Long Branch, NJ May 2024

Open 7 ay a eek

Sunday Brunch Bu e 10:30am-2pm

Cheers to the Women in Our Life!

I don’t know about you, but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life more rich and beautiful. I am lucky to have two incredible daughters who are strong, smart, kind, and beautiful inside and out. Our mothers, daughters, and close girlfriends are some of the most influential women in our lives. I consider myself extremely lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring women on a daily basis, whether it's my family, my best friends, or other female entrepreneurs.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms. But it’s not just the biological mothers; it's also the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives - making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role - connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to the women in our area.

They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

AMY DIMES, PUBLISHER

@LONGBRANCHCITYLIFESTYLE

CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/LONGBRANCH

May 2024

PUBLISHER

Amy Dimes | amy.dimes@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Bernie Augustine | bernie.augustine@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Luke DiTella & Melissa DiTella, Denton Schmidt, Jacob Rubinstien & Brandon Cabral

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Dr. Anthony Lombardi, MD FACS

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VIVIAN PISANO

Movers for Moms

Two Men and a Truck owner Denise Blaisdell is supporting "Movers for Moms" by running a drive to collect new items for women in need. If you are able to donate, there are boxes for collection at Two Men and a Truck in Long Branch and also EZE Fit in West Long Branch, Secret Garden Eco Spa in Marlboro, Advisors Mortgage in Ocean and Open Heart Yoga in Red Bank.

ARTICLE BY AMY DIMES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIVIAN PISANO, AMY DIMES

MEMORY-MAKING TRIP ACROSS NEW JERSEY — AND GENERATIONS.

A MOTHER-

DAUGHTER GETAWAY

The Biosphere Pool at Crystal Springs

I've always maintained that there's no better place to live than New Jersey. I feel lucky to reside in the same state as my mother, and to have my daughters still living at home with me. New Jersey truly offers so many beaches, ski resorts, luxury hotels and vibrant nightlife to experience.

course, it was roasted chicken with pierogies for Mom while I absolutely loved my surf and turf; a strip steak and crab cake. The sides of au gratin potatoes and broccolini rounded out the main course. Though we could barely fit another bite, we finished off the meal with a delicious

"WE MADE A PACT TO MAKE

THIS AN ANNUAL TRADITION."

To celebrate our Women’s issue, I decided to take my mother to a luxurious getaway at The Reeds at Shelter Haven, followed by a special trip with my youngest daughter to Crystal Springs Resort. Both destinations were just a 1.5-hour drive away, making them perfect options for a mother-daughter retreat.

Our time at The Reeds at Shelter Haven was nothing short of breathtaking. Located in a charming beach community with quaint shops and waterfront access, this luxury boutique hotel did not disappoint. From the impeccable rooms to the delectable cuisine at Sax, where we had the most incredible meal and enjoyed 5-star service from Georgiana, everything was first-class.

At dinner, we started with their signature Saxtini (a pineapple-infused martini) and shared the truffle mac n' cheese, mussels, and New England clam chowder. For our main

orange crème brûlée. I cannot wait to visit again.

Every aspect of our stay was topnotch. The Salt Spa, conveniently located across the street from the hotel, offered a variety of unique treatments, including the Brine Room and Turkish Salt Bath. At the Brine Lounge, the room is infused with Himalayan salt and combines revitalizing light therapy with tranquil music to enhance your overall well-being. The Turkish Salt Bath is an ornately tiled, heated room where inviting surfaces provide the ultimate in comfort, while soothing music provides vibrational nutrition, boosting the immune system functions. Mists of steam float through the room while the Swarovski Crystal sky promotes relaxation. Light therapy is combined with a unique mud treatment that is self-applied for either a nourishing or detoxing treatment.

Dinner at Sax, The Reeds at Shelter Haven

"THE MOST REWARDING PART OF OUR TRIP WAS THE QUALITY TIME SPENT WITH MY MOM."

My mother and I found our time at The Reeds to be an unforgettable bonding experience. We are eagerly anticipating our return this summer to enjoy the additional restaurants and outdoor spaces that will be open. The stunning views, luxurious spa, and tranquil outdoor areas make The Reeds a year-round destination.

