LeSauceCompany.com

Coming soon to your table: LeSauce Gourmet Finishing Sauces. From start-ups to the next All Star in your cooking repertoire, Forest Marketing is hungry to help launch and make people love your new brand. Visit http://lesaucecompany.com/

RealGoodHemp.com

Another start-up earning credibility — and sales — with thoughtful web content that educates and engages: https://realgoodhemp.com/whats-the-difference-between-hemp-oil-and-cbd/

"FOOD IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE"

It was a working vacation. Me, assigned to interview cookbook author Patricia Wells at her Provençal farmhouse. My wife, a personal chef, dedicated to expanding her menu repertoire. So, we ate our way across France. Steak frites on the Champs-Élysées. Salade Niçoise along the Riviera. In bistros and brasseries, cafés and Michelin-starred meccas, we said no to nothing, seeking new food experiences. Foie gras and escargot? Mais Oui!

Knowing the language helped. At least while ordering lunch. Yet it was at a Bouchon in Lyon— those warmly welcoming, Beaujolais-flowing, family-run taverns — where I was reminded how food truly is the universal language. Seated elbow to elbow at long communal tables, bouchon customers share prodigal plates of charcuterie, fresh frisée salads with chunks of salty lardons, heaping bowls of blanquette de veau, and bottomless glasses of Cotes-du-Rhone. Seated next to us were three other couples: Newlyweds Stefano and Gia from Italy, who spoke passing English. Recently-retired Mateo and Sara from Spain, who could speak a little French. Plus Jack and Nigel from the UK, who knew some Spanish.

We ate and drank together. We talked — or tried to — about where we came from and what we liked to eat there. If one of us couldn’t be understood, another would translate in their tongue, filling in the gaps. All while filling our bellies with saucisson, goat cheeses and surprisingly cheap Maconnais. The Italians talked of Tuscan food and “cucina povera” (poor cooking), using simple ingredients. The couple from Barcelona boasted of their Mercado de La Boqueria, one of Europe’s largest markets with foods of all nationalities. The Brits defended their cuisines, aptly noting London’s unmatched variety of diverse cultures. We were told Americans have the very best beef, even though I was savoring every bite of an entrecôte au poivre. (And every time I taste French Peppercorn Finishing Sauce from LeSauce, I’m right back there all over again.)

All around the world, we celebrate holidays with food, comfort ourselves and each other with food, and happily socialize — all with food. It transcends borders, nationality, ethnicity and age. Preparing and sharing meals enables us to come together as a global community, where even complete strangers can connect and feel close. Especially when the one language they all have in common is good food.

"SRIRACHA2GO.COM" blog

“MUTE THE TV WHILE SAYING GRACE”
& OTHER THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS.

Ah, the holidays. Family. Food. Football. Plus all those weird traditions passed down through generations. What would Thanksgiving be without Aunt Jane’s lime green Jell-O & Ham Casserole? And who doesn’t like camping out in mall parking lots at 4am to save 15% on fidget spinners? We all celebrate differently, yet alike. So here’s a quick tour around other tables this season:

Everything In Moderation, Except Bacon.
Heard of “primal” diets? They’re pushing aside side dishes like candied yams to make room for more meat, cream, butter (and did we mention more meat?) If your host went all Paleo on you, embrace your inner carnivore. Then enjoy that bacon-wrapped turducken like a real caveman.

Yes, Tex-Mex Turkey is a thing.
So is cornbread-chorizo stuffing, con queso over mashed potatoes and chipotle pumpkin pie. In a year when Despacito was #1 for 16 straight weeks on the record charts, we’re all Latino lovers lately. If you love spicey too, try this zesty cranberry salsa.

Cranberry Jelly Just Like Grandma Used To Open.
Straight-out-of-the-can cranberry sauce is a comfort-food throwback now making a jiggly comeback. Tacky as ever but nostalgically tasty, score extra points if the can lines are still visible on your gelatinous blob.

Are You A Wishbone Family?
Ever feel like a wishbone pulled opposite directions during holidays? Some families have MULTIPLE Thanksgiving dinners all in the same day: Grandma’s house. Your other Grandma’s house. Dessert with Daddy’s new wife and step kids. Makes you wish for simpler times. Or Pepto-Bismol.

