Calling all small business warriors who feel chained to their business! Do you run your business or does your business run you? You’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into it and it is time to set yourself free. I’m Bobby Mascia – owner of a wealth management firm, family office, manufacturing business, 18 store Dunkin Franchise, and de facto business coach. My goal? To liberate your business— whether it be operationally, prep for a sale, a legacy handover, or self-management. The roadmap to this freedom is something we will uncover together in Business Unchained.” Join me as I learn about fellow entrepreneurs, dissecting their past, present, and future.
About Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Jenny Woo is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, a company incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs that helps children and adults build emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills. With a Ph.D. in cognitive science and a master’s from Harvard, she has worked in human capital consulting at Deloitte, talent strategy at Cisco, and career coaching at UC Berkeley.
She is the creator of award-winning card games, including 52 Essential Conversations and 52 Essential Coping Skills, used in 50+ countries. Her work has been featured in CNBC, Forbes, FORTUNE, Fast Company, and more.
As a mother of three, Dr. Woo is passionate about helping families and professionals navigate modern challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful connections.
Reference Links:
Mind Brain Emotion Social Media
Dr. Jenny Woo Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What if the key to raising successful, resilient children isn’t about perfect grades or packed schedules—but something far more profound? In a world dominated by social media, academic pressure, and emotional recessions, how do we ensure our kids grow up with the emotional intelligence to thrive?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Dr. Jenny Woo to discuss her journey from corporate consulting to creating tools that help families and workplaces develop essential human skills.
[07:54] ”When I say village, it doesn’t have to be a lot of people, but you really need that relationship. It could be a partner, a friend, a mentor to just help you stay on track and keep going.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
[09:46] ”We are experiencing an emotional recession. We don’t quite know how to talk to each other anymore.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Woo explains how her company creates tools like conversation cards to help families and workplaces build emotional intelligence.
At its core, Dr. Woo’s story is about the power of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the belief that success isn’t just about academic or professional achievements—it’s about building meaningful connections and leading a balanced, fulfilling life.
In this episode:
Norman D. Kallen is a founding partner of Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, focusing on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and business litigation. With extensive experience advising middle-market businesses, he provides practical, tailored solutions to complex legal challenges. Norm’s in-depth understanding of business operations stems from years of working in-house, giving him a unique perspective on client needs. Recognized for his strategic insight and personalized service, he excels in guiding family-owned businesses through succession planning and transitions. Norm is committed to building long-term client relationships and driving successful outcomes for every engagement.
Stuart M. Brown is a founding partner of Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, where he brings decades of experience in corporate law, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and business litigation. Known for his strategic approach and strong client relationships, Stuart excels at guiding middle-market businesses through complex transitions. His firm was honored with the 2022 “Deal of the Year” award by M&A Advisor, reflecting its impact in the M&A space. Stuart is particularly passionate about helping family-owned businesses navigate succession planning and ensuring long-term success for future generations.
Reference Links:
Norman Kallen’s Social Media
Stuart Brown’s Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What does it take to turn a business deal into a true success story? In the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the stakes are high, and the challenges are many—especially for family-owned businesses and middle-market companies.
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Stuart Brown and Norman Kallen, co-founders of Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, a law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). With nearly 26 years of experience working together, their firm has become a trusted name in connecting buyers and sellers of middle-market businesses valued between $50 million and $100 million. Recently recognized with the “Deal of the Year” award by M&A Advisor in 2022, Stuart and Norman share their journey of building the firm from the ground up—starting in the basement of an accounting office with just two computers and a big vision.
(06:59) “I turned to my wife when we started our practice and said, ‘Honey, one of two things is going to happen here: either we’re going to be successful, or we’re moving to Florida”- Stuart Brown
The conversation dives into the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the unexpected hurdles of managing cash flow, understanding financial statements, and balancing client relationships. Stuart and Norman reflect on their evolution from lawyers to business owners, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, effective communication, and fostering trust with clients.
(21:31) “America’s getting older primarily, and so we’re seeing a lot of sellers who are saying, “You know what, I thought my kids could do this. Either they can’t do it or they don’t want to do it, and I’d rather get the money in my family’s pocket so that I create generational wealth for them”- Norman Kallen
A key focus of the discussion is the emotional and financial complexity of family-owned businesses, particularly when it comes to succession planning and corporate divorces. Stuart and Norman share real-life stories of family disputes, including cases where generational dynamics shaped the future of a business. They discuss the importance of addressing conflicts early, creating clear agreements, and planning proactively to prevent costly litigation and emotional strain.
(27:19) “If the son thinks he’s entitled and the father says, “I don’t think so,” it’s a tough conversation. The father ended up selling the business because he realized his son could never run it, and it was a very tough conversation”- Norman Kallen
Stuart recounts helping an 80-year-old client finally begin succession planning, while Norman reflects on his early career working in-house with startups, which gave him a unique perspective on the challenges business owners face. Both share lessons learned about navigating transitions and the vital role advisors play in creating smooth exits for business owners.
Listeners will also gain insights into the current M&A landscape, from the impact of technology to shifting ownership trends.
(01:00:54) “The emotion tied to selling a business, even though it wasn’t mine, but helping them grow that business from 1 to 1000 was very emotional at the closing.”- Stuart Brown
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a family business owner considering a sale, or someone curious about the human side of M&A, this episode delivers valuable advice, candid reflections, and actionable insights into the art of balancing relationships, strategy, and success in the business world. Let’s dive in!
