October Business of the Month
Marc Samuels – Samuels Agency Independent Medicare Advisors
Marc Samuels – Samuels Agency Independent Medicare Advisors
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
Born and raised in New York City and having lived in the Boroughs of Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, Marc Samuels owns a successful NYC business that he conceptualized himself. PhotoTrek Tours, established in 2003, mixes photography with a private, guided tour of the City, in which participants can have special moments captured at New York City landmarks.
However, the Coronavirus pandemic changed the plans of anyone looking to visit Manhattan as a tourist, and PhotoTrek Tours was shut down indefinitely. Samuels, who moved to the North Shore in 2015 and commuted to NYC, was forced to pivot to a different line of work, and found his calling in the Medicare business.
“I wanted to help people,” Samuels said. “You’re guiding them. Some people think that they can do it on their own. Every year, the doctors change networks. Why not have someone who can guide you and give you info about medical plans, especially if it doesn’t cost you?”
In order to establish himself as an independent Medicare agent (different from captive agents who sell products for one company instead of several different ones), Samuels earned his Life, Accident and Health insurance license in New York State, as well as his Medicare license. He is currently licensed to sell products for five to six different insurance companies. Each company requires passing its own individual examination.
“Basically, the past few years, I’ve done quite a bit of testing,” Samuels explained. “There’s a lot involved.”
When pairing clients with the correct policies, Samuels puts each client into a system and looks for a plan that meets each client’s given needs. As Medicare is the bulk of his product, Samuels prides himself on his knowledge of the needs of senior citizens, as many do not have set Medicare plans. As a local agent, Samuels can speak directly to a company before pairing a client with a plan, and utilizes his knowledge in lowering both healthcare and drug- related expenses.
“Carriers don’t want to be inundated with calls,” Samuels said. “They want to speak to local agents. I’m a local guy who is trying to service the community.”
Networking has paved the way for Samuels to build a client base on the North Shore -- he cites networking as the primary drive of his business, and attends several Zoom meetings with other North Shore Biz Network members and friends.
“It allows me to reach people who might not otherwise know about my business,” Samuels said. “It’s not just about selling a product, it’s about knowing that options are available. It’s not a one-way street, and networking has been extremely helpful in allowing customers access to options. It’s a matter of being comfortable -- personalized service.”
Samuels lives in Glenwood Landing with his wife of 15 years, Joanna; his 14-year-old daughter Maya and his ten-year-old son Emil. He’s enjoyed getting to know the parents of his children’s friends, and loves how fulfilled his children feel in the community in terms of their peers as well as their educational and athletic opportunities.
In looking to the future, Samuels hopes to grow a larger client base that he can continue to help and support, and guide through the Medicare process. He hopes that his guidance will continue to relieve some of their stress of dealing with high medical bills and drug costs. He hopes that the upcoming Open Enrollment period, which begins on October 15, will promote that process and growth.
“I have the knowledge to assist them to do that,” he said. “I just want to help more and more people.”
Marc Samuels
Samuels Agency Independent Medicare Advisors
917-734-7602
www.medicareinform.com
info@medicareinform.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/samuelsagencymedicare/
Born and raised in New York City and having lived in the Boroughs of Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, Marc Samuels owns a successful NYC business that he conceptualized himself. PhotoTrek Tours, established in 2003, mixes photography with a private, guided tour of the City, in which participants can have special moments captured at New York City landmarks.
However, the Coronavirus pandemic changed the plans of anyone looking to visit Manhattan as a tourist, and PhotoTrek Tours was shut down indefinitely. Samuels, who moved to the North Shore in 2015 and commuted to NYC, was forced to pivot to a different line of work, and found his calling in the Medicare business.
“I wanted to help people,” Samuels said. “You’re guiding them. Some people think that they can do it on their own. Every year, the doctors change networks. Why not have someone who can guide you and give you info about medical plans, especially if it doesn’t cost you?”
In order to establish himself as an independent Medicare agent (different from captive agents who sell products for one company instead of several different ones), Samuels earned his Life, Accident and Health insurance license in New York State, as well as his Medicare license. He is currently licensed to sell products for five to six different insurance companies. Each company requires passing its own individual examination.
“Basically, the past few years, I’ve done quite a bit of testing,” Samuels explained. “There’s a lot involved.”
When pairing clients with the correct policies, Samuels puts each client into a system and looks for a plan that meets each client’s given needs. As Medicare is the bulk of his product, Samuels prides himself on his knowledge of the needs of senior citizens, as many do not have set Medicare plans. As a local agent, Samuels can speak directly to a company before pairing a client with a plan, and utilizes his knowledge in lowering both healthcare and drug- related expenses.
“Carriers don’t want to be inundated with calls,” Samuels said. “They want to speak to local agents. I’m a local guy who is trying to service the community.”
Networking has paved the way for Samuels to build a client base on the North Shore -- he cites networking as the primary drive of his business, and attends several Zoom meetings with other North Shore Biz Network members and friends.
“It allows me to reach people who might not otherwise know about my business,” Samuels said. “It’s not just about selling a product, it’s about knowing that options are available. It’s not a one-way street, and networking has been extremely helpful in allowing customers access to options. It’s a matter of being comfortable -- personalized service.”
Samuels lives in Glenwood Landing with his wife of 15 years, Joanna; his 14-year-old daughter Maya and his ten-year-old son Emil. He’s enjoyed getting to know the parents of his children’s friends, and loves how fulfilled his children feel in the community in terms of their peers as well as their educational and athletic opportunities.
In looking to the future, Samuels hopes to grow a larger client base that he can continue to help and support, and guide through the Medicare process. He hopes that his guidance will continue to relieve some of their stress of dealing with high medical bills and drug costs. He hopes that the upcoming Open Enrollment period, which begins on October 15, will promote that process and growth.
“I have the knowledge to assist them to do that,” he said. “I just want to help more and more people.”
Marc Samuels
Samuels Agency Independent Medicare Advisors
917-734-7602
www.medicareinform.com
info@medicareinform.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/samuelsagencymedicare/
September Business of the Month
Dr. Rosemarie Cartagine
Cartagine Chiropractic and Wellness
Dr. Rosemarie Cartagine
Cartagine Chiropractic and Wellness
Story by Gracie Donaldson
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Dr. Rosemarie Cartagine did not enter the working world with the end goal of becoming a chiropractor -- she had other ideas about how to pursue her passion of helping others.
With an undergraduate degree in social work, Cartagine worked a variety of jobs in the field, including a position at Cardinal McClusky’s Child and Family Services in the Bronx, and as a house manager at a group home for adults with developmental challenges in Massachusetts. Her introduction to chiropractic care came after a co-worker at the group home injured herself, visited a chiropractor and received a gift certificate for a complimentary visit. Cartagine was gifted the certificate for the free visit and decided to give it a try.
“I had some symptoms -- pain in the shoulder, fatigue, seasonal allergies,” she explained. “I thought that was part of aging and I was 23 at the time! I started chiropractic care and those things cleared up or went away.”
However, Cartagine’s personal success story with chiropractic care was not her only experience witnessing its benefits. A resident with epilepsy and hemi-paresis, who lived in one of the group homes where Cartagine worked, experienced results which bordered on miraculous.
“We would literally go through a pair of shoes every month because she would drag her foot,” Cartagine explained. “After a short while, she swung her leg around and had more use of her arm. She ate and brushed her teeth more easily, and she was more alert and speaking better. Between my results and her dramatic improvements, I became interested in chiropractic as a career.”
With a desire to change her career already on her mind, Cartagine completed her Doctorate in Chiropractic in 1988 from New York Chiropractic College, where in 2011 she’d go on to earn her Master of Science degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition.
“In high school, I didn’t go beyond the required biology course!” Cartagine said. “I didn’t have to take science classes for a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. Prior to applying to chiropractic college I had to complete three year-long science prerequisite courses.”
Chiropractic care proved to be the perfect career move for Cartagine. “It met a lot of the requirements I was looking for in a career change,” she said. “I wanted to work with people and continue to have a positive impact… and have a little more autonomy.”
In her practice, Cartagine works utilizing an integrative holistic “Body-Mind-Health” approach to chiropractic health care.
“It’s all hyphenated because there’s no separation between body and mind,” she said. “Part of healing is about being fully present and mindful within our lives. The approach that I take is very much helping people to connect with themselves and start to notice what’s going on within their body-mind or and how that is associated with what’s going on in their life – physically, mentally/emotionally, and chemically- how it all integrates into being whole. The healing journey is about having a sense of wholeness.”
In her work utilizing her “Body-Mind-Health” philosophy, Cartagine specializes in “non-force,” or chiropractic work with gentler approaches. The approach has proven highly successful with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly experiencing everything from the elimination of pain to better immunity and overall improved quality of life, including in instances with patients who were used to more forceful approaches.
Outside of her work, Cartagine and her wife Joanna Commander (former North Shore Schools Board Trustee) have been married for the past 11 years. In the community, in addition to Cartagine’s membership to North Shore Biz Network, she is up for re-election for her position as a Trustee of the Gold Coast Library Board. She is also a former board member and current member of the Friends of the Gold Coast Library and is a former member of the Gold Coast Business Association.
When discussing her favorite part of the North Shore community, Cartagine said it is, “the quality of small town-kind of living, which feels unique to the New York metro area. My experience has been that many people look to support the community and support community businesses. That’s really important. People have that kind of awareness, the concept of ‘Shop Local.’”
Cartagine Chiropractic and Wellness -- Dr. Rosemarie Cartagine
(516) 678-3322
1009 Glen Cove Avenue, Suite 6
Glen Head, NY 11545
www.cartaginechiropractic.com
drrosemarie@optonline.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CartagineChiropractic
With an undergraduate degree in social work, Cartagine worked a variety of jobs in the field, including a position at Cardinal McClusky’s Child and Family Services in the Bronx, and as a house manager at a group home for adults with developmental challenges in Massachusetts. Her introduction to chiropractic care came after a co-worker at the group home injured herself, visited a chiropractor and received a gift certificate for a complimentary visit. Cartagine was gifted the certificate for the free visit and decided to give it a try.
“I had some symptoms -- pain in the shoulder, fatigue, seasonal allergies,” she explained. “I thought that was part of aging and I was 23 at the time! I started chiropractic care and those things cleared up or went away.”
However, Cartagine’s personal success story with chiropractic care was not her only experience witnessing its benefits. A resident with epilepsy and hemi-paresis, who lived in one of the group homes where Cartagine worked, experienced results which bordered on miraculous.
“We would literally go through a pair of shoes every month because she would drag her foot,” Cartagine explained. “After a short while, she swung her leg around and had more use of her arm. She ate and brushed her teeth more easily, and she was more alert and speaking better. Between my results and her dramatic improvements, I became interested in chiropractic as a career.”
With a desire to change her career already on her mind, Cartagine completed her Doctorate in Chiropractic in 1988 from New York Chiropractic College, where in 2011 she’d go on to earn her Master of Science degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition.
“In high school, I didn’t go beyond the required biology course!” Cartagine said. “I didn’t have to take science classes for a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. Prior to applying to chiropractic college I had to complete three year-long science prerequisite courses.”
Chiropractic care proved to be the perfect career move for Cartagine. “It met a lot of the requirements I was looking for in a career change,” she said. “I wanted to work with people and continue to have a positive impact… and have a little more autonomy.”
In her practice, Cartagine works utilizing an integrative holistic “Body-Mind-Health” approach to chiropractic health care.
“It’s all hyphenated because there’s no separation between body and mind,” she said. “Part of healing is about being fully present and mindful within our lives. The approach that I take is very much helping people to connect with themselves and start to notice what’s going on within their body-mind or and how that is associated with what’s going on in their life – physically, mentally/emotionally, and chemically- how it all integrates into being whole. The healing journey is about having a sense of wholeness.”
In her work utilizing her “Body-Mind-Health” philosophy, Cartagine specializes in “non-force,” or chiropractic work with gentler approaches. The approach has proven highly successful with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly experiencing everything from the elimination of pain to better immunity and overall improved quality of life, including in instances with patients who were used to more forceful approaches.
Outside of her work, Cartagine and her wife Joanna Commander (former North Shore Schools Board Trustee) have been married for the past 11 years. In the community, in addition to Cartagine’s membership to North Shore Biz Network, she is up for re-election for her position as a Trustee of the Gold Coast Library Board. She is also a former board member and current member of the Friends of the Gold Coast Library and is a former member of the Gold Coast Business Association.
When discussing her favorite part of the North Shore community, Cartagine said it is, “the quality of small town-kind of living, which feels unique to the New York metro area. My experience has been that many people look to support the community and support community businesses. That’s really important. People have that kind of awareness, the concept of ‘Shop Local.’”
Cartagine Chiropractic and Wellness -- Dr. Rosemarie Cartagine
(516) 678-3322
1009 Glen Cove Avenue, Suite 6
Glen Head, NY 11545
www.cartaginechiropractic.com
drrosemarie@optonline.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CartagineChiropractic
June Business of the Month
Benitez Remodeling
Benitez Remodeling
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June Business of the Month: Benitez Remodeling – Tatyana Benitez
Story by Gracie Donaldson
Tatyana Benitez is no stranger to the North Shore.
