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27°
Tuesday, dec 24
Tag:
Entrepreneurship
Business
27-Year-Old Brings Lash Empire To Bergen County
For Dominique Sandu, eyelashes are more than just a beauty accessory. They’re a confidence booster and a lifelong passion. The entrepreneur and Wayne Valley High School graduate has turned her love for lashes into a thriving business, D.Sierra Lash Co., with three successful salons, a celebrity client list, and plans for national expansion. Oh, and she's only 27 years old. Sandu opened her first studio in Little Falls in 2021 at 24 years old, a leap of faith that proved to be life-changing. “I’ve been obsessed with lashes since high school,” Sandu said. “I believe in it, I love…
Business
Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Chain's Founder Aims For 'Greater Heights'
Jersey Mike’s Subs, a Garden State icon that grew into a national sandwich powerhouse, is set to sell a majority stake to private equity giant Blackstone, officials said. The Manasquan-based restaurant chain has agreed to sell the stake in the company, Blackstone said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will keep a significant equity share and continue leading the business. When he was 14 years old, Cancro began working at the original location in Point Pleasant that opened as Mike's Subs in 1958. At 17, he bought the restaurant in 1975 and…
Politics
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency
President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill his cabinet with loyalists and his biggest supporters following his sweeping victory in last week's election. He announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, that two billionaire former rivals turned allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would head up his new Department of Government Efficiency. Related: Trump Nominates NY Rep. Elise Stefanik As UN Ambassador The tech entrepreneur, age 53, and the 39-year-old Harvard and Yale Law grad will be tasked with major cuts in government spending. Trump called it "The Manhattan Project" for a new…
News
Billionaire CEO, NJ High School Dropout Leading SpaceX Mission 'Polaris Dawn'
A high school dropout from New Jersey who owns a multi-billion-dollar Pennsylvania tech firm is making history, again. Jared Isaacman, 41, the CEO of Shift4 Payments in Allentown, PA is the mission commander of SpaceX's mission Polaris Dawn, which launched into space on Tuesday morning, Sept. 10. Alongside Isaacman are Retired US Air Force Lt. Col Scott "Kidd" Potee, and two SpaceX specialists, Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. You can read more about the mission on the SpaceX website here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Po…
News
Married Deli Owners Taking Over Popular Bergen County Bar Have Message For Longtime Customers
It took months for Anabella Sol Cavagliato and Jorge Mora to gain the trust of patrons after opening In The Drink. It was 2017 and the bar and restaurant at Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne had long been owned and operated by someone else. The customers were skeptical of change. They didn't like it, at first. They didn't want it, said Cavagliato, 41, and Mora, 47, of Bogota. But over time, the customers warmed up to the new atmosphere, fare, and drinks. These days, In The Drink is thriving. And so are its owners, who will be taking over The Cottage Bar — the Irish pub two d…
News
Inside 3,500-Square-Foot Gastropub Now Open In Bergen County
June 2023 was when Mike Madigan says he experienced the scariest moment of his life. The 44-year-old Wyckoff, NJ, dad had finally taken the leap on owning a bar and restaurant of his own and had everything he needed to move forward with the project. He had the lease. He had the architectural plans. And he had the approval from everyone he needed. All he needed was a construction company to agree to the work. "I spent a good three or four months calling construction companies and setting up appointments," said Madigan, a Burlington, MA native who by day works as a controller for Keller Wil…
Business
Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop
It was 2017 and Matt Dagistanli was in the process of building the structure that stands today at 65 W. Madison Avenue in Dumont, when his donkey went missing. He wasn't a real donkey, of course, but a statue that Dagistanli and his former business partner had affectionately called Dumbo. Dagistanli grew quite fond of Dumbo, and wasn't ready to get rid of him at the turn of his career change. "I didn’t want to sell it or throw it away, so I took it home," said Dagistanli, 63, of Rutherford. "My wife said, 'You need to take this away.'" Dagistanli had nowhere to keep Dumbo except for …
Business
Bergen County Candy Shop That Blended Whimsy With Class Slated For Closure
A Bergen County candy store launched by an owner with a sweet desire to be both tap into her creative side and be part of her community's fabric is slated for closure. Westwood Candy Company & Gift Shoppe, owned by Kim Aluotto, will close on June 29. Aluotto opened the store shortly after moving to the area with her family from Denville in 2021. She left her full-time job as an occupational therapist to fulfill her dream of opening a candy and gift shop, something with a little bit more eccentricity and flexibility. "I love working with people and I had this idea of candy and gifts — …
