Dream, Build, Grow: The Law Office of Josh Brown

Josh Brown, near his office in the Village of West Clay.

Henry Ford. Walt Disney. The H&R Block Brothers. Conrad Hilton. Harland Sanders. Ray Kroc. Steve Jobs. Familiar names. Legends. People who changed the world through the fulfillment of a dream.

In Josh Brown’s case, it was a childhood dream to become a lawyer like his dad and other family members. Josh graduated from the Valparaiso School of Law in 2006. Since then, he has worked with many great lawyers and an appellate judge, all of whom inspired and assisted him along the way. Josh also won many awards for excellence including being named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He even argued a case before the Indiana Supreme Court while studying for the Indiana Bar Exam.

But Josh had bigger dreams – to combine law with his love for small businesses to help others achieve their dreams. “I have always enjoyed helping others,” says Brown. “Being able to help individuals succeed with their small businesses or franchises is a privilege and something I care deeply about. My personal philosophy for success is a simple three words: Dream. Build. Grow.” Naturally, it’s now the mission statement for his new firm, the Law Office of Josh F. Brown, LLC.

Nestled in the picturesque new Village Center in the Village of West Clay, Josh’s new practice is completely focused on small business and franchise matters. “Doing this provides me with a tremendous opportunity to help a lot of Hoosiers realize their dreams of building a legacy while fulfilling one of my own,” states Brown.

Indiana small businesses totaled 474,239 in 2009. They represent 97.4 percent of all employers and employ 48.4 percent of the private sector according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Across the U.S., there are over 825,000 franchised businesses which provide nearly 18 million jobs contributing $2.1 trillion to the economy. A new franchise business opens every 8 minutes. Almost 4% of all small businesses in the U.S.A. are franchises according to the International Franchise Association. This represents an estimated 3,000 different franchises (from fast-food chains, to lawn services, to hair salons).

“Franchises are sophisticated small businesses,” says Brown, “utilizing a trusted legal advisor to help guide them from start-up to growth to sale can prove to be extremely valuable.” My law firm was founded with a spirit of positivity and possibility,” comments Brown. “Too often, attorneys are called to deal with the aftermath of bad situations. And while this type of practice is noble and necessary, my practice helps passionate, focused, and driven individuals build and grow their business in a pro-active manner so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor while, at the same time, limiting liability and mitigating risk.”

Brown continues. “The goal is always to provide ultimate value to my clients. In my view, the only way to do this is to provide exceptional and focused services at a reasonable price. After all, getting great legal advice should not require you to take out a loan.” “Focusing on a couple areas of law that I am passionate about and have experience in, as opposed to all areas, allows me to provide better service and, in turn, better value,” suggests Brown.

Brown’s feelings are echoed in a recent issue of a publication sponsored by the American Bar Association. “In this competitive environment, lawyers must distinguish themselves from the competition in order to claim a bigger piece of the pie. One way to do this: Build a niche law practice.”

Josh concludes confidently, “If you have a dream to build and grow a successful small business or franchise and a focused desire to achieve it, I can likely help you along the way.”

For more, contact Josh at indyfranchiselaw.com

New Breakfast Spot Hatches

Pat Carlini with Kevin Armantrout, president of the Hoosier Hospitality Group, says the Meridian Street location is the first one in central Indiana, with another slated for downtown.

If you are looking for a new breakfast spot in town, a new one hatched at 9435 North Meridian!

“Another Broken Egg Café” is an upscale southern–style café with simple French country décor. The Florida-based chain is known for crawfish omelettes, grits with shrimp, and spicy Bloody Marys to wash it all down. That’s right – Bloody Marys. This breakfast spot has a full bar with seating and a flat sceen TV! Just don’t get too comfortable; they’re only open daily till 2:00 p.m.

On my visit to “Another Broken Egg,” the most popular appetizer to share was the “Biscuit Beignets” ($4.99) – a pan of biscuits dusted in powdered sugar and served with honey marmalade. We sampled a signature omelette called “Hey Lucy” ($10.99) which was stuffed with chorizo and cheese and the lobster and brie omelette ($14.99) which was paired with jimaca slaw and black beans with feta cheese. If all this is making you raise an eyebrow, don’t worry. You have to look, but you can find scrambled eggs with bacon and potatoes.

The franchisees who own the two Ruth Chris Steakhouse locations in Indianapolis brought “Another Broken Egg” to town. Kevin Armantrout, president of the Hoosier Hospitality Group, says the Meridian Street location is the first one in central Indiana, with another slated for downtown. “We are excited to bring Another Broken Egg here,” says Kevin, a Fishers resident. “A lot of people know this chain from vacationing in Florida or throughout the south, and we think they will be excited to see it here at home!”

