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Metuchen, NJ--Danielle Crisci and her sister Raven of VANITY Hair Boutique has been in the beauty salon business for quite some time. In an exclusive interview with www.NJnewjersey.com reporters Danielle mentions "I always enjoyed beauty and fashion and seemed to possess a natural talent for hair styling." Feeling like she was destined to do something else, Danielle decided to sign up for the Vocational School in Piscataway, for hair. Once the classes had started she knew she had made the right choice. Like any other creative profession, Danielle believes being a beautician is not just about cutting hair; it is a gift, a talent, and also requires vision.
Being in the field for more than twenty five years, Danielle is a cut above the rest. After finishing school, she worked in two salons before opening up her own place in Milltown, NJ called L’Attessa Salon. After seven years in operation, Danielle decided to close L’Attessa’s doors to try a new business venture with a partner. Both Danielle and her partner opened a bigger space called Salon Prodigy in Metuchen. This partnership lasted about three years to which Danielle decided was not a good fit for her. After taking a bit of a hiatus to raise her two children, Danielle decided to stay local and open her latest salon, Vanity Hair Boutique where she could be close to her kids and continue to serve her clients from her previous salon.
VANITY Hair Boutique is a full service salon located at 287 Main Street in Metuchen, which is the only one in the area that offers services for hair, nails, waxing, threading, henna, extensions, and make-up. With three beauticians on site, including herself, a nail technician, and two freelancers (one for hair and the other for make-up), VANITY caters to all of your salon needs. Both freelancers also travel to onsite events for hair and make- up services. Vanity is not just a hair salon; they also carry beautiful accessories like evening bags, scarves, and jewelry. Danielle’s vision to combine the two, beauty and boutique, has created a unique experience for her customers to enjoy. For example, while her clients are waiting for their hair to process a color, they have the opportunity to do a little window shopping. With an array of beautifully designed items to choose from, Vanity offers a delightful beauty salon experience. Donna, who has been a client from the start, while having her hair done for a wedding one day, appreciated the fact that there was no need to make an extra trip to shop for accessories. Everything she needed- from an evening bag to a set of earrings- was purchased at VANITY.
You will find professionalism at its highest level at VANITY Hair Boutique. The shop itself is a warm and inviting space with a relaxing ambiance decorated in a shabby chic style. The love for what Danielle does radiates when walking through the doors at Vanity. With an eye for detail, along with a gift to cut and style hair, while also offering unique accessories, Danielle has created a truly “one-stop-shop” experience at Vanity Hair Boutique.
Offering unparalleled service for all of your beauty needs VANITY Hair Boutique can help you feel like a million bucks without spending a fortune.
287 Main St, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Reported Story
By Sharri Schneider
Editor
Kate Haffner
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LAWRENCE, N.J.--“Housecalls Mower Repair,” is a unique, full-service, mobile mower repair company that services all types of lawn/garden equipment, and all “walkable or ridable” small engine powered machines/tools right at your home. In other words no more loading your mower or tractor on into your car/truck and or hitch!!! Servicing MERCER and MIDDLESEX COUNTIES!!!
Entrepreneur and owner, Jason Buckley, explained that his uncle started the business a decade and a half ago.
Following a five-year stint working for a large retailer, where he covered a territory in Staten Island, his uncle decided to work for himself after growing increasingly dissatisfied. He simply “went with it,” said Buckley, noting that his uncle knew the business inside and out since his own father operated a popular dealership and repair shop in Mercer County, NJ, for four decades, though they closed it in 1998.
After operating his own mobile service for about four years, he decided to expand what was now a full time effort beyond Staten Island, to New Jersey where business quickly took off.
In an exclusive interview with www.NJnewsjersey.com reporters Buckley explained "that he slowly learned the business on the job, as his uncle’s apprentice, through hands on experience."
“The first day I got in the truck with my uncle (to drive to a job), I knew nothing about lawn mowers,” recalled Buckley of his invaluable field experience.
Fast forward a few years and his uncle said: “ ‘It’s time for your own truck,’” said Buckley.
So, in addition to investing in his own truck-trailer, he purchased a territory from his uncle to operate as his own.
Fast forward another two and a half years, when his uncle decided to retire, Buckley and his own father, a key investor, arranged a plan to purchase the remainder of the business from his uncle. That included the Mercer County territory, which he acquired in mid-August of last summer, he said.
In the spring he typically makes 10 -12 stops a day, and to handle “overflow,” hires his cousin, who operates his own franchise in PA, as an extra technician when needed.
Buckley said if it’s “walkable or ridable,” Housecalls will service it, adding that “all the work is done at [the customer’s] location,” of the gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment he services, including: Walk mowers, tractors, generators, snow throwers, rototillers, walk behind edgers, and log splitters, among many other types of equipment. (Housecalls does not service small hand held trimmers, backpack blowers, or chain saws, he said.)