Lions & Giants & Cowboys, Oh My!
While your appetite goes into OT tackling 2nd helpings, 6 NFL Teams will NOT be feasting with family. Away from home and home cooking, they’re taking one for the team to entertain us all day. So show some respect. Try not to fall asleep until halftime.

Black Friday: The Other Bloodsport.
It takes strategy. A game plan with clipped coupons, who’s hitting which aisle first, and modern technology like texts to call an audible on flash sales. Your saner move: shop online for everything from apparel to stocking stuffers at www.sriracha2go.

Frozen Turkey Bowling
Although probably not as popular with Pilgrims, this charitable tradition at University of Wisconsin gathers the community to roll frozen Butterballs down oiled tarps at bowling pins. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, helping smokers quit cold turkey.

Let Us All Give Thanks For Little Pleasures
So your drumstick needs a kick, the deviled eggs could be more devilish, and  late-night leftovers leave you drowsy? Sriracha2Go to the rescue! Portable, keychain-sized bottles let you Rooster it up anywhere, especially when you’re NOT home for the holidays. Bonus: if you’re traveling, say bye-bye to bland airline food. They’re TSA approved to carry aboard planes or Santa’s sleigh.

 

The Lunch Box

The Lunch Box was a Food Truck before Food Trucks were a thing. Launching way back in 1997, their fleet of mobile catering kitchens now delivers miles of smiles from New Orleans to Tennessee and Texas. Visit www.the-lunchbox.com

What’s not to love? Food Trucks deliver smiles.

Just try not to grin while stepping up to order your favorite treats. It’s like being a kid again when the beloved ice-cream truck rolled into town. Waiting your turn, struggling to choose among too many temptations, that first taste was indescribably satisfying. And it STILL is every time today’s Food Trucks pull in to fill you up. With happiness!

“How Do We Love Thee, Food Trucks? Let Us Count The Ways!”

MMMMMM. That pretty much summms it up. Food Trucks make delicious food. Handcrafted. Fresh. Prepared right in front of you while you’re drooling. There are no walk-in freezers or industrial-sized microwaved anything. It’s all small batch, made to order, and sure to have you happily repeating the letter “M.”

IT’S A MOVEABLE FEAST. Taco Trucks. Burger Buses. The Lunch Box on wheels. Did somebody say “bacon?” (There’s a whole fleet serving nothing but this mouthwatering meat!) In fact, whatever you’re into, it’s out there: Classic comfort foods. Exotic ingredients. Flavors from all over the globe. All brought to you curbside.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. Where else can you please every appetite without taking a bite out of your wallet? And if variety is the spice of life, Food Trucks give you plenty: New Orleans Po’ Boys with Cajun roast beef. Savory Crepes with BBQ Chicken, or Sweet Crepes with Dulce de Leche. Icy-cool Snoballs, with over 100 flavors and toppings. The only hard part is choosing.

ALL TOGETHER NOW. No, Food Trucks may not be the key to world peace. (Although no one ever looks unhappy eating deep-fried Oreos at a street fair. Just sayin’…) The sense of community that comes from sharing good times with friends and neighbors, from enjoying fresh air together with even fresher food … well, you can’t buy that kind of happiness. Or maybe you can. A double-dip vanilla waffle cone with homemade ice cream costs only $3 & change. Let’s go!

THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR FESTIVALS ANYMORE. 
You can book Food Trucks for yourself! (But they’re more fun if you’re having a party with lots of hungry guests.) Corporate events, employee appreciation picnics, private celebrations — Food Trucks go anywhere, making every occasion more festive. How do you reserve yours? Start by searching catering services near me. Or in the Houston area, check out the-lunchbox.com for your choice of crave-worthy menus served on three different styles of fun Food Trucks. They’re also in New Orleans, LA and Knoxville, TN. Their reputation must be getting around.

