2022 Memorial Day Issue

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Businesswomen Find Benefit in Joining Jefferson Group Photos by KAREN FUCITO chance encounter led two women to A launch Jefferson’s Professional Women’s Networking Group, which has seen local businesswomen gain exposure, be inspired and find camaraderie. Alexia Lewis, a financial advisor, and businesswoman Elisa DeYoung remember the day they first decided to start the women’s networking group. The May-December partnership—Lewis is 27 and DeYoung is 66—originated after a Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce meeting where they were the only two women in the room. After brainstorming together, they decided to start a female networking group that meets monthly and has grown from a dozen members two years ago to 150-plus women today. Women professionals learn about the group through Facebook and word of mouth. “I always wanted to start a ladies’ networking group,” said DeYoung, who had a business cleaning houses and now works for Welcome To Our Neighborhood. Covering Morris, Somerset and Union counties, Welcome To Our Neighborhood connects local businesses with new homeowners. Marketing and representing local businesses give DeYoung encouragement to keep working, she said. “People just love someone knocking on their door and welcoming them to their new home and finding out about business in the area.” DeYoung manages the Jefferson area of Welcome to the Neighborhood. She and her husband have lived in Jefferson for 32 years; it’s where they raised their three, now-adult children. “My husband tells me I’m perfect for this job because I know and talk to everybody,” DeYoung joked. “We hit it off right away,” said Lewis, of DeYoung, when asked about how the group began. Lewis grew up on the lake side of the township and went to school with some of DeYoung’s children. In her senior year at Jefferson High School, she and her family moved to the Oak Ridge side. She graduated from Ramapo College and became a financial advisor at Mass Mutual in Warren a couple of years ago. “We both wanted to see 10 Story by MARIA VOGEL-SHORT LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Memorial Day 2022 more women’s business events because we saw a need for networking with business owners in our town,” said Lewis, who still lives in Oak Ridge with her parents. “The biggest benefit is that women can make connections…whether they’ve been in business for six months or 20 years.” The group meets in person at restaurants and businesses the third Wednesday of every month. The group alternates from the Lake Hopatcong side to the Milton side. “Our inspiration developed from the women who attended our events. At every event we have hosted so far, we have had several women come up to us and tell us how happy they are that we put this together, and they tell us their own success stories from coming to the events. Elisa and I both love our community and are thankful we started this group,” said Lewis. At each networking meeting, women introduce themselves, seek to make contacts and, eventually, use the services of someone they meet in the group. “You never know who you are going to meet,” said DeYoung. “Generally, everyone introduces themselves and tells them what they do.” Saralyn Betley, an executive consultant with Rodan + Fields, said she comes to the group for business growth. “I get ideas from coming here. After a wonderful job in the luggage industry, COVID hit, and I had to think of other ways to make a living.” At the March meeting, author and inspirational speaker Janet Pfeiffer was the featured guest. She discussed how to communicate effectively, especially when dealing with a partner who does not communicate at all. “Those who seek the truth ask questions. Those who fear the truth make assumptions and judgments,” Pfeiffer said. At the April meeting, hosted by real estate broker Johanna Rivera of Realty Executives Property Squad in Lake Hopatcong, women congregated in Rivera’s new office on Route 15, sipping wine and snacking on homemade Barbie Garruto, Elisa DeYoung and Elizabeth Baldyga share a laugh during a recent networking meeting. lasagna and decadent desserts made by members. Rivera, who has been in real estate for nine years, said she comes to the group to “be inspired.” At the April event, she connected with Greta Melofchik, a real estate agent who has been in the business for 39 years and is currently with Exit Neighborhood Realty in Lake Hopatcong on Route 15. Both discussed the best advice they ever received from fellow businesswomen. The April networking event was designed to generate self-reflection, too. Members went from table to table to meet new people and answer such game questions as: “What is something you want to accomplish before this year is over?” and “What legacy do you want to leave behind?” Some come to the group to fill job positions. Johanna Rosario, of medical technology company BD, is a manager for contract analysts. When her company needed an analyst, she came to the group last month to network and find someone who could fill the position. Lisette Rogue, who owns Royalty Cleaning Services with her husband, said she comes because she meets empowering women. Laura Bald, of Leisure Travel by Laura, said she heard about the group and wanted to be a part of it. Bald started her own independent business after her job ended at Liberty Travel, a company that folded during the pandemic. “This year everyone is traveling again,” said Bald. “People still use travel agents, and it does Alexia Lewis at a recent meeting. Johanna Rosario, Johanna Rivera and Laura Bald participate in a question-and-answer exercise during a recent meeting.
not cost more for people to book a cruise with me than it does for them to order it online.” Gisela Arias, who co-owns DLA Executive Limo with her husband, said she comes to the meetings for exposure. “I heard about it on Facebook and through Johanna Rivera. It’s a chance to meet a lot of different people. I started organizing for people and also becoming a wedding officiant, so I wear a lot of hats.” MaryAnn Cuervo, of Oak Ridge, came to her first meeting in March after interfacing with DeYoung on Facebook. DeYoung suggested promoting her business through the networking group and suggested that Cuervo attend meetings to see what other entrepreneurs do when starting a new business. Cuervo started Queen Bee Custom Creations five months ago because friends raved over the custom baskets she made for bridal showers and other events. “They’re not really baskets,” explained Cuervo. “They are custom-made pieces designed around a personality. For example, for honeymoon gifts, I found these little white suitcases that I fill with personal items. I am all about listening and finding out about the person I design for. One woman could not believe the things in her case, saying ‘how does this woman know what I like?’” DeYoung believes the group will continue to gain momentum and grow. “I’m hoping to keep the community as a focus to help all of these ladies’ businesses flourish.” SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSTALLED AND REPAIRED PUMPING AVAILABLE • RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL • SITE WORK • FILL DIRT • TRUCKING Musical Journey with Lizzie Engelberth June 12 at 4pm Jacobite Rising in Song & Story by Charlie Zahm June 25 at 7:30pm $15 RAA Members $20 General Admission 973-945-0284 sales.raa@gmail.com www.RoxburyArtsAlliance.org Investors Bank Theater, home to the Roxbury Performing Arts Center, hosting year-round programming, classes and performances. Investors Bank Theater at Horseshoe Lake Complex 72 Eyland Ave., Succasunna 973-663-2142 • 973-713-8020 CELL lakehopatcongnews.com 11
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2022 Memorial Day Issue

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