Morristown Women in Business nominees for Chef Melody award, and best new ventures, April 18

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Circle_FBProfileAt the Morristown Women in Business Lunch & Networking Event at the Hyatt on Monday, April 18, 2016, attendees will get an opportunity to vote for Best New Business and the Melody Whitelaw Community Service Award.

The awards will be announced at a ceremony at cocktail event on May 24.

You can purchase tickets for April 18 luncheon online at the Morristown Women in Business website for $35, or at the door for $40.

Monday’s luncheon will also feature a panel discussion on Social Media for Your Business.

A good social media strategy is important to drive sales to a business, but small businesses must be aware of the legal requirements of advertising, email, endorsements, collection of customer data and use of social media by employees, or they can be subject to fines, lawsuits, and in some cases, prosecution.

Carole White-Connor, Esq. will identify the requirements of some of the major areas of concern for a small business’s social media program.

TransOptions & the Law Offices of Carole White-Connor are the April Sponsors.

 

Nominees for Best New Business

Nominees for the second annual Melody Whitelaw Community Service Award

 

south+pine american eatery is an American eatery focusing on using fresh seasonal ingredients to create artistic and delicious dishes. Chef & Owner Leia Gaccione, former Executive Chef & Chef de Cuisine for Bobby Flay, brings her talent to Morristown with this little gem. A casual and inviting environment, South+Pine is family friendly and located right next to the MPAC.

11203184_439436169551502_6460228361719266500_n Leia Gaccione is the chef and owner of south+pine america eatery. She grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, with her brother and mother. As a child, while her friends were playing outside, she stayed behind to watch cooking shows like “The Frugal Gourmet” and “Julia Child”. Because her mother worked two jobs to support her family Leia began cooking at home at a young age.

When Montclair State University lost her college application, Leia was in a position where she had to make a decision. She decided to attend New York Restaurant School, from 2001 to 2003, and obtained her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant management. She graduated on the Dean’s List and moved on to work in many restaurants over the past fourteen years. Most recently she was the Chef de Cuisine for Bobby Flay at five of his fine dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar American & Gato in New York. She also appeared as his sous chef on “Iron Chef America” three times.

Leia is continuing to pursue her dreams with the opening of her own restuarant, south+pine american eatery. south+pine is an American restaurant focusing on using season ingredients to create dishes. She aims to make south+pine a neighborhood staple, where her guests are treated as if they are coming over to her house for dinner. The environment is casual and inviting, and she hopes to give New Jersey diners a very special experience that they can enjoy over and over again.

b.Jones Organic Spa was opened by Irene Leavy in September 2015. Irene is a graduate of Artistic Academy and The Institute for Therapeutic Massage and is the owner of b.jones.  It is her philosophy that organic products, organic cleaning methods, and offering organic teas/snacks is a client right.  Irene believes in treating skin conditions as they appear and enjoys giving body spa treatments and relaxing facials.

Mayor Tim Dougherty cuts the ribbon at the b.jones organic spa. Photo by Kendra Arnold
Mayor Tim Dougherty cuts the ribbon at the b.jones organic spa. Photo by Kendra Arnold

 

A Morristown resident since 1999, Irene is a  member of Assumption Church and parent volunteer for Assumption School, and has volunteered with several other local organizations. She currently serves on the board for Morristown Women in Business and is an assistant pod leader for the Morristown Pod for Believe Inspire Grow.   Irene’s mission is to give back to the community one face at a time.

b.jones is a full service organic spa offering massage, facial, body treatments, energy work, and waxing. Our staff is committed to providing exceptional services tailored to our client’s needs using Eminence Organics products & Rica Wax. Their mission is to give back to the community, one face at a time.

Sabrina’s Art Studio is owned by Sabrina Ahmed, a local resident of Morristown who believes that everyone has an inner artist. Sabrina knew that this vintage town would appreciate a a small artistic business where fine art can be taught to anyone. The studio shares the luxurious and intimate experience of feeling comfortable in a dining room with your friends and family, yet feeling nostalgic about being part of a class.

 

image1Sabrina’s Art Studio is here to promote arts of all avenues to adults and children, alike. The studio offers customized paintings and caters to its clients. “Find your inner artist with some liquid courage” is more than the literal. With positive thinking and a “can-do” attitude, everyone and anyone can find their artistic version of themselves.

Sabrina has been painting for years. Since she was a little girl, she had a natural eye for creativity. Aside from fine arts, Sabrina has been skilled in jewelry making, pottery, upholstery, furniture making, fashion designing, and any DIY projects she can get her hands on. Sabrina lives in Morristown and is a true advocate for promoting small businesses. Aside from this new venture, Sabrina has her own fashion brand, Icons by Sabrina Diana (Icons Boutique). Her passion lies with anything to do with being creative and innovative.

Sabrina hopes to make Sabrina’s Art Studio an attraction of Morristown where locals and outsiders, alike, can enjoy a fabulous time!