Lifestyle
Love At First Bloom: Mom's Alzheimer's Gives Life New Meaning For Clifton Flower Truck Owner
Vanessa Vargas says the point of having flowers is to enjoy them while they are still alive. It's a lesson that the Clifton business owner learned from her own mother, Rosie Vargas, 66, a longtime gardener living with the final stage of Alzheimer's Disease. It's a lesson she's applied to her own life. "Flowers are about embracing the beauty of the moment," Vanessa Vargas said. "When my mom was okay, I took it for granted. I never thought she'd have Alzheimer's. I should've lived in the moment, and the same goes for flowers." Vargas is the owner of Love at First Bloom, a mobile flower busi…
Lifestyle
Venezuelan Immigrant Builds Dream Life Photographing Dream Homes In Bergen County
Finding a better life in the U.S. was not a guarantee for Edwing Hernandez when he immigrated with his wife from Venezuela in 2012. But it was a possibility. He had $3,000 in his pocket, and a simple dream. "For me at that moment, [my dream] was to be in a safe country with freedom of speech and be able to live and have my basic needs covered," said Hernandez, 34, of Union City. For years, Hernandez worked physically-demanding jobs and long hours, sometimes 14 a day, commuting two hours to and from work, for only $8 an hour. Life would get a whole lot harder before it would get easier fo…
Lifestyle
The Rock Mocks Jalen Hurts In Philly After Charming NJ Gym Owner
The Rock continues to lean into his bad guy persona, taking a dig at one of Philadelphia's favorite athletes. Videos show fans booing after The People's Champion gave a simple explanation as to why he was two hours late for a fan event at WWE World on Thursday, April 4. The Rock said he was late because he was watching clips of Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, losing in the playoffs again. “The Rock was late because he was on YouTube watching highlights of Jalen Hurts losing in the playoffs again.” Savage 😂pic.twitter.com/Mgx7gdrJg5 — Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytic…
Lifestyle
'Visionary Force:' Atlantic City IT Tech Named To '40 Under 40' List
An IT technician for Atlantic City's government is getting recognized for his other passions: Music and being an entrepreneur. Kyshawn Wyman, 31, was named to the 2024 list of "40 Under 40" for The NYC Journal. Atlantic City's government praised Wyman and shared the news on its social media accounts. Very proud of Kyshawn Wyman - an IT technician here at City of Atlantic City - Government - for being named to The NYC Journal's 40 Under 40 2024 list 👏👏 Posted by City of Atlantic City - Government on Thursday, January 18, 2024 Wyman is the CEO and executive director of Hit Nation E…
Business
Sweet Homecoming: Best Friends Of 20 Years Expand Passaic County Bakeshop
It's a homecoming for Elizabeth Rivera and Stefany Ardila The Clifton residents, who have been best friends since elementary school, recently opened Sweet n' Cake at 457 Clifton Ave. It is the second location for the duo, who opened their first storefront in Paterson earlier this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sweet N’ Cake (@sweet_cakesforever) Rivera and Ardila's journey as business partners began in February 2020, when they started making smaller treats like chocolate covered strawberries. A month later, the pandemic…
Business
North Jersey High Schooler Runs Bakery From Parents Basement
Haya Nassar may be just a junior in high school but she already knows what she wants to do with her life. Nassar has recently opened Haya Baking, making chocolate chip cookies from her parents basement and delivering them to customers throughout the region. Nassar, a Fort Lee resident, balances high school, which she takes online, with fulfilling the orders of her customers. "I had been thinking about doing this for a year," Nassar said. "I decided to put my foot down and I just did it. I really enjoy baking." Nassar's specialty is chocolate chip cookies, though she makes designs for wha…
News
Billion-Dollar Jewelry Brand Brings Biz To Westfield Garden State Plaza
Kendra Scott is continuing to expand her footprint in the Garden State. The fashion designer and billion-dollar jewelry brand opened a new retail store at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. The 1400-square-foot location features a color bar, allowing people to design their own jewelry and an onsite engraving machine. Scott, a mom of three, started the business when her first son was just three months old. “I’ve always had a love of natural gemstones, and noticed a white space in the jewelry market for quality styles and stones at an affordable price," she said on her…
Business
Retired Police Chief, Polish Immigrant Open New Gym In Old Jersey City Firehouse