While the opulence of The Reeds was undeniably impressive, the most rewarding part of our trip was the quality time spent with my mom. As a busy mother and business owner, finding time for self-care and nurturing relationships can be challenging. This getaway provided us with the perfect opportunity to reconnect and discover new things about each other. We made a pact to make this an annual tradition, and I wholeheartedly recommend doing the same with your loved ones.

Embarking on a getaway to Crystal Springs Resort with my 12-year-old daughter was an equally remarkable experience. Nestled amidst the majestic Kittatinny Mountains in northern New Jersey, the resort offers unparalleled views that leave you in awe. The lodge at Crystal Springs boasts elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, perfect for a cozy retreat for two or a funfilled group getaway.

The Brine Lounge, The Salt Spa at The Reeds

Crystal Springs resort

Long Branch City Lifestyle publisher Amy Dimes (l.) and her mother, Karen

“EVERY ASPECT OF OUR STAY WAS TOP-NOTCH.”

Our time at the resort was simply magical. The Biosphere Pool complex is a sight to behold, transporting guests from the mountains of North Jersey to a 10,000-square-foot rainforest. Its translucent domed roof allows for natural light to shine through, and the pool itself feels like an oasis, surrounded by lush vegetation and trees. While the setting is enough to put a parent at ease, the kids (and parents!) can really enjoy themselves with the winding, 140-foot slide that empties into the pool. If you somehow need a change of scenery, there is the Mineral Pool, which provides a unique indoor/outdoor setting that can be relished year-round. That complex trades a slide for a cliff-jumping zone and also offers a sauna and steam room, game room and adventure complex. The resort has unique activities that can be enjoyed by kids, families, and adults only.

Turkish Bath at The Salt Spa at the Reeds

The Mineral Pool at Crystal Springs Cocktails at The Reeds at Shelter Haven

The variety of dining options at Crystal Springs allows both kids and adults to be satisfied -- how often can you say that?!?. At the Biosphere Pool, the cafe offered quick grab-and-go options as well as a full menu of tacos, chicken fingers, and other kid-friendly staples. They have a nice selection of gelato as well, which was our absolute favorite! We enjoyed dinner at Crystal Tavern, which provided spectacular sunset views and great food and service. While I had the halibut, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the Tavern Burger. Poolside days were followed by evenings spent by the warming glow of the fire pits while savoring the inviting surroundings.

At Minerals Hotel, we discovered a plethora of engaging activities for kids that kept my daughter entertained and allowed us to create lasting memories together. Escaping the daily hustle and bustle, we were able to slow down and fully enjoy each other's company. As my daughter navigates through her preteen years, I've come to realize the importance of staying connected and nurturing our bond, making our time at Crystal Springs truly invaluable.

Long Branch City Lifestyle publisher Amy Dimes (l.) and her mother, Karen

Amy and her daughter Jordan.

UNAFRAID, DETERMINED AND RESILIENT, THESE LADIES MAKE THEIR OWN LUCK.

Wonder Women

ARTICLE

BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUKE DITELLA, MELISSA DITELLA

Rosalia Criso Nicole Opplet of Dovetail Rentals

"If something brings you joy and you have a passion for it, go for it."

When Denise Blaisdell interviewed for a job with Two Men and a Truck, the man she was speaking with asked her a pretty standard interview question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

She did not hold back.

“I said ‘your chair’,” Blaisdell said with a laugh. “And he said ‘No one is sitting in my chair’.”

Fast forward six years and she was sitting in that very chair, as a regional VP for her company, and talking about how she wound up moving 18 times in 19 years, most recently to Monmouth County to expand the footprint of the moving company.

“I’m a woman in the trucking industry,” Blaisdell said. “I’m not normal”

While she holds a unique position in her industry, she shares plenty of common traits with the women featured in this issue, who are also movers and shakers in their industries. Resilient, authentic, fierce, positive, trustworthy, confident … those are the words that these women used to describe themselves, but also their peers.

They are, in a sense, their superpowers; parts of their character that have allowed them to succeed and thrive.

THE CONNECTOR

Almost 20 years ago, Sandra Valencia was sitting at the just-built Pier Village, enjoying a drink with a friend and thought: Wow, I would just love to have a place down here.

