These Long Island moms run their own businesses, work alongside&nbsp;their family members or create their own products.&nbsp;

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Anne Bratskeir

Going into business is often a lofty challenge. But for some, joining forces with a powerhouse (in this case, also known as&nbsp;&quot;mom&quot;), can make it easier. For at least three Long Islanders, the pandemic was a pivotal&nbsp;point&nbsp;leading them to design-focused careers that bring a new sense of purpose, with the help, and partnerships, of their mothers. 
 And today, they are absorbing the wisdom (and love) from mom, and on the flip side, imbuing businesses with their own youthful know-how. 
 As a salute to Mother’s Day, we visited them to learn about what they’re doing, the special relationships they have and how mom&nbsp;helped.&nbsp; 
<h2> Designer dreams: Julianne Bartolotta </h2> 
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 At 10 years old, she knew she wanted to be a fashion designer, and today,&nbsp;Julianne Bartolotta, 26, of East Northport, has arrived. The eldest of five girls, she grew up with the sewing machine a household staple. 
 She attended college for apparel design and fashion merchandising, ultimately working in the industry. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, she and her mom, Jaqueline, 55, got a taste of collaborating by sewing hundreds of masks. 
 In November, Julianne&nbsp;launched the&nbsp;eponymous brand of trend-driven, Italian-made women’s clothing. Both&nbsp;are&nbsp;co-founders;&nbsp;she’s the creative director, her mother, the chief operating officer. 
 Now&nbsp;into her third capsule collection, which in addition to online is sold at pop-ups and trunk shows, her mission is to make women feel “like a light in a dark room.” She says, “I try to give each garment something special: a pop of color, a trendy silhouette, heart-shaped buttons.&quot;&nbsp;Prices for their&nbsp;line run from $89 for a silky, ruched blouse to $228 for a luxe Italian sweater.&nbsp; 
 Mom’s take: “I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for like 25 years,&nbsp;though I did take some fashion classes in college and I’ve enjoyed sewing my whole life … I’m at an age where my children are getting older and there’s more time for me.”&nbsp;Teaming up with her daughter “has really been a dream come true for a mom. She’s youthful and has that energy. I have more experience.” They rarely disagree, although when it came to a catsuit Julianne wanted to include in one collection, she was iffy about it. “I thought it was very avant-garde,” she explains. “We had a little going back and forth on it, and I finally said, ‘When it comes to creativity you get the last word.'”&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Message to mom: “My mom is my voice of reason,” says Julianne. “Whenever I am struggling to make a decision, she’s my rock, my confidante, my right-hand woman. She brings peace and level-headedness to everything. She helps me see the big picture. Thank you, mom, for supporting me and my dreams. I’m so grateful for you … love you.” Browse the line:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.juliannebartolotta.com/about">juliannebartolotta.com</a> 
<h2> The pajama game: PJs&nbsp;for the Culture </h2> 
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 Officially launched in October, PJs for the Culture is the result of a partnership between Vanessa B. Streeter, 55, the deputy county executive of Suffolk County, and her son, Dallas Streeter, 24. For years, Streeter insisted that the family dress up in those classic matching holiday pajamas around Christmas, until at one point Dallas said, “Mom, can’t we get pajamas that are representative of us?”&nbsp; 
 And so they made their own. 
 Their first collection, with graphics designed by a local Black artist and friend of Dallas',&nbsp;Amiyah Ford, sold 900 units ($30 for adults, $25 for kids) in six short weeks with graphics that included Black Santas, some emblazoned with greetings such as “Happy Kwanzaa” and “Feliz Navidad.” 
 Occasionally, says Dallas, “We have creative differences of course, not arguments. We kind of break it down.” Coming soon, a line of “educational” children’s pajamas ($26.99) dubbed “Little Kings and &amp; Queens,” that Dallas explains “are an ode to African civilization.” Mother and son both hope the pajamas’ message will encourage conversation and learning. 
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 Mom’s take: “I’m not used to being challenged, and he challenges me. It’s such a great opportunity to work on a business with your child and it’s exciting for us to grow together and share ideas&nbsp;…&nbsp;I look forward to our late-night conversations — he puts a smile on my face every day.” 
 Message to mom: “First, I want to tell her that I love her, that she’s appreciated and that the work she does does&nbsp;not go unnoticed. It makes me feel lucky to have a mom like this to guide me in the right direction. I appreciate her experience and the conversation we can have where she’s respecting my opinion and me respecting the grind that it takes to be an entrepreneur.” Browse the line:&nbsp;<a href="http://Pjsfortheculture.com">Pjsfortheculture.com</a> 
<h2> Finding her calling: Orient Linen Co. </h2> 
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 During the pandemic,&nbsp;Abigail Collier, 30, moved from New York City to Orient, worked remotely as an overnight TV news producer, and became utterly enchanted by her mother’s store, Orient Linen Co. In July of last year, she officially quit her job of four years, and as her mother, Janet Markarian, 69, explains, “Took the reins.” 
 Markarian, 69, has operated the Orient Linen Co., set in a historic building (once a barbershop), for some 20 years. Though she is a full-time real estate agent, her background is in textile design and her handmade custom quilts, bed linens and shams have long been coveted by locals. 
 “It was more of a hobby for her,” says Collier, who now runs the place. She recalls that “During COVID we spent so much time together daydreaming about this. I don’t want to take anything away from her. It was a very good business on a very small scale but I sort of made it official.” To that end, Collier created a website, a mail-order system and a social media platform. 
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 “She brought us into the modern age,” says Markarian, adding that the two often brainstorm, design and sew together. The shop’s profile has changed under Collier’s direction. “It’s more of an atelier now.” Beyond linens (those treasured quilts run up to $225), the mix includes French lavender soaps, Maldon salts, puzzles, baby bibs, aprons, totes and enamel wear. Collier sums up the inventory as “things we both make and things we both love.” 
 Mom’s take: “I wasn’t able to do the store full time, but I always knew it had potential. It gives me great satisfaction to see that vision sort of pop. Having her daughter involved in the store, “is a dream come true, and I’m not exaggerating.” 
 Message to mom: “I want to thank her for taking the time to teach me and for being this fierce, independent strong woman who pushes me not only to work hard but to create things of my own and who holds me to high standards.&quot; &nbsp;Browse the line:&nbsp;1100 Village Lane, Orient; 631-521-3712, <a href="http://orientlinenco.com">orientlinenco.com</a>.

