Somehow nearly three years have gone by, and I have yet to do my own Meet-a-Mom feature. Coming off of Mother’s Day weekend, I thought there was no better opportunity to finally get around to my own interview, re-introduce myself to my amazing readers and supporters, and express the endless gratitude I have for all of you! Learn more below about what prompted me to start The Monmouth Moms, my favorite things to do with my family in Monmouth County, a roundup of the restaurants I love to revisit, and plans I have for TMM this year!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I was born in Bronxville, NY, and moved to NJ when I was 4. We moved to Hazlet, NJ when I was seven, and grew up there. Since then, I’ve lived in Holmdel, and recently moved to Aberdeen last summer with my husband, Lou, and my kids!
Children and Ages?
I have a 17-year-old son, Shane, a 14-year-old stepdaughter, Brianna, and a 6-year-old daughter, Grace!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I worked in the wine industry for almost a decade, and before that in the hospitality industry. I’ve always had a passion for great food and wine, and the hospitality industry in general. One of my first jobs was actually at the Outback Steakhouse on Route 35 in Middletown! I worked there mostly throughout high school, and made some great friends. I always say everyone should work in a restaurant in their lives at least once. It’s a tough industry, and definitely builds character and work ethic! I still LOVE restaurants, and trying new ones throughout Monmouth County is one of my favorite things to do.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
Without a doubt, my mom. She’s been my rock through it all, always encouraging me and supporting me, always knowing the right thing to say. Life has thrown me some curve balls over the years, and she’s always been there for me when I needed her most.
And of course, wine.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
We love summertime in Monmouth County (who doesn’t?), and get beach passes to Sea Girt Beach every year. We love spending the day on the beach, heading to the Parker House for some lunch, and finishing the day out at Hoffman’s for ice cream. It’s the perfect day.
I’m also a huge fan of the Monmouth County Park System, and love going on bike rides, visiting playgrounds, going fossil hunting, or just for a short hike at one of the many parks in our area. I’m also an avid runner, and my daughter has loved coming along in the running stroller with me since she was a baby!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’m the founder of themonmouthmoms.com! I started my website nearly three years ago, after learning of the opportunity from the founder of The Local Moms Network, Layla Lisiewski. At the time, I was struggling to find fulfillment in my career, and knew the concept was a great opportunity the moment I found it. I also recently took on the role of Director of Sales for The Local Moms Network, which has been an absolute dream!
I’ve always loved living in Monmouth County. Where else can you be within minutes to the beach, a train ride to NYC, have access to terrific restaurants and bustling downtowns, an amazing park system with trails and playgrounds, and tons more?! However, I found that it was always difficult getting information about what to do with the kids, places to visit, and vetted resources you need as a parent. Instead of sifting through social media or asking friends, this platform offers a solution to parents who are busy juggling it all!
The Monmouth Moms is a resource website for busy parents in Monmouth County, providing instant access to local events, activities, resources, and more! I love our community, and am passionate about helping moms find the best Monmouth County schools, pediatricians, shops, and everything in between!
The last few years has been an incredible experience. I’ve met amazing local business owners, attended and hosted events, and found so many hidden gems in our community. One of my favorite parts of running the site is our Meet-a-Mom feature, highlighting Rockstar local moms. I’ve always found it fascinating how moms manage to get it all done, and this feature allows us to learn from each other! Over the last year I’ve also added a community job board, launched our e-commerce platform, and added new guides for growing families in Monmouth County. I’m planning on hosting our first Monmouth Moms’ Day in the fall (stay tuned!) and have lots more in store in 2021! I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am to all of my readers and supporters. The Monmouth Moms wouldn’t be what it is today without you!
The Monmouth Moms is part of a larger organization, The Local Moms Network. Recently featured in Forbes, we have over 110 websites providing hyper-local information in communities across the country, and we’re growing rapidly! It’s an exciting time for us, and we’re just getting started!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I think it’s safe to say this community has been the backbone of The Monmouth Moms, and the people who live here love it just as much as I do. I’ve been blessed to meet incredibly hard-working people with dreams and goals of all kinds, and I love that I can help bring exposure to what we are all working to achieve!
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
I can’t possibly answer this question with just one restaurant, but I’ve been loving:
Barnacle Bill’s in Rumson– my favorite burger
Yumi in Sea Bright/Red Bank– great sushi!
Bistro in Red Bank– a favorite for years, I’ve never had a bad meal here (and it’s BYO!)
Salt Creek Grille in Rumson– also has been a long-time fave, I actually had my high school graduation dinner here!
Federici’s in Freehold– LOVE their pizza
Barrel & Roost in Red Bank– amazing!
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro- I’ve been coming to Drew’s since they opened. The food is amazing and the owners are very nice people!
Semolina in Red Bank- best pork chop ever.
The Buttered Biscuit– great breakfast!
What is your favorite activity to do with your children in Monmouth County?
The fitness trail in Holmdel Park never gets old. It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon catching up with the kids, getting some fresh air, and spending quality time together. I think the beach is a tie, as there’s nothing like being at the Jersey Shore!
What are your Mom Goals?
To raise happy, healthy, kind, and hard-working individuals who go after their dreams!
Photgraphy by: Sea Salt + Honey Photography