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YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. SO ARE WE
CROWLEYLAWLLC.COM
FEBRUARY 2026
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George Washington’s Startup Playbook Founders and Fortune
What do the practices and legacy of our nation’s first president have to do with life sciences and technology? Everything.
Philip Crowley’s debut book, “ AVOID STARTUP FAILURE!: Learn the Top Ten Causes of Failure for Technology Startups and How to Turn Them to Your Advantage ,” reveals the insider secrets and strategic tools that
George Washington, born in this month in 1732, is a fascinating case study of the values and intentions necessary to thrive in business in any field. If you think of America as the greatest startup in human history and Washington as its first CEO, it becomes immediately apparent that many of his actions spoke to the philosophical and logistical benchmarks that drive successful entrepreneurship to this day. While Washington’s many accomplishments as a military strategist and freedom fighter are worthy of study, I’d like to focus specifically on his extraordinary tenure as the first leader of the United States. To fully grasp the enormous impact he had on both government and culture, we must first consider the tremendous pressure he was under to provide effective leadership to our fledgling nation. For one thing, he faced the grand expectation of not following in the footsteps of the governmental rule that he and other Revolutionary War figures fought so hard to overcome. What would be the tone of his presidency? What impression should he make upon the people he was now serving? How could he be a strong leader without succumbing to the dictatorial tendencies of the government he and his fellow citizens just left? These questions weighed heavily on Washington’s conscience as he assumed the new nation’s most powerful position. In his mind, one false move could upend America’s goals and lead it toward an even worse form of leadership than the monarchy that had preceded it. First, he focused on honing his public persona, carefully considering ways to avoid giving the American people the impression of aristocracy and superiority. In his own words, he
help many startups avoid common missteps and promote long-term success. Scan the QR code to order your copy on Amazon today!
aimed for “simplicity of dress, and everything which can tend to support propriety of character without partaking of the follies of luxury and ostentation.” For his inauguration in 1789, he chose attire that struck a balance between common appearance and stately ceremony. In this way, he projected the aesthetics of an individual who was still living among the people he represented but possessed the necessary gravitas to represent his citizens’ interests to other nations on the global stage. Washington understood the value of projecting an image that made his fellow citizens comfortable, while also showcasing enough Continued on Page 3 ...
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Thomas Edison’s Entrepreneurial Resilience Losses Lead to Legacy
The ability to overcome failure is the mark of a true business leader.
If you rely on the version of Edison’s life found in most school textbooks, he was a maverick in the science world and one of history’s most prolific and celebrated inventors. While that narrative is certainly indisputable, a deeper examination of the man’s life and career uncovers just as many potentially devastating failures as pivotal successes. For example, let’s examine how Edison recovered from a substantial financial loss in the late 1800s. An avid user of iron in many of the 1,000-plus patented inventions credited to him in his lifetime, he became concerned once the cost of the mineral began to rise. Looking for a long-term solution to escalating expenses, he invested millions of dollars and several years into creating and operating his own iron mine near Ogdensburg, New Jersey. Already grappling with production costs, the self-financed endeavor suffered a fatal blow when the emergence of
operations in the Midwest, which used less expensive iron ore, drove down the price of the mineral nationwide. This change left Edison to suffer the worst economic failure of his lifetime. Undeterred, Edison moved forward, finding inspiration from a surprising source. Before the collapse of his iron mine, he helped finance its operation by selling waste sand to area cement companies. Seeing the market potential in cement, he retained some of the equipment used at the mine and launched The Edison Portland Cement Company. The pivot paid off, as the company ultimately became a more financially sound investment and led to Edison becoming one of the most significant influences behind the widespread use of cement in our nation’s infrastructure.
Whether you manage a startup venture or lead a successful international corporation, your success is likely driven by resilience … and a willingness to fail. While the latter may seem counterintuitive, history is replete with intrepid individuals who refused to surrender their ambitions after one or more personal or financial setbacks. Few people exemplify this truth more than the Garden State’s own Thomas Edison.
The lesson? In the world of entrepreneurship, there is opportunity in all adversity.
JET Worldwide Enterprises Inc. Neuroscience Drives Safety
“As a current professor of neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and a former associate professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, I study how the brain simultaneously integrates information across the visual and somatosensory systems (i.e., what we see and what we feel). “JET Worldwide Enterprises Inc. (“JWEI”) has developed a first-of- its-kind, quantitative fall-prediction app, called CatchU ® , based on over 15 years of neuroscientific research. Our vision is to raise awareness of fall risks, prevent falls before they happen and improve the well-being and lives of older adults and all people. Our mission is to become the standard of care for quantitatively predicting falls in older adults. “When I participated in the Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator, I was connected with a mentor who was a former vice president at Johnson & Johnson and later became a board member at JWEI. She has a longstanding collaborative
relationship with Philip Crowley and suggested that I reach out to him to discuss the legal needs for our venture. “Although I didn’t think that I required legal assistance before joining the accelerator, I quickly learned that I needed to consider ways to protect intellectual property and collaborate with my then-institution, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, upon launching JWEI. Before long, I was meeting with Phil regularly to discuss goals for establishing a C-Corp company and securing an exclusive license with Einstein. His sage advice was instrumental in helping craft that agreement. “Phil is a hardworking, dedicated and passionate lawyer who deeply appreciates the importance of science, medicine, health and people in general. His experience and expertise speak for themselves. I feel honored to be able to work with Phil.” –Jeannette R. Mahoney, Ph.D.