While her current home base, where she resides alongside her husband, Manny, is located in Suffolk County, Benitez is a graduate of Glen Cove High School and feels most at home in our community.
Benitez is the proprietor and head contractor of Benitez Remodeling, which specializes in residential and commercial remodeling projects large and small. In business for 18 years, her largest concentration of clientele resides in the North Shore region.
In addition to her roots in Glen Cove, the Benitez’ also ventured into the hospitality industry openig Vivo Osteria in 2017. This restaurant was open to its patrons on the border of Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, where had the opportunity to network and form friendships. Her foward and intriguing personality gave way to form a now booming client base.
In the Genesis of her contracting career, Benitez learned trades as a means to making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry.
“I learned the field when I purchased my broken-down house,” she said. “Everything I learned was on site. At the beginning, I was trying to make a buck to survive.”
Benitez hired a carpenter to help install hardwood floors in her home, and asked to work as his assistant on the job. The carpenter declined -- indicating that he would not work with women. The second carpenter Benitez contacted was much more receptive.
“I said, ‘I want to learn how you do it,’” Benitez recalled. “He said, ‘Free help? I’ll take it!”
After working on the floor installation in her own home, Benitez started installing floors for friends for half the price of the going rate, to gain on-the-job experience. She then started working with and hiring architects when her venture grew into a business, and obtained a formal education and licensing in the field -- notably to learn to read and create floor plans.
Today, Benitez Remodeling offers a vast menu of services, including: home extensions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, roofing, siding, floor installation, door installation, plumbing and electrical work. Benitez employs a staff of 12, whose members bring all types of expertise -- including her husband, Manny, who is a Journeyman plumber. Should a job require electrical work or permits, she outsources work to a licensed electrician. Notably, Benitez Remodeling is a certified installer of DreamLine Shower Doors, Andersen Windows and Doors and Schlutter products, which all come with warranties when purchased and installed.
“I’m able to build a whole house because I have a team to do a little bit of everything,” Benitez said.
Typically, Benitez manages two to four jobs simultaneously.
“Manny or I visit all of our jobs every day, to make sure that everything is running smoothly, our clients are okay, the deadlines are being met,” she said. “What I start, I’ll finish, and I always keep an open line of communication with all clients.”
As a woman in a field typically associated with men, Benitez sees an advantage -- and currently employs three women on her staff of 12.
“Women tend to see things a little differently than men,” Benitez explained. “We are a bit more oriented to details. Sometimes, it puts me at a disadvantage, because some men do not feel comfortable talking to a female contractor or think that I’m not competent to do the job. But for the most part, I have the advantage.”
In addition to Benitez Remodeling’s membership to North Shore Biz Network, the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and proudly has not received any complaints. The business also holds a membership to the National Roofing Contractors Association.
With regard to future plans, Benitez aims for continued growth. Her ultimate goal is to establish herself as a developer of condominiums or larger projects.
“My favorite part of this community is how supportive the community is toward me,” Benitez said. “When someone is looking for referrals, the people I have done jobs for recommend me. They say, ‘definitely use her.’ It’s nice to be backed up by my clients. They make an effort.”
Benitez Remodeling – Tatyana and Manny Benitez
(631) 682-7834
www.benitezremodeling.com
tatyana@benitezremodeling.com
Facebook: facebook.com/benitezremodeling1
Story by Gracie Donaldson
Tatyana Benitez is no stranger to the North Shore.
While her current home base, where she resides alongside her husband, Manny, is located in Suffolk County, Benitez is a graduate of Glen Cove High School and feels most at home in our community.
Benitez is the proprietor and head contractor of Benitez Remodeling, which specializes in residential and commercial remodeling projects large and small. In business for 18 years, her largest concentration of clientele resides in the North Shore region.
In addition to her roots in Glen Cove, the Benitez’ also ventured into the hospitality industry openig Vivo Osteria in 2017. This restaurant was open to its patrons on the border of Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, where had the opportunity to network and form friendships. Her foward and intriguing personality gave way to form a now booming client base.
In the Genesis of her contracting career, Benitez learned trades as a means to making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry.
“I learned the field when I purchased my broken-down house,” she said. “Everything I learned was on site. At the beginning, I was trying to make a buck to survive.”
Benitez hired a carpenter to help install hardwood floors in her home, and asked to work as his assistant on the job. The carpenter declined -- indicating that he would not work with women. The second carpenter Benitez contacted was much more receptive.
“I said, ‘I want to learn how you do it,’” Benitez recalled. “He said, ‘Free help? I’ll take it!”
After working on the floor installation in her own home, Benitez started installing floors for friends for half the price of the going rate, to gain on-the-job experience. She then started working with and hiring architects when her venture grew into a business, and obtained a formal education and licensing in the field -- notably to learn to read and create floor plans.
Today, Benitez Remodeling offers a vast menu of services, including: home extensions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, roofing, siding, floor installation, door installation, plumbing and electrical work. Benitez employs a staff of 12, whose members bring all types of expertise -- including her husband, Manny, who is a Journeyman plumber. Should a job require electrical work or permits, she outsources work to a licensed electrician. Notably, Benitez Remodeling is a certified installer of DreamLine Shower Doors, Andersen Windows and Doors and Schlutter products, which all come with warranties when purchased and installed.
“I’m able to build a whole house because I have a team to do a little bit of everything,” Benitez said.
Typically, Benitez manages two to four jobs simultaneously.
“Manny or I visit all of our jobs every day, to make sure that everything is running smoothly, our clients are okay, the deadlines are being met,” she said. “What I start, I’ll finish, and I always keep an open line of communication with all clients.”
As a woman in a field typically associated with men, Benitez sees an advantage -- and currently employs three women on her staff of 12.
“Women tend to see things a little differently than men,” Benitez explained. “We are a bit more oriented to details. Sometimes, it puts me at a disadvantage, because some men do not feel comfortable talking to a female contractor or think that I’m not competent to do the job. But for the most part, I have the advantage.”
In addition to Benitez Remodeling’s membership to North Shore Biz Network, the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and proudly has not received any complaints. The business also holds a membership to the National Roofing Contractors Association.
With regard to future plans, Benitez aims for continued growth. Her ultimate goal is to establish herself as a developer of condominiums or larger projects.
“My favorite part of this community is how supportive the community is toward me,” Benitez said. “When someone is looking for referrals, the people I have done jobs for recommend me. They say, ‘definitely use her.’ It’s nice to be backed up by my clients. They make an effort.”
Benitez Remodeling – Tatyana and Manny Benitez
(631) 682-7834
www.benitezremodeling.com
tatyana@benitezremodeling.com
Facebook: facebook.com/benitezremodeling1
May Business of the Month
Baron Floral Designs
Baron Floral Designs
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
In the North Shore area, Dana Baron is known and admired for her “honor system bouquets.”
To clarify, Baron leaves pre-arranged flower bouquets outside the Sea Cliff studio of Baron Floral Designs. Patrons can help themselves to after-hours flowers, and then pay Baron on the honor system -- either by leaving cash in her mail slot or by way of Venmo (her QR code is on display in the studio window).
However, while her kindness and trust of the community set Baron apart, there are many more reasons to shop in her studio, Baron Floral Designs, located on Roslyn Avenue in Sea Cliff.
“I picked Sea Cliff because there wasn’t a florist!” Baron said. “Glen Head has two, Roslyn has two, Locust Valley has two. I wanted a place that could be in a town and in a space that was more like a design studio and a place to meet clients, rather than a nine-to-five place. Sea Cliff is a little more off the beaten path.”
In addition to having the opportunity to take up as the only florist in Sea Cliff, the village was also reminiscent of Baron’s native Connecticut.
“It reminds me of Connecticut, with the hills and the Victorian homes, and the very nice vibe there,” she said.
Prior to taking up the craft of floral design, Baron worked in marketing and management for an agency in New York City. However, it did not take her long to realize that a corporate marketing career wasn’t fulfilling for her.
“I was about to start making really good money, but I hated it!” Baron recalled. “My (future) husband asked me, ‘Why are you doing this? Do what you want to do,’ and I always wanted to do something creative.” At that point, Baron decided to take a floral design intensive course at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. She worked for already established florists and event planners before opening her own in-home studio.
For 20 years before moving into the Sea Cliff space, Baron operated her floral design studio from her garage. Before the pandemic, wedding venues indicated to Baron that potential clients are more likely to purchase from a perceivably viable business with a space.
“I always wanted a retail space, and this seemed like the best way to get more party and wedding work,” Baron explained. “Then, the pandemic came, but it didn’t deter me at all.”
Services offered by Baron Floral Design include flowers for weddings and life events, but also include weekly deliveries to businesses and restaurants, and private residential clients. Additionally, Baron fills outdoor planters at homes and businesses, changing them for the spring, fall and holiday seasons.
“There’s a bit of a gap between hiring a landscape architect and hiring your gardener to put something in your planters,” Baron explained. “I’m the one who does that, without the job title of full-on landscape architect but with a great eye for design.”
In all of her work, Baron brings a unique touch to floral arrangements that are intended as gifts -- she includes a card listing the Victorian meanings of each flower as an homage to the days in which people could not express themselves with words but rather, with flowers. She even closes her envelopes with sealing wax.
Aside from event clients, corporate clients and landscape clients, Baron does open her doors to walk-ins on a limited basis -- “when it’s really nice out.” Her studio hours are largely by appointment but she is constantly changing to meet the needs of the community.
Of course, Baron’s walk-ins also consist of those who partake of her honor system flower arrangements.
“It’s worked so well,” Baron said. “People come by and say, ‘It’s so nice that you trust people.’ The point is to spread the love. It’s been such a bummer since the pandemic. Everyone can enjoy the flowers and have some sunshine in their daily lives. The only place you can really do something like this is Sea Cliff.”
When not working, Baron is a devoted mother of her three children: Ethan (20), Leah (18) and Matthew (15). In addition to her membership to North Shore Biz Network, she is involved with Sea Cliff’s Love Your Neighbor Project, sponsors local intramural soccer and softball teams and frequently donates to the North Shore School District.
However, Baron’s favorite part of the community is the overwhelming support of all small businesses.
“Everyone’s helping each other for the good,” she said. “All of that ‘good vibes’ stuff! I have such nice clients. In Sea Cliff, people really want to support local businesses.”
In looking to the future, Baron intends to hold floral design classes and other events, once in-person event restrictions are lifted.
Baron Floral Designs – Dana Baron
82 Roslyn Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
(516) 807-5478
www.baronfloraldesigns.com
dana@baronfloral.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BaronFloralDesigns
Instagram: @baron_floral
In the North Shore area, Dana Baron is known and admired for her “honor system bouquets.”
To clarify, Baron leaves pre-arranged flower bouquets outside the Sea Cliff studio of Baron Floral Designs. Patrons can help themselves to after-hours flowers, and then pay Baron on the honor system -- either by leaving cash in her mail slot or by way of Venmo (her QR code is on display in the studio window).
However, while her kindness and trust of the community set Baron apart, there are many more reasons to shop in her studio, Baron Floral Designs, located on Roslyn Avenue in Sea Cliff.
“I picked Sea Cliff because there wasn’t a florist!” Baron said. “Glen Head has two, Roslyn has two, Locust Valley has two. I wanted a place that could be in a town and in a space that was more like a design studio and a place to meet clients, rather than a nine-to-five place. Sea Cliff is a little more off the beaten path.”
In addition to having the opportunity to take up as the only florist in Sea Cliff, the village was also reminiscent of Baron’s native Connecticut.
“It reminds me of Connecticut, with the hills and the Victorian homes, and the very nice vibe there,” she said.
Prior to taking up the craft of floral design, Baron worked in marketing and management for an agency in New York City. However, it did not take her long to realize that a corporate marketing career wasn’t fulfilling for her.
“I was about to start making really good money, but I hated it!” Baron recalled. “My (future) husband asked me, ‘Why are you doing this? Do what you want to do,’ and I always wanted to do something creative.” At that point, Baron decided to take a floral design intensive course at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. She worked for already established florists and event planners before opening her own in-home studio.
For 20 years before moving into the Sea Cliff space, Baron operated her floral design studio from her garage. Before the pandemic, wedding venues indicated to Baron that potential clients are more likely to purchase from a perceivably viable business with a space.
“I always wanted a retail space, and this seemed like the best way to get more party and wedding work,” Baron explained. “Then, the pandemic came, but it didn’t deter me at all.”
Services offered by Baron Floral Design include flowers for weddings and life events, but also include weekly deliveries to businesses and restaurants, and private residential clients. Additionally, Baron fills outdoor planters at homes and businesses, changing them for the spring, fall and holiday seasons.
“There’s a bit of a gap between hiring a landscape architect and hiring your gardener to put something in your planters,” Baron explained. “I’m the one who does that, without the job title of full-on landscape architect but with a great eye for design.”
In all of her work, Baron brings a unique touch to floral arrangements that are intended as gifts -- she includes a card listing the Victorian meanings of each flower as an homage to the days in which people could not express themselves with words but rather, with flowers. She even closes her envelopes with sealing wax.
Aside from event clients, corporate clients and landscape clients, Baron does open her doors to walk-ins on a limited basis -- “when it’s really nice out.” Her studio hours are largely by appointment but she is constantly changing to meet the needs of the community.
Of course, Baron’s walk-ins also consist of those who partake of her honor system flower arrangements.