Fashion and Shopping

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These Long Island moms work with their children designing diverse PJs, linens and apparel

Meet the designers: What it's really like to work alongside mom

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Marie Elena Martinez

She starts her day in her kitchen, sets her own hours, has an active Instagram presence and runs carpools when it’s her turn: Meet the mompreneur.&nbsp; 
 According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a&nbsp;mompreneur is defined as “a woman who sets up and runs her own business in addition to caring for her young child or children.” Most women in either of these categories would agree&nbsp;that neither comes easily, but as of 2020, Forbes.com designated 12.3 million small U.S. businesses as women-owned, a&nbsp;growing number. 
 Over the past few years,&nbsp;niche online food brands seemed to enjoy a period of unbridled, tasty growth, while mail-order food services were thriving. Giving moms&nbsp;the freedom to parent and work within their own parameters, especially after the child care challenges presented by the pandemic, many local moms found their calling within this space. 
 &quot;My daughter recently told me that picking her up from school is the highlight of her day. It's also the highlight of mine, knowing that I can earn a living&nbsp;and be more present&nbsp;in her daily life,&quot;&nbsp;says Leanna Cherry, owner&nbsp;of The Crumb Picker, a cake and cookie business. 
 As&nbsp;Mother's Day approaches,&nbsp;meet some of the many food mompreneurs within our own communities. All run their own commercially licensed&nbsp;food businesses — for many, a second career that allowed them more time to dedicate to being a mom&nbsp;—&nbsp;and have robust social media-driven food brands. 
<h2> Leanna Cherry, The Crumb Picker: coffee cakes and cookies </h2> 
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 Named “The Crumb Picker” by her husband because “she always picked the crumbs off everyone’s plates,” Farmingdale resident Leanna Cherry didn't always see the crumb life as part of her&nbsp;grand plan. She had worked for over 13 years within a hospital marketing team and loved her job, but as she explains, “Any job in health care is 24/7, and becoming a mom made me feel the push-pull in both directions.” After the birth of her second child, the juggle felt unbalanced. 
 “Baking had always given me pleasure — since I was a young kid — and I started to bake for stress relief in the height of work changes.” Soon enough, she became known in the office for two things:&nbsp;coffee cakes and crumb cookies, so when a colleague asked her to make a&nbsp;cake for Easter, and tried to pay her, she began&nbsp;to see the writing on the wall. Cherry wanted, needed, a job, but also more space for her kids’ daily lives. 
 In 2019, she started an Instagram page for The Crumb Picker. Slowly, word started to spread. In 2020, she took the leap and resigned — without a new job, with 7- and 9-year olds at home. “A week later, the first COVID patient on Long Island was identified at my former organization. Then, the world shut down. But business took off. 
 Don’t be fooled by the weight of Cherry’s crumb cakes. They are light, fluffy vanilla cakes piled high with dense, buttery cinnamon crumbs.&nbsp;For spring, a lemon poppy crumb cake elevates the flavor profile of her traditional crumb cake. Other mainstays include red velvet and cookies and cream coffee cakes. Cherry’s crumb cookies, which she calls “Just the Crumbs,” are&nbsp;nuggets of crumb topping, a bit crunchier than&nbsp;actual cake crumbs but just as addictive. Some are dipped in chocolate. 
 WHAT IT COSTS: Coffee cakes are $27-$30; perfectly thin, crispy chocolate chip cookies ($15/dozen); crumb cake doughnuts ($15/six);&nbsp;mini crumb cakes ($12) and crumb cookies ($12/dozen). 
 WHERE TO FIND IT:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thecrumbpicker.com">thecrumbpicker.com</a> 
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<h2> Laurel&nbsp;Bickford Shortell, Laurel’s Butter: nut butters </h2> 
 With a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, a master’s in physical education, and a former career as aprofessional body builder and trainer,&nbsp;Oakdale resident&nbsp;Laurel Bickford Shortell knows the value of healthy eating. Protein has always been a big part of her diet — both when she began competing in 2012 and when she turned pro in 2014 — but in the past, her kitchen cabinets were stocked with nut butters full of preservatives, added sugars and stabilizers. 
