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SOMA Women Recognition

SOMA Women in Business – Adenah Bayoh, Cornbread

Meet Adenah Bayoh, owner of Cornbread – Maplewood located at 1565 Springfield Ave.
Adenah embodies the American dream. At age 13, she escaped the civil war in her native country of Liberia, immigrated to the United States and is now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in her home state of New Jersey.
She is also the founder and CEO of Adenah Bayoh and Companies, which is the parent corporation that owns IHOP franchises in Newark, Paterson, and Irvington, New Jersey and a real estate development portfolio with over $250 million dollars in urban redevelopment projects.
 
Because of the success of her flagship IHOP in Irvington, she is the second largest employer in the there. Recently, Adenah launched Cornbread, her signature line of fast casual, farm-to-table, soul food restaurants in Maplewood and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of the commutnity.
READ MORE: AdenahBayoh.com

SOMA Women in Business – Peggy Excell, Lotus Petals Floral Design

If you don’t yet know Peggy Excell-Stone, owner of Lotus Petals Floral Design, it’s time to meet her and experience her magical shop located at 1779 Springfield Ave in Maplewood.
When Peggy opened Lotus Petals Floral Design in 2007, she had a vision for her business. To present the artistry of her love of floral design experience in an environment that promotes peace and growth. Peace within oneself and peace with each other. Peace on one’s journey.
So she created a boutique that combines her love of nature, eye for color and design and spirituality with a belief in the interconnectedness in the world.
The result is a unique floral experience. Along with gorgeous floral design for every event and every day, a striking display of fresh-cut flowers and luscious green and blooming plants, Peggy offers a full line of holistic products. From essential oils and salt lamps to Tibetan singing bowls, there are soul-filling elements to the shop she recently moved from Maplewood Village to Springfield Avenue. Without fail, customers marvel at how peaceful it feels just walking in the front door. It’s a completely welcoming, sensory experience.
Come start your journey by visiting the oasis Peggy has created on Springfield Ave.

SOMA Women in Business — Kim Hammer, The Fringe Salon

Meet Kim Hammer, owner of The Fringe Salon at 1874 Springfield Ave, award-winning stylist and superstar community supporter.
In May 2007, after years in the beauty industry and with a three-month-old on her hip, Kim Hammer, owner and master stylist, opened the doors of The Fringe Salon. It was time to fulfill her vision to serve her community and mentor other like-minded stylists in an inviting and creative space.
Kim first got her start in Detroit in 1991, with training in haircutting, color and extension work. After five years, she relocated to Chicago, where she was appointed Creative Director of Curl Up & Dye. She also served as an educator for Salon Systems, the Aveda brand distributor in Chicago. This is when Kim discovered her passion for green business practice.
When Kim landed in New York City a few years later, she began working as a senior stylist and educator for the Aveda/Estée Lauder company. Her talent led to work with countless fashion shows, features in both television and print, and celebrity styling for clients such as Margaret Cho, PJ Harvey and Natasha Lyonne.
But when South Orange became home, Kim immediately knew she had found a special place and was ready to make a career shift. Kim soon opted to drop the city commute and made the decision to open Fringe on SAM.
“I’m obsessed with SOMA,” says Kim. “I’m constantly blown away by the creativity of the people in this area as well as their desire to really give back. Fringe has grown with the love and support of this community, and I’ve had the opportunity to form deep, meaningful relationships with clients, other business owners and neighbors.”
Kim has brought together a dynamic team of experienced stylists who share in her creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm for connecting with clients. She is both committed to furthering her own craft and to nurturing the talents of her team. Kim enjoys teaching Fringe apprentices and providing continuous advanced professional training and support for stylists at every level.
In addition to creating an authentically welcoming environment in the salon, providing cutting-edge techniques and exceptional service, Fringe reaches the SOMA community beyond the salon walls. They host workshops and take part in and sponsor many local events, such as Mayfest, MAPSO Book Festival, Maplewoodstock, LTYM (Listen to Your Mother), and North Jersey Pride Ball. Fringe also contributes to BackPack Pals each month, and regularly donates goods and services to all local schools.
Kim is very much engaged in the culture and business development of SOMA, as an executive member of SAP (the Springfield Avenue Partnership) as well as being on the sub-committees for branding/marketing and the public art initiative. Kim is also active on a state level as the New Jersey State Captain for the Professional Beauty Association (PBA).
By emphasizing individuality, hair artistry and connection to community, Kim has created an award-winning, full-service salon­­­­—with so much heart and epic style.

