Take a look at our October newsletter!
YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. SO ARE WE
CROWLEYLAWLLC.COM
OCTOBER 2025
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Pages With Purpose
Books That Build Better Futures
October marks the start of the year’s final quarter, a time to reflect on where our lives and businesses have been over the past few months and plan for greater progress and growth in the year to come. This is when many of us focus our greatest attention on what worked, what didn’t and how we can strengthen our sense of purpose at home and in our professional lives. This focus is very much in line with the life sciences and technology fields, as both are built on the quest for new discoveries. Without a commitment to evolution and consistent improvement, stagnation will prevail.
It’s serendipitous that October is also National Book Month. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and several books have enlightened me as an entrepreneur. This month, there are three in particular I recommend wholeheartedly.
Ultimately, “Think and Grow Rich” shows that focus, firm beliefs and determination are the truest gateways to achieving and maintaining greatness.
“Positivity: Top- Notch Research Reveals the 3-to-1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life” by Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D. is another book worth your time. As the title suggests, Dr. Fredrickson
First on the list is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill . Initially published in 1937, it remains an exceptional primer in the self-help space and a deeply inspiring exploration of personal development. Hill
Have you read a book that has impacted your life? Please let us know, as we’d love to consider it for a spotlight in an upcoming edition of this newsletter.
presents a scientifically based argument that embracing two positive emotions for every negative one is essential for continued personal and professional triumph. Dr. Fredrickson’s words provide a refreshing perspective on psychology. For years, psychologists and psychiatrists have focused only on the pathology of mindfulness. In contrast, “Positivity” is centered more on the benefits of a positive mindset, including accomplishing goals and experiencing a happier life. Continued on Page 3 ...
presents an outline for achieving lasting success through desire, faith, knowledge, imagination and a commitment to attaining clear goals. While the mindset and methods explored in the book resonate particularly well within the business world, they can also help define or improve all areas of one’s life. “There is one quality which one must possess to win,” Hill once said, “and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”
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The Legal Edge Every Startup Needs Smart Startups, Savvy Advice
A great lawyer could be terrible for your business.
from the internet and serving as a ‘do-it- yourself’ lawyer,” Crowley writes. “Also, it’s always better to anticipate difficult situations up front when people can be rational and not be overcome with emotion — the need to be ‘right,’ to vindicate ‘principles.’ I can tell you that vindicating principles can be VERY expensive if it comes to litigation. Trying to work things out when parties are at loggerheads, tempers have flared and emotions take over can destroy a venture. And, with proper planning and assistance, it doesn’t have to happen.” However, as Crowley cautions in his book, “not all attorneys are equal.” Utilizing an attorney who is not well-versed or experienced in your startup company’s field of endeavor can be more catastrophic to your business than not working with an attorney at all . He advises readers to ask any potential attorney these four questions for insight into his or her experience and abilities to handle startup clients: • Given my situation, how many clients have you represented with these types of issues?
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What do you see as the key issues for me to address?
As startup entrepreneurs work to bring their innovations to the marketplace, they must recognize that even the most forward- thinking and organized minds can’t know and do everything . A successful business leader acknowledges the need for professional expertise outside their understanding. For example, inventors may not know when and where to begin protecting their intellectual property or understand the nuances of obtaining patents. These are just two examples of why working with an experienced attorney specializing in these and other business-related matters is critical. In his new book, “AVOID STARTUP FAILURE!: Learn The Top Ten Causes Of Failure For Technology Startups And How To Turn Them To Your Advantage,” Philip Crowley of Crowley Law LLC outlines how and why having a business lawyer by your side, especially early in the formation process, will help protect your innovation from many of the common pitfalls that can lead a startup company to succumb under the weight of poor planning and inadequate implementation. “I’ve seen more than one client rue the day he or she saved $1,000 by taking some forms
“If a potential legal counsel won’t — or can’t — answer or address those questions, it would be prudent to consider interviewing another lawyer or two,” he writes. “AVOID STARTUP FAILURE!: Learn The Top Ten Causes Of Failure For Technology Startups And How To Turn Them To Your Advantage” is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions. Look for more details about the book in upcoming editions of this newsletter. Go to http://bit.ly/4396BxS to order your copy today! Note: This book does not constitute legal advice but is a general discussion of issues Crowley has observed in his years in practice. Before addressing any particular legal issues, you should consult counsel to review your circumstances. Visit the Crowley Law LLC website at CrowleyLawLLC.com to access the firm’s library of free resources, including “ From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market,” a regular video podcast featuring leaders in life sciences, technology, startups and related fields.
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What sorts of documents would be involved? How many transactions of this type or for related matters have you handled?