I enjoyed “Another Broken Egg,” and I was especially impressed with the effort to give this newcomer such a local feel. Black and white photos of Indianapolis adorn one wall, and quotes from Hoosier notables such as James Whitcomb Riley and Booth Tarkington are featured on another wall. They serve locally-brewed Sun King beer, Fuzzy Zoeller vodka, summer blossom honey from Huntington, and pure maple syrup from Greencastle. Even their souvenir coffee mugs sport the checkered flag on the front label. A nice local touch for the new kid in town!

The café got its catchy name from the original owner who opened “The Broken Egg” and one day was simply asked, “Hey, why don’t you open ‘Another’ Broken Egg?”

Indy will most likely be glad they did!

100 Years and Counting: E.F. Marburger

In 1913, E.F. Marburger found himself seated at the lunch counter at a corner drugstore in downtown Indianapolis. The mid-day break from his job in the flooring department at Block’s Department Store would prove fateful in ways young Eli could not have imagined. The druggist, familiar with Eli’s line of work, asked him to measure out a new flooring project for the store. Ever resourceful, Eli rolled up his sleeves and started calculating.

When he returned to Block’s, Eli’s manager was waiting. “He asked my grandfather why he was late returning from lunch,” remembered Ron Marburger, president and CEO of E.F. Marburger Fine Flooring in Fishers. “Granddad described the customer service he’d given the drugstore owner. What came next hit like a ton of bricks,” continued Ron. “The manager said, ‘Mr. Marburger, Block’s is big enough that if anyone wants flooring, they will come to us. You’re fired.’” Ron said his grandfather would later explain that while heading home that day, he realized there was a better way to market flooring: going beyond the store walls.

That was the path taken by the company patriarch, who opened an 800-square-foot flooring store at 1021 North Illinois Street, providing customer service whenever and wherever it was needed. A century later, E.F. Marburger is among Indiana’s premier flooring and home furnishings companies. “I don’t know where I’d be today if my grandfather hadn’t gotten fired – let’s put it that way,” Ron shared. “It was devastating, but we’re German, and Germans have a way of toughing it out.”

Step foot into the Marburger showroom on Allisonville Road and you’re immediately surrounded by beauty – from kitchen and bath concepts to ceramic tile and granite counter tops to carpeting and hardwood flooring. Store designers have created a shopping experience that is equal parts inspiring and, for some people, intimidating. “Sometimes customers think that such high quality must carry a high price tag. That’s a misconception,” said Marburger. “We are very competitive with price because we do a lot of direct buying, and we know what the market will bear.”

The original E.F. Marburger & Son storefront at 1021 North Illinois Street in downtown Indianapolis.

His advice? “This is like an art gallery. Enjoy the experience and absorb the beauty. Just come in and look around – there’s no pressure. We want to help you see what can be done in your home without breaking the bank. I don’t care if I don’t sell a dime as long as visitors have a great shopping experience,” declared Marburger.

Fewer than 40 companies in Indiana have reached the 100-years-in-business plateau. Two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the current depressed economic climate have taken their toll, especially on family-owned businesses. “Those [difficult circumstances] are great teachers; they help you manage tough times,” Marburger explained. “Bridging those gaps says something about our company and team.”

E.F. Marburger is located at 9999 Allisonville Rd Fishers, IN 46038.

Marburger said his business survived with an unwavering commitment to hard work, deep product knowledge, and great customer service. “In our sales meetings, I say that we don’t just want satisfied customers, we want overjoyed customers. A client’s minimum expectation is satisfaction – and it should be. I want a customer that says, ‘Wow, am I glad I shopped at Marburger’s!’”

Ron’s face lights up most when talking about his two daughters and grand-daughter – the fourth and fifth generations of Marburgers now working in the business. “My dream is that maybe my grandchildren’s children can celebrate a 200-year anniversary,” he reflected. “If granddad and dad (Donald) came into the store today they’d say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ I don’t think either could have imagined it would grow and become what it is today. That’s a driving force – that’s why I work hard. It’s an important legacy to be passed on.”

Spring Housing Market: Another New Chapter

by Greg Cooper

Greg Cooper is a real estate agent with the Dick Richwine Group at Prudential Indiana.

It’s nice, isn’t it? All those great headlines telling us the housing market is back and better than ever. I’ll admit to participating in those headlines as one of those who frequently comments in the media about housing. What I rarely have time or space to explain in full is yes, it’s better but there’s still an asterisk. Too many sellers are already giddy at the prospect of this spring being a ’seller’s market’ here in Carmel and in many other places with the shrinking of available inventory for sale. To that, I’d steal a line from a sports commentator. Not so fast, my friends.

It is true that our overall housing inventory is down – in places, WAY down from where it was two years ago. One would think that within the simple laws of supply and demand that most of us learned in the 10th grade that a lack of supply would push demand to absorb what homes were out there. This is where the asterisk comes in for today’s consumers. Your home may be for sale, but that alone will not get you a sold sign. That will get you a parade of buyers who may say a few good things about you but in the end just can’t pull the trigger. In the meantime, you clean and pick up and yell at a spouse or kids or pets or all of the above for not having your home ready for the next showing appointment.