CHABE Sambal Chili

Brand new from Fusion Gourmet, Chabe blends fiery cayenne and bird’s eye peppers harvested from lush, mountainside farms in Indonesia. Now it’s spicing up adventurous palates all across America. Read more here:

https://www.chabechili.com/category/chabe-news/

The next sriracha?

Fine Dining

Both nominated for multiple James Beard Awards, Mistral & Elements restaurants cater to epicures and Ivy League college students with fun, informative social media posts.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

“Let the good times roll,” says Darlene Grimes, Owner Operator at East Windsor Bowl & Recreation Center. From families and friends getting together for a little bonding, to morale boosting corporate events, “it’s more fun for everyone here.  Kids.  Parents. Co-workers. Guys blowing off steam during lunch hour. Seniors who stop by to say hi.”

Far from the smoky, scuffed alleys of yesteryear, East Windsor Bowl & Recreation Center is a safe haven from the frantic pace outside. The newly updated gathering spot is also an escape from the daily grind — and, from high prices. This summer, the Center has been offering two free games a day for kids who sign up to receive complimentary bowling passes by email. Local businesses can also register to win a free party for up to 20 employees.  “There are very few places a whole family can go to enjoy themselves,” says Grimes. “Whether you’re four years old, or 74, you can have a blast. And people who work together have a better relationship when they play together too.”

Still, some never even try on their bowling shoes. At Brewster’s, the adjoining bar & grill, regulars call it “Mercer County’s best kept secret.” With $1 drafts and $3 homemade lunch specials, Brewster’s prices are about the same as fast food value meals.  But the comparison ends there.  It’s also one of the best sports bars in New Jersey. Nearly a dozen flat screen HD TVs guarantee you’ll never miss your favorite teams. Innovations like “Buzz Time” let customers predict the next play during live NFL games.

Half-time wing eating contests spice up the party.  And if you’re in the mood, go roll a few frames.  “Every good bar has a pool table or dartboards,” one sports fan explains.  “This place has 24 lanes of fun!”

How Do You Roll?  
“This is not your old-school Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble hangout,” says Darlene Grimes of East Windsor Bowl & Recreation Center. “There’s something for everyone:”

Lousy Bowlers Club: Can’t quite keep it between the gutters? Join the Club, and learn stress-free with other less-experienced players. There’s even a graduation party.

Work Hard, Play Hard:  Princeton University takes sabbaticals from the workplace here.  McGraw-Hill books office parties.  Ask about package deals for the company you keep.

Family Reunions:  From preschoolers to grandparents, your whole clan can enjoy the day. With nothing to clean up!  Customized menus accommodate any appetite.

The Fast Lane:  Call ahead to have your lunch waiting for you then use your spare time to roll some spares. Or strikes!   All in less than an hour.

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A LAUNDRY LIST OF SUCCESSES

So what does an out-of-work single mom with kids do in the middle of a recession?

If you’re Stephanie Anderson, a self-described “fixer,” you start your own business, of course. And not some “Oh-I’ve-always-wanted-to-work-for-myself” whimsy that may or may not make it. You do your homework: Researching demographics and the best location for your customer base. Seeking out mentors who already made it in your industry so you can learn from their successes. You’re that determined entrepreneur with a clipboard in Home Depot comparing every pricetag and equipment feature. 

The result? Hamilton Washery. Unlike any laundromat you’ve probably ever seen. Spotless. Comfortable. 56 fully-functioning USA-made washers and dryers. Three flat screen TVs. Free WiFi. A children’s play area.  Plus, the most unique amenity of all: Ms. Anderson.
 
“She’s truly one of a kind, always making your day brighter” says long-term client Gayle Leonardo. “Even though they do pick up and delivery, the biggest thing Stephanie picks up are your spirits.” Leonardo adds that her entire extended family uses Hamilton Washery, often taking advantage of its convenient Wash & Fold services to save time. “We could drop everything off, but still come in anyway to be part of the family atmosphere.”

Which was all part of the plan, according to Anderson. “You have to be your own customer, putting yourself in their shoes. It’s a privilege to be trusted with someone else’s clothing, a very personal choice, so we respect them for that decision every day.” Noting that Sundays during football season are particularly popular, with fans stopping by to cheer (and perhaps wash sportswear representing their favorite teams), Anderson tries to make the experience even more positive with free snacks, beverages “and high-fives all around.”    

