Meet Michelle Rene, Fashion Designer

Michelle Rene is a designer and label based out of a small Pennsylvania town but with a huge fashion forward presence in the industry! She was invited to present in September 2015 for New York Fashion Week and was welcomed by media with open arms. In February of 2016, she brought New York Fashion Week to Garden City.

1. How did you get the idea of bringing Fashion Week to Garden City?

I wanted to branch out, as advised by my amazing PR rep Bridget O'Brien, into different parts of New York during Fashion Week. The hotels venue and location were perfect for a new customer base and exposure for my line.

2. Would you tell us a bit more about the event and how it went?

The event was called A Prelude to the Oscars, so I wanted to do an ode to Old Hollywood with vintage inspired designs by the starletts we so love. I design gowns on a regular basis, but this evening allowed me to play a bit more with different styles and fit.

3. What was your experience like earlier this year at Fashion Week in New York?

My last show was in the city at a location called Stitch. My designs were all in pink fabric to bring awareness to the battle of Breast Cancer, called "In the Pink with Michelle Rene." #pinkisthenewblack

4. What are some of your inspirations when it comes to creating wedding dresses?

I love the challenge of taking a flat piece of fabric and combined with my client's dreams and my ability we breathe it into life. I also look to the world around me to inspire the mood or look of a design and or idea. Many times I start out with a fixed idea of what I am going to do, and then the fabric starts to talk to me and we go a totally different direction. It's always an adventure when I pull out my scissors and start to cut. Most times I myself do not know where it will end.

5. Would you tell us a little more about the custom work you do, not only for weddings but also with casual wear and other designs?

I tell people that I don't make sizes; I design clothes that you want to wear, that flatter your style, your body and image. Something that concerns me is when clothes wear a person and not the other way around. If someone is saying to you that you look great in that dress and not you look amazing today, well then I think there maybe something wrong with what you are wearing. You need to shine through, your style, your fit, you! That is what drives me, finding that moment when we discover the design that allows YOU to look and feel the best you can be.

Thanks, Michelle!

Meet Deanna Martinez-Bey, Author

The author of the new novel When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!, Deanna Martinez-Bey has been writing since she was seven years old. At that time, she wrote poetry and short stories. She now enjoys writing novels, self-help, and cookbooks. Deanna is from New Jersey, but now resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a writer for Examiner.com and has been featured in Taste of Home magazine, Taste of Home "Best Of" cookbooks, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, local publications, and Women's Day online. Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star was Deanna's first novel. In addition to writing, Deanna enjoys cooking, photography, running, and fitness.

Check out When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee! on Amazon, and learn more about Deanna by visiting her website, writing blog, and food blog.

1. How did you come up with the idea for When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!?

I normally take a snippet from my own life and create a novel based in that snippet. I always create a general outline of the book first, and then I add the fictional details as I write.

2. In creating the town of Triple Creek, did you draw on any real town or towns where you've lived or visited?

I took a local residential subdivision that I liked the name of to come up with the town name in North Carolina. The area that Janine and Tom move to in New York state, I used to visit every summer growing up in New Jersey!

3. How would you describe your protagonist, Janine?

Janine began this journey living her life according to the expectations of her family and friends. As she grew and got to know herself, she changed and began to live a life that was pleasing to her and brought her happiness. 

4. What keeps you motivated to sit down at your desk and write?

Thank you for asking this question! Writing brings me joy and peace. I set writing goals for myself. When I achieve them, I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment. As I write to reach a goal, I remember the feelings of success I have felt in the past when reaching a goal, and that helps to keep me going. My family is also an unbelievable source of strength for me. When I need motivation, I think about them and the example I am setting for my children, and that keeps my plugging along as well.

5. Have you ever thought of writing a cookbook--or what are some "dream" projects you'd like to do? 

Funny you should ask... I am currently working on a comfort foods cookbook! My goal is to have it completed in 2016! Not a dream project, but something I think about often and strongly desire is to be on the New York Times best sellers list and to have my books made into Hallmark movies!

Thanks, Deanna!

Meet Santo Artusa, Attorney

Santo Artusa, Esq of the Artusa Law Firm is an attorney who focuses on family law and divorce cases in New Jersey, primarily in Hudson and Essex County, NJ.

He started the firm right after law school as he worked in sales, marketing, and trading before becoming a lawyer. He also interned for a federal judge.

Learn more about Santo and his law practice by visiting his website, http://topjerseycitydivorcelawyers.com.

1. What made you decide to shift your career path and become a lawyer?

I left Wall Street and the sales industry after I had a family law situation and realized how important it was to have a lawyer in court. From there, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer, so I went to Rutgers Law School at night after working in Manhattan every day and with two young children at home.

2. How did you decide on family law and divorce as your specialty?

I chose family law and divorce because it is one of the specialties in the law that can have a direct impact immediately on someone's life.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy when a client is happy and justice is done. It is harder than you think to prove to the judge who is honest and who is trying to deceive the court.