To get to the closing table and see the maximum return on your home, you have to do more than simply be ‘for sale.’ To get done and move on in Today’s New World of Real Estate, your home must match the demands of the market. That may sound simple, but it’s not. I promise you, I’ve heard a thousand times, “Well, my home has this and the home that just sold down the street didn’t.” That’s fine. Are you putting up a sold sign today or are they? This is not rocket science, friends. Your ‘product’ either has it or it doesn’t.

So how do you know what path to take? Get good counsel. You will need the right person who understands the needs and demands of the market and can help you strike a balance in preparing your home for sale. I don’t care if it’s an outstanding real estate broker, home stager, or sherpa. Someone who knows must help you prepare your resources so that you can get across the finish line. Whomever that may be, get honest, no-nonsense direction before you take the plunge and put a home on the market. What’s at risk? Only months of your time and hours of effort that can determine whether you spend next Christmas in your new home or spend the holidays wondering why you couldn’t get your property sold.

Best of Montana Coming to Carmel

Brothers Jon and Mike Shuel, owners of MacKenzie River Pizza Company, inside of their new Carmel location at the corner of 116th and Rangeline Road.

The pride of Montana is coming to Carmel at the corner of 116th Street and Rangeline Road. MacKenzie River Pizza, locally owned by brothers Jon and Mike Shuel, opened their first rustic restaurant east of the Mississippi River in 2011 on the southwest corner of 82nd Street and Allisonville Road in Castleton.

Born in Indiana but raised in Bozeman, Montana, Jon and Mike decided early on that they wanted to work together in their restaurants. Instead of splitting up their managerial duties across two northside restaurants, they hired management for the Castleton location so they can both be onsite at the Carmel location.

“People have been very positive about our food and atmosphere,” said Jon Shuel. “We love the 116th Street corridor which accesses all of Carmel, but also out west to Zionsville and Fishers to the east.”

Kurt McManis, owner of Montana Lodgepole Company from Bozeman, Montana, has been family friends with the Shuel family and constructs many of the wood furnishings inside of the MacKenzie River Pizza Companies nationwide, including Carmel.

Welcoming patrons inside the front door of every MacKenzie River Pizza is a wooden bear, hand carved by a Montana artisan with a chainsaw from one block of wood. Table tops, chairs, columns, and even the bar are constructed by long-time Shuel family friend and Bozeman business owner Kurt McManis. Mike Shuel grew up with McManis’s son, Cody, and created the “lodgey” interior for the first MacKenzie River Pizza in Bozeman 20 years ago. “Kurt is one of our good friends and just an original Montana guy,” said Mike Shuel.

McManis spent two months preparing the interior timbers from lodgepoles harvested in Butte, Montana. Installation takes about two weeks, making the March 18 grand opening possible.

Follow the new store opening on Facebook (/mrpcarmel) or on Twitter (@MackRiverCarmel). You can also watch a video interview with the Shuel brothers and family friend McManis shot during the construction.

Novel Idea

Carmel Men at the Forefront of Shakeup in the Traditional Publishing World

Alan Harris, Ray Robinson and Miles Nelson of Dog Ear Publishing.

Ann Craig-Cinnamon

Once upon a time, there were three guys from Carmel who decided to start a self-publishing book company. They published over 4000 books and lived happily ever after. The end.

Actually, it’s only the beginning of the story because the phenomenon that is self publishing is now making major inroads into upending the traditional book publishing world; and locally-based Dog Ear Publishing is at the heart of it.

Dog Ear was founded by Ray Robinson, Alan Harris, and Miles Nelson, three people with unlikely backgrounds to end up in publishing. Robinson started out as a geologist and then realized there wasn’t any money in it. So he and his friend, Harris, who had aspired to be a biologist and astronomer, applied for jobs at a Waldenbooks store at a mall in Akron, Ohio. Before it was over, they were working in Waldenbooks’ front office as buyers. That was followed by stints at MacMillan Publishing and Prentiss Hall Pearson before they figured out they were clever enough to start their own production company.

The plan worked fine until book publishers started sending production overseas. Again reinventing themselves, they teamed up with Nelson, who was a printer in Indianapolis and was one of their clients. Over lunch one day at Panera Bread, Dog Ear Publishing was born. That was 2004, and they haven’t looked back since.

