21 minute read
MEET OUR MOMPRENEURS
MOMPRENEURS GET TO KNOW OUR OF THE YEAR!
While we face unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to support small businesses has never been more important. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our first-ever New Jersey Family Mompreneur of the Year! With help from our friends at Morphmom, we reviewed nearly 200 entries and chose Deanna Taylor-Heacock, founder of Good Bottle Refill Shop in Maplewood—NJ’s first zero waste refill store— as our winner. Get to know Deanna and other mompreneurs in this issue and at njfamily.com/mompreneurs.
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Deanna Taylor-Heacock: Good Bottle Refill Shop is New Jersey’s first zero waste refill shop. At Good Bottle, you can bring your own containers or buy one from us. We sell soaps, detergents, cleaning products and bath and body products in bulk. We sell everything by the ounce so you can buy as little or as much as you like. We also carry an assortment of unique zero waste lifestyle products intended to help you reduce your consumption of single-use items.
NJF: What was the inspiration behind your business?
DTH: First, I was disgusted with the amount of trash my family was producing. We made it our New Year’s resolution to reduce our waste. I stumbled upon the zero-waste movement looking for sustainable ideas and products. I also wanted to cut down on our spending. I started separating our food shopping from all the other household goods and only shopped for those things once a month. I had an ‘aha moment’ when I was at Walmart looking at all the plastic bottles I was buying and realized that all I really needed was the liquid inside. There was absolutely no reason for us to be throwing away all these bottles each week or month since they never break down. I searched for a store like this near me and couldn’t find it. I started working on a business plan right away and spent the summer making it a reality. We launched on September 9, 2019.
NJF: Small businesses are being hit hard during COVID-19. How has this affected Good Bottle?
DTH: Although we have taken a hit in our sales, luckily, we are still able to do business. We’re thankful that we can still pay our bills and employees.
NJF: How have you pivoted to adapt to this uncertain time?
DTH: We were in a unique position because we were considered an essential business but also knew we couldn’t service our customers the way we normally do by handling bottles from their home. We already had an e-commerce website selling products. I spent two full days converting it to a local delivery and curbside pick-up store instead. I had to get pictures taken of the products, price them and get them on the site. They are called “prefills” which are sustainable bottles filled with the product of your choice. We were up and running with delivery and curbside pickup hours after the shop had to close its doors. Our customers embraced this new way of shopping from us. We’re also buying back the bottles from our customers with our new “good bottle loop” program. We’re lucky to have a commercial sink and kitchen where we can wash and sanitize our bottles to be filled again. We have a standard operating procedure in place during this pandemic and are able to ensure all of our products are safe and sanitized.
NJF: How are you giving back through this period?
DTH: We normally spend Mondays doing re-orders for our best sellers to stay in stock. Now we spend that money on Go Fund Me campaigns for local businesses. We also donated 10 gallons of soap to Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and have given away many hand sanitizer bottles to local doctors’ offices.
Go to njfamily.com/ mompreneurs to read more about our winner and finalists.
NJF: What do you love most about what you do?
DTH: So much! I’ve never been so excited to go to work in my life. I love working with our customers and helping them find solutions in their homes. I love finding new products and working with our suppliers on developing new items. I especially love figuring out ways to merchandise the store and make processes more efficient for our customers. There is no ‘best practice’ or example for me to follow since we are one of the first shops out there so every issue we run into, we have to figure it out ourselves and I love doing that.
NJF: How have your kids been inspired to get involved?
DTH: They love the shop and are so proud. They know why we are doing this business and like talking about ways to stop using plastic. I’ve been told by teachers and other moms that it comes up in conversation at school and play dates often.
NJF: How has Good Bottle brought the Maplewood and South Orange communities together?
DTH: Good Bottle is in a marketplace with other locallyowned businesses called the General Store Cooperative. The marketplace has a mission to bring our communities together through events and outreach. Good Bottle has certainly sparked a conversation in our community regarding zero waste and reducing our consumption. There is lots of discussion on this topic on our community Facebook pages now more than ever before.
NJF: What advice do you have to encourage a waste-free life?
DTH: Start with a trash audit. Understand what single-use items you fill your trash with. We realized our trash was almost half filled with paper napkins and paper towels. We eliminated those things first and then tackled other things. We found reusable items to replace almost all the single-use items in our home.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
DTH: When I was a buyer for Bloomingdales, I was responsible for buying the brand Spanx. Founder Sara Blakely was such an inspiration to me and I’ll never forget something she said which was “hire your weakness.” I will always remember that. I have one employee at Good Bottle and she shines in so many ways but especially in the places where I do not.
