BUSINESS NOTEBOOK

Diane Howe, owner of The Open Lotus LLC Celebrating Second anniversary in business 53 Route 23 Franklin, NJ 07416 973 823 6343 How did you get involved in the business? Long-time dream come true. Studied alternative healing practices and seeing/communicating with spirit my whole life. It was time to open a business that provided those things to others. What is your favorite part of being in business? Being able to give people what they really need/want without having to check with anyone else. What is your favorite book or movie? “What Dreams May Come” with Robin Williams. I love this movie because it explains truly how I believe in “story form” about death and rebirth. What do you do when you are not working? Garden, read, meditate, help my mom, volunteer at the Sussex Food Co-op, write. Why do you think the paper should write about you? Because most people do not understand what alternatives they have related to their health. Rather than always looking for a pill to take to mask what’s wrong, there are other means to create health in your body. Body, Mind and Spirit work together. We are vibrational energy and that is the source I work with to help create balance in life, mentally, emotionally and physically. Michelle Kronberg, owner of The Hip Flea market Celebrating One-year anniversary 111 Main Street Franklin, NJ 973-823-6373 How did you get involved in the business? We had purchased the building and had first thought we would rent it. As it turned out, we decided to open a retail store that had not only great different new items but used household items. What is your favorite part of being in business? It is a great feeling to make your customers happy when they find something great in my store. What is your favorite book or movie? “The Notebook.” It is just a great love story. What do you do when you are not working? My off days are spent taking care of my family and finding new great stuff for the store. Diane Polukord, owner of Diane’s Dance Academy 23 14 Highview Drive Stockholm, NJ 973-697-9119 Celebrating 27 years in business How did you get involved in the business? Modeled and danced since age 2. What is your favorite part of being in business? Seeing the growth of the children. What is your favorite book or movie? “Ghost” because I loved Patrick Swayze. What do you do when you are not working? Taking care of my grandchildren and teaching them to dance. Why do you think the paper should write about you? Because I have been in business so long and have touched a lot of people. Leslie Lutz, owner of Merry Go Round and Calico Rose Café Celebrating 24 years of serving the people of Sussex County and beyond 19 Route 23 South Hamburg, NJ 07419 973-827-5578 How did you get involved in the business? I love retail, people and decorating and all the challenges that are associated with all of this. What is the most hectic time of your day? We serve a delicious lunch daily from 11 to 3. Everything is homemade and we are busy with serving hungry people, as well as with our retail sales. What do you do when you are not working? I work six days a week so that does not leave much time. What is a vacation? I try to catch up on what needs doing but I still seem to fall behind. Why do you think the paper should write about you? We are really the heart and pulse of our community — we see people in all walks of life going through various stages — we try to meet their needs, lend an ear and try and give them moral support as needed. We celebrate the births and weddings with them, we see generations come and go, the cycle of life. Every day is different, rewarding and we have learned so many things with all the friends and customers that have shared their lives with us. Life is Good. Michael Trombetta, owner of Liberty Tax Service Celebrating Upcoming opening on January 8, 2010. 190 Munsonhurst Road Franklin, NJ 973-823-1227 How did you get involved in the business? My friends, family and existing clients would ask me to do their taxes because they were not happy with the service they were getting. I wanted to bring this service to the whole community. After looking into several companies I decided to buy the Liberty Tax Franchise territory in Franklin and the surrounding community. I own a financial service business. My mission statement has always been to provide the best service possible. Liberty follows the same mission. What is your favorite part of being in business? I love the freedom to make all decisions on the type of service I want to bring to the community. The decisions on the kind of marketing we will do in order to brand our product and service. For example in my store I am having a wide screen TV with the video game WII. I want my customers to feel comfortable in bringing in their children while they are getting their taxes done. The kids can play as their parents are taking care of their taxes. What is your favorite book or movie? I have been a western fan for years. To this day John Wayne is one of my favorite actors. The hero type individual that he had portrayed was something I admired. What do you do when you are not working? My younger son is into soccer and wrestling. During the seasons I spend a great deal of time watching him compete. My family and I enjoy skiing, as well as going on vacations to different places. I also like to run.