The company does not use any used parts, explained Buckley, adding that he also distributes parts to many landscapers, when it’s practical and time permits.
He said he gets about a dozen orders a year from landscapers.
Additionally, he’s sold parts to institutions in New Jersey, which recently racked up a sizable purchase order, choosing Housecalls because of its superior customer service and track record.
He stands behind all work, taking care of each patron completely and going beyond to find solutions that create good will and positive word of mouth.
For instance, Buckley would only charge for a new belt, if the one he recently installed on a machine snapped shortly after being installed, and not charge for the trip to the customer’s home or the labor again.
“We will repair or replace anything during the warranty period for any reason,” he said, citing a 90-day full warranty on any and all work that they do -- labor and parts are covered with no questions asked.
They also perform diagnostics, and do annual preventive service work.
Buckley said he’s considering franchising the business, as others would benefit from the expertise and many good systems and standard procedures developed through years of experience acquired by he and his family.
“We have to get bigger,” added Buckley.
In NJ, business is seasonal; the volume of service calls depends largely on whether conditions. The spring season begins by the second week of March, running through the first week of April. However, “customers don’t think about [their equipment],” unless temperatures outside are higher, or “until it’s nice out and the calendar says spring time,” he said.
By the middle of June, the sale of parts tapers off, while in August, business depends largely on the amount of rain.
“If it’s not dry, grass is not growing, so we don’t get a lot of business,” said Buckley.
This year, for instance the business experienced a very good January.
In the winter, the amount of snowfall is critical to business, he said, adding that a blizzard two years ago accounted for the best February ever.
Aside from saving $75 to transport your mower to a brick and mortar store, if you can even find one still open these days, the advantages of a mobile service run the gamut, and include being able to watch the work being done in real time (if you choose to), and not having to worry about where your machine is or when it will be returned or ready for you to pick-up.
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MILWAUKEE (AP) Newspaper publishers across the U.S. already strapped by years of declining revenue say they're dealing with an existential threat: Recently imposed tariffs on Canadian newsprint driving up their business costs.
The tariffs are a response to a complaint to the U.S. Department of Commerce from a hedge fund-owned paper producer in Washington state, which argues that its Canadian competitors are taking advantage of government subsidies to sell their product at unfairly low prices. The tariffs, imposed in January and increased in March, are not permanent yet. But newspaper publishers are bracing for another blow to an industry that has shrunk with the loss of advertising revenue to the internet.
Critics of the paper tariffs say the businesses that will ultimately be harmed are not Canadian paper producers, but U.S. newspapers that will have to cut staff and reduce publication days to afford higher prices of newsprint the sheets newspapers are printed on. The newspaper industry employs just over 150,000 Americans, which is about 276,000, or 65 percent, fewer than two decades ago.
"To get an unbudgeted increase of this magnitude will be for many publishers very, very serious to catastrophic', said Tom Slaughter, the executive director of the Inland Press Association, which represents about 1,500 daily and non-daily newspapers in every state.
A large metro newspaper can expect annual increases of about $3 million in printing costs, according to Paul Boyle, senior vice president for the News Media Alliance. While larger papers might be able to survive the increase, Boyle said smaller publications might not.
"I've heard from small publishers who've said, "I'm worried about shutting my doors", he said.
Boyle said his organization formerly called the Newspaper Association of America is compiling a survey from its member and nearly every publisher is exploring layoffs and scaling back news coverage.
Steve Stewart, publisher of The State Journal in Frankfort, Kentucky, told readers in a March 30 column that the newspaper they were reading cost 10 percent more to produce than a few weeks earlier and could cost as much as 40 percent more in a few months. He said this will result in fewer pages, higher subscription costs and less non-local content.
The newsprint tariffs reflect President Donald Trump's tough new approach to U.S. trade relations. Trump is engaged in a tense standoff with China over Beijing's sharp-elbowed attempts to gain access to U.S. technology. He's trying to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. And his administration has wrangled with Canada directly over low-priced Canadian timber imports, Canadian barriers to U.S. dairy farmers, and now cheap Canadian newsprint.
The International Trade Commission is expected to make a final determination on the tariffs in August or September.
Canadian newsprint producers began paying an average of 6.53 percent more to export their products to the U.S. in January, when the Commerce Department concluded that would help offset the foreign paper mills' advantage over American companies. In March, the department increased the cost by another 22 percent after its preliminary investigation concluded that one Canadian company, British Columbia-based Catalyst, was underselling the uncoated groundwood paper newspapers use by that much less.
In response to the second increase, Catalyst said the tariff was "without merit" and that it "will continue to vigorously defend itself against an unwarranted and onerous U.S. trade action."
The North Pacific Paper Company, which New York hedge fund One Rock Capital Partners bought in 2016, petitioned for the tariffs, arguing that Canadian companies had an unfair advantage. NORPAC, which employs about 300 people, is the only U.S. paper producer making that argument.
