A Long Island native, Nicole moved to Monmouth County two years ago with her family. She and her husband started their wildly popular cinnamon bun company during the onset of the pandemic, Mav’s Top Buns, after baking her late grandmother’s bun recipe at a family function. Knowing they were onto to something special, Nicole began sharing their buns on social media throughout the area, quickly becoming a Monmouth County sensation! After a year of rapid growth, Mav’s Top Buns is now distributed at local establishments including Sickles Market, Livoti’s, and Eastmont Orchards (to name a few!). They were also recently nominated for the Asbury Park Press’ 2021 Best of the Best in the Bakery, Brunch, and Dessert categories. Learn more about this amazing mama in our interview below, including some of her favorite things to do with their two children in the area, more about where you can grab some of their amazing cinnamon buns, and some of her incredible mom goals!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’m from Long Island originally, recently moved to Monmouth County 2 years ago, but my husband grew up here! He went to Middletown South.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Maverick, 2.5 years, Marley 6 months.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I’m a writer by nature. I used to write for Muscle & Fitness magazine, Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine, and Men’s Fitness website! I’ve gotten to interview famous bodybuilders, strength and conditioning coaches, and Jillian Michaels.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
Couldn’t have done this life without my wonderful partner, Mike. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, he is there to make us all laugh and lighten the load. Is the true definition of what a modern husband should be.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Anything in Nature! We love to go to the beach, apple picking at Eastmont (it’s a tradition in Mike’s family) and of course, we love to bake. The best part of our town is how close we are to both the beach and lots of farms.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Last year during the pandemic we started our cinnamon bun bakery, Mav’s Top Buns. How did this come about? For Maverick’s first Christmas we had baked my late Grandma’s homemade cinnamon buns, and with one bite we knew that we had to share them with the world, they’re that good!
After posting in a curbside Monmouth county pickup group on Facebook (asking if anyone would be interested in buying some cinnamon buns), we were met with an overwhelming response! Secured a tax ID, a commercial kitchen, and some heavy-duty equipment and we’ve been growing ever since.
We supply buns to many local businesses, coffee shops, Livotis grocery store locations and coming up this week (9/16) both Sickles locations! We also sell directly to customers who wish to place an order through our website (www.mavstopbuns.com) for pickup in Red Bank.
We’ve recently been nominated for the Asbury Park Press’ 2021 Best of the Best in the Bakery, Brunch, and Dessert categories! This all happened in 1 year (6 months in active business since I had my daughter in the middle of this!) and we are so grateful for all the support we’ve gotten in Monmouth County.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
On our social media pages, I try to keep it real. Motherhood is not all sunshine and roses and navigating a business and a pandemic can present some real challenges. But, it’s been a wild ride and I could not have a stronger family at the end of it all. I want my kids to see us chasing our dreams, and eventually be proud of what we have accomplished. The support we’ve gotten from the Monmouth Mama community has been wonderful and indescribable. Women really do support one another.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
So many amazing restaurants it’s hard to choose, but would probably have to say Bahrs! I’m a lobstah luver.
What is your favorite activity to do with your child(ren) in Monmouth County?
Apple picking at Eastmont Orchards for sure! We actually have an event coming up on Sunday 9/19 where we will be selling our special Eastmont buns (apple-butter and brown sugar filled cinnamon bun topped with vanilla bean icing and homemade apple crisp all using Eastmont apples!) This will take place at Eastmont Orchards itself, so look for our tent!
What are your Mom Goals?
I hope that I can be a role model to my kids to always follow their dreams, and never forget to have fun with it of course. It’s important to me to not compare myself and to always lift as many Mamas as I can when they need it.
Sponsored by: Mav’s Top Buns