There’s lots of competition, most notably from just down the road in Bloomington where self-publishing giant Authorhouse is headquartered. In fact, they met with Authorhouse early on about being an overflow resource for them. On the drive back, the three men decided they could do it better and in a more custom manner. About that Robinson says, “They’re McDonald’s; we’re a small independent company. We can do it better and different. We can’t mass produce. We can’t say we’re going to use the same template for all 10,000 authors. We can do 3, 4, 500 authors.” Nelson adds, “The industry has changed a lot since then. And so we’re producing much faster. When we first started, it was kind of all about the printed book. Now we like to say, “You have this creation which is the book, and what vehicle do you want to use to share it with your audience? It could be a printed book, it could be paperback or hardcover, it could be an ebook, it could be an audio book. Audio books are cool again.”

Differentiating themselves from the competition is easy since they are a small hands-on boutique shop. Harris says, “It’s someone thinking about their book and the interior, not just a machine that’s just running pages. That someone is actually looking at the pages to make sure the pages look nice for readability and things along those lines and covers also. Caring about the marketplace and what you put into it rather than just trying to get it done as quickly as possible and stamp it out on a template.”

Dog Ear also stands out because they do everything here in the U.S. Of the hundreds of publishing companies in the country today, they proudly trumpet that Dog Ear is one of only 3 or 4 that are completely based in the U.S.

The traditional publishing industry has struggled in recent years. This was either caused by the boom in self publishing or the self-publishing world has been the beneficiary; but in either case, there has been a lot of consolidation with big companies gobbling each other up and sending more and more of their functions offshore to places like India, China, and the Philippines, leaving what Robinson calls just a marketing shell in the U.S. He goes on to say that pressure from online booksellers and lower prices have caused the publishing giants to only look for best sellers. “It’s harder and harder to get shelf space. Fewer and fewer books are in bookstores; fewer and fewer books sell at the quantity that sustain the traditional model. But with self publishing, with a good product in the market, you can be successful with 3 or 400 books. They’ve made their investment back already. And if you sell 5000 books, you’re ecstatic. If you sell 10,000 books, you are now selling crazy amounts.

In the traditional industry, the average book doesn’t sell more than 2500 units. Ninety percent of the books in the traditional marketplace sell under 3000 units.” He adds that it is amazing how few people out there are in charge of these decisions. Maybe 100 people in the entire industry determine what everybody sees on the bookstore shelf. And those people are risk averse.
That leaves many people turning to self publishing which is now much more widely accepted by critics, reviewers, and even traditional publishers as a legitimate entrée into the publishing world as opposed to the “vanity” publishing rap that it used to get. You can “backdoor” your way in by paying to publish your book yourself, doing the marketing, and then getting the attention of the traditional publisher once it sells enough copies. Getting it up on Amazon is a breeze, making it available to tens of millions of people.

Robinson says the barrier to entry really isn’t very large. “Think about what an author invests in time and heart to write his or her book. It may sound glib from this side of the desk, but for 1000 bucks, 2000 bucks, 3500 bucks you are in the market. If you go through the editing process, the design process, and you have a great website, you have every chance to be successful as any book published by any traditional publisher.”
Indeed, Dog Ear has had authors publish with them who went on to be published by the big traditional publishing houses. After finding they can make more money self publishing because they have more control over their own product, these authors have returned to Dog Ear for later books.

Dog Ear authors are a very diverse group including a couple NFL players, a broadway actress, and the LBJ library and movie producer Michael Mandaville. Their most successful authors are those with niches like medical and how-to books. For instance, their biggest-selling author is a physical therapist who writes books about repairing damaged rotator cuffs.

They’ve also had some authors who were a bit odd, to say the least. There’s the hermit from California, the founders of a religion about Atlantis, and the woman who called them to publish her book because God wrote their phone number on her mirror in steam. They’ve had authors murdered, jailed, and they’ve been subpoenaed. But Robinson says they are having a ball. “It has been crazy fun. We’ve met with some of the strangest, weirdest, insanest, and most fun authors you could ever meet. They have UFO’s in their basements and new religions. You might have a crazy book, but at least it will look good. They have a good time talking about it because crazy people are truly earnest and excited about talking about their product.” And there’s no censorship at Dog Ear unless it’s porn or hate, adds Nelson, “If we’re going to be on our soapbox that everyone deserves the right to be published, then we can’t really just arbitrarily start picking and choosing.”

As for the future, they predict more constriction on the traditional publishing side but more surging in the independent market. Robinson says they struggle with their goals all the time. “What we realized over the last few years is that we should begin to focus on authors who have either a platform or a desire to see their book as part of their business plan. So we’ve kind of focused ourselves more on speakers, people who have a platform, people who want to use their book as a tool, or people who really want to get out there and partner in marketing their book and create something in the marketplace as opposed to just putting Grandma’s memoirs on paper.”

It’s often said that everybody has at least one good book in them, and Nelson strongly agrees. “Life is one great big adventure, and as participants, that gives each and every one of us a great deal of material to work with. Unfortunately, not everyone is gifted with great story-telling abilities. But, that’s where a great editor comes in handy.”

