22 / matters magazine / fall 2017 Mary Mann & Carolyn Maynard-Parisi Village Green villagegreennj@gmail.com villagegreennj.com Why we do what we do Each of us has lived in this incredible community for decades. We believe it is critical to have thoughtful reporting of the important issues, amazing events and inspiring people of Maplewood and South Orange. It's a privilege – and often a ton of fun – to cover our hometowns. Our favorite moments in our business When someone says we are a mouthpiece for an elected official, meanwhile that elected official is on the phone yelling at us. In the end, we don't mind the slings and arrows that come with covering hot-button topics and breaking news because we get so much positive feedback affirming our fairness and professionalism – even from those who give us a hard time. Tools of the trade Our laptops and our phones. We are worse than our kids! Cat Fisher Sadie's 65 Valley Street, South Orange 973-821-5441 ShopSadies.com Why I started my business After studying fashion and working for years in retail, I decided to follow my dream of owning my own boutique. I didn’t want to just open a store, I wanted to improve the area I live in and the world as a whole by offering women’s, men’s and home goods that are not just trendy but make a difference in the world. My vision I look forward to improving South Orange, New Jersey and beyond by teaming up with brands that have ethical and philanthropic goals, giving 1% of every sale to the local charity of the month, having local merchants and artists sell items here, and focusing on events that bring awareness to different causes. Favorite part of working locally I have been active in the neighborhood association and have heard many people express an interest in having more options for shopping locally so I am excited to become an even larger part of the community. Reesa Salomon, SOMASLP Speech Language Pathologist 18 Berkshire Road, Maplewood 973-996-8089 somaslp.com Why I do what I do Communication is such a powerful tool and it's the way that people connect with one another. I love being able to help my students – babies through teens – make lifelong connections in a variety of ways. My favorite moments in my business I find it rewarding to see children making connections, watching them being able to connect with their families, and the look on a mother's face when she tells me that her child started saying "mama." How I network with other women When I first moved to Maplewood as a young mother and business owner, I connected with moms through Mothers and More. As my business has grown, I’ve become a resource to local moms. I partner with parents and child-care providers to find the best ways to support their children while collaborating with women business owners in related fields on ways to best serve the population I work with.