North Jersey Dental Group

ALI WEISELBERG, DDS, FICOI njdg.com • Instagram: @northjerseydentalgroup • Facebook: North Jersey Dental Group

What inspired you to start your practice?

A number of close family members were dentists with their own practices. In particular, watching how hard my grandfather worked and always put the patients first was my inspiration. After completing my residency, I worked as an associate for three years. While enjoyable, it crystallized in my mind that I needed to have full control over the experience each patient had under my care.

What sets your practice apart?

North Jersey Dental Group has all the modern technology needed to treat patients effectively and comfortably, while also keeping the “small business” feel. Many dental offices have joined larger corporations, yet I want to keep the boutique and personal feel of the practice.

How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands?

This is not easy! The guilt felt of not being there when my daughter comes home from school is real. Planning and time management becomes even more critical as a working mom. My husband is a great teammate and together we address our family’s responsibilities. I hope to serve as a role model for our daughter, so she sees it’s possible to help other people while still maintaining a work/life balance.

What are you best known for?

1. Personal, quality care for the entire family.

2. Running our practice like a dental concierge so patients don’t feel rushed.

3. Respecting patients’ time by keeping appointments punctual.

4. Clear aligner treatment.

5. Intra-oral mandibular devices to treat sleep apnea.

6. Performing Botox for patients with TMJ disorder, as well for cosmetic reasons.

What do you love most about what you do?

Being part of a team that wants to improve and enhance the oral health and smiles of our patients. I have the privilege of working with the most wonderful women, who are experiencing the same family demands as I am. They come to work every day with one goal—to help others.

What was your proudest moment as a business owner?

Returning to work after maternity leave and succeeding. It was scary not knowing how I was going to give my office and my family the time they both deserved while ensuring our business would prosper. I took it day by day and focused on what was within my control. Learning to run a business without any formal training is extremely challenging. I feel fortunate that we’re still going strong after fourteen years.

BARBARA FODERO, DDS, MS chathambraces.com

Instagram @chathamortho

What sets your business and brand apart?

Having a “mom perspective” has helped me understand the demands of juggling children’s busy schedules along with work schedules. It’s made me a more compassionate and sensitive orthodontist. I treat my patients the way I’d treat my own children.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love having a profound impact on someone’s self-esteem when I create a beautiful smile. I also love the connections I make with my patients and their families. I feel like people come in as patients and leave as friends.

What’s the moment when you knew you nailed it?

When I learn that new clients hear positive things about me and my business on their community Facebook page, I know I’m doing something right.

What inspired you to start your business?

When I was in college in the early ’90s there was much talk in the media of a “glass ceiling” for women in the work force, and a disparity in income between men and women. The easiest way to eliminate that threat is to be your own boss and have your own business, so I made sure of that when I pursued a career in dentistry and opened my own practice.

How’s your business involved in your local community?

I participate in a program called Smiles Change Lives, where I donate free orthodontic treatment to children whose parents can’t afford braces. I also sponsor local school sports, performing arts and general fundraiser events.

STACEY ANTINE, MS, RDN healthbarnusa.com • facebook.com/healthbarnusa

Instagram @healthbarnusa

What inspired you to start your business?

It all began during a class at NYU when a professor mentioned a quote that said, “This would be the first generation of children to not outlive their parents based on lifestyle.” Then, during my dietetic internship, I observed children getting weighed in and sitting in front of food models to talk about serving sizes. I knew there had to be a better way. I started HealthBarn USA in 2005 with a proprietary hands-on educational method to teach children and families about natural foods and why these foods are best for the body and mind. The goal is for every child to live a healthy life to reach their highest potential!

What sets HealthBarn apart?

There is no other healthy lifestyle method that combines nutrition, gardening and hands-on cooking to teach nutrition in the country—and with so much fun!

What do you love most about what you do?

I love our families and being part of such an amazing community, but I especially love when a child who is picky gives me a thumbs up for one of the recipes or tries asparagus for the first time!

What was your proudest moment as a business owner?

There have been many, but a recent highlight in January 2023 was when HealthBarn Foundation for the Feed the Frontlines program rang the Nasdaq closing bell and I was invited to speak about hunger and nutrition with our army of volunteers! I’ll never forget it!

ELIZABETH MATHEIS, PhD psychedconsult.com

What sets your practice apart?