If you think you’ve got the makings of the next great American novel, you have the opportunity that authors in the past didn’t have to get it to the market. Robinson says it’s well worth the effort. “The moment you have that book in your hand, you open that box and you smell paper, you smell cover and laminate and all that stuff, it is insane.”

Tania’s Vision

New President looks ahead to the future of the Center for the Performing Arts

By J. Andy Murphy

Tania Castrovede Moskalenko inside the Palladium.

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, President/CEO of Carmel’s magnificent Performing Arts Center, early in life didn’t think she would change careers from a ballet dancer, front and center on the stage, to that of an arts administrator, working behind the scenes with budgets, artistic programming, developing adult and children’s educational music enrichment programs, and a mirage of other team management responsibilities. So what was behind her decision to step into a different pair of shoes and pursue another life path?

“I grew up in a rich atmosphere of dance and music. My family came to America from Cuba, settling in Miami when I was just six years old. My mother is a pianist and she and my father enriched our lives with a deep love of music, so it seemed only natural for me to fall in love with the arts, which led to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater and Dance from the University of Memphis. I found myself taking on leadership roles in the arts community. I discovered that arts administration was a solid fit with my music and dance experience and my passion for the arts,” Tania said with a warm smile that reflected the moment of recollection as to how it all began.

This career change became official when she joined the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center in 1998 (to 2005) where she established a highly-respected performing arts series focused on world music and contemporary dance. She also found the time (2000 to 2002) to serve as a commissioner for the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (appointed by the Governor of Tennessee) and served on the board of Latino Memphis.

In 2005, Tania took the reins of the Germantown Performing Arts Centre. There, she further established herself as a dynamic leader who thoroughly understood the daily challenges of presenting world-class performing arts programs and working tirelessly to expand the support of the corporate environment in the arts community.

Meeting with this unassuming woman who speaks quietly with such personal dedication and conviction for the arts immediately grabs your attention. When asked what programs might be forthcoming, she said, “This Performing Arts Center has done an amazing job of establishing a bar of excellence. I love all kinds of music – especially classical music – and I know there are artists from all over the world who would love to perform in this amazing facility. Right now, we are in the planning mode, but I can share that there are thoughts of doing more world music and dance; perhaps developing a coffeehouse music series; and definitely exploring more community engagement while creating more programs for life-long learning. We have a campus of wonderful theater locations with the Palladium, Tarkington, and The Studio Theater. It’s my responsibility to curate the best artistic seasons possible in order to create meaningful experiences for our diverse audiences.”

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko discusses the year ahead for the Center for the Performing Arts.

One such future program might include an exciting nationally-recognized storyteller who has designed a one-of-a-kind, multi-visual arts music appreciation show that uniquely demonstrates how storytelling and music presentation work together. This performer appeals not just to kids, but to adults as well. Just listening to her explain all the unique elements that this artist brings to the stage demonstrated her wonderful ability to think outside the box. I can honestly tell you that I wanted to purchase a ticket right then and there as she has that rare ability to help a person visualize what might be, even though they have no previous knowledge of the subject.

The serious side of Tania Moskalenko comes to light when discussing the phasing out of so many arts programs for our children. “Today, the support for the Arts nationwide is not what it should be,” she said. “Children need to be able to experience and be involved with the arts. Learning to dance, sing, or play an instrument can make a huge difference in their lives. It’s an opportunity that our children are losing as more and more funding for school programs is being cut,” she added. “At some point, we separated the arts from our culture,” she stated with obvious concern. “History will show this to be a mistake, so we must find a way to fund and provide these programs. We will definitely be working with our wonderful corporate community to build exciting enrichment programs that immerse our children in the arts.”

Tania has certainly accomplished this before, creating a children’s orchestra that went from just 35 to 110 students in a 2-year period. In 2011, she took 52 students, teachers, and parents on a 17-day music cultural and educational tour in China. “It was, indeed, a magical journey for the students,” she said. “They learned so much from this experience and will carry this memory with them for the rest of their lives.”

Webster’s Dictionary, in part, defines music as the art of multiple compositions and harmony working together in many different forms. We think this comes very close to describing Tania Castroverde Moskalenko’s professional side. Stay tuned for the rest of her story.

The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts
Seating: 1,600
Size: 151,000 square feet of
state-of-the-art concert hall located in Carmel, Indiana.

Box Office Hours: Mon-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: NOON to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
Phone: (317) 843-3800
Address: 1 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032
Website: www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org

The Feinstein Initiative
The Great American Songbook
info@feinsteininitiative.org
Archive & Gallery Hours
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Located on the Gallery level of the Palladium
SOMETHING NEW: A new exhibit with a theme change will open in the Feinstein Gallery in the next few weeks: “Blast from the Past: Roaring Hot 20’s Jazz.” It is quite a transformation. Look for the Grand Opening in the near future.

Ocean Prime

Shawn O’Brien, executive chef at Ocean Prime.

