Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’ve lived in Toms River my entire life (33 years)
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
2 kids: Juvia 4, Ezra 1
One thing people would be surprised to know about you.
It might not be that surprising to people that know me, but I love Halloween! My husband and I have a large Halloween display collection. If you go into our basement, you’ll be met with a ton of animatronics of all shapes and sizes. We love to be the creepy house on the street during trick or treating!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
First and foremost, I would like to thank my husband Justin. Owning and running a business is tough because we work odd hours and have unpredictable schedules, but somehow we find time for each other and our little ones. It truly does take a village though, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the loving help from both of our parents and Justin’s grandparents. They have been instrumental in caring for our children when we need it.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
I’ve always loved exploring and visiting places I’ve never been. Recently, we started visiting various National Parks and hiking. You can often find me on a hike with my little boy strapped on my back and our 4 year old girl marching right along with us. All 4 of us recently completed the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park in Maine which is quite difficult. We are on a mission to visit all 50 states and even have a scratch off map to mark them off! We still have a long way to go but are enjoying the journey to get it done.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world?
East Coast Escape Room is our family owned business. I create, design, and build all of the escape room games at our facility. It takes months and months of planning, but it is so exciting to see my creations come to life! Each year we change at least one of the current games into a brand new one. An escape room is FUN, real life adventure game using clues, keys, codes, and hands-on tasks! You and your team will assemble inside of a themed room and have 60 minutes to complete the objective. We have 3 unique games at our facility. We do not lock the doors and all games are private. It’s perfect for date nights, girls/guys night out, family fun, team building, birthdays, celebrations, & more!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Our community has been amazing in helping us get to where we are now. Our business has been open for almost 5 years. At the beginning, we joined the local Chamber of Commerce and that was such a good decision. We have met other incredible business owners and made lasting connections. We are also eternally grateful for the positive word of mouth that has been spread by our customers. Kind words mean the world to me and give me the motivation to continue to build and create new games.
What is your favorite restaurant in Ocean County?
It’s too difficult for me to pick just one! For a fancy dinner, we love Prime 13. For some drinks, we love Garden State Distillery. And for take out, we love Burger 25.
What is your favorite activity to do with your child(ren) in Ocean County?
We love visiting the park, boardwalk, and Six Flags!
What are your Mom Goals?
My main mom goal is to continue to learn and grow along with my kids. I believe in keeping a positive household environment. I want my kids to know that I am here for them no matter what.