Our practice focuses on the whole child and the whole family. We treat all the parts of the child including home, sibling relationships, school and friendships. Our team of therapists also works within schools (during the day) and are aware of the resources, demands and limitations of that environment as well. Several of our therapists understand the struggles of the children, teens and young adults we work with because many of us are facing the same issues with our own children. So, we really get it.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love hearing from parents and children with whom I’ve worked about where they are in their lives. Some have gone on to pursue law school or are in graduate school to become therapists themselves. It brings me to tears every time I receive a message or email from a parent who wants to share how much their baby is thriving.

What was your proudest moment as a practice owner?

When I finally began to understand the financial numbers behind my practice! I’m a clinician, not an accountant!

LEEZA HERNANDEZ leezaworks.com • etsy.com/shop/leezaworks instagram @leezaworks

What is your business best known for?

My illustration work—mostly children’s books and cat art— as well as my large-scale abstract paintings.

What do you love most about what you do?

Connecting with people. One of the most gratifying parts of what I do is receiving a personal message saying how my work made an imapct or simply made someone smile.

What’s your best seller?

Any cat art. I sell my work at cat conventions (yes, it’s a thing) and built a base of loyal customers and furriends.

What was the hardest thing about getting the business off the ground?

Time management and work/life balance. Creating art fulltime, juggling freelance design jobs and and spending quality time with my family meant a big shift in my schedule. It took time but I found a formula that works with little stress.

How’s your business invested in your community?

I work with not-for-profit organizations to help raise awareness in Trap Neuter Return (TNR) efforts for homeless cats. A percentage of proceeds of art prints sold in my Etsy shop is donated to animal shelters nationwide.

What’s next for you and your business?

Business goals include launching a new series of art prints and two upcoming cat conventions on the West Coast. Plus, I recently moved into art licensing, so my artwork now appears on fabric, greetings cards and household goods such as plates and dishes. A series of educational workshops for entrepreneurial artists is also on the horizon.

JENNY BERSE, ESQ berselaw.com

Jenny@BerseLaw.com

What inspired you to start your practice?

I never considered working for anyone, so I opened my own law firm.

What sets your firm apart?

Accessibility and the breadth of our family law knowledge. Clients can text, email or call us seven days a week. We provide personalized attention that yields great results for our clients.

What’s your best moment as a business owner?

When my son became an attorney eight years ago and joined my firm!

What do you love most about what you do?

Helping people through their situations and providing favorable outcomes.

What’s next for the firm?

The firm will be expanding with additional family law attorneys as well as other law specialties.

What else would you like NJ families to know about you?

I love what I do and dedicated my life to helping families with their legal matters. I’ve been recognized by New Jersey Family readers as one of New Jersey’s Best Lawyers for Families and am featured in the April 2020 through 2023 issues.

CAMathories®

KIT CHEUNG, PhD camathories.com

Instagram: @camathories

What inspired you to start your business?

I struggled to teach my toddler math; yet, she loves listening to my folk storytelling. Research shows that teaching math in a meaningful context can effectively help children understand math. So, I co-founded CAMathories Company with Cambridge math and education researchers/professors to teach math with global folktales.

What sets CAMathories® apart?

We publish books and teaching plans. We blend the teaching of logic (math) and folktales (literacy) from different countries (cultures). By educating the next generation to read well, think logically, and understand other peoples’ cultures, we hope to build a better world together.

What do you love most about what you do?

Reading and teaching children Folktale Mathematics™ and opening their eyes to the world.

What else would you like NJ families to know about you?

I’m a proud mom of a New Jersey high school fresh(wo)man (yes, that toddler!) who is an award-winning athlete, a piano and orchestra music composer and a member of ASCAP (and yes, with straight As in math, English and other subjects so far in high school, too)!

Foot and Ankle Premier Specialists

JULIANA PATERNINA, DPM, FACFAS footandankleps.com @doctorjuliana

What inspired you to start your business?

I’m passionate about providing excellent care to my patients and want them to feel at home; not just like another number. My personalized, holistic approach to care differentiates my practice from other practices.

How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands?

I try to dedicate family time with my daughter and husband whenever I can. When I’m here in the office, I focus on the business. It’s not about the quantity of time but the quality time I spend with my family that matters the most.

What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business?

It’s not easy running your own business and it takes a village to have a successful practice. Dedication along with a strong support system with mentors to guide you towards your goal are so important.

What else would you like NJ families to know about you?

