October 29, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer
So, what the heck is a lifestyle management company, seriously what does that mean? Well, I asked the right person to explain it to me and the light bulb 💡went on. Ann Marie Miskewicz is the President of Crystal Concierge, LLC. She’s the lady who literally can make your life easier. She takes away that stress that we all find ourselves dealing with in our day to day routines.
Let's back up a bit to find out that Ann Marie was in corporate America specializing in third party logistics and also had an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry. She was the middle woman, the one who set up the dates between two potential matches and let the universe take over. Not really, she was the universe that put the right people and companies together to get whatever the task at hand done. And then, she managed and oversaw everything to make sure that it was going according to plan. Kind of a superwoman if you will.
Let's think of Ann Marie as the “fixer”; you have a problem, she fixes it. Literally taking the load off your shoulders. "Oh, so she’s a party planner". Well it doesn’t start or stop at parties.
Looking at her website and the back of her business card you might think, "All that, can one person do all this?" The beautiful thing is that one person can arrange the right people, staff, contractors and coordinate what needs to be handled. She pulls all her resources together and viola!Arrange deliveries and installations
Business Services
Cleaning and Move-outs
Contractors
Companion Travel, Electronics assistance, Event planning and Staffing, Home Care, Maintenance and Organization, Property Management, Shopping, Vacation Security Checks, Wait Staff, Chefs and Bartenders.
“Lifestyle management, having the right people in the right place at the right time can be the solution to most of your problems.” She has been referred to by her clients as a "the phantom" or "the magician".
"I'm the paid family member, there's no tally of I owe you's or you owe me, no favors to call in". You (the customer) go through your day uninterpreted, She handles it all. The biggest compliment she feels is the level of trust her clients put in her. The majority of her business is referrals and having a new potential customer call and say "Jessie, said I absolutely have to get in touch with you, you are the best, your spot on reliable, and never disappoint." Well that's just an advertisement that is worth more than gold to me.
Her clients turn to Ann Marie to manage their properties, plan events and provide professional contractors for a variety of jobs, big or small. Corporations to individuals, she has the experience, the staff and the network to get it done.
So when you are in a tailspin over the upcoming holidays and thinking, about the new carpets coming, decorating, finding a caterer and getting your mom to the doctors and wondering "how on earth will I ever get all this done" Pick up your phone and dial 973-919-7430, Ann Marie is the first call to making miracles happen.
Ann Marie Miskewicz
Lifestyle Management Company
5 Spyglass Hill Unit 6
Vernon, NJ 07462
973-919-7430
September 13, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Finding passion in what you do, makes your world a whole lot happier.
Meet Lourdes! She’s my new idol.When it comes to wine, this lady knows her stuff. Lourdes is experienced and knowledgeable and loves her wine. Her palette is pretty refined and she can talk you in, around and through the best bottles, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are expensive.
I asked her how she started her business. She responded with a giggle and then replied “ by accident, actually”
She got her start studying French language and literature at the University of Maryland, then she set off to France to study, that’s when she knew. Coming back when the recession was in full swing, she happened to come upon employment at Madame Claude’s Bistro in Jersey City. They offered some favorite wines, she began to get more excited and influenced by owners Alice Troietto and Mattias Gustafsson. (She refers to them as her mother and father of wine). Madame Claude Wines opened in 2010 as one of the first “wine boutiques” and they loved to share wines and educate their customers.
She worked, and managed the specialty wine shop while she started her training at the International Wine Center in NYC. She spent the next 4-5 years educating her way through the beginner, advanced level and she’s now a Level 3 Certified Wine & Spirits specialist through WSET.
August 28, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Recently I got the opportunity to speak with Ron Bevacqua, Owner of Pillar Construction.
I was lucky enough to catch him while he was in route from one job site to another. My first attempt at contacting him, he couldn’t pick up because he was on the roof mid day 90* temps in the middle of August. He apologized and all I could think was, wow that’s dedication. I was probably sitting behind my computer in the A/C. He was open to giving me a little background of his business. In the early 80's he worked for his father's family drywall business. In 1993, he and his brother went onto form Pillar Construction. Their reputation of being the best drywall company earned them an amazing reputation and they became Pillar Drywall, Inc. At the time the new construction was booming, he contracted with new home developers, builders, and commercial properties. This was a critical step, and when he was finished, the next phase of the construction was continued by the painting contractor and so forth until the project was finished.
In 2008 things went south as the economy was suffering, new construction pretty much came to a complete halt. Many other contractors found themselves...