Yet kicking off the company’s first year wasn’t easy. “Getting financing, getting everything up to code and getting people to change where they did their laundry was a big challenge,” Anderson admits. “I printed thousands of flyers, walking door to door asking people to try us.”  Word of mouth helped. That’s why she is exceptionally careful about hiring.  “Customers who care about us like WE care for them are the best brand ambassadors out there. So it’s important to have employees who welcome that responsibility – AND make everyone who walks in feel welcome too.” 

Four years later, Hamilton Washery continues to expand its services, recently partnering with an offsite dry cleaning company networked through America’s SBDC at the College of New Jersey. As a frequent participant at SBDC events, Anderson has taken advantage of many seminars, free business counseling, legal and bookkeeping consults. “They’re been my guardian angels,” she adds. “I’m a fixer by nature, you have to be as a business owner. And they help me keep my tools sharp.”  
 

On Your Mark, Get Set, Tell Your Story

–by Jon Harcharek, SBDC Expert Marketing Consultant

As a business owner, you already know the value of an elevator pitch. You can explain your proposition in the time it takes to ride ten floors. You’re great in a boardroom, convincing decision-makers why they should hire you. Your message is compelling. Motivating. And emotionally moving.

Which is exactly what Steve Besserman does best as founder of AriJoe Productions in Trenton. For a growing list of clients including tech companies, non-profits, and those who want to forever preserve their family history, his video documentary company gets to the heart of every story. While often tugging at the heart, memorably.

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a thousand pictures,” Besserman points out. “It’s an invaluable tool on websites, in social media, during presentations, and for conveying content people remember.” As AriJoe’s “Chief Storyteller,” he notes that today’s consumers aren’t looking for sales pitches and slogans when deciding to choose your services or donate to your cause. “They want to relate to you as a person and believe in you.”

An Award-Winning Beginning

People have believed in AriJoe from its very first project. Realizing a lifetime ambition of bringing his parents’ Holocaust Survivor love story to the screen, Besserman produced, wrote and directed Only A Number. Earning multiple film festival accolades, it has been broadcast on PBS stations nationwide and is now used as part of the curriculum in New Jersey schools. After 15 years at CBS Television where he was responsible for prime-time broadcasts of more than 400 feature films, plus creative marketing positions in corporate communications, Besserman was well prepared to launch Arijoe Productions in 2010.

Hit the fast forward button to 2016 and the company is still moving ahead, helping small- to mid-sized businesses affordably put their stories online. Working closely with business owners, Besserman offers free consultations without obligation. “If you’re creating content for the web, I work with you to tell your story, presenting it in a way that builds trust and makes people want to know more about you,” he adds. “The goal is to create good stories with staying power. Everyone may not recall the exact words, but we remember our feelings as we heard them and the thoughts they churned up inside us.”

This may take the form of testimonials from customers sharing their passion for your product. It could be your key staff explaining what makes the company tick and how you all solve problems. Or it could be immersive. For HomeFront, a Central New Jersey charitable organization dedicated to helping the homeless, AriJoe created a 12-minute video taking viewers behind the scenes, meeting those who’ve overcome struggles to house and feed their children. The effect: like you’re having a personal conversation with someone. Donors got to know the residents, volunteers, teachers and workers involved with the construction of a new facility. So when they were asked to give, they had a greater understanding of how their funds make a difference.

Content is King. Authenticity Is Everything.

“That’s the difference,” Besserman says. “You’re really there, especially emotionally.” In the online digital age, marketing gurus have long preached the gospel of good content. Blogs. Podcasts. Social media. Yet businesses often get fixated on their search engine rankings or keywords instead of evaluating the most important component to any marketing campaign: The message. Is it truly believable? “Hearing it in their own words, seeing emotions on someone’s face, sitting in their actual homes or offices can really hit home,” he adds. “You’re involved, and want to involve others by passing it along.”

