I hope you are in high spirits and full of creative energy. If not, then go try Backyard Pizza Dad’s Homemade Pepperoni Stromboli—that’ll do the trick!
Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of style. Style isn’t limited to our clothes or accessories, it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From how we decorate our homes to the music we listen to, from what we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations, style permeates every facet of our existence. It even spills into our businesses and that is why we brought you some fun words of wisdom from Alice Denenberg, a trademark attorney, who will help you understand how to protect your professional style.
Style is deeply personal. It is an evolving form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world, and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection, enabling us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.
In this issue, I am excited to introduce you to Tiffany Perez, owner of the Ink Gallery Tattoo Studio in Fairfield. Some of you met her at our March event we held there. From her personality to her amazing hair (I love her hair!), Tiffany oozes style and so does the Ink Gallery. Not only is it huge, bright & clean inside, but she also went one step further and designed it to be an event center and it doesn’t disappoint. Go check it out and while you’re there, feel free to get that “I Love Wayne Lifestyle” tattoo you’ve been thinking about.
As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in our shared communities to uplift our spirits, boost our productivity, and ignite our creativity.
Speaking of creativity, I am personally proud to share the story of the man I consistently hear referred to as “The Legend”- John Agnello. John helped guide me on many things before I launched this magazine and continues to be one of my mentors and a phenomenal photographer for us. John is celebrating 40 illustrious years in his business and man, he’s still got it. Thanks and congrats John!
Ultimately, what I’ve found is that the best style is an authentic expression of who you really are.
Here’s to being uniquely you!
PHILLIP BARONE, PUBLISHER @WAYNELIFESTYLEMAG
September 2023
PUBLISHER
Phillip Barone | phillip.barone@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Don Seaman | don.seaman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Lindsay Bernero | lindsay1833@yahoo.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Phillip Barone, Don Seaman, Alice Denenberg, Angela Broockerd, Leann Parker, Haley Williams, Dan Piasecki
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Agnello, Janie Jones, Cassandra Castaneda, Dan Piasecki, Dina Drew Duva, Phillip Barone, Mike Salzano
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
Proverbs 3:5-6
A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
New job, new retirement account options
Changing jobs? Consider these 401(k) options:
• Leave the money in your previous employer’s plan
• Move it to your new employer’s plan
• Roll it over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
worth every penny - put some aside
• Cash out the account subject to early withdrawal penalties
Vacation memories are worth every penny - put some aside for college too.
Vacation memories are worth every penny - put some aside for college too.
Conan F Ward Financial Advisor
Let’s work together on a strategy that works for your family. Contact me today to get started.
Let’s work together on a strategy that works for your fmaily. Contact me today to get started.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest New Jersey is hosting their "2023 Colors of Fall Gala" on Friday, October 6th from 7PM-12AM at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park. Enjoy fine dining, cocktails, a silent auction, dancing, and live music featuring The Nerds. Your efforts and support help them to be there for our community's youth, especially those who need them most.
Let’s work together on a strategy that works for your family. Contact me today to get started.
Scan to read more.
Valley Road Suite 108
500 Valley Road Suite 108 Wayne, NJ 07470 973-872-1616
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Wayne
Wayne's Elite Surgical Center has recently completed its 200th total joint replacement case. Having started its joint replacement program in 2019, Elite Surgical utilizes Stryker’s Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted technology. This allows same-day total hip and knee replacement procedures. CEO Dennis Simmons was very excited when speaking to us about this as most patients didn’t think that it was possible.
Scan to read more.
Spring is the perfect time to clear the daily hassles from your life and add more of whatever it is that makes you shine.
Learn how a move to Brightview will help you do both. Come meet our team and see how our resort-like amenities, services, and specialized support inspire bright, carefree days for residents – and peace of mind for families.
reached at 973-790-7700.
Dr. Joseph Duffy, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for St. Joseph's Health, recently won one of NJBIZ Healthcare Hero Awards for "Physician of the Year." Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield presented the annual awards at The Palace at Somerset Park. This program was created to recognize excellence, promote innovation and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey.
Elite Surgical is located at 307 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne and can be
TIFFANY PEREZ INFUSES BODY EXPRESSION WITH ARTISTRY AT THE INK GALLERY TATTOO STUDIO
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN AGNELLO
The word “gallery” typically evokes images of fine art and public displays of personal expression. And that’s exactly the tone that Tiffany Perez was looking to set as she opened the Ink Gallery Tattoo Studio in Fairfield. The shop is an upscale tattoo studio that doubles as an intimate event space. I sat down with Tiffany to talk about her shop, her unexpected entry into the world of tattoos, and how her love of artistic expression fuels her future. We never talked about her time as a cast member during Season 5 of VH1’s Black Ink Crew, but do yourself a favor: read this interview before jumping over to Youtube.