 SOMA Women in Business — Sheila Turner-Cartlidge, Astha’s Art Gallery and Our Gang Travel

Sheila owns two successful businesses on Springfield Avenue, and as if that isn’t enough, take a look at all her accomplishments and passions.

Sheila, a native of Brooklyn, New York, an accountant, artist and business entrepreneur is the owner of Astha’s Art Gallery and OUR GANG TRAVEL located at 1897 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Before her early retirement in January 2002, Sheila was Chief of the Appeals Divisions in Long Island, New York and Newark, New Jersey, She received over 25 distinguished managerial and achievement awards from the Federal Government’s U.S.Treasury Department. She is best known for her mentoring of women and minorities helping them to achieve technical positions opposed to clerical positions within the Federal Government.

Because of her passion for art, Sheila founded in October 1998 and is now the President of Astah’s Fine Art Gallery. Astah’s has been recognized as the fastest growing art gallery in New Jersey, specializing in African American Art from around the world. She has always had a good eye and visual skills needed to select artwork and frames to help build a valuable collection similar to a stock portfolio. Astah’s is responsible for offering the community art that is not just beautiful but also an investment. Sheila believes in introducing the collector to renowned artists who provide positive and beautiful expressions of a people.

She is also the co-founder with her husband Alonzo of Our Gang Group, LLC that is the corporation of Our Gang Travel in five states. Sheila is responsible for the development and management of specialized and group travel. She manages the company’s largest specialty cruise entitled “Cruise the Nite Away”

Sheila and her husband Alonzo have a vision for both Businesses where they can expose people to travel and cement memories because “you haven’t seen the world until they show it to you”. They will also continue to enrich the art community and nourish the creativity of young art minds so that one day their artwork will hang in an appreciable art gallery and be sort by collectors.

SOMA Women in Business — Simone Anthony Brown, Express Yourself Studios

Meet Simone Anthony Brown, an artist, instructor and owner of Express Yourself Studios, LLC, located at 1877 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood. Simone has been inspiring children and adults for 11 years offering art classes, workshops, summer camps, birthday parties and other art events. The idea for Express Yourself Studios was derived from the need to create a work-life balance. A mom of 4 children, she and her husband, Rodney decided they would build a business that will be family-oriented and allow for that balance.
Her former tenure in the advertising and publishing fields, holding positions in Media Planning at Young & Rubicam, DMB&B and Deutsch and Sales Development roles at The New York Times, Essence and People has given her the tools to run her art studio and gallery with great success. Simone’s mission for the studio is to be an outlet for children and adults to express themselves creatively via classes in the arts.
The breadth of programs offered at Express Yourself Studios is a reflection of Simone’s passion which is to foster creativity and community, and infuse young children and adults with some art history education so that participants can leave a class and conduct further exploration and research about a specific genre of art or an artist on their own.
Simone wants her doors to always be open to new people and ideas. “As the neighborhood is changing, new buildings are going up attracting new residents to Springfield Avenue, we are dedicated to being a creative outlet for everyone and will continue to evolve as the
neighborhood evolves.” To learn more about the studio and its offerings, visit http://www.expressyourselfstudiosllc.com.

SOMA Women in Business — Dancette Pratts, Inspirational Dance

Meet Dancette Pratts, dancer, teacher, choreographer and small business owner. Oh, and she even performed with Prince … definitely a rock star woman of SAM!

Dancette is a former Bette White dance student who is now a professional dancer, choreographer and owner of Inspirational Dance LLC “idance company”, located at 1634 Springfield Avenue.
With over 20 years dance experience, she has her own unique styles of tap, jazz, salsa, hip-hop, and praise dancing. She never limits herself to one style or one location. She has taught in local public schools for their after school enrichment programs, performed for cultural events and in local dance studios, all to share her love of the arts.
 