“Sabrina’s Art Studio is a place to escape and open up your creative side. It was important that the studio emulated luxe and warmth. I wanted it to be a different environment than the others alike. I remember that the largest table in the house I grew up in was the dining room, but I was not allowed to be creative in that room as a child. That was what triggered the idea to have the feel of the studio to be a grand dining room with chandeliers that we are now allowed to paint in, as an adult!” – Sabrina Ahmed

Lucy’s Gift, LLC was established with the heartfelt belief that we don’t need to give up anything to give back. Marisa Spagnoletti and her daughter Lucy, along with their trusted fashion associates, are dedicate to ensuring you’ll find Lucy’s Gift a unique, creative destination, not just another boutique. One visit and you’ll discover how their vision–to celebrate the life and values of the beloved Maurice J. Spagnoletti–has come to fruition with Lucy’s Gift.

 

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Ladies will love the look and craftsmanship of top quality, designer handbags and jewelry at a bargain price, including special pieces you have never seen before. Younger ladies will find their own special selections, inspired by Lucy herself.

Gentlemen will feel the pride of demonstrating your love with an exclusive gift your special someone will treasure for years to come.

All proceeds from every purchase (minus expenses) will help others in need, with a a generous donation to the Maurice J. Spagnoletti Foundation.

Abby Ray Gallo, Grow it Green Morristown.

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Abby is Grow It Green Morristown’s first-ever Executive Director, leading the day-to-day operations of the organization. She brings her background in communications and sustainable food systems to her role in helping Grow It Green Morristown grow a greener, healthier Morristown.

Prior to joining the organization, Abby worked in corporate social responsibility and sustainability for Samsung Electronics, collaborating with local nonprofit organizations. She also previously led media relations in the U.S. for the Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization, and has held sustainability roles with ARAMARK and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Abby has a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Delaware.

Abby’s love for the environment and the outdoors started when she was a young girl growing up in Maine, watching her parents tend the garden, compost and cook fresh food. She brings those early principles to her home in Morristown, where she is an avid backyard gardener, composter and knitter. She and her husband live in a solar-powered home and keep bees and chickens.

Grow It Green Morristown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to connect the Morristown community with fresh, local food. Through their gardening and farm programs, Grow It Green educates over 3,000 children, mostly from the Morris School District, on healthy eating, plant science and environmental stewardship. In 2015, they donated over 2 tons of food to local soup kitchen & food pantry partners such as Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, Interfaith Food Pantry and Table of Hope.

Their Urban Farm is a diverse, one-acre educational farm located behind the Lafayette Learning Center off of Martin Luther King Boulevard. They are in the process of rebuilding their Early Street Community Garden, a one-acre open space in the heart of downtown Morristown, to be a model of sustainable design for community gardens across the country.
Kadie Dempsey, Morris Arts.
Screen Shot 2016-04-15 at 3.52.32 PMKadie Dempsey is the Director of Arts in Community for Morris Arts and the owner of CORE Creative Placemaking.

Kadie works to build community relationships through Arts programming and partnerships. She organizes and develops cross sector community relationships for the purpose of creating a more livable, vibrant community through programs, events and partnerships that promote art and creativity.

  • Committee member for Sustainable New Jersey’s Arts Taskforce- working team member for the Arts taskforce
  • Works closely with the Town of Morristown Master Planners as well as the Office of the Mayor and Town Administrator to promote inclusion of the arts and artisans in all aspects of community planning.
  • Pumpkin Illumination Community event – Founder and manger
  • Meet Me in Morristown. A collaboration between Morris Arts and Morristown Partnership on the last Thursdays of the month during the spring and summer months. Over 50 artists,musicians and street performance on the sidewalks of the downtown.
  • Planning committee for the redevelopment of the streetscape on MLK Blvd. Committee for redesign on Pioneer Plaza at Headquarters Plaza.
  • Project Director and manager for the “The Gateway Totem Project” a National Endowment for the Arts award recipient that partners with The Town of Morristown, Grow it Green, The Senior Housing unit of Early Street, Morristown High School, The Neighborhood House in Morristown. Stakeholders that live and have lived in the Speedwell Area for the past 100 years.
Kadie has been a consultant for Zufall Health center, connected Assemblyman Bucco and the County College of Morris Arts Program to create an art gallery in the Assemblyman’s office, and meets with area downtown organizations to educate and promote the idea of Creative Placemaking to help communities increase livability, economic development and increase the visibility of arts and culture.
She also offers individual artist services, is the Director of Local Arts Grant Program, an ADA coordinator for Morris Arts and works with the Morristown High School Art Mentoring Program. She is the event coordinator for Giralda Farms Music and Arts Festival and Celebrate the Arts.
Kadie Graduated from Bloustein School of Public Policy at Rutgers in 2013 with a Master Practitioner Certification in Creative Placemaking.
Allison Larena, Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Screen Shot 2016-04-15 at 3.54.11 PMMs. Larena served as Executive Director and now serves as President and CEO of the Mayo Performing Arts Center which houses The Community Theatre since May 2002.  She is responsible for overseeing all administrative, financial and operational aspects of the organization.

Ms. Larena has more than 20 years of related experience and education in arts management.

Ms. Larena is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts/ Speech Communication and Rutgers University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts/Speech.

In spring, 2012, Ms. Larena was awarded by the Arts Council of the Morris Area (now Morris Arts) the honor of “Arts Advocate of the Year” and soon after was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of ArtPride New Jersey, an arts advocacy group that works to increase awareness and support of the arts on local, state and national levels.  Ms. Larena also serves on the board for the Morris County Tourism Bureau.

 

 

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