#HERstory of Success

Liz Thomas Chief Executive Officer Thomas/Boyd Communications What inspired you to join/start your business? I started my first business at age 30 after my time serving in the Kean Administration came to a close. I couldn’t think of what else to do with the knowledge and contacts I made while working in the Governor’s press…

Meggan Ciaccia Certified Public Accountant Montecino & Ciaccia, CPAs What inspired you to join/start your business? I started working for my father in 2003 and became a Shareholder in 2013. I grew up watching him love what he does every day and wanted to have that same kind of passion for my career. What challenges…

Allyson Bernstein Center Director, Huntington Learning Center What inspired you to join/start your business? My husband began with Huntington a number of years before me. We have always been passionate about education. It is not often you can combine a passion with a work opportunity. At Huntington Learning Center, we have a basic mission statement…

Carla Fynan Owner, Boulder Designs by Fynan and Sons What inspired you to join/start your business? We create custom boulders that are designed by the customer, any shape, any size. Boulder designs are perfect to highlight your business or home. At the end of my dad’s life he said ‘if you dream of a career…

Ronnie Schmeltzer Owner, Songbird Karaoke What inspired you to join/start your business? We saw an open opportunity in the market to start something new, fun, and exciting! We love our business and the happiness it brings our guests. We can’t wait to do that again at the same level we were in the past. Until…

Melitta Bentz What inspired her start her business? Melitta Bentz changed the world of coffee forever in 1908 when she punched holes in a brass pot, lined it with her son’s notebook paper, and created pour-over coffee. Her invention of two part filtration is the basis for all modern drip coffee.   Paving the way…

Janet L. Gold President, Eisenberg, Gold & Agrawal, P.C. What inspired you to join/start your business? As a young attorney, my mentor Bill Eisenberg made me a partner in his firm and I soon became the managing partner. I always enjoyed managing the firm and enjoy working with the staff. We have grown substantially over…

Donna Gallina Manager, Creating Health, LLC T/A Environmental Purification Co. What inspired you to join/start your business? For me, developing my business is the natural response to my passion for life and helping people and pets. The first business I started as a dog groomer began in 1974 because of my passion and love for…

Eileen Kevany Founder, The First 7 What inspired you to join/start your business? While I had been in Direct Sales with a major skin care and cosmetic company, the real push to become an Image Consultant came from my daughter, Laura. She was aiming for a specific college internship, but struggled with what to wear…

Mariel J. Giletto, Esq. Shareholder and Chair, Corporate Law Department Parker McCay P.A. What inspired you to join/start your business? I was inspired to become a corporate attorney and partner at Parker McCay because I wanted to help other local business owners be successful. I grew up in a small business family and understand that…