Open Door Therapy is a relationship-focused counseling private practice. New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor, Terri DiMatteo, has developed a unique approach to helping couples restore and strengthen their relationship. Her methods not only garner good results for the couples in her care, but they also offer enduring results…
Read moreKI Back At It
Hometown and/or Current City: Elizabeth, NJ
Keywords: New artists, 2018 hip hop, record labels, underground rap, indie music, Elizabeth, Newark
My name is Alterik Finney, stage name "KI Back At It." I'm currently owner and CEO of "Jersey We Lit Records." I've been creating concepts and writing music for over the past 10 years now, some for small indie labels and others for independent artists. I've recently decided to start this label and do things the correct way this time around and will be looking to help artists -- mainly "NJ Artists" -- to help market and create commercial music, even performing management work.
I've been working the back scenes learning the paperwork/business, video editing plus filming, online marketing, vocal recording, mixing, mastering and more, and plan on being in full effect by the end of 2018. As Jersey artists, we're known for sounding like others or sounding like street rappers, and it has never gotten us anywhere. My plans, with help from business-minded people, is to be the "Def Jam of New Jersey," opening doors for NJ artists who want to sound different and, like ATL GA, connecting mainstream artists to small indie artists on collaborations.
Upcoming Shows or Promotions:
For my own music, I have an album available for streaming on 8-23-18 on all platforms, titled Destroy & Rebuild NJ. I basically want to create a body of work that's original, but commercial, and that has radio-sounding tunes!
Connect with KI Back At It:
Stronger Tomorrow Wellness
Hometown and/or Current City: South Orange, NJ
Keywords: wellness, women's health, mental health, multicultural wellness, yoga, Dr. Christine Thorpe, CC Minton, Gregory Burrus
Stronger Tomorrow is a comprehensive workplace wellness company which serves to influence and reshape wellness in health and human services organizations through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion to create optimized workplaces. We focus on organizational development, while supporting executive management and employees in the process.
WHY STRONGER TOMORROW?
When people are happy at work and with themselves, they perform better, leading to a better customer experience and increase the bottom line.
Our Executive Concierge Services provide the support and tailored tools to help build team success.
Our data-driven determinations lead to tailored programs and services that deliver measurable outcomes and demonstrated improvements in employee wellbeing and organization infrastructure.
Meet the team
Dr. Christine W. Thorpe — CEO
Susamma Seeley, MPA, CEM — Disaster Humanitarian Affairs
Dr. Jennifer Fennema-Bloom — Applied Linguistics Expert
Our Services
Stronger Tomorrow provides a comprehensive workplace wellness+DEI experience that helps health and human services organizations show that they value their talent and well-being, which results in workplace culture that enhances business. When people are happy at work and with themselves, they perform better, leading to a better customer experience and increase in the bottom line. We do this through a thorough assessment of the workplace environment to determine areas for improvement, enhancement and development both on an individual and collective level beginning with executive leadership. These data-driven determinations lead to tailored programs and services that deliver measurable outcomes and demonstrated improvements in employee wellbeing.
Connect with Stronger Tomorrow Wellness:
RPM Wireless
Hometown and/or Current City: Belleville, NJ
Keywords: Cell phone repair, tablet repair, pc repair, repair shop, LCD repair, screen repair, battery replacement, wholesale parts
In business for close to 25 years, RPM Wireless is a full-service cell phone, tablet and computer repair shop in addition to being a wholesale parts distributor.
Current Promotions:
Follow our Instagram or Twitter for 20% off screen repairs and 15% off battery replacements.
Connect with RPM Wireless:
Audrey McGowan
Hometown and/or Current City: Caldwell, NJ
Keywords: Volunteer, awareness, LGBTQ+, suicide prevention, cure, equality, animal cruelty prevention, humanitarian, pageant, mental health
"Most people in the area will remember the huge fire that took out 3 houses in Caldwell. Well, the first house was mine. Six months after losing everything, I went on to win my first national title of Miss American Nation, and now I use that title to spread awareness and volunteer with causes that are close to my heart." - A.M.
Audrey McGowan grew up in Essex County, New Jersey. She graduated from Caldwell University in 2012 with a B.A. in Art (concentrating in Photography) and currently works in the administrative office of the Caldwell University School of Education. In November 2016, Audrey lost her home to a devastating fire that erupted on Orchard Square in Caldwell. In 2017, she was crowned Miss American Nation 2018, with a platform focusing on combating injustice.