One is a retired police chief from Bergen County and the other a Polish immigrant who 20 years ago was rollerblading home from work at 3 a.m. because he had no other means of transportation. Both have achieved their shared dream of owning a gym. Marty Kahn, who retired as Fairview's police chief last July, and David Jaros, who moved to Lodi from Poland knowing not a lick of English are opening Firehouse Fitness later this spring, in a historic Jersey City firehouse. The name came easily to the fitness buffs, who met some years ago in the 5 a.m. crew at Hackensack Meridian Fitness and Welln…
Lifestyle
'Standing Out Is In': Morris County Mom Launches Bright Handbag Line During Dark Time
Kimberly Cignarella was never one to blend in. The Morris County native has always expressed herself through fashion, and going along with the trend was not something that interested her. Her philosophy was no different when it came to launching her own brand KIM CIG: A collection of acrylic, light-up handbags. The 34-year-old mom from Whippany got the bright idea for her design during a dark time. She was furloughed from her job as a New York City fashion designer during the pandemic and felt it was the right time to fulfill her dream of creating her own brand. All she knew was that her…
News
NJ College Dropout Pitches Dinner Time Invention On 'Shark Tank'
Tog Samphel always had a knack for design, and he didn't need a college degree to do it. In 2004, the Clifton resident dropped out of Montclair State University because he was offered a job with AOL. And for the duration of his 15-year career, Samphel never needed nor wanted to complete his college degree. There was one thing he wanted to do, though, and that was invent something. Well, since 2020, Clifton's Samphel did both: He invented a product called "Anytongs" and finished his degree at Montclair State University. Later this month, he's making his pitch and telling his story on "Shar…
Obituaries
'He Tried To Convert Violence Into Hope:' Youth Counselor, Devoted Passaic County Dad Dies, 39
Youth counselor and devoted Passaic County father Juan Diego Otalbaro died on Saturday, Nov. 26. He was 39. Born in Passaic, Juan grew up between Clifton and Passaic, his obituary says. Juan played basketball at Clifton High School before earning a combined bachelors and masters in Social Work from Ramapo College. Juan then finished clinical training throughout various stated and started working as a counselor with at-risk youth in the New York State Office of Child and Family Services in 2019, his memorial says. Juan also had an entrepreneurial spirit and had launched a number of di…
Police & Fire
Driver, 23, Killed In Interstate 195 Dump Truck Crash
A 23-year-old South Jersey woman was killed in a collision with a dump truck on Interstate 195 this weekend, authorities said. Torrey Flim died when her Hyundai Elantra rear-ended the truck, then was struck by another vehicle around 12:10 a.m. near milepost 0.2 in Hamilton Township on Saturday, Aug. 27, New Jersey State Police said. Flim's sister said she had recently launched a hair business called "6strandsraw." she is survived by her newborn. "Torrey was an amazing singer, entrepreneur, sister, daughter, and a mother to her new born," Marissa Flim writes on a GoFundMe page for her …
Lifestyle
NJ Couple Strikes $1M Deal On 'Shark Tank' For Beach Gear Company
A New Jersey couple got a $1 million boost for their beach chair company from none other than "Mr. Wonderful." Leslie Hsu — a Potomac, MD native — and Greg Bresner got investor Kevin O'Leary's blessing (and financial backing) on the Friday, March 18 episode of "Shark Tank." View this post on Instagram A post shared by SUNFLOW (@getsunflow) View this post on Instagram A post shared by SUNFLOW (@getsunflow) The Short Hills couple will use the money to grow their company, "Sunflow." O'Leary will …
News
NJ Native Revealed As 'The Bachelor' Contestant
Among nearly two dozen women revealed as contestants on next season of "The Bachelor" is one from New Jersey. Mara A-Great, 32, of Cherry Hill, will be competing for love on the next season of "The Bachelor," Cosmopolitan Magazine reports. Clayton Echard is believed to be the next Bachelor, though ABC never officially confirmed that -- just Reality Steve. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Steve Carbone (@realitysteve) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Steve Carbone (@real…
News
'Smackdown' Is Over: Kids Throughout NJ Can Now Sell Lemonade, Mow Lawns Without A Permit
New Jersey youngsters can no longer be shaken down by local governments when they want to sell sidewalk lemonade. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a measure into law Monday that allows enterprising children looking to make a few bucks to operate pop-up businesses without municipal permits or licenses. Hard to believe, for sure, but dozens of states still make the summer pastime illegal without local government approval. The same goes for mowing lawns and shoveling snow. Health-code violations and child-labor laws are their concerns, officials in those states claim. New Jersey joined nearby New Yor…
Lifestyle
‘You Have To Be Dedicated:’ Bergen County Native Hits It Big In Crypto, Opens Smoke Shop At 24