“This table is reserved for Humphrey Bogart.”

A kitschy placard boasts what could easily pass for a real reservation inside Indianapolis’s latest restaurant embodying the 1950s decade du jour – Ocean Prime, located just east of The Fashion Mall in the Keystone Crossing Corridor.

The upscale seafood and steak restaurant may have just opened in June, but it’s not hard to imagine the ascot-wearing playboy seated inside one of the espresso-colored leather booths ordering another bourbon to wash down his Kansas City strip steak.

Ocean Prime is the brain child of Cameron Mitchell – whose approachable take on seafood and steak has yet to disappoint at his eight other Ocean Prime locations nationwide. He believes his tried and true mix of sophisticated cool is just what the Circle City needs.

Executive Chef Shawn O’Brien couldn’t agree more. “I don’t even call this work. It’s my life. I kind of feel like it’s my baby…because my name is on the front door,” says the towering 28-year-old who moved to Indianapolis in April.

And while O’Brien may be new to Indianapolis, he’s been honing his culinary chops with Mitchell for more than seven years. He started at the original Mitchell’s Fish Market (now owned by Ruth’s Chris) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, while enrolled at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute where something felt “just right.”

Since then, O’Brien has had his hand in many of the company’s pots, working everywhere from Mitchell’s Ocean Club in Columbus (the original concept for Ocean Prime), to Ocean Prime locations in Phoenix and Orlando. “I can’t picture myself working for another restaurant company,” says O’Brien, whose unwavering dedication to the restaurant is clearly reflected in his dishes.

The menu does not read like a vision of trends or tricks, but of what is essential, long-lasting and true about food. Old classics like “Surf n Turf” are gaining new traction using sea scallops and slow-braised short ribs, while deviled eggs are dressed up with white truffles and caviar.

Their French Onion soup may sound simple, but it takes nearly 40 hours to make. “It takes 4 hours to caramelize the onions, 24 hours to make the veal stock, and 8 hours to make the chicken stock,” O’Brien continues. “Then we roast the bones for 3 hours and make a mirapoux (carrots, onion, and celery). There’s so much work and so much appreciation going into that one soup.”

The same can be said for the tuna tartare. The chef manipulates the ahi tuna with the care of a sushi master — gently topping the fish with chunks of avocado before drizzling it with a ginger ponzu sauce. (Download recipe)

One of the most lauded dishes is the Chilean Sea Bass finished with a champagne truffle sauce. And the perfectly-seared sea scallops over creamy parmesan risotto, served with English peas and citrus vinaigrette, is not to be missed.

“The secret is using the freshest and the best quality food,” O’Brien confides. True to form, Ocean Prime sources out its own “specially fed cows” for the restaurant from Michael’s Finer Meats & Seafood in Columbus. “I order my meat before 3 p.m. They cut it between 3 and 5 p.m., and then they pack it and send it the next day.”

From there the meat is simply seasoned with salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder, and cooked under a double broiler – using the “right technique,” of course. “When you’re paying $50 for a steak, that steak better be perfect, taste perfect, and look perfect – or else,” he warns.

The same goes for their fish – “frozen” is not in their vocabulary. Instead, every single day fresh fish is ordered and filleted in house. And those fish aren’t ordered exclusively from one company – O’Brien has at least four on speed dial. “If the Chicago place is closed on Wednesday, I can get it from Cleveland so I’m getting the freshest quality.”

O’Brien not only maintains a great relationship with his food vendors, he’s personally toured their warehouses. “We’ll go as far as to cut open a head of lettuce and make sure it’s not brown inside. If it is, we’ll send the whole case back,” he exclaims.

“No one else in this area is getting the same beef that we’re getting. No one is getting the same quality of fish. The quality that you’re getting is totally worth the price.”

But if paying $23 for a chicken dish is not your thing, consider this: Ocean Prime’s chicken (from JC Miller Farms in Zionsville) is not only free range and organic, it’s brined for 6 hours before each half roast is cooked to order and served with fresh asparagus in a lemon pan jus.

Even the linguini is made locally and delivered fresh twice a week – then tossed together with shrimp, spinach, tomato, garlic butter, and goat cheese – making up one of the chef’s more popular compositions.

Their infamous 10-layer carrot cake is also made fresh at 6 a.m. every morning. Their seasonal sorbet is spun by none other than Steven and David Buckner who own Sundaes Homemade Ice Cream on East 79th Street.

The people serving those dishes have been vetted just as solicitously as their vendors – and it shows. The service staff is never less than courteous, and the dining experience isn’t hushed but rather pleasingly civilized. “Yes is the answer. That’s our philosophy. Yes is the answer. What’s the question,” O’Brien says of their omnipresent credo.