True to AriJoe’s roots, his firm still captures the legacy of loved ones on camera to pass down through future generations. “How many of us wish we had our parents or grandparents here with us now?” he asks. “So we could share their personal stories we miss or never heard? Although we proudly work with businesses, it’s also rewarding to preserve a bit of family history for others. While we still can.”

Besserman acknowledges that his business was fine-tuned thanks to involvement with the SBDC. “When I first opened up, our plan was to be a marketing communications company with a broader scope of services. After taking advantage of their free consultations and other networking events, my own story is more focused.”

And so is his camera, on future success stories.

To learn more about AriJoe Productions, visit www.arijoe.com or write to info@arijoe.com

CAREER, SUSTAINED.

BUSINESS PROFILE: 

With supply outstripping demand in today’s legal field,
many area attorneys are choosing alternative career paths.

By 2018, New Jersey’s legal job market could get a lot more competitive. That’s when a record number of law students will graduate, flooding an already-full talent pool.  While experts caution about supply-and-demand imbalances, many Mercer County lawyers are using their expertise in
new professions, from finance and consulting to non-profit organizations.

“The essence of a good lawyer is critical, analytical and logical thinking,” says Pat Ryan, Chairman of the Board at Hopewell Valley Community Bank. The former criminal investigator now calls upon his legal background to “marshal the facts, assess the situation, avoid problem areas, and then recommend a plan of action.” 

The verdict?  His judgment must be sound. The locally owned, service-oriented bank continues to grow despite a turbulent economy, and recently opened another new branch in Princeton this spring. Shareholders have also been rewarded with consistent dividend earnings for over ten years.

A new journey for attorneys.
Over 60,000 aspiring attorneys sat for the LSAT last fall, more than any year on record, according to the Law School Admission Council.  An average of 45,000 people graduate from law school every year, although industry analysts suggest there will be less than 30,000 legal jobs available in 2018.  As a result, many lawyers are finding success outside the traditional justice system — pursuing careers in government, human resources, the media and academics.

Michelle Siekerka, Esq., says she “wanted to be a lawyer since age 10.” After graduating from Temple University School of Law, Siekerka held several legal counsel positions before opening her own private practice. Today, as President/CEO of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.
she represents “the best interests of the best businesses in our area.”

“I advocate every day in this position. It’s a great organization and my responsibilities include making connections, maintaining communication, and PLENTY of advocacy.  My previous experience taught me to always think like a lawyer … to see issues from all angles and points of view … which I do now on behalf of our business community.”

Is There Life After Law?
Anne Danielsen was an up-and-coming attorney licensed in New Jersey and Virginia, but eventually made the switch to teaching as a visiting professor at Princeton University.  “The practice of law is so much about business and billable hours, I felt this was a better way to make a difference,” she explains.

After managing his own law office in Lawrenceville, James Drown “gave up being a trial lawyer for a trial run at legal recruiting.”  He never looked back. Specializing in temporary and direct placement of attorneys, paralegals and support staff, his business is poised for growth as another class of law students enters the marketplace.

One newly minted graduate is Vandana Gael of Plainsboro, fresh from the Rutgers School of Law.  She hasn’t taken her bar exam yet, and may delay it indefinitely while pursuing a career in the not-for-profit sector. “I’m looking for something like Teach For America or Doctors Without Borders … except it would be for people with law degrees, like me, interested in public service.”

Giving Back, Looking Forward
Volunteerism is on the rise among area attorneys, says Christine Brennan, Executive Director of the Mercer County Bar Association (MCBA). The not-for-profit organization based in Hamilton is actively involved in the community and has helped facilitate a broad range of philanthropic programs like a new Volunteer Lawyers Project, free monthly clinics, and a special service for senior citizens called Wills For The Elderly.

“We also partner with the Mercer County Library System and office of County Executive to offer free legal services for seniors,” Brennan said. “Every month, 7-10 lawyers are available throughout our Mercer County neighborhoods to provide complimentary counseling, legal assistance and reassurance.  It’s very rewarding to see.”