“It’s worked so well,” Baron said. “People come by and say, ‘It’s so nice that you trust people.’ The point is to spread the love. It’s been such a bummer since the pandemic. Everyone can enjoy the flowers and have some sunshine in their daily lives. The only place you can really do something like this is Sea Cliff.”
When not working, Baron is a devoted mother of her three children: Ethan (20), Leah (18) and Matthew (15). In addition to her membership to North Shore Biz Network, she is involved with Sea Cliff’s Love Your Neighbor Project, sponsors local intramural soccer and softball teams and frequently donates to the North Shore School District.
However, Baron’s favorite part of the community is the overwhelming support of all small businesses.
“Everyone’s helping each other for the good,” she said. “All of that ‘good vibes’ stuff! I have such nice clients. In Sea Cliff, people really want to support local businesses.”
In looking to the future, Baron intends to hold floral design classes and other events, once in-person event restrictions are lifted.
Baron Floral Designs – Dana Baron
82 Roslyn Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
(516) 807-5478
www.baronfloraldesigns.com
dana@baronfloral.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BaronFloralDesigns
Instagram: @baron_floral
April Business of the Month
Celeste Gullo – Allstate Insurance
Celeste Gullo – Allstate Insurance
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
When you think of visible business people in the North Shore community who also do good deeds and are always trying to help others, chances are, you think of Celeste Gullo.
After moving to Long Island from Queens when she was in the eighth grade, Gullo’s family made their life in Manhasset. She lived there until she met her eventual husband, Vinny, who lived in Glen Cove -- where they decided to settle.
“I always say I’m from the city,” Gullo said.
But Gullo wasted no time in making an impact on the surrounding North Shore community through both her business as well as her community-oriented conscience. While she wanted to start her own Allstate agency in Glen Cove, the insurance company indicated that too many Allstate offices were already located in Glen Cove. Luckily for Gullo, a longtime Allstate agent with an office in Glen Head was, at the time, preparing to move to Florida. Gullo bought that agency, originally located near Bottle Buys on Glen Head Road, moved up the road and opened in January 2016.
“There was just no other way to do it except to work for myself,” Gullo said. “It should always be the natural progression. It’s mine! I’d have to sell it if I left. It’s something my children can take over.”
Gullo moved up the ladder to Agency Owner with Allstate after starting her journey with the company at just 18 years old.
“I was part of a team in Roslyn, scanning and faxing and answering phones,” Gullo recalled. “I worked there for 13 years, and then another for five years, and another for three years.”
While she maintained her loyalty to Allstate, Gullo worked for a different company for a brief period of time. “I had to keep trying to find my fit,” she explained. “When I came back, I had a greater appreciation for this company.”
In her agency today just as on its opening day in 2016, Gullo strives to provide unparalleled customer service. “I want people to have the feeling they get when they walk into Disney World,” she said.
Gullo offers all personal and commercial lines policies, but places a particular focus on policies that affect the lives of families -- the house, the cars, the kids and life insurance. Additionally, she also offers products based in retirement needs, 401K rollover, disability insurance and investment planning.
However, when asked what sets her agency apart from other insurance agencies offering similar products, her answer was enthusiastic: her team, made up of Kai Hui, Katherine Kearney, Meagan Kearney and Mario Marin.
“They are the people who answer the phone every day, six days a week, until 6pm,” Gullo said. “They go over discounts and renewals. Kai does life insurance and financial services. Katherine came to me through an ad on LinkedIn, and her daughter Meagan does what I did when I was 18. Mario does our photo inspections, answers billing questions and helps with claims. We’ve had some crazy claim situations and we’re helping people. You don’t get a team like this other places.”
One aspect of the insurance industry that agents deal with, by and large, is the issue of price. Consumers grow frustrated with rate increases and often place their coverage based on price along. Gullo, however, touts education, as well as her team’s exceptional customer service and attention to detail, as antidotes to customer concerns surrounding rates.
“We are extremely competitive,” she explained. “We do lose people for rates, but they come back. We lose so few compared to how much new we put on. We try to educate people and explain that rates change as we get older. Your home rate is going to change because the cost to replace it changes. Out of approximately 2,900 clients, we, at this point, have less than a dozen who call regularly about rates.”
Within the community, Gullo is a member of North Shore Biz Network as well as the Gold Coast Business Association and the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce. However, she is most well-known in our community for her charity and goodwill projects.
“My favorite projects are food drives,” Gullo said. “My dad grew up in poverty. He always had a fear of returning to it, and [as a child] he would take me into the city to give food to the homeless.”
While Gullo maintains that she is “from the city,” her roots are firmly planted on the North Shore. “I just love the location and the people -- but the people first,” Gullo said. “If you need something, you can go online and say, ‘I need formula,’ and ten people would offer it. If I was ever stuck, I could log on to social media and trust the person who volunteered to help. And our community is diverse. I’m happy to raise my kids here.”
Allstate Insurance – Celeste Gullo
60 Glen Head Road
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 466-2111
cgullo@allstate.com
https://agents.allstate.com/celeste-gullo-glen-head-ny.html
Facebook: facebook.com/GulloAllstate
When you think of visible business people in the North Shore community who also do good deeds and are always trying to help others, chances are, you think of Celeste Gullo.
After moving to Long Island from Queens when she was in the eighth grade, Gullo’s family made their life in Manhasset. She lived there until she met her eventual husband, Vinny, who lived in Glen Cove -- where they decided to settle.
“I always say I’m from the city,” Gullo said.
But Gullo wasted no time in making an impact on the surrounding North Shore community through both her business as well as her community-oriented conscience. While she wanted to start her own Allstate agency in Glen Cove, the insurance company indicated that too many Allstate offices were already located in Glen Cove. Luckily for Gullo, a longtime Allstate agent with an office in Glen Head was, at the time, preparing to move to Florida. Gullo bought that agency, originally located near Bottle Buys on Glen Head Road, moved up the road and opened in January 2016.
“There was just no other way to do it except to work for myself,” Gullo said. “It should always be the natural progression. It’s mine! I’d have to sell it if I left. It’s something my children can take over.”
Gullo moved up the ladder to Agency Owner with Allstate after starting her journey with the company at just 18 years old.
“I was part of a team in Roslyn, scanning and faxing and answering phones,” Gullo recalled. “I worked there for 13 years, and then another for five years, and another for three years.”
While she maintained her loyalty to Allstate, Gullo worked for a different company for a brief period of time. “I had to keep trying to find my fit,” she explained. “When I came back, I had a greater appreciation for this company.”
In her agency today just as on its opening day in 2016, Gullo strives to provide unparalleled customer service. “I want people to have the feeling they get when they walk into Disney World,” she said.
Gullo offers all personal and commercial lines policies, but places a particular focus on policies that affect the lives of families -- the house, the cars, the kids and life insurance. Additionally, she also offers products based in retirement needs, 401K rollover, disability insurance and investment planning.
However, when asked what sets her agency apart from other insurance agencies offering similar products, her answer was enthusiastic: her team, made up of Kai Hui, Katherine Kearney, Meagan Kearney and Mario Marin.
“They are the people who answer the phone every day, six days a week, until 6pm,” Gullo said. “They go over discounts and renewals. Kai does life insurance and financial services. Katherine came to me through an ad on LinkedIn, and her daughter Meagan does what I did when I was 18. Mario does our photo inspections, answers billing questions and helps with claims. We’ve had some crazy claim situations and we’re helping people. You don’t get a team like this other places.”
One aspect of the insurance industry that agents deal with, by and large, is the issue of price. Consumers grow frustrated with rate increases and often place their coverage based on price along. Gullo, however, touts education, as well as her team’s exceptional customer service and attention to detail, as antidotes to customer concerns surrounding rates.
“We are extremely competitive,” she explained. “We do lose people for rates, but they come back. We lose so few compared to how much new we put on. We try to educate people and explain that rates change as we get older. Your home rate is going to change because the cost to replace it changes. Out of approximately 2,900 clients, we, at this point, have less than a dozen who call regularly about rates.”
Within the community, Gullo is a member of North Shore Biz Network as well as the Gold Coast Business Association and the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce. However, she is most well-known in our community for her charity and goodwill projects.
“My favorite projects are food drives,” Gullo said. “My dad grew up in poverty. He always had a fear of returning to it, and [as a child] he would take me into the city to give food to the homeless.”
While Gullo maintains that she is “from the city,” her roots are firmly planted on the North Shore. “I just love the location and the people -- but the people first,” Gullo said. “If you need something, you can go online and say, ‘I need formula,’ and ten people would offer it. If I was ever stuck, I could log on to social media and trust the person who volunteered to help. And our community is diverse. I’m happy to raise my kids here.”
Allstate Insurance – Celeste Gullo
60 Glen Head Road
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 466-2111
cgullo@allstate.com
https://agents.allstate.com/celeste-gullo-glen-head-ny.html
Facebook: facebook.com/GulloAllstate
March Business of the Month
Madison Stone and Tile Design
Madison Stone and Tile Design
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
With a combined 40-plus years of experience in the tile field, Maria Dattolo and Jessica Merrick operate Madison Stone and Tile Design, Inc., located at 120 Glen Head Road in Glen Head. This location was chosen because the building reflects “old-world” architecture.
However, while the showroom was scheduled to opened in February 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic moved their plans up. But that didn’t keep Dattolo and Merrick, who met through mutual friends in the industry, down for long. They opted for a soft opening instead.
“There is a need for a tile store in the area,” Merrick said. “We’re a resource for the community. We offer a variety of design services along with an extensive collection of stone, ceramic, glass, marble, porcelain and metal tile.”
Dattolo, a 35-year resident of Glen Cove, has worked in the commercial/residential tile industry for more than 20 years. She applies her Italian background of “old-world” artistry to all of her designs. Merrick has worked in the tile industry for nearly 15 years and favors a more modern/eclectic design aesthetic -- and is up for any design challenge.
Working on commercial projects has helped to put Madison Stone and Tile Design on the cutting edge of design, technique and innovative materials used by the trade at large.
“The first step when meeting with a client is to qualify and determine their vision for their space,” Merrick said. “Then we develop concepts. It may require a few meetings and tweaks, but we understand that this is a process. We take the necessary time to ensure that our client is absolutely ecstatic with their selection.”
Madison Stone and Tile Design provides a different experience that a customer might not encounter with a competitor or big box chain. When consumers visit the showroom, they know they will be working with professionals knowledgeable of their products. Madison’s philosophy is to value customer service and the importance of relationship-building.
“It is rewarding to create spaces that people will enjoy for many years to come,” Dattolo said.
“I absolutely love what I do,” Merrick added. “Many customers are overwhelmed especially those renovating an entire home. We have to make it work. It’s surprising to see what we can accomplish given time restraints and budget, and still not compromise the client’s aesthetic. No project is too big or too small.”
As a result of their attention to detail and customer service, Merrick notes that “clients have led to friendships outside of work.”
Within the community, Madison Stone and Tile Design holds membership to North Shore Biz Network as well as the Gold Coast Business Association.
Additionally, “We like to work with other businesses in the area” Dattolo said. “Shopping local has become so critical right now “
“People like to be ‘in this’ with other businesses,” Merrick added. “If we can help each other succeed, why not?
Madison Stone and Tile Design
120 Glen Head Road
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 781-0191
info@madisonresidentialdesign.com
https://madisonresidentialdesign.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MadisonResidentialDesign
Instagram: @madisonresidentialdesign
With a combined 40-plus years of experience in the tile field, Maria Dattolo and Jessica Merrick operate Madison Stone and Tile Design, Inc., located at 120 Glen Head Road in Glen Head. This location was chosen because the building reflects “old-world” architecture.
However, while the showroom was scheduled to opened in February 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic moved their plans up. But that didn’t keep Dattolo and Merrick, who met through mutual friends in the industry, down for long. They opted for a soft opening instead.
“There is a need for a tile store in the area,” Merrick said. “We’re a resource for the community. We offer a variety of design services along with an extensive collection of stone, ceramic, glass, marble, porcelain and metal tile.”
Dattolo, a 35-year resident of Glen Cove, has worked in the commercial/residential tile industry for more than 20 years. She applies her Italian background of “old-world” artistry to all of her designs. Merrick has worked in the tile industry for nearly 15 years and favors a more modern/eclectic design aesthetic -- and is up for any design challenge.
Working on commercial projects has helped to put Madison Stone and Tile Design on the cutting edge of design, technique and innovative materials used by the trade at large.
“The first step when meeting with a client is to qualify and determine their vision for their space,” Merrick said. “Then we develop concepts. It may require a few meetings and tweaks, but we understand that this is a process. We take the necessary time to ensure that our client is absolutely ecstatic with their selection.”
Madison Stone and Tile Design provides a different experience that a customer might not encounter with a competitor or big box chain. When consumers visit the showroom, they know they will be working with professionals knowledgeable of their products. Madison’s philosophy is to value customer service and the importance of relationship-building.
“It is rewarding to create spaces that people will enjoy for many years to come,” Dattolo said.
“I absolutely love what I do,” Merrick added. “Many customers are overwhelmed especially those renovating an entire home. We have to make it work. It’s surprising to see what we can accomplish given time restraints and budget, and still not compromise the client’s aesthetic. No project is too big or too small.”