Indeed. O’Brien recounts a situation at their Orlando location where a customer didn’t care for the restaurant’s brand of ginger ale. “For some reason, they wanted Seagram’s. So she (the server) grabbed $10, ran across the street to the gas station, then poured it tableside for the guest.”

“Just because they didn’t like our ginger ale, she went above and beyond. They didn’t even ask her to. She just did it. That’s what everyone lives by in this company,” says O’Brien, who adds that the staff is encouraged to take holidays off.

“We have every holiday off. We even have Super Bowl Sunday off. That’s not a holiday, but to him (Mitchell) it is. He figures everybody wants to watch the Super Bowl. They just treat us really well. It’s just a good vibe.” And it’s those good vibes that O’Brien hopes keep customers coming back.

While it may be 2012, it’s time to dust off your father’s fedora because the old days are back and Ocean Prime has definite staying power. Here’s looking at you kid.

Torc You Very Much: 7e Fit Spa

Steve Neilsen, CEO of 7e Fit Spa, at his first location at Geist Reservoir. The franchise now has 7 locations and growing.

Eureka! The Fountain of Youth has been found in the Winslow Wellness Center, and it has nothing to do with Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon and his mythical spring.

Instead of magical, restorative waters, this fountain is a stream of electrical pulses that mimic the body’s natural bio-electricity to work out abdominal and other muscles. Proponents say the result of a “Torc” session, as it’s called, is an eyebrow-raising reduction in waist size that leaves them feeling, well, younger, and infused with vitality.

Drop by 7e Fit Spa at 2000 East 116th Street, and instead of good ol’ Ponce, you’ll likely bump into Stephen Neilsen, the entrepreneur responsible for bringing bio-electric body contouring therapy to Carmel. “Our biggest customers are people ages 35 to 55 who want to maintain their youth,” explained Neilsen, 7e Fit Spa’s CEO. “They’re Baby Boomers who don’t want to get old – who want to live longer and healthier and look better doing it.”

Here’s the skinny (pun intended) on how bio-electricity and a Torc session works. After a discussion with a spa technician about the client’s desired outcome, two Velco bands are wrapped around the body’s mid-section. Wire leads snaking from the Torc machine are attached to the bands at various contact points. It looks a bit like the rig used for an EKG heart exam, but this procedure is all about dropping a pant size or two, not arrhythmia.

Clients lie comfortably in a private room where a spa technician sets the appropriate Torc level. Immediately, a sensation of tingling, massage-like waves pulse across the body’s mid-section as muscles are systematically constricted. The Torc’s intensity is slowly ramped up, but never beyond the comfort level. “Torc is an FDA-approved device that contracts muscles, simulating exercise about 150 times more effectively than with exercise,” said Neilsen. “First-time users can lose one to three inches around the waist. We can also apply the Torc to your thighs or buttocks which has been very popular with women.”

Elastic bands hold digital pads in place at the top and bottom of the muscle and use electro magnetic stimulation to contract the muscles without exercise.

According to 7e Fit Spa’s website, Torc utilizes several proprietary waveforms for a strong, yet comfortable, contraction and relaxation of the muscles producing intensified results in a short period of time. It helps to flatten your stomach, reduces cellulite on thighs, and improves posture by strengthening your core muscles. Clients swear by its effectiveness.

Neilsen says a 30-minute Torc session produces remarkable results, but only for people who try it. “That’s probably the hardest obstacle – getting people to believe that there is actually technology out there that can contour your abs and take off an average of three inches in 30 minutes,” said Neilsen. “That’s because it’s almost unbelievable. But, after the first session, 80% of people purchase more sessions. The cost of trying it out is cheaper than a personal trainer.”

7e Fit Spa takes its name from eastern medicine and holistic values, including the Seven Life Energies and Seven Dimensions of Wellness. Neilsen discovered the Torc technology while researching Johari Digital Healthcare Ltd., an Indian manufacturer of medical and spa equipment. After 25 years in the health spa industry, he said the U.S. market had developed a sameness about it, and that he wanted to differentiate from the competition. With Torc, Neilsen believes he’s found the answer. “We’ve established a model in Carmel that can be replicated,” he said. “We have stores in Geist, Florida and Arizona, and our growth will be as fast as we can handle. Already, we’ve done more than 10,000 treatments in Indy in our first year.”

7e Fit Spa also is aggressively pursuing franchise agreements locally and across the country. Neilsen explained that he’s looking for operators who have a passion for helping people. While a spa/fitness background is ideal, it’s not required. Instead, the company is targeting people with drive and ambition and who understand what it takes to be successful. The entry fee is $50,000 and includes a lease program for equipment with a lifetime warranty. “A lot of applicants are doctors,” said Neilsen. “Health care reform – Obamacare – has caused decreased revenues, and they’re looking for investment options.”

Additional information about 7e Fit Spa is available online at www.7efitspa.com.

