Vanessa Pollock Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct, Maplewood 917-723-4006 Vanessapollock@kw.com 30minutestonyc.com Vanessa’s dream since she was a child was to be a dancer. She studied at the University of Texas where she met her husband, Charlie, and after graduation they moved to Manhattan where he pursued acting and she dance. “We lived on what little we could scrape together from waiting tables,” she says of their early years. Vanessa was studying with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company but soon realized her dream job came with very little pay. She started modeling and became a “fit model” for Victoria’s Secret. When Charlie got his first big role in Broadway’s Urinetown with the national tour, Vanessa joined him, pregnant, and ultimately took their infant son on the road with them.             Back from tour and living in Jersey City, Vanessa began to work for a Realtor as an assistant and to learn the business but quickly realized she could do this on her own. They moved to South Orange and by 2007 she was a top producer. “After my 3rd baby, working 7 days a week was very difficult, so I made a total change.” She began to build a team, and a brand. “I wanted a business that was good for all, including the community, so I began my “Care Serve Give” campaign.” Now with a group of 9 the VP team is passionate about local projects such as the “Vanessa Pollock Music Initiative” which provides scholarships and instruments to promising local students. The team has raised more than $42,000 for local initiatives and charities.             The Pollocks now live in Maplewood where their girls attend Clinton and her son is at South Orange Middle. About to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary, the couple says that SOMA is the most special community on earth. The Vanessa Pollock Team pictured left to right: Carrie Schwartz (Sales Agent), Kate Dawson (Team Concierge), Steve Hogle (Listing Agent), Vanessa Pollock (CEO), Kathleen Nittolo (Closing Coordinator) Not pictured: Sheri Greenman (Sales Agent), Denise Payne (Sales Agent), Kimberly Curtis (Sales Agent), Bonnie Ramsey (Director of Digital Strategy). Victoria Carter Weichert Realtors, Short Hills 973-220-3050 victoria@victoriacarter.com victoriacarter.com With a Rutgers master’s degree in food service management Victoria first went to work as a registered dietitian. She rose quickly and became the executive director of food services for the New York City Department of Corrections. Her expertise took her to Saks Fifth Avenue where she was corporate vice president of operations. “I was responsible for the day-to-day operations side of the business, not the merchandising,” she explains. And this sense of business is what has carried over to running her highly successful real estate business. “My first son was born and I was traveling too much,” she explained as her reason for leaving the corporate world and getting her real estate license. Born in Brooklyn, Victoria found Maplewood 22 years ago when they first moved there with their sons, and now she calls South Orange home, which gives her the unique perspective of living in both SOMA towns. Her team totals 12, “all who are loyal and tremendous individuals.” Victoria still enjoys travel, only now with her family to fun get-aways, where she gets to “recharge.” She’s a self-professed lover of shopping, and notes The Ten Muse in Maplewood as one of her favorites. She and her husband dine at Verjus on Springfield Avenue often and are regulars at the Paper Mill Playthhouse. She loves to cook. “Tough, but soft,” she laughs, describing herself. This Brooklyn girl enjoys life, and her work, thoroughly. TheVictoriaCarterteampicturedlefttorightareLaurieNesser,AmyBeltempo,DebbieMillman,VictoriaCarter,KarenCummins,MonicaAlpert,KathyHandelman.Notpictured:ArdenCanecchia. Valarie Tart Williams Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct, Maplewood 973-641-3358 valarie@mymidtowndirect.com ourdreamhomenj.com This self-proclaimed “breakfast girl” found her call to real estate when another local agent spotted her, yet again, at a local open house. She told her she really should get her license. “I love architecture and design,” Val says with a smile, “and flea markets.” She enjoys poking in antique and vintage shops and her clients know she has an extremely visual and critical eye. This is a gal who can spot a good deal a mile away. A local agent since 2000, Val’s corporate background on Wall Street prepared her for the rigors of real estate negotiation and attention to detail. She traveled extensively with that career yet with her children and all their activities she wanted to stay more local. Growing up in the south could be why she’s such a lady. Val loves to sing and participates in her church choir. “My father loved to sing,” she says, so music has always been in her life. She admits she’s a sucker for Grid Iron Waffles and adores Kitchen a la Mode, both in South Orange, where she lives. She says she’s not a daily cook, but watch out on the holidays. “I have 30 for Thanksgiving,” she says. “I love cooking for a crowd.” However, breakfast remains her favorite meal.