Howard Newman, Chicago resident, serves as president of Loeb. He represents the fifth generation of a 140-year-old company that assesses, buys, sells, auctions, and liquidates used packaging and processing machinery with companies spanning food, chemicals, drugs, and cosmetics verticals. Howard Newman’s core responsibilities involve appraising equipment, and he oversees targeted marketing efforts that bring machinery and entire plants to successful sale and auction.
Mr. Newman is frequently called upon to provide opinions and insight into equipment values, useful life, and marketability. Having served as an expert witness in court proceedings, he testified as part of the $780 million Le-Nature’s fraud and bankruptcy case. This represented the manufacturing industry’s largest single fraud investigation to date.
A licensed auctioneer, Mr. Newman holds Senior ASA designation through the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). He is also qualified as a Certified Equipment Appraiser (CEA) through the Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers (AMEA), and his firm is active with organizations such as the Machinery Dealers National Association. Howard Newman is an avid traveler whose journeys have spanned all 50 states and countries including Turkey and Sweden.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I appreciate the fact that no two days are ever the same. I always rise early and find that my energy peaks in the morning, which I make sure to fully capitalize on. I have always been highly driven and thrive on starting the day with purpose and momentum. It’s interesting because, when I was younger, I was quite the opposite. I enjoy a hearty breakfast and typically wake up hungry—not just for food, but also eager to face the day’s challenges. I make it a point to work out on Wednesday and Friday mornings with a trainer, which keeps me motivated to show up, put in the effort, and maintain consistency.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I really value the camaraderie within our team. It’s incredible how often a spontaneous idea I bring up gets refined and transformed into something truly outstanding through our discussions. Sometimes, the final concept ends up quite different from my original thought. There are even moments when I’m unsure about the outcome, but I trust the team’s judgment, and the end result often turns out to be a success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am focused on figuring out how to produce or mine hydrogen more efficiently. The widespread push for the electrification of cars and other devices really concerns me, as I believe it often leads to significant environmental and social costs. After visiting several mines and refineries, I’ve seen firsthand how battery production generates hazardous waste that can pollute the soil and water if not properly managed. Even more troubling is the destruction of some of the most beautiful wilderness areas around the world. The environmental damage—including water depletion, pollution, and habitat loss—is truly staggering when witnessed up close.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I firmly believe that successful outcomes come from planning the work and working the plan. I intentionally allocate time in my schedule for unexpected tasks, ensuring that I have flexibility without sacrificing productivity. Even if those last-minute needs don’t arise, there’s always plenty on my plate to keep me busy. In order to mitigate risk and maximize efficiency, I adhere to strict control and thorough planning throughout my day.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I have always been very direct in my communication, but I’ve learned that some personalities perceive this as aggression, or it can cause them to shut down. Improving my emotional intelligence and recognizing that certain people respond better to small talk or a non-direct approach could have saved many personal and business relationships over the years.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Go sleep in the forest. Getting out in the world and disconnecting and appreciating the natural world does wonders for the soul.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I actually focus best when I have a lot going on. I get into attack mode and just push through. The real challenge for me is when I don’t have much going on, as that’s when maintaining focus becomes difficult.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Shut up and listen. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Our team was under a letter of intent to acquire an online auction company, but we encountered unresolved accounting and technology issues during our deep operational review. This experience taught me the importance of asking thorough questions and digging deeper before committing to a project that could consume significant time, effort, and money.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A simple bedside voice recorder concept like the one described—just a single button to hold down for recording, a small green LED indicator, no playback, and Bluetooth to automatically email voice notes in the morning—is a niche product not widely available as an off-the-shelf device. However, several devices come close or could be adapted.
Some basic digital voice recorders offer one-button recording and LED indicators, but usually include playback and other features. Devices like the HiDock P1 offer Bluetooth recording and noise cancellation, but also have additional functions. Smartphone apps with Bluetooth microphones could simplify recording and file sharing with custom workflows for automatic emailing.
Some portable voice recorders support wireless transfer via WiFi or Bluetooth, but typically require manual steps for sending files. A custom device designed as a “drink coaster” with just one button, an LED, and Bluetooth email functionality would be a unique innovation not commonly found, but could be a great product idea. Meanwhile, simple digital voice recorders combined with smartphone apps or automation tools may be the most practical solution for now. A super simple bedside voice recorder like the one described—just a hold-down button, a small green LED indicator for recording, no playback, and Bluetooth to automatically email recordings in the morning—is not commonly available as a ready-made product. Most voice recorders offer more features like playback and file management.
However, some devices come close to this simplicity, and smartphone apps combined with Bluetooth microphones can offer similar wireless recording and file sharing capabilities. For now, simple digital recorders paired with apps may be the most practical option.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Perplexity AI is an amazing tool when you just want a good simple answer and not links to websites and other nonsense.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
An old movie from 1990 called Cinema Paradiso truly touched me when I was a kid. The friendship between an elderly projectionist and a young boy illustrated the value of kindness and the profound impact of mentorship. The film showed me the importance of asking people about what they do and why they do it, a curiosity that has always stayed with me.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Friends and Neighbors on Apple. Great storyline, actors, and pace.
Key learnings
- Structuring the day around natural energy peaks and maintaining consistent routines enhances focus, discipline, and overall productivity.
- Open team discussions and collective refinement of ideas often lead to more successful outcomes than individual efforts, highlighting the power of collaboration and trust.
- Effective communication requires adaptability. Understanding others’ personalities and adjusting your tone and approach can preserve relationships and strengthen teamwork.
- Learning from setbacks, staying curious, and balancing drive with self-awareness—through activities like connecting with nature—are key elements of long-term personal and professional growth.