“I manifested it,” the Long Branch resident says now, reflecting on that day.

After 20 years on Wall Street, Valencia underwent a career change about seven years ago, when she traded the closing bell for closing deals as a real estate agent.

“I think for me, it helps that what I do for a living is something that I really love and it involves interacting with people and helping them in their new chapters,” Valencia said. “I love to be the trusted person who can help them get grounded somewhere.”

The road to this point was not easy. “A lot of curveballs,” she says. One of the factors that led her to leave

The Street was that her father became ill and needed her care. She took a leave of absence from her job, got her real estate license, and leveraged the flexibility to care for her ailing father. She eventually transitioned to real estate full-time, but in 2020 she came face-toface with another challenge.

“I was in the middle of negotiating a bid for a client, right as I was on the phone with her, I got the phone call from my doctor on Sunday at noon. I looked and said ‘This can’t be good’.”

It wasn’t. Valencia’s doctor told her that she had breast cancer.

“When I finished sobbing, I closed the deal, and then I turned my phone off and sobbed for two more months.”

Her cancer is in remission now, but there are constant reminders; the medications and screenings will do that. But it has also given her renewed purpose.

“Fighting and beating cancer, don’t lose faith, go for it because you only have one life and have the present moment. It changes your perspective,” she said. “You start to ask yourself, why am I here?”

For Valencia, she’s found the answer to that question: connections.

THE TRAILBLAZER

Denise Blaisdell is not the person clients expect to see when they call the moving company.

“A few people have said to me, ‘I thought I was getting Two Men in a Truck. I got a pretty blonde in a Camry’,” she recalled with a laugh.

Looking at where she is now, it almost seems that Blaisdell was destined to be in this industry. That happens when you’ve had 18 addresses in 19 years; you get experienced with packing and moving. But it wasn’t always so obvious. When she was 20, she was working with Habitat for Humanity. At 21, she was modeling in Los Angeles. After that, there were stops in New Orleans post-Katrina, followed by studying Yoga in India and teaching physics and math in the Middle East. It allowed her to stack up learning and life experiences.

Being able to smash these gender norms, I just love it.

Denise Blaisdell

Zulsiramar Huyke of Hearthly Burgers

The math skills played a critical role in where she is now. As she was looking to expand her franchise territory, the data kept pointing the Boston native to Monmouth County, and specifically Long Branch.

“I looked at all of the open territories in the U.S. High school graduation rates, how often people live in homes, commute time. The metrics kept leading me here.”

The same analytical thinking is also used to benefit clients. Blaisdell is able to look at a person’s possessions and make sure they aren’t over or under-ordering trucks and supplies during a stressful time. “I understand the anxiety that goes into a move,” she says. “You can’t fight with math.”

Getting to this point, of owning franchises in multiple territories while also serving in an executive role for the

company, was not easy. There were challenges and stigmas to overcome, but she let her work, and work ethic, speak for her – and won.

“I’m a little crazy to be doing this,” Blaisdell said. “But being able to smash those gender norms, I just love it.”

THE CALMING VOICE

Rosalia Criso has been working for almost as long as she can remember.

“I grew up in pizzerias. I was the girl behind the counter,” she said. “You have to be an approachable kind of person to do that. That’s what I do.”

Only now, instead of smiling while serving a slice, she’s putting customers at ease as they navigate something that requires a lot of dough: home remodeling projects.

CONTINUED

Melisa DiTella

Her husband, Kenny, is a plumber, and a few years ago he floated the notion of opening a design center where people could see and feel the products for their kitchens and baths, rather than just looking and buying online.

“It sounded like way too much,” she admitted. “But as I was researching it more, I found out that there weren’t very many of them, and I thought that maybe this could work.”

It turns out that she was right. There was a void in the marketplace and Criso and her husband were able to fill it. Now, her approachable nature is being leveraged to put clients at ease as they navigate a project that is oftentimes overwhelming.

“It’s a big investment. I’m there for them. A lot of people feel like they’re going to get ghosted; I'm not like that,” the owner of GS Designs in Neptune City said. “I’ll guide you, but ultimately it’s the client’s decision. It’s their home that they’re going back to, and I want to make sure that they love it.”