My practice is here to serve them. We’re here to provide the best, personalized care for their foot and ankle conditions. We offer the quality service that they deserve and are here to assist with anything that they need.

CHOPRA, DDS kinddentalnj.com @kinddentalnj

What inspired you to start your own business?

Dental visits aren’t usually a priority for some families. I started a family-friendly practice to help view dental visits as a routine activity, by welcoming families in a warm, caring, comfortable and professional environment. What’s your most memorable experience with a client?

When a parent said this was her daughter’s fourth dental office and she didn’t think I’d be able to get X-rays or do treatment. We proved her wrong. At the end of her visit, her child remarked, “I like this dentist.” After 12 years, she’s still my patient, along with her siblings.

How are you involved in your local community?

One of our biggest annual events is giving back with Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) where we donate dental services to underserved children. We sponsor individuals (students and athletes), communities, schools, sports and PTA events, as well as school visits teaching children about dental health. I’ve mentored students who have shadowed me, interned and now attend or graduated dental school. I volunteer with the South Brunswick Commission on Women to inform and motivate female students in dental careers.

What sets your brand apart?

We have roots in holistic healthcare and are trained in cutting edge techniques at NYU College of Dentistry. We merge the best of both practices in our treatment approach for our patients. We treat every patient like we would treat our own family members.

How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands?

Being sisters enables us to understand the balance that is required to be business women as well as family women. Being organized and planning ahead has been the key to balancing both lifestyles. We value work-life balance for ourselves and our entire team because we can only bring our best to work if we are feeling our best in our personal lives.

What are you best known for?

Our team at Kind Dental is best known for compassion and transparency. In today’s changing world, it is important to be kind and understanding of everyone’s needs.

Meyer Psychotherapy LLC

MELISSA J. MEYER, MA, LPC, CCTP, ACS meyerpsychotherapyllc.com facebook.com/meyerpsychotherapyllc

What inspired you to start your business?

Private Practice was always my goal, so starting my own business allowed me to focus on what I am truly passionate about.

What sets your business and brand apart?

When you are a therapist in private practice, “YOU ARE YOUR BRAND!” The therapeutic relationship fostered is unique and very personal.

How do you juggle business with family demands?

Creative planning and maximizing my time allows me to meet the needs of my family, my clients, and my own wellness and self care.

What are you best known for?

I would like to think that I am known for my authenticity, humanness, and my genuine caring for my clients.

What do you love most about what you do?

Years ago, a client told me that what I do was not my job, it was “Just who I am.” Holding space for others is a privilege and I am truly humbled by that.

What was your proudest moment?

Each and every time one of my clients recognizes their strength and success is a proud moment!

KELLI DEFLORA, OWNER montclairbaby.com • facebook.com/Montclairbaby Instagram @montclair_baby

What inspired you to start your business?

I’ve been committed to empowering new and expectant families through health and wellness for over 30 years. Montclair BABY was inspired by the need in our local community to create a gathering space for new and expectant families to share information, learn skills and build community in meaningful ways.

What sets your business and brand apart?

What sets Montclair BABY apart is our ability to focus on the needs of new and expectant parents by offering a variety of classes and workshops tailored to meet those needs as well as all of our incredible teachers and the community we have created for families in this area.

What do you love most about what you do?

One of things that I love most about what I do is watching the relationships that have grown among pregnant couples and new parents in our community. I love hearing stories from parents about how they found support and friendship in our space during this transformative time in their life. Seeing our community grow and evolve has been one of the greatest joys of my life!

What sets your brand apart?

DAVINA

DAURA, FOUNDER, OWNER, MOT, MS, OTR/L PerformancePediatricsNJ.com

Providing individualized, evidence-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services in a sensory-rich environment is what sets us apart. We take pride in encouraging our client’s trust and freedom and the ability to reach their highest performance outcomes! I am committed to empowering my team, clients, and families whom I work with.

How do you balance a business with family demands? Having three children of my own while managing my practice and advocating for the OT profession is challenging but finding the right balance to set time for family, friends and myself is what grounds me. I look forward to sustaining and supporting the community servicing families with special needs for a very long time!

What are you best known for?

I’ve been fortunate to model the way in providing a shared vision of my practice from its 2012 inception to now. Challenging the process is important as a healthcare provider and owner. I enjoy working creatively with the team and “actively listen” for better solutions and outcomes.

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