August 1, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Hamburg, NJ; a quaint little town the Wallkill River runs through. Mostly known currently for the Golf Courses and Crystal Springs resort, the Gingerbread Castle brings memories forward in remembering days gone by. Wilcox Press, originally owned by the Wilcox Family nearly a century ago, still stands proud and still functions as a printing company on Main Street. Jodi Palmasano is now the present owner, and only the fourth since it's conception. Her parents purchased it when she was a teen and have since passed it down to her. Growing up she was always amazed at how the whole process was done. It was like some sort of magic, the creativity made it the natural fit for her to continue on after her parents.
June 29, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Travel Adviser Cynthia Allen is a well traveled, worldly lady who happens to get enormous enjoyment out of helping others plan their dream vacation. You might think that with so much technology at your fingertips, seeking help isn't necessary. You can do this. Right? You start your mission of searching endless websites toggling from tab to tab, trying to find the best deal and flight and so on. You could run to the local library and get some travel books to peruse, or even go to AAA and grab some maps. That doesn't seem all that hard right? WRONG! You have taken on an enormous task and admit it my friend, you NEED some help. That is why I urge you to call Cindy. You will thank me again and again once you meet her. She"ll start off with learning about you and your dream vacation and what's important to you. She'll find out if you want to be part of a group of people with similar interest to try and get you a more aggressive discount. If you are traveling as a group she organizes events and excursions, even celebrations. She recommends out of the way places, if you prefer to keep to yourselves. Cindy has been to over 30 Countries, 40+ States - This lady has been around the globe, LITERALLY - So it seemed like a no brainer to her and Sylvia - owner of Travels by Sylvia Cruise Planners to join together and create the perfect team.
Cindy is as excited about your fairy tale type vacation as she would be about her own. She digs in and does all the research about the destination she suggests out of the way places that are off the beaten path. It's the little suggestions and references she offers that will make it unique. The chances are she's been there so she speaks from experience. "Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!" She believes that to be true, and loves the fact that she can share her experience and knowledge with her clients. She arranges it all, booking planes, trains, cruise ships, automobiles, scooters, and wheelchairs. She thinks of everything, I mean every little thing. This doesn’t mean an hour spent looking up flights on Expedia, we are talking days of researching the dates, is the weather suitable that particular time of year, documentations, time changes, exchange rates, vaccinations, local culture, dietary restrictions and allergies. She is even certified in Autistic and Special Needs Travel, which means she knows about and understands the challenges you might face and can instruct you how to change that challenge into a well deserved and enjoyable respite. When you come back, it might feel as though Cindy went with you as your invisible companion, but her special touch is evident in everything. The angel on your shoulder that guided and directed you through, if something unexpected comes up, she's there for you.
Her Military background in the US Army Medical Service Corps makes Cindy a logistical expert. She can juggle a lot of balls at once and not drop any.
May 29, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Originally it was Stephanie who started with her creative floral business and before they knew it, Jesse joined in to manage while Stephanie designed. They took a plunge and started as a Wedding & Specialty Event Floral Designer and Retail Florist in Lafayette, NJ. They decided to hone in on the wedding design and nurture the workshop portion of their business. They closed the retail portion of the business so that they can focus on what they truly think is their sweet spot.
April 27, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
It all started 22 years ago, she was helping a friend with a gift idea. She turned to another friend who had been making and selling gift baskets for some time. Her friend was nice enough and walked her through the steps and voilà , she was a natural. Before she knew it, she was putting together unique gift baskets for friends and family. As word spread, she was building a following and a business. Now, thanks to the internet, her orders can be placed day or night through her website. Her social following is great and she’s even sent out a gift arrangement to the UK. Her website gets the traffic
April 1, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
ADT Custom Home Services
For Dan DeMartin life as usual includes the juggling act we all know so well. Life, family, career. He starts each day one pant leg at a time. He's real, regular, honest and compassionate. His business is the security of your home . The stuff that keeps you up at night, or allows you to sleep like a baby. What keeps you up? Is your family safe from break ins, burglary, heaven forbid a fire? You can drive yourself mad with all the what if's. If you don't consider them, you actually do have reasons to worry. How Dan explains what he does is. " I protect bad things from happening to good people"
You certainly can't know when your home is at risk for a burglary or a fire, can you? After all it's not like a car, when you hit a certain mileage you're due for an oil change. Can it be that easy? Most people hear the words security system and think it's not for them because "that's too expensive." The truth of the matter is that the investment is minimal especially when you consider the cost of replacing your valuables, or even your home.
January 21, 2019 | by Bill DeBoer Jr.
Roaming Acres
If you are a native to Sussex county, you are not a stranger to back roads and wildlife sightings. What might throw you for a double take is when driving down Big Spring Road in Lafayette. You see a herd of Ostrich in a not so distance field, but then, wait for it, are there really Bison out there too? This is New Jersey, not Omaha! Yes, we are in the garden state with the cows, the farms with silos are landmarks around her. But Ostrich and Bison and Berkshire pork, Oh my.