Tattooing wasn't initially part of my life's blueprint. My intention was to attend college and pursue a career as an art teacher. However, everything changed on my 21st birthday when my father surprised me with a tattoo machine as a gift. That unexpected gesture sparked my curiosity and kindled my interest in the world of tattooing.
Following my college years, I made a life-changing decision to turn tattooing into my profession. Although I obtained a degree in art, I decided to embark on a new journey and relocated to Florida at the time. Once I completed my studies, I wholeheartedly embraced the role of a full-time tattoo artist.
Yes, the name “Ink Gallery Tattoo Studio” was born from the idea of an art gallery, with a strong desire to infuse the shop with an artistic ambiance. My vision was to treat clients as living canvases, where the human body becomes the medium for our artistry, using ink as our creative tool, crafting unique art pieces on the human form. It was absolutely an intentional connection.
My personal collection of tattoos is rather modest, I only have six. Interestingly, I find myself more inclined towards the art of creating tattoos rather than receiving them. While I enjoy the process of tattooing others, my personal preference leans more towards being the artist behind the needle rather than the one in the tattoo chair. Sometimes looking at me, people would never guess I was a tattoo artist.
The belief that tattoos are exclusively associated with criminals, bikers, and gangsters, or that tattoo shops are dark and scary, is nothing more than a persistent myth. In reality, tattoos have transcended stereotypes and have become a popular form of self-expression for people from all walks of life.
Certainly! Building strong relationships with clients has been a rewarding aspect of my tattooing career. Approximately 80% of my clientele consists of repeat customers, many of whom I've had the pleasure of tattooing for several years. Along the way, I've also had the privilege of working with notable individuals in the entertainment industry. Some of my VIP clients include TV personalities like Snooki from Jersey Shore, Justina Valentine, as well as musicians such as Omarion. Additionally, I've had the honor of tattooing NFL players including Nate Burleson, Ray Lucas, James Ihedigbo, and many more. These experiences have added an extra layer of excitement and fulfillment to my professional journey.
For a span of nine years, I operated my own small tattoo shop, equipped with just four booths. However, I always envisioned something greater for myself—an expansive studio bustling with numerous talented artists. Finally, in November 2022, I turned that vision into reality by opening Ink Gallery, the largest tattoo studio in New Jersey. This new establishment has provided me with the platform to curate a vibrant and diverse community of artists, offering a wide range of artistic styles and expertise to cater to our clientele. It has been an exciting and fulfilling journey to witness my dream of a grand tattoo studio come to fruition.
THE STUDIO ALSO DOUBLES AS AN EVENT SPACE. WHAT SORT OF EVENTS HAVE YOU HOSTED THERE?
I have hosted events such as Paint and Sip nights, Friday the 13th flash days, business networking events, Lyme disease fundraisers, and art shows. I’m always going to support my first love!
(Editor’s note: the event space aesthetic wowed us so much that Wayne Lifestyle held our anniversary celebration there earlier this year. It’s a phenomenal venue.)
WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE FUTURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
I see it blossoming into an award-winning tattoo shop that has become renowned in the industry. Our talented artists will consistently deliver exceptional work, pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship. As we gain recognition and respect within the tattoo community, we will have the opportunity to participate in prestigious tattoo conventions, showcasing our skills on a larger stage.
In addition to our success in the tattooing realm, I envision Ink Gallery Tattoo Studio becoming a hub for artistic events and community building. We will host art exhibitions, bringing together talented artists from various disciplines to showcase their work and foster a sense of inspiration and collaboration. Our space will serve as a catalyst for nurturing a more vibrant and interconnected artistic community, fostering creativity and supporting emerging talents.
The Ink Gallery Tattoo Studio is located at 437 Route 46 West in Fairfield. To check out the space online, go to inkgallerytattoostudio.com.
Shining the Spotlight on a Local Legend in Photography
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN AGNELLO, DINA DREW DUVAWhen you ask a photographer what the most important trait a photographer should have, you never expect him to cite Sir Walter Raleigh as an inspiration.
For a guy like John Agnello, that makes all the sense in the world. “I was shooting a wedding once and the bride was stressed about the weather. I told her that if it rains, you’re going to come out of the house and I’m going to throw down my coat so you don’t get your shoes wet and dirty.” She came out and both her shoes — and John’s jacket — stayed dry.
“You do whatever you can for your client.”
With clients that include countless fashion models, celebrities, brides, and politicians, John’s perfected doing whatever he can for people who might not have patience with just any photographer.
This year he’s celebrating 40 years of making people happy from behind his camera.