 In 2015, all of that changed. Starting in her apartment’s kitchen, she began to play around with making her own handcrafted nut butters. At first, she gave her butters to some of her training clients, friends, and family and attended fitness events sponsored by brands like CrossFit. Samples were given out, stories were exchanged and the butters continued to get high marks from&nbsp;taste-testers. Fairs and farmers markets followed, with Laurel’s Butter&nbsp;incorporating in 2016. 
 Like any small-business owner at inception, Shortell wore many hats. But when she got pregnant in 2017, it became nearly impossible to run it alone, and she hired her first employee. An e-commerce site followed, then storefronts with Amazon and 1-800-Flowers. A women-certified and Kosher-certified business, it started with natural peanut butter, made simply from peanuts and sea salt, as well as almond and cashew butters. 
 But for Shortell, “the fun part was formulating the flavors” that would soon become synonymous with her brand. Seasonally, the butters get reinvented into sweet combinations. Spring introduced carrot cake, made with a base of roasted almonds, pecans, and walnuts and white chocolate. In summer, it’s blueberry pancake; in fall, white chocolate pumpkin pie. These limited edition flavors have created a sense of urgency for nut butter fans, but it’s always the basic butters that remain in high demand. 
 WHAT IT COSTS Four-ounce sampler packs (which include four 4-oz. flavors) begin around $20, while individual 8-oz. jars of Laurel’s Nut Butters begin at $5.25 for peanut butter and $9.25 for limited edition flavors. 
 WHERE TO FIND IT&nbsp;Available at SoBol locations, Harbes Family Farm Stand in Mattituck&nbsp;and Balsam Farms in Amagansett as well as farmers markets in Sayville, Northport, Southampton&nbsp;and Montauk. More info:&nbsp;<a href="http://visit www.laurelsbutter.com">laurelsbutter.com</a>. 
<h2> Jackie Cardace and Janel Presti, Grazing Girls: charcuterie boards </h2> 
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 Commack sisters Jackie Cardace and Janel Presti live down the block from each other, have three kids each, and talk every day. It was during one of those daily talks that Presti, a former preschool teacher, mentioned to Cardace, a former marketer, how she “kept coming across all of these charcuterie boards on Instagram.” 
 “No, no,” interrupts Jackie, “we saw it on 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey,' don’t you remember?” 
 The siblings decided to give charcuterie a go in late 2020. With Christmas around the corner, they started with a basic tray including Brie cheese and called it their “artisanal board.” But as they started to tweak their concept after that first busy Christmas season, they kept coming back to the original charcuterie board of their Italian upbringing: antipasto. When they researched antipasto-style boards, they couldn’t find them. When they decided to add burrata as the centerpiece cheese, the board quickly became their most popular. 
 Coincidentally, Bravo reentered the chat when Ramona Singer of &quot;The Real Housewives of New York&quot;&nbsp;asked them to create a “grazing table” — a lavish charcuterie spread that haphazardly spans a whole table, rather than tray — for a party at her home in the Hamptons during the summer of 2021. It was the women’s first grazing table gig and its success generated a massive amount of business through Singer, who promoted their work&nbsp;on social media. Soon, they were delivering trays and building tables two and three times a day in the Hamptons. 
 Online word-of-mouth began to trickle in closer to home and enclaves like Port Washington, their native Commack and Dix Hills have caught on. Now, booking well into July, Cardace and Presti are looking to move their company more toward general catering, including salads, sandwiches, shooters, even florals. Current offerings of brunch and grazing tables, and all of their signature charcuterie trays, which feature seasonally different cheeses, are available for customization. 
 WHAT IT COSTS:&nbsp;Their original 9x9 board, $50, includes three cheeses and is loaded with salamis, hams, cheeses, nuts&nbsp;and dried fruit. Prices increase from there.&nbsp; 
 WHERE TO FIND IT:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.grazinggirlsli.com">grazinggirlsli.com</a> 
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<h2> Sara Keller, Gracious Goodies: artisanal gift boxes </h2> 
 It was in 2008 that Dix Hills’ Sara Keller was pregnant with first child, now 15, working in luxury retail&nbsp;and traveling extensively as a watch buyer for Cartier. On one work trip, the ravenous mother-to-be found an&nbsp;L.L. Bean x Cartier-style tote bag full of travel essentials, including snacks, waiting in her hotel room. She recalls crying while she ate, she was so grateful. 