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Hope Through Education Help, Honor and Higher Learning
“Founded in 2018, Hope Through Education is committed to helping underprivileged students in central New Jersey reach their full potential through the gift of partial scholarships to attend quality, values- based institutions. “This year, we will distribute nearly $1.2 million in scholarships to over 600 deserving students. It’s been my honor to serve as president of the organization since 2020 and see our meaningful impact in our community. “Phil Crowley was an instrumental founder of Hope Through Education. He
served as secretary and legal advisor to the organization and helped build the foundation to what it is today. He’s a tremendous and incredibly generous man, and we’re very thankful to him. “We host four major fundraising events annually: a spring luncheon, a sporting clays event, a golf outing and our annual Hope Gala. The most recent gala was held Sept. 13 at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. We were very blessed to have Emma Watters as our gala chair and were fortunate to welcome around 200 guests. A student delivered a powerful testimonial, and another led
the Pledge of Allegiance. We also had a beautiful performance by Jillian Cardarelli, a country singer from Nashville. It was a great night for the kids. “Our next golf outing will be held Oct. 23, again at the Trump National Golf Club. For more information on Hope Through Education (including sponsorship opportunities), please visit us at HopeThroughEducationUSA.org or contact us at info@hopethrougheducationusa.org .” –Suzanne Humbert
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From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market Scenes from the Pharma Capital
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That said, here’s one quote by Dr. Fredrickson worth remembering:
“Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture, which helps them identify solutions, whereas negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems.” It’s been said that the last mile of a race is always the least populated. Naturally, anyone who decides they will reach the finish line has a greater chance of doing so. That mindset distinguishes startup entrepreneurs from people who choose to work somewhere in an established company. While either option is obviously acceptable, my years of experience in life sciences and technology have shown me that true entrepreneurship is founded on the principle that a race is meant to be won.
The Garden State has quickly become ground zero for many innovations revolutionizing life sciences and technology. This fact is explored in Episode 21 of Philip Crowley’s “From Lab to Patient, Garage to
This mindset is at the heart of “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. , a 2016 book that many already consider a fundamental read for business leaders. Dr. Duckworth makes the case that persistence, passion and adhering to a growth mindset are just as important as talent and an innovative idea. Drawing from vast research, including interactions with individuals ranging from West Point
Market” podcast with guest Judith Sheft, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“NJCSIT”). Reestablished in 2018 by Gov. Murphy to help new innovators thrive in the commercial landscape, NJCSIT plays a critical role in supporting early-stage, innovation-driven startups through grant funding and by fostering collaborative relationships between these businesses and academic institutions. Calling New Jersey “the pharma capital of the world,” Sheft presents an intriguing overview of significant advancements in the state’s startup space. She explains that this movement is driven by former pharmaceutical executives forming emerging companies and recent university graduates launching new life sciences ventures. In addition to notable growth in clean technology (particularly regarding power technology and battery recycling) and food production/agriculture, the rise of artificial intelligence has led to fascinating developments in machine learning, automation and financial technologies. As part of NJCSIT’s efforts to help entrepreneurs maximize these startup opportunities, Sheft works with these companies to develop clear, effective communication methods for engaging with investors and possible collaborators. “Sometimes, I’ll say, ‘Pretend you’re explaining [your innovation] to your grandmother. What is it that you’re developing?’ And part of the reason we want to [communicate this way] is so we can also help facilitate other connections between companies who may be able to work together.” For more information on NJCSIT, please call (609) 462-0560 or email csit@njcsit.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 the major podcast channels and at CrowleyLawLLC.com .
cadets and professional educators to interviews with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, “Grit” offers intriguing insights into how ambition can transform basic abilities into long-lasting achievement.
Of course, the trick is not to give up. As Dr. Duckworth explains, the most successful people embrace constant improvement.
As she notes in the book, “[E]xperts do it all over again, and again, and again. Until they have finally mastered what they set out to do. Until what was a struggle before is now fluent and flawless. Until conscious incompetence becomes unconscious competence.” These are just three of the books that have expanded my knowledge and worldview, and I’m sure plenty of others have served you just as well. This National Book Month, honor those authors whose words help make us who we are today, and never stop seeking new works that inspire us to be the people we’ve yet to become.
Note: The foregoing may constitute attorney advertising under applicable bar rules.
–Philip Crowley
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In This Issue
1. Words That Work Wonders
2. Lawyers and Landmines
Charity Spotlight
3. Podcast Preview
4. Your Customers Are Your Best Marketers
When Customers Speak, Let It Echo
User-Generated Content Can Boost Your Business
Marketing has always been challenging for business owners to master, but social media has provided an easier solution to their concerns. By creating a social media account for your business, you can communicate with your clients more effectively, see how they interact with your brand and products, and discover their concerns with your company. People love sharing their views on social media, which you can use to better your business. You can easily turn posts and messages about your business into quality user-generated content (UGC). You may wonder where to start if you’ve never used user-generated content. Chances are that you already have the materials you need to put together a quick UGC campaign. LEVERAGE REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS. What are your clients saying about your business? Look through your reviews on
Google, Yelp, or any other place where people discuss your business. Pick your favorites and start using them in your marketing efforts. They’ll look great in your newsletter or website, but you can go even further by creating social media posts highlighting good reviews. If you don’t have many reviews or testimonials, encourage your current customers to leave some. Offering a small discount or gift in exchange for a review will generate more interest. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION. You can’t expect your clients and customers to do all the heavy lifting. You have to create opportunities for them to interact with you and your brand. One of the best ways to do this is by creating polls or asking questions on social media. Not only can this give you valuable information about your business, but it also has the potential to boost your
brand awareness. As more people answer a poll, the more visible it becomes, introducing even more potential clients to your business. Another great way to accumulate user- generated content for your marketing campaigns is to create contests for your customers. Ask them to submit images of them using your product or service, or anything else related to your business. Offer a prize to increase participation. Just like that, you’re gaining more brand awareness while stocking up on images you can use for future social media posts or marketing campaigns.
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