Get Connected: Strike a Yoga Pose for Life Balance and Rejuvenation

Tree Pose – improves sense of balance, strengthens thighs, calves, ankles and spine. (Left to right) Tracy Stoner, Staci Alfes, Letitia Haywood, and Heather Thomas Leo.

Yoga blends a variety of physical postures, meditation, breathing, and philosophy with a focus on body, mind, and spirit; and it’s not a stretch to say this ancient Hindu practice is growing in popularity. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, yoga is becoming more common among adults as a way to maintain health, improve fitness, and relieve stress. While many people associate yoga with stretching, for those who practice, this discipline is a way to enhance quality of life.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means to unite or yoke together. “When you practice yoga you are making a connection with yourself,” said Heather Thomas-Leo, co-owner of The Yoga Center of Indiana. “Yoga returns us to our natural state. Modern lifestyles can make you feel disconnected. Often we aren’t even aware we have become numb to ourselves. Yoga re-establishes balance to the physical, mental, and spiritual body and promotes relaxation, calmness, and rejuvenation.”

Warrior II pose by instructor Heather Thomas Leo. Increases stamina; stimulates abdominal organs, strengthens legs and ankles; stretches groin, chest, lungs and shoulders.

The ancient practice is said to date back more than 5,000 years to its Indian heritage and was introduced to western society in the 19th Century, later evolving as a health movement in the 1930’s. While there is no formal way to track the growth of yoga, the results of a 2005 study by NAMASTA, the North American Studio Alliance, estimated 70,000 yoga teachers in North America. These findings were gathered from yoga publications’ readership surveys and teacher training certifications. Market research conducted by Gfk- MRI, claims the number of yoga practitioners has increased from 11 million in 2007 to more than 14 million in 2010.

Triangle pose by instructor Staci Alfes. Helps relieve stress; improves digestion; stretches thighs, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine.

Thomas-Leo has personally experienced the yoga boom in her business. Since opening the doors of her first studio with her partner, Karen Fox, in 2007, the Yoga Center of Indiana has doubled the average number of clients per day. “I have seen huge growth in the popularity of yoga and meditation. People are curious and looking for alternatives to their workout and are interested in the relaxation techniques.”

To keep up with the demand, the company is opening two new spaces in addition to two existing studios. Thomas–Leo encourages men and women to practice the art of yoga and take their personal experience to the next level by participating in teacher training courses. A few of her instructors demonstrate poses in the accompanying photos and share their reasons for choosing this form of exercise.

Backbend pose by instructor Letitia Haywood. Stretches chest and lungs; increases energy; strengthens arms, wrists, legs, buttocks, abdomen and spine.

Letitia Haywood was an active runner but due to chronic knee injuries, she turned to yoga as a gentler way to stay in shape. “It’s a challenging, low- impact workout, and my practice helps keep me in balance – in perfect alignment in all things.” A psychotherapist by trade, Haywood now integrates yoga therapy into her patients’ treatments. “Yoga is a beautiful gift to share with others and a way to promote positive health in my clients.”

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, yoga is low impact, safe for healthy people, and may help those with chronic back pain, as well as increase flexibility, reduce high blood pressure, and relieve anxiety.

Warrior III by instructor Tracy Stoner. Improves balance and posture; strengthens ankles, legs, shoulders and back muscles, tones the abdomen.

“Yoga is liberation – freedom,” said Tracy Stoner, who has practiced for seven years and now teaches regularly. “My relationship with yoga has transformed me. It’s helped me to become more self-accepting, less angry and frustrated, stronger, balanced, more confident, and more present in my life.”

According to Thomas-Leo, yoga is our natural way. Everyone has practiced a posture at one time or another without knowing it. “As children we just do. We breathe deep, stretch our limbs, do backbends and know to close our eyes when we need to start over. Yoga reminds us to live like the child we once were, to live joyfully without worry or fear.” She says yoga is all inclusive. Anyone can participate and choose the way they practice to fit their individual needs. “Basic poses are not difficult, but will build strength and increase flexibility. There are many variations of standard postures that can make yoga very challenging, but the practitioner makes the choice.”

The positive energy flows after moving through a routine of postures, and classes at The Yoga Center close with meditation, a quiet time where students sit with crossed legs, eyes closed, heads bowed and hands together at their heart center. Teachers end each session with the gesture Namaste, a symbol of respect and gratitude, which means “I bow to you” and acknowledges the divine spark within each practitioner.

“Yoga is so much more than the postures,” said yoga instructor Staci Alfes. “The practice teaches life lessons that can be taken off the mat and into the world. The learning never ends.”

Learn more about The Yoga Center of Indiana by visiting their website at www.tycyoga.com or visit one of the studios – Broad Ripple, Clay Terrace, the newest location at Pit Fit on the west side of Indianapolis. A fourth studio will open at City Center by year end.

Find tips and stories about the practice of yoga by visiting www.yogajournal.com.