As a result of their attention to detail and customer service, Merrick notes that “clients have led to friendships outside of work.”
Within the community, Madison Stone and Tile Design holds membership to North Shore Biz Network as well as the Gold Coast Business Association.
Additionally, “We like to work with other businesses in the area” Dattolo said. “Shopping local has become so critical right now “
“People like to be ‘in this’ with other businesses,” Merrick added. “If we can help each other succeed, why not?
Madison Stone and Tile Design
120 Glen Head Road
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 781-0191
info@madisonresidentialdesign.com
https://madisonresidentialdesign.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MadisonResidentialDesign
Instagram: @madisonresidentialdesign
February 2021 Business of the Month
Kim Laderer – felene vodka
Kim Laderer – felene vodka
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
Kim Laderer moved to Glen Head with her family at the age of ten.
Today, both Laderer and her son, Noah, have graduated from North Shore High School. After raising Noah in Sea Cliff, she moved back to Glen Head two years ago, and loves living in the community she grew up in surrounded by her four siblings -- almost all of whom also attended North Shore High School.
While her family is locally legendary, Laderer is best known in the community as one of the busiest working women in town. She holds a full-time 9-5 job with the NPD Group located in Port Washington, she is a part-time real estate agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate and she represents felene vodka, a home-grown vodka company and distillery with ties to the North Shore area, as the New York-area Operations Manager.
In a change to a home-based work day, the Coronavirus pandemic provided Laderer the opportunity to switch between roles easily -- even finding her way to her role within the felene vodka company.
“It’s kind of a fun story,” Laderer said. “I was so bored! My son was home from college for three months at the start of the pandemic. I started making TikTok videos.” In one of the videos, Laderer used an empty bottle of felene vodka as a prop. “I knew it was good vodka because I drank the bottle,” she said.
The rest, as the expression goes, is history. Laderer was contacted on social media by felene’s founder, Tim Kelly (who is originally from the North Shore), and by April, Kelly asked her to fill the role as felene’s social media manager.
“We had meetings,” she said. “We did recipes. Every morning and afternoon, I would post about felene.”
From April to January, Laderer worked to become a felene employee trainer as well as a principal in the company. She travels to felene headquarters in Denver, Colorado on a monthly basis for meetings, and to view the progress on the newly constructed felene distillery -- a venture that would not be possible if she could not tend to her 9-5 job on a remote basis.
“I’ve had these three jobs during quarantine,” Laderer said. “I don’t have to a whole lot of juggling. When things go back to normal, I’m still not sure how it will all work.”
A large portion of Laderer’s work in promoting both felene vodka and her real estate listings lives on social media. “I’m on social media five to six hours a day,” she explained -- she schedules her social media work for her businesses during the early morning and evening hours, around her “day job” schedule. Laderer’s social media-based work for felene involves posting, utilizing popular hashtags and tagging other popular pages to gain visibility. Her son, Noah, assists her with social media tasks when he is home from college.
“[Noah] is so supportive,” Laderer said.
When promoting felene on social media, Laderer posts in over 25 Facebook groups, many of which are related to alcohol and drink recipes. She also runs her own Facebook group titled “Club felene.”
felene vodka gets its name from its slogan -- it is “criminally smooth.” It is GMO-free, gluten-free, low in calories, carbohydrate-free, low in sugar and does not contain any preservatives or additives. Additionally, felene vodka is made with organic sugar cane instead of potato, and is four-times distilled and carbon-filtered. As a result, felene vodka does not carry the same bitterness of its counterparts.
According to its mission statement, felene is “designed to be a simple, honest, premium quality spirit that can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanied with a favorite mixer. Taken from the Hearts of the distilling run, there is no higher quality spirit in its class.”
Locally, felene vodka can be purchased at Glen Head Fine Wine and Liquor, Bottle Buys, Bayville Wines and Liquors, Black Tie (located in Port Washington), Lake Success Fine Wine and Liquors, Total Wine (located in Westbury) and Broadway Liquors (located in Massapequa). Additionally, felene vodka is on the menu at the Glen Cove staple and NSBN member, the View Grill.
Within the community, Laderer is a member of North Shore Biz Network and is a member of the local realtor’s association.
“My favorite part of our community is the people,” Laderer said. “It is filled up with small businesses. I love walking in the town and shopping in all of the little stores. I can walk through Sea Cliff and shop. I’m obsessed with the Long Island Sound. It’s been a great place to grow up and raise my son.”
Kim Laderer – felene vodka
516-448-5557
kim@felenevodka.com
www.felenevodka.com
Kim Laderer moved to Glen Head with her family at the age of ten.
Today, both Laderer and her son, Noah, have graduated from North Shore High School. After raising Noah in Sea Cliff, she moved back to Glen Head two years ago, and loves living in the community she grew up in surrounded by her four siblings -- almost all of whom also attended North Shore High School.
While her family is locally legendary, Laderer is best known in the community as one of the busiest working women in town. She holds a full-time 9-5 job with the NPD Group located in Port Washington, she is a part-time real estate agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate and she represents felene vodka, a home-grown vodka company and distillery with ties to the North Shore area, as the New York-area Operations Manager.
In a change to a home-based work day, the Coronavirus pandemic provided Laderer the opportunity to switch between roles easily -- even finding her way to her role within the felene vodka company.
“It’s kind of a fun story,” Laderer said. “I was so bored! My son was home from college for three months at the start of the pandemic. I started making TikTok videos.” In one of the videos, Laderer used an empty bottle of felene vodka as a prop. “I knew it was good vodka because I drank the bottle,” she said.
The rest, as the expression goes, is history. Laderer was contacted on social media by felene’s founder, Tim Kelly (who is originally from the North Shore), and by April, Kelly asked her to fill the role as felene’s social media manager.
“We had meetings,” she said. “We did recipes. Every morning and afternoon, I would post about felene.”
From April to January, Laderer worked to become a felene employee trainer as well as a principal in the company. She travels to felene headquarters in Denver, Colorado on a monthly basis for meetings, and to view the progress on the newly constructed felene distillery -- a venture that would not be possible if she could not tend to her 9-5 job on a remote basis.
“I’ve had these three jobs during quarantine,” Laderer said. “I don’t have to a whole lot of juggling. When things go back to normal, I’m still not sure how it will all work.”
A large portion of Laderer’s work in promoting both felene vodka and her real estate listings lives on social media. “I’m on social media five to six hours a day,” she explained -- she schedules her social media work for her businesses during the early morning and evening hours, around her “day job” schedule. Laderer’s social media-based work for felene involves posting, utilizing popular hashtags and tagging other popular pages to gain visibility. Her son, Noah, assists her with social media tasks when he is home from college.
“[Noah] is so supportive,” Laderer said.
When promoting felene on social media, Laderer posts in over 25 Facebook groups, many of which are related to alcohol and drink recipes. She also runs her own Facebook group titled “Club felene.”
felene vodka gets its name from its slogan -- it is “criminally smooth.” It is GMO-free, gluten-free, low in calories, carbohydrate-free, low in sugar and does not contain any preservatives or additives. Additionally, felene vodka is made with organic sugar cane instead of potato, and is four-times distilled and carbon-filtered. As a result, felene vodka does not carry the same bitterness of its counterparts.
According to its mission statement, felene is “designed to be a simple, honest, premium quality spirit that can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanied with a favorite mixer. Taken from the Hearts of the distilling run, there is no higher quality spirit in its class.”
Locally, felene vodka can be purchased at Glen Head Fine Wine and Liquor, Bottle Buys, Bayville Wines and Liquors, Black Tie (located in Port Washington), Lake Success Fine Wine and Liquors, Total Wine (located in Westbury) and Broadway Liquors (located in Massapequa). Additionally, felene vodka is on the menu at the Glen Cove staple and NSBN member, the View Grill.
Within the community, Laderer is a member of North Shore Biz Network and is a member of the local realtor’s association.
“My favorite part of our community is the people,” Laderer said. “It is filled up with small businesses. I love walking in the town and shopping in all of the little stores. I can walk through Sea Cliff and shop. I’m obsessed with the Long Island Sound. It’s been a great place to grow up and raise my son.”
Kim Laderer – felene vodka
516-448-5557
kim@felenevodka.com
www.felenevodka.com
January Business of the Month:
JILL OF ALL TRADES - GRACIE DONALDSON
JILL OF ALL TRADES - GRACIE DONALDSON
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Photo credit: Tab Hauser
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Gracie Donaldson – Freelance Creator, Performer, and Office Manager
Gracie Donaldson has lived in Glen Head for most of her life.
After attending college at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island and spending five months as part of the Disney College Program and working as a seasonal Cast Member at Walt Disney World in Florida, she came back to Glen Head -- to her family and to all of her beloved communities. At age 32, she manages three careers while living in her childhood home -- and her boyfriend, Anthony Cipriano (also a NSBN member), lives just minutes away in Glen Cove.
“My parents haven’t asked me to leave yet,” Donaldson said. “And while Anthony and I are looking to move in together and get married, I live at home for my family -- but also because I want to stay in this area. Millennials are leaving by the carload and I want to be here.”
Born into an entrepreneurial family, by day, Donaldson works alongside her father, Bob, as the office manager of his commercial leasing business -- also located in Glen Head.
“Dad has taught me nearly everything I know about business,” Donaldson remarked. “I’ve watched his resourcefulness with customers, his intense work ethic, his salesmanship, his ability to acquire referrals at an impressive pace.”
With entrepreneurial blood, by night, Donaldson runs a freelance-based content creation and management business she calls “Jill of All Trades.” She creates content including full-length articles, blog posts, social media posts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, email templates, graphics, flyers and videos. Additionally, she edits pre-created work, develops mailing lists, manages a number of social media accounts for which she creates content and even teaches a few clients how to manage their own social media accounts.
While her education is largely based is in writing and social media, Donaldson has worked to expand her offerings.
“I’ve never taken a graphic design class in my life,” she said. “In creating social media content, I’d need to create flyers and Facebook cover photos. I work with Canva, an online graphic design platform, on a near daily basis now. But I can look back at some of my early designs and see how far I’ve come while teaching myself to create designs.”
Locally, Donaldson works with a number of North Shore Biz Network members. She also maintains clients out of the immediate area.
“I have people who hire me for one project, I have people who hire me to create Facebook posts for them every single day and manage their account and I have people who call me every few weeks or months when they need me to create a graphic or write a few articles,” she explained.
Over the past year, Donaldson has experienced the power of networking through the cross-over of her freelance work with her first love: performing. In pursuit of her passion, she continues to take voice lessons, and took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan as a high school student. Her hard work led her to several community and semi-professional gigs, locally including work as a leader of song at her parish of St. Mary’s in Roslyn, producing and performing in North Shore Village Theatre’s first-ever Holiday Variety Show in 2019 and live and virtual gigs with NSBN member Memory Lane Music Café.
“I wanted to have a career in the performing arts from the time I was a very little girl,” Donaldson recalled. “While Broadway wasn’t in the cards for me, I get to produce and perform all the time.”
When preparing for a live gig with Memory Lane Music Café back in early March 2020, Donaldson created a promotional poster, which led her to work as a freelance publicist and producer for the concert series. Since the Coronavirus pandemic forced concerts to go virtual, Donaldson has produced and performed in three virtual pre-recorded concerts.
In the community, Donaldson has worked with several organizations since moving back to Glen Head in 2012. She serves NSBN as its promotions manager, creating all promotional graphics and maintaining correspondence with newspaper associates, as well as working on the social media side. She is also a former member and publicity coordinator for the Rotary Club of Glen Cove, worked on the Special Events committee for the Glen Cove 350th anniversary celebration in 2018 (for which she also wrote, directed and performed in an original play, and performed our National Anthem at the committee’s Old Time Base Ball game in 2019), a former board member of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Gold Coast Business Association.
“I’ve found a number of opportunities for business and connection thanks to Deborah (Orgel-Gordon) and NSBN,” Donaldson said. “We work so well together and have such an understanding of each other.”
Gracie Donaldson
Jill of All Trades
(516) 650-9637
marygrace.donaldson@gmail.com
Gracie Donaldson has lived in Glen Head for most of her life.
After attending college at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island and spending five months as part of the Disney College Program and working as a seasonal Cast Member at Walt Disney World in Florida, she came back to Glen Head -- to her family and to all of her beloved communities. At age 32, she manages three careers while living in her childhood home -- and her boyfriend, Anthony Cipriano (also a NSBN member), lives just minutes away in Glen Cove.
“My parents haven’t asked me to leave yet,” Donaldson said. “And while Anthony and I are looking to move in together and get married, I live at home for my family -- but also because I want to stay in this area. Millennials are leaving by the carload and I want to be here.”
Born into an entrepreneurial family, by day, Donaldson works alongside her father, Bob, as the office manager of his commercial leasing business -- also located in Glen Head.
“Dad has taught me nearly everything I know about business,” Donaldson remarked. “I’ve watched his resourcefulness with customers, his intense work ethic, his salesmanship, his ability to acquire referrals at an impressive pace.”
With entrepreneurial blood, by night, Donaldson runs a freelance-based content creation and management business she calls “Jill of All Trades.” She creates content including full-length articles, blog posts, social media posts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, email templates, graphics, flyers and videos. Additionally, she edits pre-created work, develops mailing lists, manages a number of social media accounts for which she creates content and even teaches a few clients how to manage their own social media accounts.