A Bergen County man who hit it big in a cryptocurrency investment and opened a smoke shop at the age of 24 says dedication is the key for aspiring entrepreneurs. Generoso Lombardo graduated from Westwood High School in 2015 before attending Bergen Community College for three years and transferring to Montclair State University, where he studied business administration, he told Daily Voice. While Lombardo didn’t immediately know the specifics, he knew he wanted to own some type of business. Meanwhile, his side job kept him busy — and motivated — in between classes. “I got really motivated…
News
Jersey Shore Dad To Pitch Pet Product On Shark Tank
A Jersey Shore dad and entrepreneur is taking his business for a swim with the sharks. Ocean County native and FurZapper creator, Michael Sweigart will pitch his re-usable pet hair removal discs to the famous line-up of potential investors on ABC's Shark Tank next week. The flexible discs are meant to be tossed into the washer and dryer with laundry. The discs adhere to and separate pet fur, hair, dust and debris from clothing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FurZapper (@furzapper) Catch the Manahawkin native on Shark Tank ai…
Business
Family-Owned Bergen County Indian Clothing Shop Rethinks Business Amid
Covid-
19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a family who owns a Bergen County clothing store to rethink business. Advance Apparels owners Akash, Prithvi and Manju Bajaj have had experience with authentic Indian garments even before opening the South Hackensack store in 2001. “My father at the time was working at MetLife but leveraged his experience managing clothing factories from his time in India to start a clothing brand on the side,” Akash, 27, told Daily Voice. For years, Akash, his father, Prithvi, and his mother, Manju, had a routine that worked: they’d spend the first several month…
Obituaries
Chatham High School Graduate, Tri-Varsity Athlete Cory Heidaran Dies, 27
Former Jersey City and Chatham resident Cory C. Heidaran died Oct. 8. He was 27 years old. Heidaran was born in Rockville, Maryland and spent time in California and North Carolina before settling in Chatham, where he graduated high school in 2012, according to his obituary. Heidaran was known for his passion of sports and was an avid football, lacrosse and ice hockey player, making him a tri-varsity athlete, his obit says. Cory attended SUNY Cortland and had most recently been working as an entrepreneur in Jersey City, according to a GoFundMe created in his memory. “He was the type of fri…
Lifestyle
Covid-
19 Forces Life Change For Retired Trucker Opening Hackensack Juice Bar
A retired truck driver with a new, health-conscious lifestyle is bringing a juice bar to Hackensack. Jacquemiel White, 47, had moved to Jersey City from the Bronx about a decade ago to work as a for FedEx In Newark. After that, he was picking up medical waste, but had to quit due to a bad back. It wasn't until last March that he was forced to change his habits, he said. "I contracted COVID and that really rocked me," he said. "It really hit me the third day." White was walking up the stairs and was so out of breath he had to lay on the floor, he said. "It really did a number on me…
News
Amazon Opening North Jersey Delivery Station This Week
A new Amazon delivery station will open its doors this week in North Jersey. The West Caldwell facility on Patton Drive is nearly 160,000 square feet, and will create more than 130 full- and part-time jobs. All jobs pay at least $15 an hour (click here to apply). Delivery stations power the last mile of the order process and help speed up deliveries for customers. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon Fulfillment and Sortation Centers, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers. Delivery stations offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to b…
Business
DJ Sidelined By
Covid-
19 Opens Jersey Shore Ice Cream Shop Named After Daughter
A DJ whose business came to a screeching halt due to COVID-19 has opened a candy and ice cream shop on the Jersey Shore. Haven’s Sweet Shop opened last month on Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant. When his DJ company Xplosive Entertainment saw a sharp decline in business this March because, Michael Langsner, 42 of Brick, knew he needed another plan. Collecting unemployment -- or as Langsner put it, "sitting on my hands waiting" -- wasn't an option. Choosing Point Pleasant Beach to start a new business was easy, as Langsner’s parents lived there for 15 years. He grew up enjoying …
News
Pay These NJ Teens To Hold Your Spot On Line At The MVC
When Bryanna Patterson was waiting on line at the MVC to register her car last week, she heard a man behind her in line say he'd pay someone $100 to wait for him. And so, that's exactly what 17-year-old Patterson started doing. "I put a post in 'Howell Happenings' on Facebook asking people if they needed someone to hold their spot in the lines at the MVC," Patterson told Daily Voice Thursday morning from the Eatontown center. "People reached out -- and it just kept growing." Patterson, a rising senior Freehold Township High School, recruited her cousin Alina Krupinski, 17, and …
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