NJF: What will be the first thing you do when this is behind us?
DTH: Celebrate our new line of soap. Right before the pandemic, we launched our line of hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent. We never got a chance to fully launch the product line and celebrate with our customers.
NJF: What else should we know about Good Bottle Refill Shop?
DTH: Good Bottle is a no judgement zone. We don’t believe that zero waste is a one-size-fits-all mentality. Whatever changes you would like to make in your home, we are here to help you out and give suggestions. We’re so excited to bring this new concept to the Garden State and start a #refillrevolution.
Iva Sebestyan, Ridgewood Flora’s Cottage • florascottages.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Iva Sebestyan: Flora’s Cottage is my life dream. It’s a workplace, but I built it as a home so clients feel relaxed and like they’re on vacation. I offer organic facials, which means no devices or machines. I also sell certified organic skincare products from all over the world. As I love herbs, I put together hands-on beauty workshops where we make natural, organic products to take home. Those events are great for birthday parties, ladies’ nights, bridal parties, Girl Scouts and more.
NJF: How have you adapted your business during this uncertain time?
IS: This time is tough for everyone. I’m still adjusting to the situation, juggling between homeschooling and business, but I love having my kids around more. As far as business goes, I put together DIY kits, which I deliver to my customers, for curbside pickup or I can ship. I’m extremely happy if I receive an order for my DIY kit, which I think is fun for everyone. So, if anyone would like to make their own face mask or lip balm, contact me. That’s how I’m trying to survive this situation, beyond selling gift certificates and skincare. I always put something extra in my kits, so all my clients know I highly appreciate their support. I’m also planning on bringing face yoga classes online.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
IS: Do not hope. Trust yourself, do it, and the rest will come.
NJF: What will be the first thing you do when this is behind us?
IS: Put my sign and flowers outside and welcome every client with a big hug.
Runner Up Shanetta Blackman
Your Beauty Plug instagram.com/ mybeautyplugllc
Runner Up Dana KaspereenGuidicipietro
FAYLA, Inc. faylainc.org
BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK
Rosa Vasquez Zaremba, South Plainfield MA of NJ • maofnj.org
New Jersey Family: What makes your organization unique?
Rosa Vasquez Zaremba: MA of NJ is exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and works to empower and provide socialeconomic change through the power of education. We provide educational and career services to Hispanic and Latino underserved high school and college students, as well as the community at large.
NJF: What inspired you to launch MA of NJ?
RZ: MA of NJ was established in 2018. The inspiration came from talking to college students who are Hispanic and Latino who needed help. Most of them were first generation going to college and had no clue of what their options were when it came to college and had no access to mentorship or career readiness to get them ready for their first “big job.”
NJF: How have you pivoted to adapt to this stressful time and what can others do to support you?
RZ: We have moved our strategy 100 percent online. We ask that you connect with us on social media, apply to be a virtual volunteer and if you can, please donate at maofnj.org. Your contribution will go towards funding our mission, classes, workshops and the scholarships we provide.
NJF: How is your organization giving back through this period?
RZ: We’ve been providing essential information on food pantries and other vital resources available for people in need via social media and virtual meetings.
KacyErdelyi, Montclair Joyist • joyistnation.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Kacy Erdelyi: Joyist is an organic, functional foods café. When you eat better, you feel better, and we want to help make that choice as easy and delicious as possible.
NJF: What inspired you to launch your business in 2017?
KE: My biggest inspiration was that I was surprised at how hard it was to get healthy food on the go in Montclair.
NJF: How has the pandemic affected your business?
KE: We decided to temporarily shut down. It was an incredibly hard and sad decision, but ultimately the best one for Joyist and for the safety of our customers and team.
NJF: How are you and your business giving back through this period?
KE: On our final day, we sold off many of our perishable items at a discount. The money we made that day was distributed among our team members to help them get through this time without work. We also donated $1 of every school lunch we sold to Toni’s Kitchen, a local organization helping to keep children in food insecure families fed while they’re out of school.
NJF: What will be the first thing you do as a business when this is behind us?
KE: Refocus on growth and try to bring Joyist to as many towns as possible.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
KE: My friend Jodie told me to always come from a place of abundance. Sharing ideas and resources with other businesses, even if they might be competitors, always works out better in the end.
Runner Up Rasheedah Cook
Treats For The Streets ifundwomen.com/ projects/treats-streets
Runner Up
Jeri Rothe JBR Therapeutic
Services therapynetworknj.com
HEALTH
Giselle M. Tadros, PT, DPT, Jersey City In-Home Pediatric PT of NJ • inhomepediatricpt.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your practice unique?