"While our company understands the concerns recently surfaced by some newspaper publishers, which also face a challenging marketplace, we strongly disagree with the notion that their industry requires low-priced, subsidized newsprint from Canada to sustain their own business model", Craig Annenberg, the CEO of NORPAC, said in a statement. The statement went on to say that "high-quality journalism in communities across the country should not depend on unfairly traded inputs that cause material injury to a U.S. industry and American jobs."
The U.S. currently has five operating mills, including NORPAC. Three are in Washington state, with one of them partly owned by a Canadian company. Canada owns the remaining two in Georgia and Mississippi.
Publishers say Canadian imports are not the reason for the decline of U.S.-based paper mills, but rather a 75 percent drop in newsprint consumption over the last two decades. That has led mills to switch to more profitable products such as the boxes Amazon uses for shipping, said Tony Smithson, vice president of printing operations at Bliss Communications, which owns multiple newspapers and radio stations in Wisconsin. The newsprint the company buys all comes from Canada.
Smithson said that even if every paper mill in the U.S. operated at full capacity, they still would only be able to produce about 60 percent of the newsprint consumed in the country. He said that raises another concern: A scarcity of available newsprint if Canadian producers decide to ship to other countries to avoid the new tariffs.
"The hidden danger isn't just in the price. ... The hidden danger is in availability", he said.
China, for example, doesn't accept mixed-waste paper from the U.S. or elsewhere to produce recycled newsprint, so China's publishers buy their product from Canada and Chinese demand is high, Boyle said.
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CRANFORD, N.J.-- HINA'S SALON located at 124 South Avenue East directly across from the train station in this popular business area. Hina and her family fell in love with this location after going out to dinner with her family in September of 2016. “We were happy to see so many people walking around after dinner visiting a café or other establishments”. Hina and her family were surprised and pleased to see so much activity after 8 PM up until 10:30 PM in downtown Cranford, New Jersey. Hina's Salon new and existing customers are thankful that they now have their own first class full service salon which specializes in Eyebrow Threading and all natural organic Facials in or nearby their town. Men are also appreciating the excellent customer service and value at Hina's Salon. Men’s haircuts are only $15+ and children under 10 are only $12. Men and women are believers of eyebrow threading which looks really beautiful. Since Hina's Salon Grand Opening ribbon cutting celebration in October, Hina has been overwhelmed with the love and support of the Cranford community and the customers from surrounding towns who have been fortunate enough to have found her. The www.njnewsjersey.com reporter who spoke with Hina could not help but appreciate the new floors, the beautiful light shade of purple, and new equipment in the facials and waxing rooms, which you will have to see for yourself! Hina’s specialty at the salon is eyebrow threading. Many clients love the pampering affect of Hina’s all natural and all organic Facials which come in a wide variety to choose from. or those of you who are looking for something quick, Hina's Salon carries the Repechage Brand which will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied. Try one of Hina's Salon Face Packs, Vitamin C, Cucumber, Charcoal, Acne, Pearl, and Gold Packs. Hina’s Salon caters to all no matter what skin type and or needs! Get in touch w/ Hina’s Salon You will be happy you did!
or call us at (908)272-0436
Hina’s Salon Customer Testimonials from Facebook CHECK THESE OUT!!!
Sangita Shah visited on Oct 30------Had a wonderful time today with great personal care and her wonderful friendly service. Nice big and clean space with feeling loved with happy and positive environment.
Shefali Patel’s visit on Nov 21-------I usually get my eyebrows threaded in Edison. I went to Hina’s today and loved it! She did a great job on my eyebrows, she’s super friendly, the salon is clean and spacious. Definitely worth checking out!
Julissa Corrales visited on Nov 24------Visiting family, from Florida. I am so happy to have found this salon. Great service! Considering I have long thick hair and a lot of it, the pricing was great! Cut and blowout came out perfect! I’m definitely coming back when I’m in town again!
Nisha S. Patel visited on Nov19---------I tried the Keratin treatment to make my hair smoother and straight.I was extremely pleased at the amazing job(Thank You Hina’s Salon) I have never seen my hair this straight and smooth. After the blow dry, it has been a few weeks and I have not had to use a flat iron. The staff is very friendly. From start to finish I felt so pampered. I love the organic products offered. I would highly recommend Hina’s Salon and will definitely be a returning customer.
Patricia O’Brien Chiriboga patronized the salon on Nov 13-------I loved that when I walked in I was easily accommodated. I got a blow dry and an eyebrow threading which I absolutely loved. I would recommend this salon to anyone. Great customer service and care! I will definitely be back!
There you have it, everyone! Hina’s Salon is the Real Deal!! At Hina’s Salon you can expect top notch customer service in a serene and tranquil utopia. You will also find highly trained professionals for a very reasonable, affordable price. So if you’ve made it this far in the story- - you are probably grabbing your keys and heading over to Hina’s Salon!
