Good Neighbor Podcast: Bergen

What happens when a 14-year-old assistant evolves into a revered hairstylist with 38 years of experience? Meet Danyel Nicole, our guest on the Good Neighbor Podcast, who shares a vibrant tapestry of stories from her journey in the beauty industry. Fueled by family inspiration and a love for creativity, Danyel discusses how her early exposure to hair care set the stage for a fulfilling career. From...

Ever wondered how a young stylist from Istanbul makes her way to becoming a celebrated salon owner in New Jersey? Meet Naz Korkmaz, a force of nature in the beauty industry, who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and passion. From her early days styling hair amidst the bustling fashion scene of Istanbul Fashion Week to opening her first salon at 24, Naz's story is one of ambition, ada...

What happens when Gaelic charm meets modern gastropub flair? Join us as we chat with Kelly Robinson, the dynamic general manager of Hearth and Tap in Montvale, New Jersey. Kelly reveals the fascinating journey of Hearth and Tap, from its origins as the Porter House in 1983 to its successful rebranding in 2016. Driven by a passion for quality food, craft beers, and a commitment to Irish roots, Kell...

Ever wondered how to turn a challenging situation into a booming success story? Meet Nicole Romanik, aka "your favorite ginger realtor," who shares her transformative journey from media buying to real estate. Faced with the loss of her sales job during the COVID pandemic, Nicole channeled her creative passion for home staging to elevate her career in real estate. Discover how her unique...

Discover the secrets of keeping your basement dry and your foundation strong with insights from Jermaine Jeffries, the seasoned owner of Jeffries Basement Waterproofing. With nearly 40 years of experience, Jermaine shares his journey from overcoming the industry's customer service pitfalls to running a thriving family business. Prepare to uncover essential waterproofing strategies like French...

Discover the heartwarming journey of Judy and Bruce from NJ Decks and Railings, as they share a legacy of passion and craftsmanship rooted in Ramsey, New Jersey. Bruce takes us back to his childhood, where his fascination with carpentry began by watching his father build with dedication and pride. Judy recounts her transformation from a stay-at-home mom to a pivotal force in the business, bringing...

Discover the transformative journey of Nancy Dykstra-Powers, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, who brings a refreshing strength-based approach to therapy. Once an elementary school teacher, Nancy's passion for psychological development has guided her to help clients focus on their strengths while addressing challenges like anxiety and depression. Her work with couples, in...

Ben Kiraly's, the innovative mastermind and driving force behind Kira, shares his dynamic journey from Long Island to Hungary and back, offering a riveting narrative of resilience and entrepreneurship. From overcoming family challenges, including his mother's battle with cancer, to seizing pivotal opportunities in the fashion industry, Ben's story is one of grit and determination. H...

What does it take to turn a summer job into a thriving business venture? David Pinuel, owner of Top-Notch Moving and Storage, shares the remarkable story of his entrepreneurial journey from college student to successful business owner in Hackensack, New Jersey. Learn how the mentorship he received from Optimal Moving became the cornerstone of his own business principles, particularly the emphasis...

Unlock the complexities of senior care decision-making with our special guest, Joe Chu from Assisted Living Locators. Join us as Joe shares his transformative journey from a life of ministry to becoming a beacon of guidance for families navigating the intricate world of elder care. With a focus on the urgent challenges facing those in their 40s to 60s, Joe sheds light on how to manage sudden crise...

What happens when you blend family ties with professional passion? We sit down with Dr. Kathryn Frey, who shares her remarkable journey from psychology major to joining her father-in-law, Dr. Elliot Frey, in their thriving family dental practice in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Dr. Frey opens up about the dynamics of working within a close-knit team committed to personalized patient care and navigating the...

Want to sharpen your culinary skills and gain insight into the art of blade restoration? Our latest episode introduces you to Enrico Casatelli, a former mortgage banker who has found his passion in knife sharpening. Discover how Enrico transformed his lifelong love for cooking, fishing, and hunting into a thriving retirement venture, filling a niche in Bergen County. Enrico shares his expertise on...