Giselle M. Tadros: My business is a concierge physical therapy service that treats babies in the comfort of their own home. I started this business because I recognized the need for more convenience for parents working long hours with children at home that don’t want to be bringing them to germy hospitals and public waiting rooms. I also offer sessions in my office.
NJF: What inspired you to launch the business?
GT: I worked in various settings for almost 15 years, in schools, hospitals, private clinics and early intervention. After the birth of my third son, I started to really appreciate the need for more convenience for parents who work long hours, and have itty bitty newborns or toddlers at home and don’t want to be bringing them out.
NJF: How has COVID-19 affected your business?
GT: We are providing telehealth services and frankly are quite surprised at how well they’re going. We’ve also been doing a lot more education online on Instagram and Facebook on what parents can do to keep their children active at home.
NJF: How are you giving back?
GT: We’re putting a lot of content online to help parents try activities at home. We have also significantly decreased our rates.
NJF: What’ll be the first thing you do when this is behind us?
GT: I can’t wait to see all the little babies and parents and give them big hugs!
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Moira McCullough: College Scoops helps families with the answer to “What I Wish I Knew” during every aspect of the college experience— applying to, attending and graduating college. We highlight the inside scoop on everything college-related—where to eat, stay and explore when visiting or living on a college campus.
NJF: What inspired you to launch your business?
MM: My kids inspired me to launch College Scoops in 2018 after their college admissions journey. They learned more about the important aspects of life in college and the surrounding areas from the research I conducted and the people we connected with, than any other source that we were given. Whether they were able to visit the college or not, the content I produced for each college helped them narrow down their college list in a meaningful and thoughtful way.
NJF: How has the pandemic affected your business?
MM: With the COVID-19 crisis, our materials and information are more relevant now than ever before. Parents and students need to make decisions on colleges without being able to visit them. College Scoops provides the information to help families make better-informed choices with real student experiences to learn from.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
MM: As entrepreneurs, we are running in many different directions, multi-tasking and trying to keep our family life on track. We are doing rather than listening. Listen with the intent to understand, not to reply.
Runner Up Jennifer Greenspan
Yaycare yaycare.app
Runner Up Sarah Jacobs, Esq. Jamie Berger, Esq.
Jacobs Berger, LCC jacobsberger.com
LEGAL
Christine L. Matus, Esq., Toms River The Matus Law Group • MatusLaw.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your law firm unique?
Christine L. Matus: We’re a boutique law firm focused on helping families, especially those with loved ones with special needs. We are unique because we have walked in the shoes of our families and know first-hand of the highs and lows they face.
NJF: What inspired you to start your own firm in 2003?
CM: My father instilled in me the passion to have my own business to help people.
NJF: How has the pandemic affected your firm?
CM: We’ve seen a surge in requests to complete important documents like wills, trusts and living wills.
the pandemic?
CM: We’ve become creative with ways to help our clients like offering phone and video conferencing, video notary services and using email and tech like Docusign to get things done.
NJF: How are you giving back through this period?
CM: Our firm believes in education and that knowledge is power. We provide daily tips and advice on Facebook Live, webinars that help families cope during these times and podcasts through our Unique Family Podcast with information like how food stamps are effected during these times. We also support non-profit organizations like 21 plus, Inc. and MOCEANS.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
CM: Every morning, focus on ‘What can I do to help more people?’ FROM TOP: TRACY HARMON OF HARMON PHOTOGRAPHY / CHRISTINE L. MATUS
MarciHopkins, Wyckoff Wake Up with Marci/Dragonfly Studios • wakeupwithmarci.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your show unique?
Marci Hopkins: Wake up with Marci is your wake-up call to a better life and a happier future. It’s a revolutionary show that promotes better living through meaningful life lessons and specialist interviews that help guests and audiences move forward with their dreams, hopes and aspirations.
NJF: What inspired you to launch the show?
MH: I’ve been through hardships in my life and I am now living my happiest life and I wanted to give that to others through Wake Up with Marci. I saw the need for a safe place to share triumphant stories, provide empowerment and help others to live their happiest life. My guests are everyday people that have gone through hardships but are now living triumphant lives, along with guests at the top of their fields that can teach us and help us to move forward. We tackle subjects from beauty/wellness and mental and physical health to female issues, divorce and chronic illness.
NJF: How have you pivoted your show to adapt to this uncertain time?
MH: I’m now interviewing others from home. Technology has been an amazing gift during this time.