THE MULTI-TASKER

It’s been about two decades since Melissa Kopec purchased the preschool that her two oldest children attended, moved the location, and started a new role as the owner/operator while her three other children walked through the halls of Ivy Hedge in Oakhurst.

“It wasn’t really daunting,” she says, almost downplaying the scope of such an endeavor. “but it was a reward to have (my children) with me and to see them all.”

While she admits there were challenging times, Kopec was able to lean into her own experience as an educator and quickly learn the ins and outs of running a preschool. It was an opportunity that she couldn’t pass up.

More recently, another opportunity presented itself, and she again sprung into action, suddenly finding herself running two businesses.

“My children are all athletes, and they told me about Arctic Fire Cryotherapy in Shrewsbury,” she said. The West Long Branch resident soon found herself going to the location after exercising and loved how it made her feel. She started working there one day a week, and one day, as luck would have it, an opportunity to take over the business presented itself and she ran with it. It can make for long days and a lot of miles logged on Routes 35 and 71, but it has been rewarding for her.

“If it’s something that really brings you joy and you have a passion for it, go for it. It’s hard work; don’t think that anything is going to happen overnight. It’s hard work, there’s no overnight success.”

THE GO-GETTER

Amy Dimes is the type of person who does not take “No” for an answer.

“My family always jokes and says ‘Nobody says no to Amy.’ That’s kind of how I’ve always been,” she said. “I’ve always had the attitude that you just do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

At an early age, Dimes was thrust into the business world and absorbed as much of it as she could. Her father was a small business owner, and she’d spend the weekend at his mechanic shop, helping out where where could. As she got older, her stepfather put her in an environment that was a little more corporate, and she was able to watch and learn before ultimately branching out on her own.

“I got used to being at a table with really powerful men and learned how to not be intimidated by anyone.”

Sandra Valencia

I’ve always had the attitude that you just do whatever it takes to get the job done. “

Laura Martelli, owner of Flower on First

Zulsiramar Huyke of Hearthly Burgers

After college, and with a host of experience already, she found herself in the hospitality industry, and quite literally worked her way from the ground up. One day she would be working the check-in desk, another day she would be on the roof of the hotel with her engineer, helping to raise the flag above The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, where she eventually became the hotel manager.

“Hospitality is essentially taking care of people,” Dimes said. “I primarily did weddings, which is the biggest day of a lot of people’s lives. And it’s not just the bride and groom, it’s mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.”

While she enjoyed playing a crucial role during a touchstone moment for so many people, and still keeps in touch with some of her clients from that time, the toll of spending Mother’s Days and Easters with families other than her own began to wear on her.

“I had to reclaim some of my time,” she said.

When a recruiter contacted her about bringing City Lifestyle to Long Branch, it was the textbook definition of the right place, right time.

“I gotta say, when the opportunity came up, I really jumped in head-first,” She said. “I felt like it was a gut decision and it was something that I was going to love to do. Going from a secure job, with a steady income to needing to make your own income and make your own luck. That was very attractive to me, that I could have run my own business and create my own product.”

With her franchise steadily growing, Dimes is able to lean into what drew her to this decision in the first place: community.

“I love people, I love community and I’m a hard worker. I just never give up,” she says. “When I see a goal, I go for it and push forward. I will roll up my sleeves and do whatever it takes to get things done. That’s probably my superpower, I have a passion for it.”

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Y o u r R e a l E s t a t e , M y P e r s o n a l A t t e n t i o n P a t r i c e G e o r g e

# f a m i l y # F r i e n d s # h o m e

FASHION. FORWARD.

Emerging entrepreneurs thread the cultural needle at fashion show.

ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACOB RUBINSTIEN & BRANDON CABRAL

Jules Cataldo of Peppy Debs

When you see an old tablecloth at grandma's house, Jules Cataldo sees potential.

Maybe it can become a dress, or part of a blouse. Just because it was one thing once, that doesn’t mean it can't be something different now.

That kind of imaginative thinking was on full display at Space of Balance's Sustainable Fashion Show, which was staged recently at 10PRL in Long Branch. The pop-up event featured seven designers from New Jersey and was organized by the impressive SoB duo of Danielle Rocco and Allie Frank.