4. Do you run into any common misconceptions that people have when it comes to divorce proceedings?

The two most common misconceptions I come across as a divorce and family law in New Jersey is that people think judges want to hear about affairs or misdeeds their spouse has committed only to find out from me that the law does not take these acts into account when dividing assets or awarding alimony. The other is that people only see us working in court, but the majority of our work is preparation and paperwork.

5. Why did you decide to base your practice in the Hudson and Essex County area of New Jersey?

I decided to work primarily in Hudson and Essex County because I have lived here for over ten years. I understand the people here, and I can relate to them.

Thanks, Santo!

Meet Rich Marcello, Author

Rich Marcello is a contemporary fiction author, poet, and songwriter. He worked for many years as a technology executive, managing several multi-billion dollar businesses for Fortune 500 companies. During his time in technology, he never stopped creating art, and eventually his love for song and the written word grew to the point where he walked away from his first career to pursue poetry, song, and fiction with the same enthusiasm and discipline he demonstrated in business. Rich has published two novels, The Big Wide Calm and The Color of Home. Born in New Jersey, he lives in New England.

1. Reading about your novels, I like that your lead characters are artists. How do you choose your characters' professions and other key details about their lives?

Because I've been around the arts all of my life, either through songwriting, poetry, or over the last four years, writing novels, I tend to include at least one character in each novel who is an artist. In the first and second novels, I chose musicians. In the third, one of the main characters is a poet. It's a way for me to write, at least in part, from something I know and love well. The artists in my novels tend to be surrounded by folks who are not traditionally artistic which provides lots of contrast.

2. What inspired you to leave your job in technology and pursue your writing career?

Back in college, my English professor told me he would teach me to write novels if I switched majors from engineering and business to English. I was broke, so I stayed with engineering and business, but the desire to write remained with me all of my technology years. A number of years ago, I got the idea to write three novels about different kinds of love, and decided to leave everything technology-wise behind and go for it. It was the best decision of my life. The Color of Home, about romantic love, came out in 2013. The Big Wide Calm, at its core about platonic love, was just released. And The Beauty of the Fall will hopefully be out next year. After that, I have ideas for ten novels floating around, and plan to write for the rest of my life.

3. How does your previous experience in songwriting carry over into your current work as a novelist?

In two ways. First, I sometimes write about the songwriting process in my books. How one goes about creating a song is a process many people have not seen in detail, so it adds richness and authenticity to the main characters. Second, because songwriting is in part about conveying emotion and about the beauty of a phrase, I try to carry that over in my novels. Sometimes I'll spend an hour just on one sentence trying to get the words just right. With that said, because the first two novels had musicians in them, I've decided not to include any in The Beauty of the Fall.

4. What do you find most fun--and most challenging--about writing novels?

I like the process of writing every day first thing in the morning. When I wake up, it's loads of fun to start with a blank page and create something new. But not just that. I really love all aspects of writing. Creating something new. Re-writing. Word-smithing a sentence or phrase. Plotting. Pacing. Becoming a character for a time. All of it. The most challenging part is knowing I can only write five hours each day. After that, I'm toast. I have so much to write about, I wish I could up my hours. Smile.

5. What do you see as your goals as an artist over the next few years?

I'll finish The Beauty of the Fall. After that, I'll just keep going and write the next novel. I tend to love literary fiction, so I'll probably keep writing novels with which focus on truth, honesty, kindness, compassion, and love. Or more accurately, how folks intentionally and unintentionally have a hard time living their lives in those things.

Thanks, Rich!

Meet Edward Dean West, Author

Edward Dean West is a serious young man with serious young stories to write for serious young adults. Seriously. He hopes you enjoy his work and will continue wielding the pen in your honor!

His novel, Of Hearts and Stars, is available on Amazon. Keep an eye on his latest work (including webcomic installments and blog posts) at ofheartsandstars.com.

1. What gave you the idea to write Of Hearts and Stars?

It all started with a drawing of one my characters that a friend did way back in high school, dubstep, and this really cool idea for a scene consisting of one ship ruining another in a killer space battle using a needlessly large sub-woofer.

2. How many books do you envision in the Cadet Starship Chronicles series?

Four that follow Leoric's storyline, perhaps two or three retelling events from the perspective of other characters, and a compilation of short stories that revolve around the other cadets of Arbalest Solar Academy.

3. Would you tell us a bit about the Of Hearts and Stars webcomic? Does it tell new stories about the characters from your book and/or does it retell stories from the novel in visual form?

Of course! I've teamed up with Jacob Anderson, an absolutely talented illustrator, in order to pull it off. Right now the novel is out, but with the webcomic we have so much wiggle room. It was decided that it'd be a mix of both stories from the book as well as new stories--a companion of sorts that has potential to give fans more of the characters that they love.