While her education is largely based is in writing and social media, Donaldson has worked to expand her offerings.
“I’ve never taken a graphic design class in my life,” she said. “In creating social media content, I’d need to create flyers and Facebook cover photos. I work with Canva, an online graphic design platform, on a near daily basis now. But I can look back at some of my early designs and see how far I’ve come while teaching myself to create designs.”
Locally, Donaldson works with a number of North Shore Biz Network members. She also maintains clients out of the immediate area.
“I have people who hire me for one project, I have people who hire me to create Facebook posts for them every single day and manage their account and I have people who call me every few weeks or months when they need me to create a graphic or write a few articles,” she explained.
Over the past year, Donaldson has experienced the power of networking through the cross-over of her freelance work with her first love: performing. In pursuit of her passion, she continues to take voice lessons, and took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan as a high school student. Her hard work led her to several community and semi-professional gigs, locally including work as a leader of song at her parish of St. Mary’s in Roslyn, producing and performing in North Shore Village Theatre’s first-ever Holiday Variety Show in 2019 and live and virtual gigs with NSBN member Memory Lane Music Café.
“I wanted to have a career in the performing arts from the time I was a very little girl,” Donaldson recalled. “While Broadway wasn’t in the cards for me, I get to produce and perform all the time.”
When preparing for a live gig with Memory Lane Music Café back in early March 2020, Donaldson created a promotional poster, which led her to work as a freelance publicist and producer for the concert series. Since the Coronavirus pandemic forced concerts to go virtual, Donaldson has produced and performed in three virtual pre-recorded concerts.
In the community, Donaldson has worked with several organizations since moving back to Glen Head in 2012. She serves NSBN as its promotions manager, creating all promotional graphics and maintaining correspondence with newspaper associates, as well as working on the social media side. She is also a former member and publicity coordinator for the Rotary Club of Glen Cove, worked on the Special Events committee for the Glen Cove 350th anniversary celebration in 2018 (for which she also wrote, directed and performed in an original play, and performed our National Anthem at the committee’s Old Time Base Ball game in 2019), a former board member of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Gold Coast Business Association.
“I’ve found a number of opportunities for business and connection thanks to Deborah (Orgel-Gordon) and NSBN,” Donaldson said. “We work so well together and have such an understanding of each other.”
Gracie Donaldson
Jill of All Trades
(516) 650-9637
marygrace.donaldson@gmail.com
November Business of the Month:
MY BEAUTIFUL MESS
MY BEAUTIFUL MESS
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November Business of the Month: My Beautiful Mess
By Gracie Donaldson
Susan Davila and Lisa Marchetti are best friends and entrepreneurs since the days of
their childhood lemonade stands, set up in their hometown Bayside, Queens
neighborhood -- where they met at age three and lived next door to each other.
Fast forward to 2020, and Davila and Marchetti are still best friends and entrepreneurs,
as the proprietors of My Beautiful Mess, a “unique boutique” touting everything from
antiques, jewelry, furniture, candles, much-needed face masks, dog toys and treats,
vintage toys, and products with a cause including organic bath and body products.
Additionally, they welcome local vendors to sublet space in-store.
“Everything we do is inspired by a business vendor who creates something based on
something that happened in their lives -- a ‘beautiful mess,’” Marchetti explained. That
philosophy goes for the customers who come in, too. “A lot of people come into the
store and say, ‘Oh, my grandmother had this.’”
My Beautiful Mess opened in 2017 after Marchetti was on the hunt for a space to house
the store for a number of months. Davila had already resided in Sea Cliff with her
husband and daughters for several years, and Marchetti lived (and is still living) in
Manhasset and was looking for store space nearby. However, it was Davila who found
the building and inquired about housing the store at 60 Roslyn Avenue in Sea Cliff. On a
drive around Sea Cliff with her daughter, she discovered the building was vacant, and
then subsequently found herself in touch with the very same realtor who sold her the
family’s home. The coincidence was just one sign that the storefront was the right place.
“We found it in November, and we opened in March,” Marchetti said. “I’ve made a lot of
new friends. Susan’s lived in Sea Cliff for so long and now, she’s met half the town!”
In-store, My Beautiful Mess prides itself on selling antique goods, but also on serving as
a space where both customers, staff and owners feel comfortable and creative. “There’s
always somebody out there who can have another use for [an antique],” Davila said.
“But [being at the store] is helping me get through what is going on in my life. You
bounce things off your customers. They also come in to unwind and tell us their
problems. They cry and unburden themselves.”
Local vendors who sublet space from My Beautiful Mess include Sorella Designs Ltd.,
Sea Cliff Hemp Company, Lauren B Design, Jamie Diamond Jewelry and Cheryl
Bentyne and Ronnie Jenkins from The Three Tomatoes. Local clairvoyant Tori Quisling
sets up shop at sidewalk sale events for discounted tarot card readings, and the store
sells the written works of local author Cathi Turow.
“Small businesses are essential right now,” Davila said. “This is our perfect spot.”
In addition to supporting other small business owners through their work and throughout
the difficulty brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, My Beautiful Mess gives back to
several causes, chief among them, monthly donations to Smile Train and St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, Davila and Marchetti make a special point to
stock their shelves with goods which have a pure message. Humble Brands deodorants
are all-natural deodorants, free of chemicals. Young Living Essential Oils are available
for far-reaching health solutions, and are also naturally-made.
Within the local community, My Beautiful Mess holds memberships in North Shore Biz
Network as well as in the Gold Coast Business Association. “Everyone [in the
community] is down-to-Earth,” Marchetti said. “Everyone is positive.”
“The people here like being here,” Davila added. “They’re real people. No fakeness
about it.”
As far as the future, the immediate goal of the My Beautiful Mess dynamic ownership-
best friend duo is to remain a successful small businesss in the community in the wake
of the pandemic.
“I would like to be the go-to for people who need a gift,” Marchetti said. “But, we’re going
to ride this out. As long as we’re having a good time, we’re going to do it as long as we
can. Of course I would love to be here forever, but as long as we can do it, we’re going
to do it.”
My Beautiful Mess
60 Roslyn Ave
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
(516) 399-2590
mybeautifulmessinc@gmail.com
https://mybeautifulmessboutique.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/mybeautifulmessseacliff
Instagram: @mybeautifulmess_boutique
By Gracie Donaldson
Susan Davila and Lisa Marchetti are best friends and entrepreneurs since the days of
their childhood lemonade stands, set up in their hometown Bayside, Queens
neighborhood -- where they met at age three and lived next door to each other.
Fast forward to 2020, and Davila and Marchetti are still best friends and entrepreneurs,
as the proprietors of My Beautiful Mess, a “unique boutique” touting everything from
antiques, jewelry, furniture, candles, much-needed face masks, dog toys and treats,
vintage toys, and products with a cause including organic bath and body products.
Additionally, they welcome local vendors to sublet space in-store.
“Everything we do is inspired by a business vendor who creates something based on
something that happened in their lives -- a ‘beautiful mess,’” Marchetti explained. That
philosophy goes for the customers who come in, too. “A lot of people come into the
store and say, ‘Oh, my grandmother had this.’”
My Beautiful Mess opened in 2017 after Marchetti was on the hunt for a space to house
the store for a number of months. Davila had already resided in Sea Cliff with her
husband and daughters for several years, and Marchetti lived (and is still living) in
Manhasset and was looking for store space nearby. However, it was Davila who found
the building and inquired about housing the store at 60 Roslyn Avenue in Sea Cliff. On a
drive around Sea Cliff with her daughter, she discovered the building was vacant, and
then subsequently found herself in touch with the very same realtor who sold her the
family’s home. The coincidence was just one sign that the storefront was the right place.
“We found it in November, and we opened in March,” Marchetti said. “I’ve made a lot of
new friends. Susan’s lived in Sea Cliff for so long and now, she’s met half the town!”
In-store, My Beautiful Mess prides itself on selling antique goods, but also on serving as
a space where both customers, staff and owners feel comfortable and creative. “There’s
always somebody out there who can have another use for [an antique],” Davila said.
“But [being at the store] is helping me get through what is going on in my life. You
bounce things off your customers. They also come in to unwind and tell us their
problems. They cry and unburden themselves.”
Local vendors who sublet space from My Beautiful Mess include Sorella Designs Ltd.,
Sea Cliff Hemp Company, Lauren B Design, Jamie Diamond Jewelry and Cheryl
Bentyne and Ronnie Jenkins from The Three Tomatoes. Local clairvoyant Tori Quisling
sets up shop at sidewalk sale events for discounted tarot card readings, and the store
sells the written works of local author Cathi Turow.
“Small businesses are essential right now,” Davila said. “This is our perfect spot.”
In addition to supporting other small business owners through their work and throughout
the difficulty brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, My Beautiful Mess gives back to
several causes, chief among them, monthly donations to Smile Train and St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, Davila and Marchetti make a special point to
stock their shelves with goods which have a pure message. Humble Brands deodorants
are all-natural deodorants, free of chemicals. Young Living Essential Oils are available
for far-reaching health solutions, and are also naturally-made.
Within the local community, My Beautiful Mess holds memberships in North Shore Biz
Network as well as in the Gold Coast Business Association. “Everyone [in the
community] is down-to-Earth,” Marchetti said. “Everyone is positive.”
“The people here like being here,” Davila added. “They’re real people. No fakeness
about it.”
As far as the future, the immediate goal of the My Beautiful Mess dynamic ownership-
best friend duo is to remain a successful small businesss in the community in the wake
of the pandemic.
“I would like to be the go-to for people who need a gift,” Marchetti said. “But, we’re going
to ride this out. As long as we’re having a good time, we’re going to do it as long as we
can. Of course I would love to be here forever, but as long as we can do it, we’re going
to do it.”
My Beautiful Mess
60 Roslyn Ave
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
(516) 399-2590
mybeautifulmessinc@gmail.com
https://mybeautifulmessboutique.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/mybeautifulmessseacliff
Instagram: @mybeautifulmess_boutique
October Business Person of the Month:
Victoria Crosby, Glen Cove’s Poet Laureate
Victoria Crosby, Glen Cove’s Poet Laureate
Story by Gracie Donaldson
At age 19, Victoria Crosby crossed the pond from her native England with big dreams of the life she’d create in the United States.
“You see the movies and you think that life in America is wonderful,” Crosby said.
Crosby lived in Roslyn for a short time before moving to Glen Cove in 1984. She was torn between purchasing a home in Cold Spring Harbor, and one in Glen Cove.
“There were pros and cons on both sides,” Crosby said. “I couldn't make a decision, so when I was driving home from dropping my son off at school, I started to pray out loud for God to help me make a decision. I had the radio on QXR, which was the classical station at the time, and the announcer said, ‘Beautiful Glen Cove with Restaurant Row!’”
Later, former Mayor and current congressman Tom Suozzi made the assertion that he had no doubt “God sent [Crosby] to Glen Cove.”
Over the course of her career, Crosby has held several jobs. She attended college at the same time that she was raising her sons, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from LIU Post. She moved on to give part-time lectures in Health and Nutrition, and then found herself a position as a teaching assistant in the Lower School at Portledge School. Additionally, she ran a summer program at St. Paul’s Episcopal school and became the Head Teacher at St. John’s at Lattingtown nursery school. Additionally, she also gave private piano and violin lessons to children. More opportunities came calling at the same time when Suozzi asked her to head a mentoring program in Glen Cove.
Crosby’s perhaps most noteworthy jobs have come in the form of writing; she has written for the The North Shore Leader (formerly the Locust Valley Leader) for over 15 years, and previously wrote for both 25A and Brookville Living magazines.
But Crosby’s great love, that’s she’s most known for, is her poetry. Her two most recent poetry books, America; Wake Up! And 2020 Hindsight are both compilations of “Contra-verse – Political + Satirical = Hysterical, 45 poems to read on the toilet.” Both are available for purchase on Amazon and are published through locally-owned Tender Fire Books. Her latest book, Can You See Freedom, is a bit more serious in nature -- it features 50 poems centered on “inter-racial and inter-faith understanding.” Can You See Freedom is also be available to purchase on Amazon.
In addition to poetry books, Crosby heads a poetry business titled Poetry in Motion, which takes commissions for original poems for all occasions, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Additionally, poems can be commissioned for a variety of groups.
Crosby has also taken her poetry on the radio. She has chronicled the story of Elvis Presley through the media of her original poetry paired with Elvis songs, on WHPC 90.3. She also appears on a weekly WHPC radio program titled, “Oasis – A Place for Inspiration and Relaxation, and Your Sunday Morning Sanctuary,” where she reads her original, inspirational poetry interspersed with relaxing music at 7-8am.
In recognition of her outstanding poetry, Suozzi named Crosby Glen Cove’s Poet Laureate in 1994. The City of Glen Cove has commissioned original poems from Crosby for commemorations including the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, the annual Black History Month celebration, the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and wrote a special poem for Glen Cove’s 350th Anniversary celebration in 2018. In the pre-COVID world, Crosby held poetry readings in several venues across the City of Glen Cove and surrounding areas.
