their civic duty to do something for the greater good despite not wielding political power. Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown sit down with Colonel Jack Jacobs , a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in the Vietnam War, who discusses how to boost public service and encourage p...

One of the biggest challenges business leaders face in this modern era is managing multi-generational teams. Bridging the generational gaps is easier said than done, since the Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Alpha have their own passions, interests, and needs. Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown explore how to make this work with Dr. Jeremy Graves , a renowned expert in intergen...

Managing a business is challenging in itself, but did you ever wonder what running several businesses at the same time looks like? Norman Kallen and Stuart Brown learn exactly that with Multi-business owner Bobby Mascia . In this insightful conversation, he shares his experiences and takeaways as the CEO of Green Ridge Wealth Planning (GRWP) and Mascia Capital Group . Bobby shares his strategies f...

Welcome to Open For Business, the podcast exploring the unique challenges faced by business owners today – and how to effectively address them. Join business lawyers Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen as they break down crucial topics about business management, market trends, retirement, work-life balance, and more. Hear valuable words of wisdom from experts and professionals from different industries...