Elder Law, in fact, is one of today’s fast-growing legal specialties as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Other growth markets, reflecting the signs of our times, include bankruptcy and foreclosure law, as well as in-house advisory roles at financial and insurance firms. One leading accounting firm — Amper, Politziner & Mattia — says that Tax Law experts are in great demand.  “I don’t know of a single accounting firm thatISN’T hiring tax lawyers now,” says partner Michael Mattia. “We need them more than ever.”

Summary Statement
It was Aristotle who said "when laws have been written down, they ought not to remain unaltered."  And so it goes with legal careers subject to changing conditions and business climates.  Like laws, the profession is sometimes amended, updated to be more inclusive, and improved for the greater good. The case for success in Mercer County is far from closed.  It’s wide open.

Legal Briefs
An at-a-glance overview of where the jobs are, outside the courtroom

Information Technology
In the i-age, IT law has evolved quickly, addressing everything from E-commerce and computer software to security and copyright law. Increases in identity theft, credit card fraud, and web-stalking have placed IT lawyers in high demand.

Non-profit Organizations
Many nonprofits need legal expertise for their public interest issues, as well as persuasive-writing skills to obtain grants. Jobs include Development Officers in university and hospital foundations, Association Management, Fundraising, and issue-oriented advocacy such as lobbying groups.

Academic Administration
Legislative Affairs Specialist. Affirmative Action / EEO Officer. Licensing Director. Academic Compliance Director. Trust Officer.  And those are just a few in-house positions at over 3,500 U.S. universities facing a full course load of confusing, intertwining state and federal regulations.

Sports & Entertainment Management
The #1 skill set for entertainment and sports agents? Contractual law. Whether negotiating contracts, managing business and financial affairs, even handling client communications and PR, lawyers are hitting the big time here.

Immigration Law

From the 9/11 attacks to the recent Arizona immigration bill, this specialty has undergone vast legal changes, with an increased need for experts in government and private practice to interpret and administer the new laws.

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

Space Expedition:
Journey with us now to a more organized new world

“It’s about saving space and time,” says Eric Nili of California Closets. From storage systems and home offices to media centers and more, his family-owned business in Cranbury has helped hundreds reduce clutter, reorganize, and rethink their lives through intelligent design.  “We create customized solutions one customer at a time, to make everyone more efficient. Our approach is a true collaboration between you and our designers. So you’ll get exactly what you’ve been dreaming of, and more than you imagined.”

Dwell in Possibility
Pioneering the industry in 1978, California Closets is the leader in combining craftsmanship, quality and aesthetic functionality. While others may imitate, few have innovated so well or so often. Named “Closet Design Firm of the Year” in 2016, the award-winning company continues to develop new breakthroughs for every area of the home — including garages, pantries, and today’s multi-component entertainment centers. Increasingly, customers are also exploring their “inner space,” requesting unique solutions for unused areas that can be transformed into home libraries, wine showcases, craft nooks, and even recording studios.

“You’re unique and so are our designs,” Nili explains. “So we help you visualize your ideas with our free consultation, including a 3-D rendering showing where everything fits in your home, right down to the number of shoes you have, the length of your suits, or how many cookbooks you collect.”  The company also encourages visits to their local showroom where customers can view all their choices from finishes and faces to hardware and accessories. There, you can see how easily each drawer and door glides, decide whether polished brass or oil-rubbed bronze will better complement your style, and handpick your favorite bins, baskets and boxes. 

“California Closets of Cranbury specializes in helping you discover the most important frontier of all: your personal space.”

Spring Cleaning Tips from California Closets

Prioritize Your Clothing
Organize by lifestyle: work, casual, formal. Put the ones you wear often in the most accessible place, others on the side.

Less is More: Hang clothes backward at start of each season. When you wear it, flip it.  Anything still on backwards at season’s end, donate to charity.

Keep a clear view: Use see-through or wire bins to quickly find what you’re looking for and reduce temptation to hide clutter.

Don’t Hang On To Hangers: Keep only as many hangers in your closet as you have garments to hang. And take out all wire hangers; the thin wire damages your nicer clothes.

Please Your Eye: An attractive system with coordinating containers and hardware is more pleasant to look at and use — the biggest key to an organized closet.