Within the local community, Crosby is a member of North Shore Biz Network, a founding member of the North Shore Sheltering Program, a Board member and former Vice President of the North Shore Historical Museum, a former Vestry member at St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, and was involved with the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival for 20 years, hiring all the acts. Previously, she was a Board Member at the Mercer School of Theology in Garden City, which is run through the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Currently, she serves on the Cathedral’s board.
As a lifelong patron of the arts, Crosby founded the Glen Cove Arts Council in 2006. The council serves as “a way to bring the arts to those in local communities who don’t have opportunities to visit an art museum, theater, ballet or opera; to provide exposure to the arts and to fund people, especially youth, who show a desire and aptitude, yet lack the financial means to pursue their dreams,” according to its website.
Crosby also gives her time to heritage across the pond; she is the Past President of the New York State Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) and is currently the Regent of the Long Island Chapter. As a result of her role in the DBE, she was contacted by the Historic Royal Palaces organization, headquartered in the United Kingdom, to be a board member, and give fundraising presentations to potential organization donors. Both British and American-based board members raise awareness about the historic significance of the palaces.
In the midst of such a fulfilling, impressive career, Crosby continues to hold our community close to her heart.
“I’m very glad we ended up in Glen Cove because it’s very diverse,” she said. “Glen Cove is a community that has that kind of vibe. It’s not perfect, but no place is.”
For more information on original poetry commissions and her books, contact Victoria Crosby at poeticvic@aol.com.
To purchase Victoria Crosby’s poetry books, please visit: https://amzn.to/2EhgIJx
For more information on the Glen Cove Arts Council, please visit: https://www.glencoveartscouncil.org
For more information and to contribute to the Historic Royal Palaces, please visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk
At age 19, Victoria Crosby crossed the pond from her native England with big dreams of the life she’d create in the United States.
“You see the movies and you think that life in America is wonderful,” Crosby said.
Crosby lived in Roslyn for a short time before moving to Glen Cove in 1984. She was torn between purchasing a home in Cold Spring Harbor, and one in Glen Cove.
“There were pros and cons on both sides,” Crosby said. “I couldn't make a decision, so when I was driving home from dropping my son off at school, I started to pray out loud for God to help me make a decision. I had the radio on QXR, which was the classical station at the time, and the announcer said, ‘Beautiful Glen Cove with Restaurant Row!’”
Later, former Mayor and current congressman Tom Suozzi made the assertion that he had no doubt “God sent [Crosby] to Glen Cove.”
Over the course of her career, Crosby has held several jobs. She attended college at the same time that she was raising her sons, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from LIU Post. She moved on to give part-time lectures in Health and Nutrition, and then found herself a position as a teaching assistant in the Lower School at Portledge School. Additionally, she ran a summer program at St. Paul’s Episcopal school and became the Head Teacher at St. John’s at Lattingtown nursery school. Additionally, she also gave private piano and violin lessons to children. More opportunities came calling at the same time when Suozzi asked her to head a mentoring program in Glen Cove.
Crosby’s perhaps most noteworthy jobs have come in the form of writing; she has written for the The North Shore Leader (formerly the Locust Valley Leader) for over 15 years, and previously wrote for both 25A and Brookville Living magazines.
But Crosby’s great love, that’s she’s most known for, is her poetry. Her two most recent poetry books, America; Wake Up! And 2020 Hindsight are both compilations of “Contra-verse – Political + Satirical = Hysterical, 45 poems to read on the toilet.” Both are available for purchase on Amazon and are published through locally-owned Tender Fire Books. Her latest book, Can You See Freedom, is a bit more serious in nature -- it features 50 poems centered on “inter-racial and inter-faith understanding.” Can You See Freedom is also be available to purchase on Amazon.
In addition to poetry books, Crosby heads a poetry business titled Poetry in Motion, which takes commissions for original poems for all occasions, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Additionally, poems can be commissioned for a variety of groups.
Crosby has also taken her poetry on the radio. She has chronicled the story of Elvis Presley through the media of her original poetry paired with Elvis songs, on WHPC 90.3. She also appears on a weekly WHPC radio program titled, “Oasis – A Place for Inspiration and Relaxation, and Your Sunday Morning Sanctuary,” where she reads her original, inspirational poetry interspersed with relaxing music at 7-8am.
In recognition of her outstanding poetry, Suozzi named Crosby Glen Cove’s Poet Laureate in 1994. The City of Glen Cove has commissioned original poems from Crosby for commemorations including the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, the annual Black History Month celebration, the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and wrote a special poem for Glen Cove’s 350th Anniversary celebration in 2018. In the pre-COVID world, Crosby held poetry readings in several venues across the City of Glen Cove and surrounding areas.
Within the local community, Crosby is a member of North Shore Biz Network, a founding member of the North Shore Sheltering Program, a Board member and former Vice President of the North Shore Historical Museum, a former Vestry member at St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, and was involved with the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival for 20 years, hiring all the acts. Previously, she was a Board Member at the Mercer School of Theology in Garden City, which is run through the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Currently, she serves on the Cathedral’s board.
As a lifelong patron of the arts, Crosby founded the Glen Cove Arts Council in 2006. The council serves as “a way to bring the arts to those in local communities who don’t have opportunities to visit an art museum, theater, ballet or opera; to provide exposure to the arts and to fund people, especially youth, who show a desire and aptitude, yet lack the financial means to pursue their dreams,” according to its website.
Crosby also gives her time to heritage across the pond; she is the Past President of the New York State Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) and is currently the Regent of the Long Island Chapter. As a result of her role in the DBE, she was contacted by the Historic Royal Palaces organization, headquartered in the United Kingdom, to be a board member, and give fundraising presentations to potential organization donors. Both British and American-based board members raise awareness about the historic significance of the palaces.
In the midst of such a fulfilling, impressive career, Crosby continues to hold our community close to her heart.
“I’m very glad we ended up in Glen Cove because it’s very diverse,” she said. “Glen Cove is a community that has that kind of vibe. It’s not perfect, but no place is.”
For more information on original poetry commissions and her books, contact Victoria Crosby at poeticvic@aol.com.
To purchase Victoria Crosby’s poetry books, please visit: https://amzn.to/2EhgIJx
For more information on the Glen Cove Arts Council, please visit: https://www.glencoveartscouncil.org
For more information and to contribute to the Historic Royal Palaces, please visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk
September 2020 "BUSINESS OF THE MONTH"
THE MED STATION
THE MED STATION
Story by Gracie Donaldson
Business of the Month: The Med Station
Ernie Feliciano isn’t a North Shore local -- but he might as well be.
While he resides on the South Shore overcoming a half-hour long daily commute, he is known throughout the North Shore community for the exceptional care provided by his healthcare business, The Med Station, located on the border of Glen Cove and Locust Valley.
Feliciano and his wife, Debbie, who practices medicine at The Med Station, took over the Glen Cove establishment back in 2017. But they didn’t start their career at the urgent care center as owners. While South Shore natives, the Felicianos lived in Ohio at the time to finish their medical training, and moved back to Long Island in 2007. They started working at The Med Station under Dr. Russell Samuel, who established the practice in 1990. Once Dr. Samuel was ready to retire, he did not even consider selling the business -- rather, he gave it to the Felicianos.
“Well, there was a ceremonial one dollar,” Feliciano said. “We’ve been running it for three years now.”
The patients at The Med Station regularly hail from Glen Cove and Locust Valley, but also from Glen Head and Sea Cliff, according to Feliciano. Services offered include all primary care and occupational medicine- related services. In addition to providing care to walk-in urgent care and primary care patients, The Med Station holds contracts to perform all employee physical exams with bus companies, school districts, villages and towns and nursing homes.
“At our office, we always have three providers present,” Feliciano explained. “We have one doctor, one physician’s assistant and one nurse practitioner at the same time.” With regard to insurance, “it’s very tricky how [we] do it,” Feliciano said. However, while The Med Station is limited in its ability to bill an insurance company for the entire amount of an urgent care visit, it accepts almost all insurances.
But business as usual at The Med Station became not as usual during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We are doing our best to try and control the spread,” Feliciano said. “All healthcare facilities are more susceptible to contract viruses. Not everyone who visits a grocery store is sick, while 75 percent of people who come in to see us are sick.” Even with The Med Station’s extensive efforts to keep the virus at bay -- which include utilizing patient cars as waiting areas, advocating for telemedicine, using only two of the office’s five exam rooms to encourage social distancing and sanitizing the rooms between appointments -- the pandemic effected the Feliciano family on a personal level when both Feliciano and his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
While Debbie continued to see patients via Telemedicine, Feliciano remained at the office, managing the business and in-person patients. Eventually, both tested positive for antibodies, but not without dueling quarantine periods. In addition, half of the staff at The Med Station came down with the virus due to their collective exposure.
In classic style, The Med Station never closed for a day throughout the height of the pandemic. Its only recent closure came as a result of a power outage due to Tropical Storm Isaias.
Through all of the pandemic-related trials, managing a business, commuting and taking care of a family, Feliciano remains committed to the local community as an active member of North Shore Biz Network, the Gold Coast Business Association, the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he volunteers the first aid tent at Glen Cove Youth Soccer games, and he arrives with his children in tow to help him work the tent -- “so they could learn the altruistic part of medicine.” Perhaps most importantly, Feliciano has served as the coach of his son’s soccer teams for over ten years.
“This community is very tight-knit,” Feliciano said. “Generally, everybody helps each other. I see that on Facebook. I haven’t seen that on the South Shore.” In addition to social media, Feliciano says that he learns of local good deeds from his patients. “They talk about how they help each other,” he said.
The Med Station
480 Forest Avenue
Locust Valley, NY 11560
(516) 759-5406
efeliciano@themedstationpc.com
www.themedstationpc.com
Facebook: facebook.com/themedstationpc
Business of the Month: The Med Station
Ernie Feliciano isn’t a North Shore local -- but he might as well be.
While he resides on the South Shore overcoming a half-hour long daily commute, he is known throughout the North Shore community for the exceptional care provided by his healthcare business, The Med Station, located on the border of Glen Cove and Locust Valley.
Feliciano and his wife, Debbie, who practices medicine at The Med Station, took over the Glen Cove establishment back in 2017. But they didn’t start their career at the urgent care center as owners. While South Shore natives, the Felicianos lived in Ohio at the time to finish their medical training, and moved back to Long Island in 2007. They started working at The Med Station under Dr. Russell Samuel, who established the practice in 1990. Once Dr. Samuel was ready to retire, he did not even consider selling the business -- rather, he gave it to the Felicianos.
“Well, there was a ceremonial one dollar,” Feliciano said. “We’ve been running it for three years now.”
The patients at The Med Station regularly hail from Glen Cove and Locust Valley, but also from Glen Head and Sea Cliff, according to Feliciano. Services offered include all primary care and occupational medicine- related services. In addition to providing care to walk-in urgent care and primary care patients, The Med Station holds contracts to perform all employee physical exams with bus companies, school districts, villages and towns and nursing homes.
“At our office, we always have three providers present,” Feliciano explained. “We have one doctor, one physician’s assistant and one nurse practitioner at the same time.” With regard to insurance, “it’s very tricky how [we] do it,” Feliciano said. However, while The Med Station is limited in its ability to bill an insurance company for the entire amount of an urgent care visit, it accepts almost all insurances.
But business as usual at The Med Station became not as usual during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We are doing our best to try and control the spread,” Feliciano said. “All healthcare facilities are more susceptible to contract viruses. Not everyone who visits a grocery store is sick, while 75 percent of people who come in to see us are sick.” Even with The Med Station’s extensive efforts to keep the virus at bay -- which include utilizing patient cars as waiting areas, advocating for telemedicine, using only two of the office’s five exam rooms to encourage social distancing and sanitizing the rooms between appointments -- the pandemic effected the Feliciano family on a personal level when both Feliciano and his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
While Debbie continued to see patients via Telemedicine, Feliciano remained at the office, managing the business and in-person patients. Eventually, both tested positive for antibodies, but not without dueling quarantine periods. In addition, half of the staff at The Med Station came down with the virus due to their collective exposure.
In classic style, The Med Station never closed for a day throughout the height of the pandemic. Its only recent closure came as a result of a power outage due to Tropical Storm Isaias.
Through all of the pandemic-related trials, managing a business, commuting and taking care of a family, Feliciano remains committed to the local community as an active member of North Shore Biz Network, the Gold Coast Business Association, the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he volunteers the first aid tent at Glen Cove Youth Soccer games, and he arrives with his children in tow to help him work the tent -- “so they could learn the altruistic part of medicine.” Perhaps most importantly, Feliciano has served as the coach of his son’s soccer teams for over ten years.
“This community is very tight-knit,” Feliciano said. “Generally, everybody helps each other. I see that on Facebook. I haven’t seen that on the South Shore.” In addition to social media, Feliciano says that he learns of local good deeds from his patients. “They talk about how they help each other,” he said.
The Med Station
480 Forest Avenue
Locust Valley, NY 11560
(516) 759-5406
efeliciano@themedstationpc.com
www.themedstationpc.com
Facebook: facebook.com/themedstationpc
Summer 2020 "BUSINESS OF THE SUMMER"
AQUABRASIL BOUTIQUE
AQUABRASIL BOUTIQUE
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
Bruna Tembelis always felt an entrepreneurial spirit.