Get ready for an engaging episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast featuring Mark Sadaka of Sadaka Law. Discover how Mark's personal journey, inspired by his mother's battle with cancer, fueled his passion for defending individuals against powerful corporations. Listen as he dispels the myths surrounding personal injury lawyers and discusses the real battles against insurance companies, shar...

What drives someone to leave a secure career for the unknown world of entrepreneurship? Join us as Melissa Yerger, founder of My Preferred Organizer, shares her transformative journey from finance to professional organizing. After the heartbreaking loss of her mother, Melissa turned her lifelong passion for tidiness into a full-time vocation, determined to help others find peace through order.  Me...

Sean Collins unveils the intriguing history and resilient spirit of Vander Plaat - Executive Limousine , a pioneer in luxury transportation born as an offshoot of a funeral home business over four decades ago. Discover how this Bergen County gem not only withstood the pandemic's challenges by downsizing but also expanded its reach with services stretching as far as Phoenix and Europe. Sean re...

Unlock the secrets of holistic healing with Betty Soriano, the remarkable owner of Sublime Therapy, as she shares her transformational journey from a hesitant customer service representative to a successful medical massage therapist. Encouraged by a perceptive colleague who saw her natural talent, Betty overcame financial obstacles to graduate from Helma Institute in 2007, turning her newfound pas...

Unlock the secrets to staying powered during outages as we sit down with Bonnie Borghi, co-owner of Built Right Generators. Bonnie shares the fascinating origin story of her family-owned business, which emerged from her husband's journey from contracting and was driven by crucial weather events like the Halloween ice storms and Hurricane Sandy. Explore the detailed process of installing a gen...

What happens when you combine the grit of a teenage mom with the flair of a beauty industry professional? You get a powerhouse entrepreneur from Bergen County, New Jersey, whose journey from Fairlawn to multiple business ownership is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we introduce this dynamic guest who shares her transition from the medical field to cosmetology, leading to the acquisition of...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joel Wesseldyke, a passionate travel agent hailing from the Dream Vacations Experience in Ridgewood. Discover how a transformative trip to the Bahamas, coupled with his partner Jennifer's rich travel expertise, ignited their entrepreneurial journey in 2018. Joel shares his compelling story, reflecting on how they navigated the turbulent pandemic peri...

Discover the inspiring journey of Marlene Collins, who transitioned from the world of import-export fashion to a career in skincare with a heartfelt focus on oncology aesthetics. Marlene's dedication to helping cancer patients feel their best during treatment is nothing short of remarkable. Listen as she shares the pivotal moment that redirected her career path and how her studio in Maywood,...

Discover how Twisted Willow Wellness is revolutionizing mental health by breaking down the walls of traditional therapy. Join us for a lively chat with Lauren and Corinne, the passionate minds behind this innovative approach, as they share their journey of making mental wellness accessible and joyful. With Lauren's life coaching expertise and Corinne's therapeutic insights, they blend hu...

Discover the transformative journey of AIM Neuro Rehab, as co-owners Jackie Harkins, Jennifer Murphy, and Dr. Jason Sheehan illuminate their path from inpatient rehab specialists to visionary entrepreneurs. They reveal how their neuro rehabilitation clinic in Westwood, New Jersey, uniquely blends physical, occupational, and speech therapy to provide personalized and intensive treatments for condit...

Join us for an inspiring episode as we explore the fascinating world of music education with our guest, Jason Hart of Hart Music Studios in Tenafly, New Jersey. Jason's journey into music began at nine, sparked by the influence of his grandfather, a talented pianist from the 1940s Texas swing bands. Listen to how his passion for piano evolved through a performing arts school education in Cent...

Discover how Jasmine Yoon, co-owner of Appletree Playhouse, turned a pandemic-driven meal kit project into a thriving children's play space in Westwood, New Jersey. Alongside her husband David and their friends Hina and Austin, Jasmine saw a genuine need for creative and educational indoor play areas for young children. With full-time corporate careers in tow, this dynamic duo set out to fill...

Discover the inspirational story of Gladys Vonglahn, a resilient entrepreneur who turned her cleaning service into a thriving business after emigrating from Chile to the United States. With just a nine-month-old baby and no English, Gladys faced seemingly insurmountable challenges upon her arrival in New Jersey in 2001. Yet, through sheer determination and a newfound passion for cleaning, she was...