At NJMOM, we love celebrating all of the bada$$ mamas in our lives. Some extraordinary women we love to celebrate are our #NJMOMpreneurs who have started a New Jersey business all while raising a family and enhancing the community around them. We’re inspired by their dedication to these businesses and their passion for giving back. Check out our #NJMOMpreneur roundup and read more about these mamas all around the Garden State.
See a full list of all of our #NJMOMpreneurs here.
Here are 10 #NJMOMpreneurs you need to know about:
Holly Migliaccio, Co-Founder of Rook Coffee
Wonder who’s responsible for fueling New Jersey’s great coffee habit? It’s this coffee-loving mama Holly Migliaccio, co-founder of Rook Coffee. After leaving her corporate life behind, Holly utilized her skills in marketing, management, and operations to fuel her new business that brings coffee flavors from across the globe to New Jersey. Rook also organizes the 5K annual Rook Run, which benefits the Valerie Fund, supporting children with cancer and other blood disorders.
To read more, check out Holly Migliaccio’s feature here.
Michele Gannon, Founder of Mary’s Place by the Sea
Michele Gannon is the founder and President of Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, a retreat for women who are receiving treatment for cancer. The beachy facility includes a spa for oncology massage, treatment centers for Reiki, guided meditation, counseling, prayer, and expressive writing, and an in-house organic chef that educates guests in the importance of eating for healing. Above all, Mary’s Place by the Sea is an intimate home that opens its arms to fellow sisters and friends to unwind, connect, and relax. These services are completely free to their guests.
To read more, check out Michele Gannon’s feature here.
Melissa Ben-Ishay, Creator of Baked by Melissa
What started as a love of baking cupcakes became a full-time job for this Hoboken-loving mama. Melissa Ben-Ishay found her true calling when she created Baked by Melissa, a hand-crafted, bite-sized cupcake and macaron company. Baked by Melissa has created over 100 million mini yummy cupcakes with flavors like Chocolate Chip Pancake, White Chocolate Pretzel, and Cookies & Cream. Can you say, yum?! We’re inspired by her ability to balance hardcore baking and parenting, and the “measure twice, cut once” rule.
To read more, check out Melissa Ben-Ishay’s feature here.
Do one small thing every day to move your idea or business forward and you will make progress. Surround yourself with people who have skills you don’t. Ask questions. Learn. – Melissa Ben-Ishay, Creator of Baked by Melissa
Andrea Mullan, Owner, and Creator of Victory Public Relations
Being a business owner is much like being a mama; you’re the glue of the team, juggling many projects at once, helping your clients (ie, little ones) grow while stepping back and admiring the results of your work, which is all so incredibly rewarding. Our #NJMOMpreneur of the Week, Andrea Mullan, owner and creator of Victory Public Relations, launched her PR business so she (and those who work for her – most specifically moms) could chase her professional dreams while simultaneously enjoying a fulfilling personal life with her family. One of her simple mantras for success with juggling both? She “doesn’t do working mom guilt.” We’re inspired by her go-getter attitude to create the life she’s always envisioned.
To read more, check out Andrea Mullen’s feature here.
Diana Robles, Owner of Loveprint Photography
Diana Robles is the owner of Loveprint Photography, a full-service photography boutique specializing in maternity, newborn, children, and family photography. A proud military wife, Diana’s family was stationed in North Carolina when her husband was deployed. Through capturing snapshots of precious moments of her son’s childhood to share with her husband overseas, she discovered her love for family photography. Since returning home to New Jersey, she has turned her devotion to photography into her dream job, and her stunning, diverse portfolio speaks to her success. Diana is a woman of many passions; in addition to running a business and raising her son, she is dedicated to learning American Sign Language and is actively working to extend her photography services to deaf families.
To read more, check out Diana Robles’s feature here.
Susan Correa, CEO, and Founder of art & eden
India-born-mama of two and CEO of art & eden, Susan Correa, is not only transforming the kid’s fashion industry with her beautiful and sustainable designs, she’s also inspiring us with her charitable contributions to children in need around the world. Her company is all about sustainability and bringing world cultures together through her designs. She hopes to expand to two department stores this year, all while helping at a youth mentorship program and donating time to Hope Worldwide, which provides multivitamins and medication to children in need.
To read more, check out Susan Correa’s feature here.
From as far back as I can remember I wanted to do work that mattered. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to change the world.” – Susan Correa, CEO and Founder of art & eden
Carey Balogh, Founder of Brand Groupies
Want to learn how to “Build Your Brand. Rock Your Brand”? Then look no further than Carey Balogh and her company, Brand Groupies, a consulting group that launches brand identities and marketing campaigns for new businesses to create rock star reputations with fans. Carey, “Head Groupie,” is the marketing and brand development guru behind this Red Bank-based company – and she has the rock and roll background to back it up. Not only did she share a European tour bus with The Rolling Stones, but Carey plays the guitar in her own Asbury Park-based, mom-only band called Mamadrama. She’s produced hundreds of fashion shows as a fashion publicist in Milan and embraced her entrepreneurial spirit by founding Frolic!, the rock-and-roll-style indoor playground in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
To read more, check out Carey Balogh’s feature here.
Cate Scaglione, Artist and Owner of Life as Fine Art Studio + Spa
Cate Scaglione, artist and owner of Life as Fine Art Studio + Spa in Red Bank is all about making her clients feel empowered, beautiful, and strong. She wants her clients to have an uplifting photo shoot at her fine art and boudoir photography studio – a chance to boost confidence and create images that coincide with that goal. Her studio offers an escape for women where they leave feeling like their most positive selves. You are strong, you are beautiful, you are you!
To read more, check out Cate Scaglione’s feature here.
Katie Jesionowski, Co-owner of MySuperFoods
After leaving a career in advertising, Katie Jesionowski, co-owner of MySuperFoods and our NJMOMpreneur of the week, hit the snackfood jackpot by creating a healthy snack food line kids beg for and moms approve of. Say hello to bright, playful packaging, clean ingredients, and superfoods in every bite. In addition to how she’s changing the snack food game, she’s inspiring all of us to help end hunger across the globe. A 3 am convo sparked this business idea, and we’re sure glad that it did.
To read more, check out Katie Jesionowski’s feature here.
There are a million reasons not to take the leap. Do it anyway. There is never a good time. Do it anyway. There are few people who will understand how or why you will be a success. Do it anyway. You’ll never regret giving it a chance.” – Katie Jesionowski, Co-owner of MySuperFoods
Kerry O’Neill, Co-owner of Kali-O’s Juice Box
After traveling abroad and living in Hawaii, Kerry O’Neill discovered healthy food can be not only good for you, but it can taste good, too. She co-founded Kali O’s Juice Box with her sister and has now opened three locations at the Jersey Shore. Her biggest mission is to sell high-quality food that tastes equally as delicious in acai bowls, smoothies, and juices. Kerry gave us the low down on how living in Hawaii inspired her vision for Kali O’s, and an insider’s perspective on how Superstorm Sandy rocked her hometown.
To read more, check out Kerry O’Neill’s feature here.
Psst! Know of an NJMOMpreneur we have yet to feature? Send an email to erika@njmom.com.