 When her doctor ordered bed rest, she wrote her business plan. After her son was born, she left Cartier and started her company, then called Sara’s Gracious Goodies, with a website that advertised custom food gift bags and boxes for all occasions. “Nobody called,&quot; she says.&nbsp;&quot;I was crushed.&quot; But then came an opportunity to do bags for a friend's wedding, and slowly word-of-mouth started to spread. 
 In the beginning, “planners were so happy to hire me, I took something off their very long to-do lists.” But after a move to Los Angeles in 2013, she began making more creative, curated boxes for movie and television clients, including Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” 
 When COVID began, Keller assumed the worst, but Zoom events reinvented the business with corporate clients now using her custom food and drink boxes for employee bonding events, retention&nbsp;and appreciation. Last year, Gracious Goodies moved out of her house and garage and into her current Hauppauge warehouse. She works with clients to create themed&nbsp;boxes — such as a movie night collection with popcorn, a mini popper&nbsp;and chocolate-covered raisins.&nbsp;Sprinkles, cones&nbsp;and ice cream mix make up a goodie bag for kids’ birthday parties. There’s even a pasta night sampler for dinner party guests. 
 Keller fills&nbsp;her boxes with goodies from&nbsp;small food and drink vendors, and supports women-owned and ethnically or&nbsp;globally-conscious food partners like Eleni’s, The Art of Caramel, Wooden Table Baking Co., Pineapple Collaborative, True Scoops, Sugarfina and&nbsp;Lush Wine. Her next goal is setting up an e-commerce site that moves away from the custom aspect, offering individual boxes, seasonal collections,, as well as products&nbsp;for specific holidays. 
 WHAT IT COSTS:&nbsp;Small to medium-sized boxes begin&nbsp;at $50. 
 WHERE TO FIND IT:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.graciousgoodies.com">graciousgoodies.com</a> 
<h2> Samantha Zola, Zola Bakes: rainbow cookies </h2> 
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 Outside of Long Island&nbsp;“the general population does not know what a rainbow cookie is,” says Dix Hills resident Samantha Zola, owner of Zola Bakes, an online company that makes specialty rainbow cookies. Zola, who studied at the French pastry School in Chicago and trained at &Eacute;picerie Boulud and Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan, realized&nbsp;the Italian American-inspired rainbow cookies would become&nbsp;her calling card after moving to Florida. 
 “It was in Miami that I realized rainbow cookies weren’t being given justice anywhere else. It was rare for me to find them and, whenever I did, they were always a little too dry, and didn’t taste nearly as good as they looked. In New York, they were a staple at any event I attended.” 
 She returned to Long Island in 2018 to focus what has since become Zola Bakes, which began out of her house. First, she made&nbsp;personalized cookies for bar and bat mitzvahs, engagements, weddings and other celebratory events.&nbsp;In 2019,&nbsp;she found her current space in Central Islip&nbsp;and built a custom kitchen.&nbsp;As with most beautiful food products, organic social media word-of-mouth prevailed and Zola secured partnerships with Goldbelly, Saks.com, the U.S.&nbsp;Open and City Harvest. Now she has a team of three people and is looking for a bigger space. 
 The trays&nbsp;that line the kitchen are dazzling displays. But these little rainbow blocks are more than something to look at —&nbsp;Zola’s cookies are moist, spongy&nbsp;and bursting with almond flavor. Her best-kept secret is a top-shelf,&nbsp;hard-to-secure ingredient. 
 Zola offers three flavors, each prettier than the next. There’s raspberry jam — the red, orange, yellow cookie;&nbsp;the bestselling Nutella — the green, blue, purple cookie;&nbsp;and apricot jam, the turquoise, teal, mint green cookie. There is also a cult favorite gluten-free variety in hues of purple. All are custom-drizzled with white or dark Guittard chocolate and can be personalized to occasion or holiday. 
 WHAT IT COSTS:&nbsp;Custom cakes are available, but it’s the rainbow brownie ($42 for six), that utilizes the scraps from imperfect cookies to create an almond chocolate combination, that feel poised to take off next. A 20-pack of rainbow cookies starts at $49, and can be delivered locally or shipped nationwide. 
 WHERE TO FIND IT:&nbsp;<a href="http://zolabakes.com.">zolabakes.com</a> 
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FeedMe