It’s a ride that began without a camera at all. He began as an artist, oil-painting seascapes, landscapes, space scenes, not to mention painting 10-foot-tall murals of Marshall Tucker album covers on people’s living room walls.
Working his magic for our May '23 cover
Behind the scenes from our November '22 cover
A love of graphic arts and an artist’s eye for composition led him through SVA in Manhattan and a stint in advertising. But it wasn’t long until he bet on himself, rented a camera and plowed through the world of NY photography like a fish to water. When he went looking for work with the Fred Marcus Agency (the top photography studio in the city), he told them point-blank that he was going to go far above what you could ask for.
He wasn’t lying.
It takes a special kind of someone who might be mistakenly associated with the dreaded paparazzi to charm Julia Roberts. But that’s exactly what John did, doing a shoot for the star of My Best Friend’s Wedding after he had been the photographer for her best friend’s wedding.
After deciding the two-a-day Manhattan wedding schedule was too much of a grind, John launched his own studio in New Jersey, becoming a local legend along the way.
It wasn’t long before cable network Bravo came calling to do an interview with John. They came to pitch him an idea — a documentary about him that was to be called “Show Me the Love”, a ready catchphrase from his life as a wedding photographer. He spent the next 30 straight days filming John’s life 24/7. Although the project never aired, he doesn’t regret going through the Big Brother-like experience. “It was crazy, man!”
He’s won Photographic Excellence awards from Kodak, had features hung in EPCOT, shot hundreds of major magazine covers (including this one), worked with business leaders such as self-help legend Tony Robbins, Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran (who’s “only” worth about $190 million these days), and Mercy Ships CEO Gary Brown, along with politicians like Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.
Seeing a Member of Congress beam as John says “Yeah, baby, work it!” to her is all that you need to know about the special rapport he creates with people, and it’s genuine. His clients marvel at his way of making them comfortable. And who looks good in a photo when they’re tense?
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people call him ‘The Legend’, says Steve Kurt, John’s right hand with the studio, who works closely with him on all of his shoots. (John calls Steve “fantastic” and has been soaking everything up that he can as his photo career builds with John. Keep Wayne Lifestyle in mind for your own 40-year spotlight, Steve!)
“His reputation is incredible. Nearly all of his previous wedding customers use that word - legend. John gives his all and goes out of his way to make people's experiences the best they can be. He just gets right in there with his clients, takes it to a personal level, asking their life stories, how they are. It's not just work, it’s relationship building. So many customers become good friends with him, he has that kind of draw.
My advice for aspiring photographers: keep the camera on you all the time and shoot as much as you can. And when you feel like giving up - don't. That's usually when the blessing comes around, when you feel like giving up is the time where it's gonna really kick in. That's your test. Trust your passion.
It is no wonder why John has been hired by everyone from celebrities to the President of the United States
Businesses love his work too John has been there to help guide us in making Wayne Lifestyle better.
How John uses his unique eye and creative mind to create linear composition, shadowing, lighting, and countless other photo techniques sets him apart, technically. His visual creativity is off the charts — it’s the reason he doesn’t just “capture a moment”, he makes it timeless.
But it’s one thing to be a “gifted by the Hand of God”-level photographer. It’s another to be a legend.
Happy 40 years, John.
John’s studio is at 573 Valley Road in Wayne. You can reach him at japhoto1@ aol.com or (973) 692-1588, or online at johnagnellophoto.com.
“When a photographer can win over Julia Roberts, a business tycoon from Shark Tank, and a sitting Congresswoman, he’s more than just good with a camera – he’s a legend.”
Backyard Pizza Dad Shows You How It's Done - Mangiamo!
Many of you have seen Dan Piasecki’s Instagram. Dan, better known as Backyard Pizza Dad, tantalizes us with shots of his amazing pizzas, strombolis and all other combinations of sauces, cheeses and doughs.
A love for homemade pizza was born during the beginning of COVID. A simple hobby that included the whole family, evolved into a passion to show that anyone can make restaurant-quality pizza in their backyard or home oven.
Today we’re making a NY Pepperoni Stromboli!
This recipe is so simple and fun to make, there are only 4 ingredients!
If you’re interested in learning more, follow @backyardpizzadad on Instagram.
DOUGH
If you’re not ready to make your own dough, then I recommend buying some from your favorite local pizzeria.
But if you are, then check out my Instagram page (backyardpizzadad) for tutorials on how to make your own pizza dough.
SAUCE
I love using this Bianco DiNapoli NY Pizza Sauce because it’s a quality ready to use product
CHEESE
I used a blend with low-moisture whole milk mozzarella and provolone cheese You can get creative here, use whatever cheese you like
PEPPERONI
I went with the classic Hormel Pepperoni, but whatever is your favorite will work fine Want to make it spicy? Add some jalapeño and Mike's Hot Honey on top
1. Preheat your home oven to 550, the hotter the better
2. Roll out the pizza dough, using your hands, rolling pin or even a bottle of wine. The goal is to look like a rectangle.
