Karen Ross Kerstein

Menorah Chapels at Millburn, President & Manager

NJ Lic. No. JP03663

Donna Mattina Coldwell Banker–Madison, Realtor

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My mission has always been to treat all my customers/clients with the respect, honesty and integrity that I would personally expect,” says Donna Mattina, a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker–Madison. This philosophy has led to great success - she is one of the number one agents in her office and has garnered many awards, including the Gold Circle of Excellence, which is a real accomplishment.

“I love helping others and making dreams come true, so real estate seemed to be a great fit,” says Donna. When it comes to a career, she encourages other women to follow their dreams as well. “You are stronger than you may know and [most women] are great at multi-tasking.” If they’re interested in following her path, she adds, “Real estate is a rewarding career that allows you the flexibility to raise a family or do whatever you love.”

Since 1997, Donna has enjoyed working with different people and the diversity of each client’s situation. No two days and no two clients are the same. Even after all these years, she still finds her career interesting and exciting.

Since her family has lived in Madison for generations, she is very familiar with the town and surrounding areas. This, she believes, also adds to her success. Clients can feel confident in knowing the advice and recommendations she gives come from experience, and not second-hand knowledge. Some of the best advice she ever received: “Manage my time wisely and allow down time for myself into my schedule.”

49 Main St., Madison 973-377-4444 https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/nj/madison/office/madison-office/oid_1553/

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Funeral service is a helping profession so the transition from one type of helping profession to another was very smooth,” says Karen Ross Kerstein, president and manager of Menorah Chapels at Millburn. Before taking over for her father, Herbert Ross, who founded the business, Karen obtained her bachelor’s degree in education and psychology and later her master’s degree in guidance and counseling in order to become a vocational counselor.

“Many of the positions held were grant funded,” she says. “This was in the era when grant money was dwindling and my father offered me an opportunity I just couldn’t refuse. I went back to school again and after a year of rigorous training and internship, I obtained my license to practice Mortuary Science in 1983.”

Although many skills can be learned, having a heart for helping comes from within. She continues to use her knowledge and her innate compassion to provide solace to others. “At Menorah Chapels, every family we serve is treated like family by our staff,” she says. “This is very important when helping people at a very emotional time.”

Located in Union, Menorah Chapels has been serving the Jewish community for over four decades. It’s the only strictly Jewish funeral home in Union County that maintains its own building and doesn’t share its facilities with any other funeral home.

Menorah Chapels at Millburn can also arrange funerals worldwide. Regardless of where services take place, families’ religious, financial and sensitivity needs are always met.

2950 Vauxhall Rd., Union (Vauxhall) 908-964-1500 www.menorahchapelsatmillburn.com

Cindi Galiher has spent her entire career in the beauty industry working for well-known companies and brands such as Revlon, Borghese and Laura Mercier. She has also been trained as a makeup artist by world-renowned makeup artists Mercier and Linda Cantello.

After taking a break from the corporate world to have a child, Cindi decided to get back into the industry when her daughter was 11. “Kathy Korab was my hair stylist in Chatham for 18 years and when she told me she wanted to branch out on her own, I was ready to do something as well.”

Together, they opened GLAZE Salon in Chatham in March of 2019. Its large, modern space can rival any salon in New York City, and she says that some of their clients actually drive in from the City to get their hair done. And for local people, there’s no need to travel. GLAZE is easily accessible and provides New York services at New Jersey prices.

Some of its most popular offerings include Brazilian Blowouts, Hair Extensions and “Lived in Color.” “Kathy is a master cutter and stylist and her forte is the Brazilian Blowout,” says Cindi. “I provide makeup services in the salon.” Other services include nails, lashes and waxing.

Becoming a female business owner was a great choice for her, and having Kathy as a partner is a huge bonus. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner,” says Cindi. “We always communicate and we’re always 100% on the same page, which makes things easy.”

7 Townsquare, Chatham | 973-701-0099 www.glazesalon.com

Veronica Wheat

Owner, Chef V

Working at a vegetarian restaurant at 15, Veronica Wheat realized that healthy food can be delicious. She became a private chef and added a certification as a nutritional therapist. When Veronica started a meal delivery service, with each delivery she included a specially prepared green beverage. The demand for it became so great that she took on another entrepreneurial venture: Chef V.

The product line includes Chef V’s green drink plan that helps customers lose weight, detox vital organs, and revitalize skin and hair; a cleanse; and a 21-day detox. The ingredients are organic, always blended—not juiced. Veronica explains that “Blending gets all the nutritional benefits of fiber by using the entire fruit and vegetable.” The best advice she has received is to be passionate and true to herself. “I stay true by blending the ingredients, and not pasteurizing my products.”

Clients can visit the store and observe the production process or opt for online ordering and delivery.

897 Bloomfield Ave., West Caldwell | 973-227-0227 www.chefv.com