4. What ultimately motivated you to find--or steal!--time to write, and what advice would you give to other artists about making the decision to make time to create within their busy lives?

I'd like to bring reading back. *ducks* Please! Stop throwing things! I love to read, too, but right now the crowd of most avid readers really isn't diverse enough. Even if I grumble at both franchises from time to time I felt that Harry Potter and Twilight did a lot for the young adult genre and literature in whole. I'd come across people my age that I'd never known to read with a copy of either respective novel in their hands. I, too, would like to some day join the ranks of authors who have inspired my otherwise book-opposed peers to crack a spine.

My advice? Finish it! You know what I'm talking about. I used to start writing projects, but then stop either due to writer's block, lack of confidence in what I'm writing, or poor time management. Then I stopped letting those three excuses control my pen and I threw down. Oh yes. It did take a while, but I felt so good for having finally started and completed an entire project. So yes, even if you think it's the most horrid story/poem in the world: finish it. Then rewrite it. Remember, fellow ink-slaves: even a diamond comes from a lump of coal if pressed and polished!

5. What's next for Ed West?

Writing, talks with editors, my illustrator, and my web admin. Oh? The big picture? I just want to find more ways for readers to enjoy my work, whether it be with webcomics, animated music videos, or even indie games. Tl;dr: big fun! For now readers can expect more of the webcomic over the summer, a finely polished anniversary edition of OHAS this fall, and the next novel in the CSC sometime in November.

Thanks, Ed!

Open Source Online HR Software from OrangeHRM

I'm a big fan of open source software, so I was interested to learn that a company called OrangeHRM offers an open source version of online HR software. You can manage all sorts of human resources tasks with their software, from recruiting new employees to evaluating the performance of current employees.

OrangeHRM has two options for its software, the downloadable open source version and the hosted "live" version. The open source version is free. There are different rate plans for using the hosted version, and there's also a 14-day free trial. This page compares the built-in functionality of the two versions.

Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, OrangeHRM Inc was started in 2005, and their software counts over a million users around the world. Many large companies have customized the open source version to meet the unique requirements of their organizations.

Meet Andrew Dieudonne, Entrepreneur

Andrew Dieudonne is from Trenton, NJ. He is 25 years old and graduated from college in 2010 with a degree in business management. A connoisseur of classic men's fashion, Andrew has always pursued his dream of owning his own business. Through his new retail shop, The Blue Brand, Andrew combines his business background and fashion sense to offer a carefully chosen selection of high-quality ties and cufflinks for affordable prices. Follow The Blue Brand on Facebook, too.

1.What is The Blue Brand, and how did you choose this name for your business?

The Blue Brand is a gentleman's one-stop source for exquisite silk ties and cufflinks. We are primarily an online store and carry several different colors and patterns of neckties for everyone to enjoy!

Choosing the name was easy. I wanted a name that was memorable for customers and one that represented my personality. Blue is the perfect fit! Royal blue is my favorite color, but more importantly the feeling behind the color to me is one that is calm, yet bold. I included the word "Brand" because I want to grow the business to include more products. Eventually, I'd like to include the option to customize dress shirts to "The Blue Brand."

2. What motivated you to start an online store specializing in neckties and cufflinks?

I've always had an entrepreneur's spirit and an interest in men's fashion. Unfortunately, however, I was not born into the Trump family, so the lack of funds steered me towards the online direction versus the standard brick and mortar. I wanted to specialize in cufflinks and neckties because I want to start with basic men's accessories that are affordable on any budget!

3. How do you determine which items you carry in your store?

Our customer determines the items we carry. I constantly think about the type of man or woman who shops at The Blue Brand, and the answer always leads back to affordability. I want to provide products that have superb craftsmanship and great styling and are very affordable to everybody!

4. What are some tips for choosing the best necktie for each specific occasion (for example, what makes some ties more casual and others more formal)?

One tip I'd advise people is to stay away from screen-printed ties--far away, people!! Screen-printed ties tend to be seasonal novelty items and simply look cheap.

The fabric of your necktie plays a big role in creating a formal, or casual look. Knit ties are increasingly popular with younger guys. Knit ties can be paired with Diem jeans for a casually youthful look. Wool ties can either be formal or casual depending on the rest of your look, but whether the occasion is formal or casual, a silk necktie is always the best choice for any occasion.

5. What are some tips for choosing a necktie or set of cufflinks or tie/cufflinks set for someone as a gift?

Keep it simple: remember two things and you'll never go wrong. First and foremost, keep in mind an occasion this person would wear the necktie and cufflinks set. Will this set be worn at work? Is this for a special date? Could this be worn for job interviews? Or will it possibly be worn at an upcoming wedding? Secondly, try to find out this person's favorite color. When it comes to the design on the necktie, you want to choose something you like, so the gift has a personal touch. Nonetheless, a necktie and cufflinks set is a classic gift idea that will never go out of style.

Thanks, Andrew!