This week’s Meet-a-Mom is Monmouth County native Shannon Leiro, owner of Monmouth Made Gift Baskets! Shannon lives in Little Silver, NJ with her husband and two adorable boys. Learn more about this beautiful mompreneur in our interview below, including some favorite local activities she does with her kids, how she started her business during COVID, and how the Monmouth County community has been instrumental in her success!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
Originally from Hazlet, left to go to college at Fairfield University and lived in NYC for a decade before moving back to Monmouth County to raise our boys in Little Silver.
Children & Ages?
Matthew – will be 3 in July and Nathan will be 2 in August.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I’ve run two half marathons and am a certified spin instructor.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband Daniel and all 5 of our grandparents to our boys. It truly takes a village.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
They absolutely love The Monmouth Museum, Jungle Jim and Jane and The Keyport Library to visit my mom, the children’s librarian there. We’ve also done Goldfish Swim classes in the past and Matthew has just started ice skating at the Armory in Red Bank.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Monmouth Made Gift Baskets, a premium, locally sourced gift basket provider, was created at the end of 2020 when supporting small, local businesses was more important than ever. We have you covered for any occasion, passion point, family or friend – we love a gifting challenge. The response has been overwhelmingly welcoming and we look forward to helping clients and small business owners for years to come. We currently deliver locally to Monmouth County and ship nationwide (14 states and counting!) After returning back to the corporate world of Ad Tech, I was fortunate enough to hire my assistant, Cheryl who helps with everything from curation to packaging to delivery. One of us will always be available to help with your gifting needs!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Hometown loyalty and community support are vital for the success and sustainability of small town commerce and ultimately, small town families. Working with local vendors and artisans that I would purchase from for my own family and friends transcends in the quality and custom curation of each basket. These gifts would be nothing without the backbone of Monmouth County small businesses and I’m so grateful I get to work with them daily.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
Yumi has THE best sushi. It’s NYC quality, for NJ suburbs pricing. Other favorites include The Block, One Willow, Semolina, Beach Tavern and The Blonde Shallot (for healthy grab-and-go)
What is your favorite activity to do with your children in Monmouth County?
The Monmouth Museum, Jungle Gym and Jane, Little Rockers, Oak Hill Farms and The Keyport Library
What are your Mom Goals?
To always ensure I’m doing my part to raise gentlemen.