3. Add your cheese, sprinkle some oregano, then load up the pepperoni
4. Roll it up like a giant pizza burrito, tuck in the edges so it’s nice and tight
5. Lightly brush some extra virgin olive oil on top to get that extra crispy golden color crust
6. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes (or until golden brown)
7. Slice it up and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese
8. If you added jalapenos to take the spicy route, double down by drizzling some Mike’s Hot Honey on top.
There’s style, and then there’s luxury. Style is a look; luxury is an aura. That’s why you can appear stylish without acquiring actual luxury brands. Counterfeits, knockoffs, and lookalikes are big business, but they don’t deliver the quality — and cachet — of the real thing.
In fact, fakes and counterfeits are flat out illegal. They intend to fool you into believing they’re real. Knockoffs and lookalikes aren’t overtly illegal, they simply have enough similarity that they remind you of the original, but they’re still not the genuine article.
That’s why trademarks are so invaluable, especially in the luxury marketplace.
“Luxury brands use trademarks to protect the consuming public from knockoffs, infringers and counterfeits,” explains trademark attorney Alice Denenberg. “A brand’s trademarks serve as the foundation of the business.”
“The power of a trademark is clear when looking at a simple product like a handbag. A handbag is a handbag, meant to conveniently carry belongings: but a handbag has a different aura if it’s a bag from Target® rather than a bag from Guess®, a Coach® bag, a Louis Vuitton® bag or a Hermes® Birkin® bag. Each brand has its own cachet and relays the quality and exclusivity of the product to prospective buyers.”
While it might not be easy for the average person to determine on sight whether a Louis Vuitton bag is real or a counterfeit, a good “rule of thumb” is that you’re not going to get an authentic one from a street vendor for twenty bucks.
And it’s not that easy to trademark handbags at all. Denenberg says that some brands consider them to be the “holy grail” of trademark protection.
“Handbag designs are especially challenging to secure and even very famous brands may not be successful in securing the protection of a handbag design. Only a select few luxury brands have secured
trademarks for handbags, bags and purses or components of these products.”
It seems like even luxury brands themselves chase their own cachet, even if it’s a legal one.
But it’s not just handbag brands that have to try to protect themselves from the counterfeit market.
You likely know that brand names such as Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Rolex, and others are trademarked (not just in the United States but around the world). And everyone can spot a famous “trademarked” logo.
But did you know what else can be trademarked?
Colors. Product shapes. Phrases. Smells, sounds, holograms, even a store’s interior design/layout — all can be (and have been) trademarked. Even jewelry designs and watch faces. It’s not always easy to get this type of trademark, but if there’s something uniquely identifiable about a brand, there’s a good chance that they’ll try to trademark it – to protect their discerning clientele from fakes.
It’s a good bet that luxury brand fans can identify a brand or two just from their packaging alone.
That’s right, the things that create a vibe about a company can all be protected with a trademark.
It’s not just the Nike swoosh that they trademark, it can be the actual sneaker. Uggs trademarked their very sole pattern.
The Law & Order "dun-dun" sound? Trademarked. (Along with the NBC chimes that often accompany it.)
There’s a reason for all the “big game” ads at Super Bowl time without mentioning the actual words “Super Bowl”. The NFL owns that trademark and has it very tightly controlled.
Even our very own Wayne Lifestyle (and corporate organizational City Lifestyle) logo is trademarked, but you'd probably spot a knockoff version of our magazine a mile away, right?
“Trademarks are indispensable tools for luxury brands to ensure that the products maintain their exclusivity and prestige, as well as their function of emblems of sophistication.”
And you can be darn sure that Apple has a few trademarks in their legal department’s iCloud. In fact, Apple has a trademark registration for the inside of an Apple Store. Whether a brand is a luxury or simply so ubiquitous that it’s easy to duplicate, these companies rely upon their trademarks
for them to continue to stay successful. And if you’ve ever fallen victim to the “counterfeit or fake” trap (especially online), you might find that what separates the good from the bad isn’t just the quality of the workmanship. Sometimes, what separates the good from the bad is the quality of the legal team.
LEARN MORE: Alice Denenberg is an experienced trademark attorney for Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman with a focus on US and foreign trademark prosecution. She has counseled both domestic and foreign clients on all matters relating to trademark protection, including clearance, filing, registration and enforcement.
She can be reached at adenenberg@grr.com or linkedin.com/in/alicedenenberg
“Luxury brands have more than just top-flight designers and materials. They rely on great trademark lawyers to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.”
