Dr. Maureen Giese, DACM, LAc

Soul Sprout Family Acupuncture

Having a Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine and a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, it is Maureen’s intention to help people live symptom-free or symptom managed lives while limiting the need for pharmaceutical interventions. She specializes in cancer support, pain management, and gastrointestinal disorders.

“I believe that treating the source of disease and empowering people to take control of their own health gives people what they need to bring positivity to their own lives and the lives of others,” states Maureen.

10 E. Willow Street, Millburn | 201-563-0659 www.soulsproutacupuncture.com

Dayana Moreno

Mona Lisa Framing

As a girl in Caracas, Venezuela, Dayana Moreno loved going to museums with her father. She dreamed of a life working with art, and, after moving to the U.S., got a degree in art history from Montclair State University. Then, she fell in love with framing. By 2007, she was working as the production manager of Maplewood’s Mona Lisa Framing. She purchased it from the original owner in 2018.

The pandemic forced her to learn fast how to run a business in order to survive. A friend gave her sound advice about business lows: “It’s the space between the notes that makes the music.”

“There will always be highs and lows,” she said. “The lows are an opportunity to reassess and look for growth.” Not only has she survived, but flourished, continuing to cherish the stories and treasures she helps clients preserve—from a child’s fingerprints to priceless artworks.

7 Highland Place, Maplewood | 973-762-2777 www.monalisaframing.com

Kristin Fless, MD

Acting Chair of the Department of Medicine, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

As acting Chair of the Department of Medicine, Kristin Fless, MD oversees clinical, educational, administrative and research activities. She practices in the areas of neurocritical care, internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and sleep medicine. Dr. Fless began her career at Cooperman Barnabas in the Critical Care Division, a division that treats severe medical issues including stroke, seizures, post-op surgical care and respiratory or heart failure.

Dr. Fless was drawn to this specialty because “we have the chance to intervene and in effect provide a good outcome for patients. It’s seeing physiology in action.” She is an advocate of compassionate caregiving, which she defines as being able to see the patient as a whole person. Dr. Fless recognizes the need for comprehensive and compassionate care when patients are in a hospital setting. “We’re trained to treat the entire patient, not just their disease.” Compassionate care encompasses more than treating their medical needs. “Listening is a component of compassionate caregiving and may include addressing a patient’s spiritual needs or integrating treatment with other health care professionals and family members.”

Dr. Fless feels a sense of responsibility to train the next generation. She mentors student and resident physicians as well as respiratory therapists. She is the physician leader at Cooperman Barnabas for The Schwartz Center Rounds, a national organization whose mission is to put compassion at the heart of healthcare through programs, education, and advocacy. “Our trainees have been invited into these rounds and they have the opportunity to present at them.” She has been heralded for her teaching prowess and received the Golden Apple Harvey E. Nussbaum Award for excellence in teaching. Of those she has taught or mentored she says, “I am proud that they have learned excellent technical skills and compassionate caregiving expertise at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.”

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Fless was recognized by the American Cancer Society for her work to provide an early diagnosis of lung cancer through low-dose screening CTs of the lung in high-risk patients. Dr. Fless continues to excel and exceed. “I strive to provide the best medical experience for patients. My focus is to find opportunities for new programs, new technologies or to improve upon what is currently available.”

94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston 973-322-8232 www.rwjbh.org/cooperman-barnabas-medical-center

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

Nicole Zornitzer

Niyama Yoga Shalas, Founder

Nicole Zornitzer, founder of Niyama Yoga and Wellness Studios has a background in modern dance that led her on her path to ultimately find yoga. Nicole is an E-RYT 2000 Certified Yoga Therapist with additional degrees in Ayurvedic Medicine, Integral Sound Therapy, Reiki Healing Level 2, Advanced Yin Yoga, Pre-Natal Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Mindful Barre Fusion, and Yoga Nidra. Niyama Yoga Shalas is proud to also be a world-renowned training school for incoming RYT 200, RYT 300, Meditation and Advanced Yin Yoga Teacher Training under the Yoga Alliance. She believes that the best teacher is also the student and therefore created a wellness model that encourages The Art of Self Study (Svadhayaya), which is her Shala’s mission statement. In 2022 Nicole launched a second business under the Niyama Yoga Shala umbrella; Niyama Yoga Retreats, which is a global retreat company. The intention behind

Marie Khoury Pink Jewels Boutique

Marie Khoury was only 25 when, 13 years ago, she opened Livingston’s Pink Jewels. After teaching school for one year, she’d realized it was not for her. Coming from a family of business owners, who were very supportive of her, she weighed the risks and the benefits—and created the “lifestyle boutique,” which carries jewelry, clothing, bags, home decor and gifts.

“The retail industry was mostly older, so my youth was a little bit of an obstacle,” she said. Knowing how she liked to be treated when walking into a store, she incorporated those feelings into designing a welcoming, warm—but not pushy—atmosphere that customers immediately responded to.

“Shopping should be fun,” says Marie. “Treat everyone with respect. And remember that you don’t know everything. Listen to your customers and staff,” she added. She finds that this business model generates an energy which makes people want to return.

973-994-0975 https://pink-jewels.com this global retreat company is to offer people the opportunity to experience moments of bliss in highly pranic environments, therefore the mission statement of The Art of Ananda (Bliss) exudes this theme.

With a 24-year career in business and marketing for a fortune 500 company, Nicole has used her keen business sense to create Niyama Yoga Shalas which now includes 4 independent wellness centers which span across New Jersey and Florida.

Since 2008, Nicole has been the appointed yoga instructor for the Livingston Public School System, bringing youth her passion for yoga and meditation. Nicole has specialized much of her career in training athletes, including the NY Jets Football Team and various tennis and lacrosse professionals.

161 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland 973-500-2939 www.niyamayogashala.com