"When I am not at my day job or photographing an event, you can probably find me at a parade in NYC or at a local fundraising walk," says Audrey. "I also do a bit of background acting on the side [...] you can spot me in a few scenes of Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on November 29th!"
A Fascination with the Pageant Industry
"My fascination with the pageant industry started when I was very young. I would watch every televised pageant with my mother, on the couch, wearing our pajamas and tiaras, and casting our votes for who we thought would win. I understood that I didn't look like the women I saw on the stage, but I still always wanted to be a part of the experience.
After a while, life got in the way and this dream took a back seat to school, social struggles, and family tragedy. My father battled cancer for three years and ultimately lost that battle during the summer before my senior year of high school. In the years that followed, I was hesitant to do anything exciting because I knew he would be missing it, and I essentially stopped 'living,' too.
Then, in my last year of college, I received a flyer in the mail advertising the chance to compete for the title of Miss New Jersey, and suddenly I was back in the game. Five years later, as Miss American Nation, I had the opportunity to attend the Miss America pageant live from Atlantic City, so my mother and I changed out of our pajamas and hit the road for this once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Giving Back
"In addition to my on-going project to visit and thank each of the neighboring fire departments that came to our aid during the house fire last year, and the 20+ appearances I have already made as Miss American Nation, I have a number of exciting events coming up. In December, I will be helping with holiday gift drives, a book drive for a local elementary school, and I will be a wreath-layer in the memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. I can't believe half a year has gone by so fast, and in only six months I will be crowning the next Miss American Nation. This is truly a life-changing opportunity, and I can't wait to pass it on to the next lucky lady!"
Words of Advice
"I find it difficult to give advice about something so fragile as confidence and self-image, especially in a competitive industry like pageants, or just in general with the current state of the world [...] but you really have to just be patient with yourself and with the universe. While it is okay to let life get you down, you have to force yourself to get back up again.
For years, I have struggled with depression and anxiety, so I know how difficult it can be to think positive and pick yourself up. But now, whenever I am hit with another setback or a bad day, I like to think back on other times when I felt the same way or worse, but still made it through. Remember that this too shall pass. It is harder with those of us who struggle with anxiety and depression to overcome issues with self-esteem, and words of encouragement from others tend to roll right off our backs, but each person is different, and no one knows you like you do.
You have to start by being your own best friend and your biggest fan, and if that isn't enough, then you can always turn to me! These may just be the ramblings of an only child, but you're never alone when you are there for yourself. Find what is good for you fill your life with it. Maybe you can focus on nurturing a hidden talent, or exploring your artistic abilities. Maybe you need to write more, or read more, or dance in the rain more. Heck, you may even consider entering a pageant! Not to stress over winning and crash hard if you lose, but as an exercise in self-appreciation. Do it for You. I did, and it changed my life."
Upcoming Appearances
Audrey will be volunteering at the Wreath Laying Ceremony on December 16th at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as participating in ongoing toy and book drives for the holidays.
Recent: 11/21/17 volunteering with the Ally Coalition at the Bleachers concert in Brooklyn; NYC Veterans Day parade, NOH8 campaign events, Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk, etc.
Connect with Audrey McGowan:
Arts Unbound
Business Address: 544 Freeman Street, Orange, NJ 07050
Keywords: nonprofit, art, disabilities, local
Arts Unbound is dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and to the continuing artistic enrichment of seniors. We provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market. By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, we center their art-making rather than any impairments and by doing so challenge the stigma associated with disability and aging. Visit our gallery in the Valley Arts District in Orange, NJ or our showcase store in Maplewood to see beautiful original fine art, jewelry, and decor.
Connect with Arts Unbound:
Claudia Sanders, Your Clutter Cure
Hometown and/or Current City: West Orange, NJ
Keywords: home organizing, office organizing, decluttering, declutter, organizing, professional organizer, closet organizing, paper organizing
I'm a professional organizer and owner of Your Clutter Cure. I help people get organized in their homes and home offices and also offer a practical system for organizing all vital and personal documents called DUCKS IN A ROW. What I enjoy most about my work is seeing how pleased and relieved people are when we get things in order. They go from feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to begin, to feeling like a weight has been lifted.