NJF: How are you and your show giving back through this period?
MH: I’m doing daily Instagram lives at 11 am with guests that can inspire and help us evolve and move forward during this time. I want to bring happy news and encourage others to start to go after their dreams and evolve while we are forced to stay home. I’m helping to uplift others during this new normal.
Runner Up Danielle Silverstein
Marriage and Martinis marriageandmartinis.com
Runner Up Lauren Decker Lynne Pagano Suzanne Willan
The Co-Co, Summit theco-co.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Shari Seshadri, Secaucus PhotoSesh • photosesh.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Shari Seshadri: We’re proud to say that PhotoSesh is the easiest, fastest and most efficient way to book a photographer in the United States. There are almost 10,000 pre-vetted pro photographers across the country available between $30 to $95/hour. We pride ourselves on an easy to use iOS mobile app and web booking platform. Being married to your co-founder is unique in itself. My amazing husband Chris has been instrumental in the growth of PhotoSesh.
NJF: How has COVID-19 affected your business?
SS: We’re encouraging rescheduling indoor shoots and, of course, waiving cancellation fees. For those that choose to continue their PhotoSesh gigs, we’re offering best practices and suggestions like avoiding indoor shoots, following local guidelines, keeping a safe distance, enjoying our cashless payment system and referring to the CDC website for proper precautions. We’re keeping our employees on payroll and finding ways to use our downtime productively with charitable efforts to fight COVID-19.
NJF: How else have you pivoted to adapt through this period?
SS: In March, we launched PhotoSesh Por(ch)traits. Families can request a PhotoSesh and your pro will photograph your family outdoors, completely distanced. All of our company’s earnings from any PhotoSesh por(ch)rait will go to a COVID-19-fighting charity of the customer’s choice, while we continue to pay local photographers for their work.
New Jersey Family: Tell us about your business and what makes it unique?
Mona Malhotra: The Millionaires Closet is a mom-owned online small business run from my home. While I don’t have a brick or mortar storefront, I do invite local people referred to me to come by and try on specific items they’re seeking. I work with my consignors to help them retire some of their “lightly used” or “new with tags” luxe items so that they can get maximum cash payout and use the proceeds to purchase current season items.
NJF: What inspired you to launch the business?
MM: The Millionaires Closet launched in 2012. Sustainable fashion and luxury designer labels are on the cusp of millennial minds. I align the need for luxury resale with the younger affluent generation’s desire for sustainability. This was the perfect storm for me to launch my company and offer wardrobe advisory services based on the individual needs of my consignors and clients.
NJF: How has COVID-19 affected your business?
MM: When people are uncertain of their financial stability due to economy, job loss and closures, they stop shopping for items that aren’t essential. That said, I invite anyone who has the skills to stitch face masks to consign with me at no additional markup and purely as a pass-through cost, plus any cost of shipping.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
MM: If it’s not your passion, then it’s not your business, but simply a series of transactions.
Runner Up Michel Bezoza
Hunt and Orchard huntandorchard.com
Runner Up Taryn Lagonigro
Iris Mind and Body irisstudiosnj.com
WELLNESS & FITNESS
Mara Kimowitz, Mountain Lakes StretchSource • stretchsourcetraining.com
New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique?
Mara Kimowitz: StretchSource is the original provider of assisted, partnered stretching in Morris County and the only one that also provides continuing education for fitness and wellness professionals.
NJF: What inspired you to launch the business?
MK: I launched in September 2017 and my biggest inspiration was seeing that there was a need for stretch training resources other than yoga and physical therapy.
NJF: How has the pandemic affected your business?
MK: Unfortunately, we were forced to stop all operations on March 17 for an uncertain amount of time. We are a hands-on and in-person service so we’re unable to go virtual. We’re offering free stretch information, resources and classes online through the Everything Stretch Community on the StretchSource Facebook Page.
NJF: What can others do to support your business during this period?
MK: Offer a kind review of our business on Facebook, Google or other social media platforms, create an account with StretchSource on mindbodyonline.com and join our Everything Stretch Group.
NJF: What’ll be the first thing you do as a business when this is behind us?
MK: I will take my staff out for dinner to celebrate.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten?
MK: Never underestimate what you’re capable of. ADS PHOTOGRAPHY
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Experienced in all aspects of Family Law including: Divorce, Alimony, Prenups, Child Custody & Support and Modifications of Alimony & Child Support
Certified by the Supreme Ct. of NJ as a Matrimonial Law Attorney Chair of the Somerset County Bar Foundation
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