Emigrating to the United States from Brazil 15 years ago, Tembelis moved to Queens and started work in the medical field. Along with her husband, she also worked in real estate while maintaining her job as a medical administrator. On the side, she started making and selling jewelry. But, she knew that she was meant to expand her side hustle into something bigger.
“It’s always been my dream to have my own business,” Tembelis said.
Four years ago, Tembelis and her husband and daughter moved to Glen Cove. “We loved the North Shore,” she said. “It’s always been in our minds. We love being by the water, and the taxes were more affordable.”
In 2020, Tembelis took her dream live in her adopted home. She opened AquaBrasil Boutique, which was originally scheduled to open its doors in April 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opening was delayed until June, when Long Island entered Phase Two of reopening.
Because Tembelis was still locked into a lease that began its term in April, she pushed herself to make the best of her situation.
“I had to come out of my comfort zone, for sure,” she said. “I was never really into filming Facebook Live videos, but I had to -- so I started filming Facebook Lives and offering free delivery. I would drive to Queens and to Brooklyn!” Tembelis also expanded her social media-based advertising, and while she did not plan to focus on the online shop portion of her website initially, she was forced to. She was able to utilize her experience opening pop-up shops during her days creating jewelry as a side hustle.
Going forward, Tembelis plans for her focus to center on in-person retail, but she will maintain the online shopping portion of her business. “I plan to continue with it,” she said.
Once customers enter AquaBrasil Boutique, whether by way of the storefront or the internet, they will find, in Tembelis’ words, “a little bit of everything.” She carries her own line of semiprecious Brazilian jewelry, women’s clothes, specialty clothes for kids including graphic tees and a swimsuit line that included crochet coverups and biodegradable bikinis. She infuses local artisans with international vendors, touting goods from an artisan from Mexico including straw handbags and clutches, and a local artist who paints tote bags. In addition, she carries local hand-poured vegan candles created by Reiki healers, bangle bracelets for which a portion of sales is donated to the Type 1 Diabetes Association and swimsuits for kids, drawing on inspiration from the needs of her now 15-year-old daughter.
Up next, Tembelis is looking to transition seasonal spring items to summer offerings through a 50-percent off sale rack, is offering 10 percent off a customer’s next purchase with a referral to a friend and has started a “selfie wall” campaign -- customers can take a selfie in the store, post it on social media and then receive 10 percent off their next purchase.
In addition to her membership to North Shore Biz Network, Tembelis is a member of the Gold Coast Business Association, and plans to join the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce.
“I do love this area,” Tembelis said. “So far, people have been very welcoming and friendly. I’m very grateful. People did a lot of free local deliveries even though they didn’t know me. I’m so excited to serve this community.”
AquaBrasil Boutique
683 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head
516-676-1816
aquabrasilny@gmail.com
www.aquabrasilny.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aquabrasilboutique
Instagram: @aquabrasilny
Bruna Tembelis always felt an entrepreneurial spirit.
Emigrating to the United States from Brazil 15 years ago, Tembelis moved to Queens and started work in the medical field. Along with her husband, she also worked in real estate while maintaining her job as a medical administrator. On the side, she started making and selling jewelry. But, she knew that she was meant to expand her side hustle into something bigger.
“It’s always been my dream to have my own business,” Tembelis said.
Four years ago, Tembelis and her husband and daughter moved to Glen Cove. “We loved the North Shore,” she said. “It’s always been in our minds. We love being by the water, and the taxes were more affordable.”
In 2020, Tembelis took her dream live in her adopted home. She opened AquaBrasil Boutique, which was originally scheduled to open its doors in April 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opening was delayed until June, when Long Island entered Phase Two of reopening.
Because Tembelis was still locked into a lease that began its term in April, she pushed herself to make the best of her situation.
“I had to come out of my comfort zone, for sure,” she said. “I was never really into filming Facebook Live videos, but I had to -- so I started filming Facebook Lives and offering free delivery. I would drive to Queens and to Brooklyn!” Tembelis also expanded her social media-based advertising, and while she did not plan to focus on the online shop portion of her website initially, she was forced to. She was able to utilize her experience opening pop-up shops during her days creating jewelry as a side hustle.
Going forward, Tembelis plans for her focus to center on in-person retail, but she will maintain the online shopping portion of her business. “I plan to continue with it,” she said.
Once customers enter AquaBrasil Boutique, whether by way of the storefront or the internet, they will find, in Tembelis’ words, “a little bit of everything.” She carries her own line of semiprecious Brazilian jewelry, women’s clothes, specialty clothes for kids including graphic tees and a swimsuit line that included crochet coverups and biodegradable bikinis. She infuses local artisans with international vendors, touting goods from an artisan from Mexico including straw handbags and clutches, and a local artist who paints tote bags. In addition, she carries local hand-poured vegan candles created by Reiki healers, bangle bracelets for which a portion of sales is donated to the Type 1 Diabetes Association and swimsuits for kids, drawing on inspiration from the needs of her now 15-year-old daughter.
Up next, Tembelis is looking to transition seasonal spring items to summer offerings through a 50-percent off sale rack, is offering 10 percent off a customer’s next purchase with a referral to a friend and has started a “selfie wall” campaign -- customers can take a selfie in the store, post it on social media and then receive 10 percent off their next purchase.
In addition to her membership to North Shore Biz Network, Tembelis is a member of the Gold Coast Business Association, and plans to join the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce.
“I do love this area,” Tembelis said. “So far, people have been very welcoming and friendly. I’m very grateful. People did a lot of free local deliveries even though they didn’t know me. I’m so excited to serve this community.”
AquaBrasil Boutique
683 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head
516-676-1816
aquabrasilny@gmail.com
www.aquabrasilny.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aquabrasilboutique
Instagram: @aquabrasilny
JUNE PERSON OF THE MONTH
RONNIE THYBEN
RONNIE THYBEN
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Story by Gracie Donaldson
Ronnie Thyben welcomed retirement nine years ago.
But retirement signaled the start of an entirely new vocational career for Thyben, who has lived in Glen Head for the past 41 years with her husband, Roger. After attending the Gold Coast Business Association’s Fall Festival, where she visited the Glen Garden Club’s Membership Drive, she enthusiastically joined the Garden Club. As a testament to her hard work and dedication to her community, nine years later, Thyben is the president of Glen Garden Club.
“Each Spring and Winter, we plant at Wansor Park (across from Ciro's Pizza), the window boxes at the bank, Glen Head Motors, around the railroad station at, A+ signs, Worth Repeating, the library and Gaynor Park (the soccer field behind the community center),” Thyben explained. “We have a committee of wonderful, dedicated ladies who volunteer each season.”
The Glen Garden Club holds two fundraisers every year, which each expect about 125-150 guests. The proceeds from the events benefit a plethora of organizations, including the North Shore Land Alliance, Old Westbury Gardens and Friends of Cedarmere Garden Restoration.
Thyben’s involvements did not stop with the Garden Club. In 2015, Thyben joined the Gold Coast Business Association, a group she now sits on the board of and recently co-chaired a fundraiser for. She combined her passions for both the Garden Club and the Business Association when she found out that the Wansor Park sprinklers were the financial responsibility of the Business Association. Thanks to Thyben’s efforts and exemplary follow-up with then-New York American Water, she was able to come to an agreement on behalf of the Business Association that would allow the sprinklers to remain running, without the Business Association having to foot the bill.
But her pet project in the association came in 2018 and 2019, once the community discovered that the American flags that traditionally hung on the poles on Glen Head Road did not surface for Memorial Day. With the replacement poles that were erected by PSE&G, there were no brackets installed for the flags.
The Gold Coast Business Association formed a Flag Committee in 2018 for the purposes of installing flags on the new poles, with Thyben at its helm.
“I didn’t want to disappoint the veterans, the Gold Star mothers and the community. Having the flags up for Memorial Day is a happy thing, especially during this time.”
The process of restoring the flags came with a great deal of red tape. “When I started to find out how to put the brackets on the PSE&G posts, I was sent from pillar to post and reached the wrong person every time,” Thyben explained. “Then, finally, I spoke to someone at PSE&G. PSE&G sent an application for permission for the Business Association to put brackets on the poles. “
The process, which took two years in all, went on to involve the Town of Oyster Bay (TOB). Thyben worked in tandem with the TOB Highway Department, which was “very easy to work with,” Thyben said. “When I found the right people, it all fell into place. It was very easy in the last two weeks. They were very cooperative, very kind, very patient with me.”
The actual flags were purchased by the Gold Coast Business Association from Glen Head Hardware, with help from a generous discount. They were placed on the poles by the Highway Department. Thyben, accompanied by her husband, Roger, Christopher and Evelyn Hole and young community members Sofie and Brian Kraupner, took the old flags off the poles.
The flags will remain on the poles until June 14th, for Flag Day, on which the American Legion will hold its annual flag burning ceremony. The mailbox in front of the American Legion, supplied by Bill Manfredonia and which is painted to look like the flag, is used to collect old flags from members of the community. The ceremony is held every year, but this year, will not include invited guests due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Thankfully, the Coronavirus pandemic has not affected the progress of the flag project, as well as other outdoor projects in the community started by the Glen Garden Club.
To make this accomplishment even more sentimental for Thyben, she will also celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary on Flag Day. “I’ve been in Glen Head for 79 years,” she said. “People are so kind. It’s easy to be here.”
Ronnie Thyben welcomed retirement nine years ago.
But retirement signaled the start of an entirely new vocational career for Thyben, who has lived in Glen Head for the past 41 years with her husband, Roger. After attending the Gold Coast Business Association’s Fall Festival, where she visited the Glen Garden Club’s Membership Drive, she enthusiastically joined the Garden Club. As a testament to her hard work and dedication to her community, nine years later, Thyben is the president of Glen Garden Club.
“Each Spring and Winter, we plant at Wansor Park (across from Ciro's Pizza), the window boxes at the bank, Glen Head Motors, around the railroad station at, A+ signs, Worth Repeating, the library and Gaynor Park (the soccer field behind the community center),” Thyben explained. “We have a committee of wonderful, dedicated ladies who volunteer each season.”
The Glen Garden Club holds two fundraisers every year, which each expect about 125-150 guests. The proceeds from the events benefit a plethora of organizations, including the North Shore Land Alliance, Old Westbury Gardens and Friends of Cedarmere Garden Restoration.
Thyben’s involvements did not stop with the Garden Club. In 2015, Thyben joined the Gold Coast Business Association, a group she now sits on the board of and recently co-chaired a fundraiser for. She combined her passions for both the Garden Club and the Business Association when she found out that the Wansor Park sprinklers were the financial responsibility of the Business Association. Thanks to Thyben’s efforts and exemplary follow-up with then-New York American Water, she was able to come to an agreement on behalf of the Business Association that would allow the sprinklers to remain running, without the Business Association having to foot the bill.
But her pet project in the association came in 2018 and 2019, once the community discovered that the American flags that traditionally hung on the poles on Glen Head Road did not surface for Memorial Day. With the replacement poles that were erected by PSE&G, there were no brackets installed for the flags.
The Gold Coast Business Association formed a Flag Committee in 2018 for the purposes of installing flags on the new poles, with Thyben at its helm.
“I didn’t want to disappoint the veterans, the Gold Star mothers and the community. Having the flags up for Memorial Day is a happy thing, especially during this time.”
The process of restoring the flags came with a great deal of red tape. “When I started to find out how to put the brackets on the PSE&G posts, I was sent from pillar to post and reached the wrong person every time,” Thyben explained. “Then, finally, I spoke to someone at PSE&G. PSE&G sent an application for permission for the Business Association to put brackets on the poles. “
The process, which took two years in all, went on to involve the Town of Oyster Bay (TOB). Thyben worked in tandem with the TOB Highway Department, which was “very easy to work with,” Thyben said. “When I found the right people, it all fell into place. It was very easy in the last two weeks. They were very cooperative, very kind, very patient with me.”
The actual flags were purchased by the Gold Coast Business Association from Glen Head Hardware, with help from a generous discount. They were placed on the poles by the Highway Department. Thyben, accompanied by her husband, Roger, Christopher and Evelyn Hole and young community members Sofie and Brian Kraupner, took the old flags off the poles.
The flags will remain on the poles until June 14th, for Flag Day, on which the American Legion will hold its annual flag burning ceremony. The mailbox in front of the American Legion, supplied by Bill Manfredonia and which is painted to look like the flag, is used to collect old flags from members of the community. The ceremony is held every year, but this year, will not include invited guests due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Thankfully, the Coronavirus pandemic has not affected the progress of the flag project, as well as other outdoor projects in the community started by the Glen Garden Club.
To make this accomplishment even more sentimental for Thyben, she will also celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary on Flag Day. “I’ve been in Glen Head for 79 years,” she said. “People are so kind. It’s easy to be here.”
SPRING BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Anthony Cipriano Property Management
Anthony Cipriano Property Management
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Spring Business of the Month -- Anthony Cipriano Property Management
As a little boy growing up in Glen Cove, Anthony Cipriano followed his father around on landscaping and construction jobs, with his toy lawn mower in tow.
“I learned everything from my dad,” Cipriano said of his father, Tony, a longtime owner of his own construction business, who retired in 2017. “I used to follow him at his rental properties when he would work there.”