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From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market NEW JERSEY NURTURES NEW VENTURES
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formality to stand out as their representative. His carefully crafted appearance not only enabled him to appeal to a broad audience but also exemplifies a cornerstone of successful business branding and public relations. Whether they’re socializing at a networking event or sitting across the table from potential investors, successful entrepreneurs understand they must sell themselves as much as they sell the product or service they’re working to launch into the marketplace. Perhaps most significantly, Washington was a firm believer in the power of a representative democracy. Long before official polling gauged the sentiments of the American public, Washington enlisted members of his staff to visit citizens and get feedback on his performance and how the new government could better serve them. In 1792, informal polling conducted by Washington’s secretary, Tobias Lear, revealed strong public support for a second presidential term. As Washington knew, a leader is neither an intellectual island nor is he or she always right. A true entrepreneur is always open to feedback, especially constructive criticism, as a way to refine his or her internal methodologies and external marketing methods. While popular opinion can’t be the sole basis for decisions, it’s an important element to be considered. Startup entrepreneurs must never lose sight of the value in welcoming the observations and opinions of others within the company and those who utilize their products. Considering yourself immune to negative appraisals or suggestions for improvement is a recipe for failure. These stories are just a small sampling of how George Washington’s grit, persistence and determination defined a nation … and serve as an inspiring road map for startups in 2026 and beyond. When you feel frustrated in your entrepreneurial journey or need some new inspiration in any aspect of your life, take some time to explore our first
If you’re a budding entrepreneur who calls New Jersey home, you’re in one of our country’s strongest, most nurturing states for taking your ambitions to the next level.
Episode 16 of Philip Crowley’s “From Lab to Patient, Garage to
Market” podcast provides 31 minutes of fascinating content that easily supports this statement. Special guest Kathleen Coviello, chief economic transformation officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”), details some of the ways the state government is actively working to position New Jersey as a hub for innovation through ongoing economic and logistical support for its home-grown life sciences, technology, manufacturing and film/digital media industries. In addition to discussing a host of entrepreneur-focused programs currently available through the NJEDA, Coviello offers practical words of encouragement for startup founders and other business leaders. On the topic of attracting and solidifying investors, she reminds podcast listeners that all profit opportunities begin with the entrepreneur’s genuine passion for his or her unique product, service or innovation. “If you, as an entrepreneur, are hedging your bets and you don’t believe in the success or the opportunity, you’re not going to get anyone else to believe in that opportunity. I’ve heard some really great investors say, ‘Bet on the jockey.’ You have to have someone who believes in whatever the business value proposition is, and [that belief] is going to drive to success.” Responding to this statement, Crowley noted that “a group of jockeys and a team with multiple talents” could make an entrepreneurial venture particularly attractive to potential investors. Coviello agreed, adding that the NJEDA’s Innovation Fellows program requires participants to have a team of at least three individuals, with one team member serving as the tiebreaker when necessary. “No one can do it all alone; anybody who thinks they can is fooling themselves. Realizing where your strengths are, and supplementing where your weaknesses are with other members of the team, is critical to success.”
president’s extraordinary life and ask yourself, “What would George Washington do?”
More information on the NJEDA is available at NJEDA.gov.
Hosted by Crowley Law LLC Founder and Managing Partner Philip Crowley, the “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast explores the critical issues and concerns impacting the biotech, life sciences and startup markets by offering fresh perspectives from industry leaders and experts. It is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all major podcast channels and at CrowleyLawLLC.com .
–Philip Crowley
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In This Issue
1. Lessons From America’s First CEO
2. When Defeat Defines Discovery
Client Testimonial
3. Podcast Preview
4. The Real Reason 81% of Buyers Trust Some Brands Over Others
Consistency Is the Ultimate Brand Power Move How the World’s Most Iconic Brands Stay Instantly Recognizable
Every great brand has a voice that sticks. Before you even see the logo, you know it’s them. Whether it’s Nike’s motivational punch or Disney’s warm nostalgia, that’s the power of a consistent brand voice. It transforms businesses from “just another company” into trusted, recognizable favorites. And trust matters. In fact, 81% of consumers say they must trust a brand before they’ll even consider buying . The surest way to build that trust? Consistency. WHAT DOES ‘BRAND VOICE’ MEAN? Yes, your brand voice is how you sound, but it’s also your company’s entire personality. Your brand voice should be unique, recognizable and impossible to fake. It’s Red Bull’s fearless adrenaline-filled energy and Lego’s creative playfulness. Each has a tone perfectly matched to what they
stand for, and that alignment makes their messages hit home every time.
2. Adapt, but don’t abandon.
Your core voice should remain consistent, but your tone can adapt to suit the situation. The key is adaptability without losing your brand’s essence.
CONSISTENCY CREATES CONNECTION. Something powerful will happen as your brand’s voice begins to line up across every touchpoint. Your audience starts to feel like they know you. They see you as dependable, familiar and, most importantly, trustworthy. That’s how loyalty forms, not from discounts or gimmicks, but from a steady, genuine voice.
3. Listen and refine.
Your brand voice isn’t carved in stone. It evolves as your audience, market and values grow. Monitor engagement, review feedback and watch how your community responds. Brands that stay relevant never stop listening. BE THE INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE BRAND. Your voice is your signature, and in a noisy digital world, it’s your most significant competitive edge. When your message sounds the same across every platform, your audience can identify it, trust it and remember it.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR VOICE STRONG AND STEADY.
1. Document your brand DNA.
Outline your tone, key personality traits, do’s and don’ts and examples of real- world language that reflect your brand. Ensure that everyone on your team, from marketing to customer support, knows how to represent your brand effectively.
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