'Standing Out Is In': Morris County Mom Launches Bright Handbag Line During Dark Time 'Standing Out Is In': Morris County Mom Launches Bright Handbag Line During Dark Time 'Standing Out Is In': Morris County Mom Launches Bright Handbag Line During Dark Time
'Standing Out Is In': Morris County Mom Launches Bright Handbag Line During Dark Time Kimberly Cignarella was never one to blend in. The Morris County native has always expressed herself through fashion, and going along with the trend was not something that interested her. Her philosophy was no different when it came to launching her own brand KIM CIG: A collection of acrylic, light-up handbags. The 34-year-old mom from Whippany got the bright idea for her design during a dark time. She was furloughed from her job as a New York City fashion designer during the pandemic and felt it was the right time to fulfill her dream of creating her own brand. All she knew was that her…
NJ College Dropout Pitches Dinner Time Invention On 'Shark Tank' NJ College Dropout Pitches Dinner Time Invention On 'Shark Tank' NJ College Dropout Pitches Dinner Time Invention On 'Shark Tank'
NJ College Dropout Pitches Dinner Time Invention On 'Shark Tank' Tog Samphel always had a knack for design, and he didn't need a college degree to do it. In 2004, the Clifton resident dropped out of Montclair State University because he was offered a job with AOL. And for the duration of his 15-year career, Samphel never needed nor wanted to complete his college degree. There was one thing he wanted to do, though, and that was invent something. Well, since 2020, Clifton's Samphel did both: He invented a product called "Anytongs" and finished his degree at Montclair State University. Later this month, he's making his pitch and telling his story on "Shar…
32-Year-Old Woman Who Died In Dix Hills Cottage Fire Remembered For 'Enthusiasm For Life' 32-Year-Old Woman Who Died In Dix Hills Cottage Fire Remembered For 'Enthusiasm For Life' 32-Year-Old Woman Who Died In Dix Hills Cottage Fire Remembered For 'Enthusiasm For Life'
32-Year-Old Woman Who Died In Dix Hills Cottage Fire Remembered For 'Enthusiasm For Life' A 32-year-old woman who died in a fire at her Long Island home is being remembered by those who knew her as a dedicated businesswoman whose enthusiasm and love of life left a lasting impact on others. Tanya Bathija died in an early morning fire that broke out at a Dix Hills cottage on Carlls Straight Path, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, the Suffolk County Police Department reported. Earlier this year, Bathija opened a Dunkin' Donuts location in Bellport, and she told GreaterLongIsland.com that her hope was to continue the entrepreneurial legacy built by her parents, who also own multiple …
'He Tried To Convert Violence Into Hope:' Youth Counselor, Devoted Passaic County Dad Dies, 39 'He Tried To Convert Violence Into Hope:' Youth Counselor, Devoted Passaic County Dad Dies, 39 'He Tried To Convert Violence Into Hope:' Youth Counselor, Devoted Passaic County Dad Dies, 39
'He Tried To Convert Violence Into Hope:' Youth Counselor, Devoted Passaic County Dad Dies, 39 Youth counselor and devoted Passaic County father Juan Diego Otalbaro died on Saturday, Nov. 26. He was 39. Born in Passaic, Juan grew up between Clifton and Passaic, his obituary says. Juan played basketball at Clifton High School before earning a combined bachelors and masters in Social Work from Ramapo College. Juan then finished clinical training throughout various stated and started working as a counselor with at-risk youth in the New York State Office of Child and Family Services in 2019, his memorial says. Juan also had an entrepreneurial spirit and had launched a number of di…
Peekskill's Paul Godbee, 84, Built Many Homes Throughout New York Peekskill's Paul Godbee, 84, Built Many Homes Throughout New York Peekskill's Paul Godbee, 84, Built Many Homes Throughout New York
Peekskill's Paul Godbee, 84, Built Many Homes Throughout New York Paul Godbee, a longtime Westchester resident and businessman, fell asleep in death on November 10, 2022. He was 84 years old.  Paul was born on July 30, 1938 in Millen, GA to Willie Warren Godbee and Willie Mae Patrick (Godbee). He went to school in Georgia and worked hard on the family farm before following his older brother Willie and moving to Peekskill in 1955.  Paul was a quiet man with a big heart. He wanted more for his family—his whole family. Paul Godbee embodied the three characteristics of an entrepreneur. He created different companies, he built many homes and est…
Reality Show Tattoo Artist Sees Big Milestone At Her Suburban Philadelphia Studio Reality Show Tattoo Artist Sees Big Milestone At Her Suburban Philadelphia Studio Reality Show Tattoo Artist Sees Big Milestone At Her Suburban Philadelphia Studio
Reality Show Tattoo Artist Sees Big Milestone At Her Suburban Philadelphia Studio It's been a long road, but tattoo artist Gia Rose is celebrating five years in business.  The Philadelphia-based artist has owned and operated White Oak Tattoo Company, a studio in West Chester, since 2017, according to its Facebook page.  But before becoming a successful entrepreneur, Rose faced her share of hardships. The artist was homeless for years and was later diagnosed with cancer at the age of 31, reported 6ABC. Things turned around when Rose landed a spot on reality competition show Ink Master.  Beloved by viewers, she was asked to return for an all-women spinoff …