In 2005, Cipriano took his acquired skills solo, and started his own landscaping venture, originally called AC Landscaping – now called Anthony Cipriano Property Management. He went into business with a built-in client base: his father’s construction clients who were also in need of a landscaper.
“I do business by referral, either from my dad, or a friend who found clients for me in Roslyn Estates,” Cipriano said. “And I take inquiries on Facebook now!”
With a love for the outdoors and spring/summer weather, Cipriano loves to beautify yards, to make lawns greener during the spring and summer months, to seed the lawns every three-to-four months and to make sure that the lawns stay watered.
“Everyone should have a beautiful yard,” Cipriano said. “My favorite part of the job comes after the grass is cut, and you can see the work that is put into it.”
In addition, Cipriano offers spring and fall cleanings, including leaf removal through the end of the fall season. “I also do planting, hedge trimming, sod laying and gutter cleaning,” Cipriano said.
Outside of landscaping and yard maintenance services, Cipriano also offers industrial-strength power washing to clients, on a one-time, by-appointment basis. He hopes to earn more clients who require power washing.
“Start booking now for power washing!” Cipriano said. “Decks, patios and walkways get dirty over time. They also need to stay clean after people walk on them. Sap on trees falls down. Mildew picks up and green moss gathers.”
In looking to the future, Cipriano hopes to expand his territories in both landscaping and power washing to include more clients in Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Locust Valley and Bayville, while still continuing his work in Glen Cove and Roslyn Estates. Spring cleaning appointments have already begun!
Anthony Cipriano Property Management
(516) 807-3774
acpminc1974@gmail.com
facebook.com/acpminc
As a little boy growing up in Glen Cove, Anthony Cipriano followed his father around on landscaping and construction jobs, with his toy lawn mower in tow.
“I learned everything from my dad,” Cipriano said of his father, Tony, a longtime owner of his own construction business, who retired in 2017. “I used to follow him at his rental properties when he would work there.”
In 2005, Cipriano took his acquired skills solo, and started his own landscaping venture, originally called AC Landscaping – now called Anthony Cipriano Property Management. He went into business with a built-in client base: his father’s construction clients who were also in need of a landscaper.
“I do business by referral, either from my dad, or a friend who found clients for me in Roslyn Estates,” Cipriano said. “And I take inquiries on Facebook now!”
With a love for the outdoors and spring/summer weather, Cipriano loves to beautify yards, to make lawns greener during the spring and summer months, to seed the lawns every three-to-four months and to make sure that the lawns stay watered.
“Everyone should have a beautiful yard,” Cipriano said. “My favorite part of the job comes after the grass is cut, and you can see the work that is put into it.”
In addition, Cipriano offers spring and fall cleanings, including leaf removal through the end of the fall season. “I also do planting, hedge trimming, sod laying and gutter cleaning,” Cipriano said.
Outside of landscaping and yard maintenance services, Cipriano also offers industrial-strength power washing to clients, on a one-time, by-appointment basis. He hopes to earn more clients who require power washing.
“Start booking now for power washing!” Cipriano said. “Decks, patios and walkways get dirty over time. They also need to stay clean after people walk on them. Sap on trees falls down. Mildew picks up and green moss gathers.”
In looking to the future, Cipriano hopes to expand his territories in both landscaping and power washing to include more clients in Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Locust Valley and Bayville, while still continuing his work in Glen Cove and Roslyn Estates. Spring cleaning appointments have already begun!
Anthony Cipriano Property Management
(516) 807-3774
acpminc1974@gmail.com
facebook.com/acpminc
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!
GEMELLI GOURMET NORTH MARKET
GEMELLI GOURMET NORTH MARKET
February Business of the Month: Gemelli Gourmet Market North
Adriana Schutz never expected she’d enter the family business.
Before she and her twin sister, Alessia, were born in 1992, her parents, uncles and grandmother ran their family restaurant as well as their family gourmet market -- both located in Babylon Village. Both the restaurant and the market bore the name “Gemelli,” which means “twins” in Italian. The name was chosen in honor of her older first cousins, who are twins -- the fact that Adriana and Alessia are twins is a pure coincidence.
“My grandmother came from a long line of restaurateurs,” Adriana said. “When she came over here, she brought my mom and my two uncles. She would try to find work wherever she could. One day, someone helped my uncle, and she wanted to give that person spaghetti pie in return.” Due to the success of the pie, friends and neighbors asked to pay for it.
Spaghetti pie was just the beginning, as Adriana’s grandmother continued to sell her food. Her mother, Patricia, worked in a supermarket owned by Bob Schutz -- who went from boss to husband. The family made the profitable decision to join all of its forces and open the first Gemelli gourmet market in Babylon Village in 1988. The restaurant soon followed in 1996.
But Adriana’s own career plan changed, when her grandmother (known to the family and to customers as Mamma Gemelli) fell ill and subsequently passed away. She left a job at a Manhattan jewelry wholesaler, where she worked for three years. “I never wanted to get into the family business,” she said. “I worked at the restaurant as a hostess. I worked at the restaurant as a cashier. But it’s just second nature to me.” Together with her parents and older brother, Marc, she helped to launch Gemelli Gourmet Market North.
“We wanted to do something to honor her,” Adriana said. “With my brother and I deciding to get into the business, we decided that the store in Babylon could only create lives for so many families.”
The decision to move north, after the existing businesses have always remained in Babylon closer to the family home, was not intentional; vendors who delivered to the Babylon store gave the family a tip about a property in Glen Head that was newly available for rent. “When we came here to see it, we fell in love with it.”
Mamma Gemelli’s rich history quickly repeated itself for the Schutz family in the Glen Head store. The Babylon Gemelli location did not originally offer catering to its customers, but a desperate customer with company coming over changed that fact. The customer asked for a lasagna on short notice to bring home for his guests, and Mamma Gemelli delivered in grand style -- and the catering branch of the business was born. Years later, not one week after “Gemelli North’s” opening, a desperate customer asked Patricia for a half-tray of lasagna to bring home for Thanksgiving dinner (when the store did not intend to take an onslaught of Thanksgiving orders due to its recent opening).
“It was like a sign from my grandma,” Adriana said. “It was as though she was telling us, ‘This is a good thing that you’ve opened up here.’”
The combined efforts of the Schutz family have led to the growth of a staple business in Glen Head and the surrounding communities. It serves early-morning breakfast hunters, North Shore School District teachers at lunchtime, and busy professionals looking to pick up dinner on their way to their homes after work. The store also offers delivery both through DoorDash and in-house. But Gemelli’s isn’t only about the food -- the store’s “family atmosphere” makes it different than other area gourmet markets.
“My grandmother used to say, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind,” Adriana said. “The customers are constantly seeing me, my sister, my mom, my dad, my brother, every day. When we started to get to know our customers, it made us happy that they came in here and they came for that family atmosphere. We know what’s going on in their lives. We know what they like. If we see items that they like, we know, and we make sure to get it for them.”
After just three years in business, “Gemelli North” was one of the first area businesses to enthusiastically join North Shore Biz Network. Additionally, “Gemelli North” is an active member of the Gold Coast Business Association, where Adriana serves as a board member. The store has also received island-wide recognition, as it was nominated for the honor of Best BBQ Spare Ribs by Bethpage Best of Long Island and is, recently, the winner of the Long Island Herald Family Business Award.
In looking to the future, Adriana, Alessia, Marc, Bob and Patricia hope to add a seafood counter and a smoothie bar for healthier options. They also have a goal of increasing the number of wine dinners.
Visit Gemelli Gourmet Market North every month for NSBN’s Breakfast Club Series, beginning February 11, 2020 at 8am.
Gemelli Gourmet Market North
716 Glen Cove Ave
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 200 - 9746
www.gemelligourmetmarketnorth.com
Facebook: facebook.com/gemelligourmetmarketnorth
Instagram: @gemelligourmetnorth
Story written by Gracie Donaldson
Adriana Schutz never expected she’d enter the family business.
Before she and her twin sister, Alessia, were born in 1992, her parents, uncles and grandmother ran their family restaurant as well as their family gourmet market -- both located in Babylon Village. Both the restaurant and the market bore the name “Gemelli,” which means “twins” in Italian. The name was chosen in honor of her older first cousins, who are twins -- the fact that Adriana and Alessia are twins is a pure coincidence.
“My grandmother came from a long line of restaurateurs,” Adriana said. “When she came over here, she brought my mom and my two uncles. She would try to find work wherever she could. One day, someone helped my uncle, and she wanted to give that person spaghetti pie in return.” Due to the success of the pie, friends and neighbors asked to pay for it.
Spaghetti pie was just the beginning, as Adriana’s grandmother continued to sell her food. Her mother, Patricia, worked in a supermarket owned by Bob Schutz -- who went from boss to husband. The family made the profitable decision to join all of its forces and open the first Gemelli gourmet market in Babylon Village in 1988. The restaurant soon followed in 1996.
But Adriana’s own career plan changed, when her grandmother (known to the family and to customers as Mamma Gemelli) fell ill and subsequently passed away. She left a job at a Manhattan jewelry wholesaler, where she worked for three years. “I never wanted to get into the family business,” she said. “I worked at the restaurant as a hostess. I worked at the restaurant as a cashier. But it’s just second nature to me.” Together with her parents and older brother, Marc, she helped to launch Gemelli Gourmet Market North.
“We wanted to do something to honor her,” Adriana said. “With my brother and I deciding to get into the business, we decided that the store in Babylon could only create lives for so many families.”
The decision to move north, after the existing businesses have always remained in Babylon closer to the family home, was not intentional; vendors who delivered to the Babylon store gave the family a tip about a property in Glen Head that was newly available for rent. “When we came here to see it, we fell in love with it.”
Mamma Gemelli’s rich history quickly repeated itself for the Schutz family in the Glen Head store. The Babylon Gemelli location did not originally offer catering to its customers, but a desperate customer with company coming over changed that fact. The customer asked for a lasagna on short notice to bring home for his guests, and Mamma Gemelli delivered in grand style -- and the catering branch of the business was born. Years later, not one week after “Gemelli North’s” opening, a desperate customer asked Patricia for a half-tray of lasagna to bring home for Thanksgiving dinner (when the store did not intend to take an onslaught of Thanksgiving orders due to its recent opening).
“It was like a sign from my grandma,” Adriana said. “It was as though she was telling us, ‘This is a good thing that you’ve opened up here.’”
The combined efforts of the Schutz family have led to the growth of a staple business in Glen Head and the surrounding communities. It serves early-morning breakfast hunters, North Shore School District teachers at lunchtime, and busy professionals looking to pick up dinner on their way to their homes after work. The store also offers delivery both through DoorDash and in-house. But Gemelli’s isn’t only about the food -- the store’s “family atmosphere” makes it different than other area gourmet markets.
“My grandmother used to say, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind,” Adriana said. “The customers are constantly seeing me, my sister, my mom, my dad, my brother, every day. When we started to get to know our customers, it made us happy that they came in here and they came for that family atmosphere. We know what’s going on in their lives. We know what they like. If we see items that they like, we know, and we make sure to get it for them.”
After just three years in business, “Gemelli North” was one of the first area businesses to enthusiastically join North Shore Biz Network. Additionally, “Gemelli North” is an active member of the Gold Coast Business Association, where Adriana serves as a board member. The store has also received island-wide recognition, as it was nominated for the honor of Best BBQ Spare Ribs by Bethpage Best of Long Island and is, recently, the winner of the Long Island Herald Family Business Award.
In looking to the future, Adriana, Alessia, Marc, Bob and Patricia hope to add a seafood counter and a smoothie bar for healthier options. They also have a goal of increasing the number of wine dinners.
Visit Gemelli Gourmet Market North every month for NSBN’s Breakfast Club Series, beginning February 11, 2020 at 8am.
Gemelli Gourmet Market North
716 Glen Cove Ave
Glen Head, NY 11545
(516) 200 - 9746
www.gemelligourmetmarketnorth.com
Facebook: facebook.com/gemelligourmetmarketnorth
Instagram: @gemelligourmetnorth
Story written by Gracie Donaldson
January 23, 2020 - Relaunch of Network Power Lunch at
Meritage Wine Bar
Meritage Wine Bar
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December 16th, 2019 - Meritage Wine Bar - Happy Hour Gift Drive
for Mommas House & Guardian Angel Crisis Center
for Mommas House & Guardian Angel Crisis Center
Photo credit Tab Hauser
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Small Business Saturday
2019
2019
Gracie Donaldson Promotions Manager of NSBN, Terrence Keniff owner of
Coco Confections & Coffee & Deborah Orgel Gordon Founder of NSBN
Coco Confections & Coffee & Deborah Orgel Gordon Founder of NSBN
November 1, 2017 - Network Power Lunch at Vivo Osteria
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October, 31, 2017 - Happy Hour - Meritage Wine Bar
Thursday, May 4th, 2017 - Still Partners Sea Cliff
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April 22, 2017 - Gold Coast Supper Club at Claudio's Restaurant
March 1st, 2017 - Downtown Cafe - Network Power Lunch
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December 2, 2016 - Happy Hour Toy Drive at Page One in Glen Cove
Photo credit Tab Hauser
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Happy Hour "The View Grill" August 2016
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First Happy Hour "Downtown Cafe" April 1, 2016
Photo by Tab Hauser