She has been featured in many magazines including Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine and Matters Magazine for her outstanding work. Dancette has accepted the position of and is currently serving as the Vice President of the National Association of Dance Affiliated Arts.
Dancette has performed in large venues such as MTV, Madison Square Garden, PNC Arts Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Beacon Theater, Prudential Center, Carnival Choreographers Ball, World Changers Church New York, as well as 3121 in Las Vegas with Prince. Dancette has led many dance competition teams, often winning first place. She has likewise traveled from New Jersey to China, showcasing her talents and skills.

SOMA Women in Business — Jacqueline Podhurst, Jackie and Son

From manually assembling the NY Times at 6am every morning while working at her family’s deli and grocery shop as a little girl, to managing one of her family’s restaurants while a full-time college student, to the life-changing moments in between like getting married and having her beautiful son – Jackie of Jackie & Son has now fulfilled her dream, to open her own restaurant.  When she had her son, Santino, she left her job in NYC and shifted her vision back toward the industry she’s known and loved since she was a little girl. Ready to open her heart, talent, and passion to the world through Jackie & Son, she got to work making the mouthwatering menu and designing every inch of the store with the goal of creating an unmatched customer experience.

Jackie’s family is Israeli-Arab, much of her family still living in Israel in the city of Nazareth and Rama Village. When she goes back home every year, she not only gets to experience the love and affection from her friends and family, she also gets to experience the delicious Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food that her family whips together every day. Jackie’s mother, grandmothers, and many aunts are gifted cooks and imparted upon her the importance of serving fresh, authentic, rich in flavor food that’s always beautifully displayed without exception.

Jackie’s lineage of extraordinary cuisine is on full display at Jackie & Son. Whether you are in a rush and need to grab take out, seeking a great vibe to work or hang out while chowing down, or looking for the ultimate dining experience, Jackie & Son will hit the spot every time. Jackie sees Jackie & Son not simply as a restaurant, but instead, as a beacon of  love, flavor, creativity and most importantly, a place you can count on and be inspired by each and every day.

SOMA Women in Business — Kathy Blair, Hair Chalet

Meet Kathy Blair, a 43+ year hair colorist, lead hairstylist and owner of Hair Chalet Multicultural Hair Salon (1632 Springfield Ave. Maplewood NJ, 07040). Kathy started her career in 1976 and quickly fell in love with the creativity needed to transform hair from one color to another. Thus began Kathy’s passion for all things hair and color. She feeds this passion with continued education to ensure that she remains informed, knowledgeable and current.
After working for Hair Chalet for 3 years, Kathy acquired the business from the original owner 15 years ago. Hair Chalet is a philanthropic salon; always reaching out into the community to donate to causes close to Kathy’s heart such as Autism Awareness, St. Jude‘s and The Special Olympics, just to name a few. Kathy sits on the board of Springfield Avenue Partnership and is a trustee and host at her church, Rivers of Living waters of NJ. Kathy is extremely active in her church’s out reach program to which Hair Chalet and their guests generously donate several times a year. Hair Chalet has hosted numerous events that include Women’s Appreciation day, Breast Cancer Awareness, Health, Nutrition and Medicare Seminars, and Storytelling with Arts and Craft events for children.
As a guest at Hair Chalet, you will immediately feel welcomed. Kathy has fostered an amazing atmosphere where Hair Chalet stylists love and support one another and guests meet for the first time becoming fast friends looking forward to their next visit. Whether you’re new to Hair chalet or have been a guest for 40 years, you’ll enter as guests but always leave as friends.
For further information, please visit Hairchalet.com and follow us on Facebook (Hair Chalet) and Instagram (@hairchalet).

SOMA Women in Business — Anna Winkler of Shakti Yoga & Living Arts

Meet Springfield Ave business owner, yoga master and all around fabulous person, Anna Winkler of Shakti Yoga & living arts.

Anna has been practicing and teaching yoga since 1989 and has been teaching in the Maplewood area since 2001 (the Yoga Room in Millburn). She is the founder and director of Shakti Yoga & living arts since June 2005. Shakti Yoga & living arts is a center dedicated to the art of living well. The vision at Shakti is to offer programs that honor the diversity in all, and encourage awareness of the underlying unity within. Shakti is joyfully committed to serving our community by offering classes, workshops and healing services in a variety of styles for Every Body.

Thank you Anna for your commitment to SAM and the SOMA community!

 

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