Fox Lane High School Alum Makes Deal With Mark Cuban On Shark Tank After Bidding War Fox Lane High School Alum Makes Deal With Mark Cuban On Shark Tank After Bidding War Fox Lane High School Alum Makes Deal With Mark Cuban On Shark Tank After Bidding War
Fox Lane High School Alum Makes Deal With Mark Cuban On Shark Tank After Bidding War A Northern Westchester high school graduate struck a $250,000 deal with Mark Cuban after presenting his self-started business on Shark Tank. Earlier report - Fox Lane High School Alum To Present Business On Shark Tank Sam Chason, who graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford in 2016, appeared on the popular ABC-TV show on Friday, Oct. 14.  During his appearance, he presented his business, Storage Scholars, which he started in 2017 with his business partner, Matt Gronberg, during their time at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Chason's busin…
Driver, 23, Killed In Interstate 195 Dump Truck Crash Driver, 23, Killed In Interstate 195 Dump Truck Crash Driver, 23, Killed In Interstate 195 Dump Truck Crash
Driver, 23, Killed In Interstate 195 Dump Truck Crash A 23-year-old South Jersey woman was killed in a collision with a dump truck on Interstate 195 this weekend, authorities said. Torrey Flim died when her Hyundai Elantra rear-ended the truck, then was struck by another vehicle around 12:10 a.m. near milepost 0.2 in Hamilton Township on Saturday, Aug. 27, New Jersey State Police said. Flim's sister said she had recently launched a hair business called "6strandsraw." she is survived by her newborn. "Torrey was an amazing singer, entrepreneur, sister, daughter, and a mother to her new born," Marissa Flim writes on a GoFundMe page for her …
Accomplished Entrepreneur From Capital District Dies At Age 29 Accomplished Entrepreneur From Capital District Dies At Age 29 Accomplished Entrepreneur From Capital District Dies At Age 29
Accomplished Entrepreneur From Capital District Dies At Age 29 Friends and relatives are mourning the loss of an accomplished entrepreneur and videographer from the Capital District who died at the age of 29. Albany native Max Drabkin passed away Wednesday, July 27, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not listed. A 2012 graduate of Albany High School, Drabkin went on to earn an economics degree from McGill University in Montreal in 2016, his memorial said. While at McGill, he served as vice president of communications at the Undergraduate Society of McGill. He was also a member of the school’s rowing team. “Max was known for his boundless…
Baltimore Native Fulfills Dreams Of Opening Gyro Shop Inspired By Uncle's Spot In Greece Baltimore Native Fulfills Dreams Of Opening Gyro Shop Inspired By Uncle's Spot In Greece Baltimore Native Fulfills Dreams Of Opening Gyro Shop Inspired By Uncle's Spot In Greece
Baltimore Native Fulfills Dreams Of Opening Gyro Shop Inspired By Uncle's Spot In Greece Opening his own gyro shop has been on Mike Tolos' mind ever since he visited his uncle's spot in Greece as a kid. It was a hole-in-the-wall type place in Thessaloniki, and as soon as Tolos walked in, he was hit with the aroma of pork and chicken roasting on the skewers. What the former Baltimore resident enjoyed most about visiting the shop, though, was seeing the love that his uncle put into it, because he felt the same passion himself. "My uncle did it from love," said Tolos, 39, of Bergen County, NJ. "The dedication that he has fell on me." Tolos signed the lease for Jersey Gyros on M…
'Testing The Waters': Comedian Joe Matarese Opens New Comedy Club In Scarsdale 'Testing The Waters': Comedian Joe Matarese Opens New Comedy Club In Scarsdale 'Testing The Waters': Comedian Joe Matarese Opens New Comedy Club In Scarsdale
'Testing The Waters': Comedian Joe Matarese Opens New Comedy Club In Scarsdale He’s appeared on America’s Got Talent and performed for the likes of David Letterman, Howard Stern, and Chelsea Handler.  Now, comedian Joe Matarese is bringing “New York City’s best comedy” to Westchester County. On Thursday, July 28, the 30-year veteran stand-up will mark the grand opening of his latest venture, B-Side Comedy Club, a 60-seat venue located on Garth Road in Scarsdale. Joining Matarese on stage will be fellow comedians Nick Scopoletti, Pete Ungar, and Daniel Tirado. But Matarese, who lives in New Rochelle with his wife and two kids, wants to make one thing clear: his club …
New Eatery, R&B Lounge Opens In South Jersey After Pandemic Delay, Renovations New Eatery, R&B Lounge Opens In South Jersey After Pandemic Delay, Renovations New Eatery, R&B Lounge Opens In South Jersey After Pandemic Delay, Renovations
New Eatery, R&B Lounge Opens In South Jersey After Pandemic Delay, Renovations Essie's Restaurant & Lounge in Clementon is officially open after a two-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic and renovations. The eatery features creole cuisine and live rhythm and blues and jazz. In 2017, husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Mike and Chèrie Gillespie purchased a South Jersey building with the vision of opening an upscale restaurant and live music lounge.  Shortly thereafter, a snowstorm caused the roof to cave in, delaying their plans. The global pandemic, a massive renovation, and two years later, the pair have finally opened Essie’s Restaurant & Lounge at 1 Gar…