"We're a women-owned company. Pop-up event company. Communal event company. We put on events for the community," Rocco said. "Talented local designers don't get the same spotlight that someone in New York would. We put this together and try to give people experiences that they have not yet had."

Self Ima8e by Angelina Richardson

Rayne by Anijah by Anijah Slusser

Grateful Grails by Andrew Habeeb

Rocco and Frank teamed up a few years ago and turned their passion for organizing unforgettable events into a business. Whether it's a concert or a fashion show, poetry readings or silent discos – yes, that is a real thing – the pair leverages their experience and connections to put a spotlight on underground artists, designers, musicians and creators. If you have an idea, they will run with it.    With their recent fashion show, Rocco and Frank took painstaking steps to make sure that the event was structured in a way that set the designers up for success. "We curate everything, Rocco said. "Typically someone would hire a DJ and say 'Play whatever

you want.' But we curated the music so that it played at a certain BPM. It's natural for a model to walk according to the beat, so the music has to be right."

Details matter. In addition to the music – courtesy of DJ Matt Beatz – there was also lighting to organize, visuals to present, models to screen and hire, and tickets to sell. All of this is handled by SoB to let the designers focus on what they do best: create. They don’t have to be bogged down with securing a venue, finding music, lighting and photography to get some attention for their work. SoB clears the runway for them.

CSA Creations by Chloe Almeida

"We are trying to make experiences for people locally who might not normally have the opportunity. If you’re talented and deserve a platform, we want to deliver that for you."

An audience of more than 100 turned out to see and celebrate the one-of-a-kind collections from: Something Made Custom by Julia George, Jules Cataldo of Peppy Debs, Grateful Grails by Andrew Habeeb, Rayne by Anijah by Anijah Slusser, Sheridan OHea, Self Ima8e by Angelina Richardson, and CSA Creations by Chloe Almeida. The only rule, so to speak, was that the designer's work had to be upcycled; no new fabrics or materials could be used. So they cut, stitched and embroidered hand-me-downs or thrift-shop buys and gave old materials new life.

Allie Frank (l.) and Danielle Rocco of Space of Balance.

Designed by Sheridan OHea

"The majority of the designers we work with have full-time jobs, and then they’ll go home after work and make clothing. It definitely doesn’t pay the bills. We’re trying to help get them to a point where maybe they can."

"Going into it, I was super-nervous but was also super-excited," Cataldo, who owns and operates Peppy Debs in Avon, said of the show, which was her first.

"I had some customers come out and support me. It was great, honestly. A nice confidence boost. Having a creative job can give you imposter syndrome and you can get burned out. This was a good reminder that I'm doing what I'm supposed to do."

Cataldo sourced reused materials from Hawaii for her collection.

You Oughta Know

Turn

up the volume on Long Branch-born singer-songwriter Carlotta Schmidt

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSICAL STYLE?

CS: I play a lot of different kinds of music. I learned guitar by playing jazz, but I quickly moved into rock, blues and R&B. I’m really inspired by Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls. I love Emily Sailers’ guitar playing.

Q: WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT AT A CARLOTTA SCHMIDT SHOW?

CS: Most of the time, it’s a healthy mix of jazz and rock and originals. I have originals and also do some covers; some songs by Queen, throw in a few jazz songs. I hope the audience feels that a show is high-quality and high-energy.

Carlotta Schmidt

ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DENTON SCHMIDT

Q: YOU ORGANIZED FOURTH WAVE FEST. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THAT?

CS: A couple of years ago, I learned about the women-led music festival Lilith Fair and I became obsessed. Fourth Wave Fest was born out of my wanting to do a local Lilith Fair. We put on the show and raised $5,500 for 180 Turning Lives Around.

We had so much support for this event. Steven Van Zant’s organization, Teach Rock, let us use their content; Sills, Cummis & Gross was our main sponsor and people from the firm attended, it was really women supporting women; Michelle Charlesworth from ABC 7 was our host; Assemblywoman Luanne M. Peterpaul got involved. I’m very appreciative of their support.

Q: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

CS: Gigging, writing songs and planning for the next Fourth Wave Fest. We’re looking for femalefronted bands and sponsors!

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