Food and Drink

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The new Long Island food entrepreneur: Moms

Meet 7 Long Island moms running their own food businesses

Samantha Zola has been baking since childhood and has always loved the way rainbow cookies looked, but didn&#39;t love the way they tasted. The soon-to-be mom of three has created a new look and taste for rainbow cookies, NewsdayTV&#39;s&nbsp;Senior Lifestyle Host&nbsp;Elisa DiStefano reports.

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Zola Bakes: Dix Hills mom creates vibrantly colored rainbow cookies

Newsday

Dix Hills mom creates vibrantly colored rainbow cookies

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Arlene Gross

When Rose&nbsp;Fontaine-Brun, owner of&nbsp;Lynbrook Body &amp; Brain Yoga Tai Chi,&nbsp;suffered a stroke last year,&nbsp;&nbsp;she knew exactly who to turn to for&nbsp;help keeping her business afloat: her daughter.&nbsp; 
 After running the yoga franchise for 15 years, &quot;she wasn't able to physically do the movements&quot; anymore, Beatricia Brun, 37, says of her 70-year-old mom.&nbsp; 
 “We’ve been with this practice for a substantial amount of time, so helping her with managing the business hasn’t really been out of my experience or comfort zone,” says Brun, who managed a yoga&nbsp;center in the Bronx and occasionally assisted her mom with classes before her stroke. “As soon as she had to leave, I just kind of stepped right in.” 
 Brun, who now leads eight&nbsp;classes a week and manages the business, says her&nbsp;mom’s&nbsp;presence is still felt throughout the studio.&nbsp;Fontaine-Brun now comes in twice a week&nbsp;to take classes and stay connected with members, making sure they’re coming to class and progressing in their practice. 
 “I still try to exercise her visions and her dreams in the center,” Brun says. “And the members love her so much. Some of them have been with her since the center opened.” 
 Describing their relationship as best friends, Brun says the two have participated in many yoga and self-development retreats and trainings together. 
 “My mom and I are really close — like spiritual partners,” says Brun. “She’s supported me so much my entire life and I think I’ve spent the majority of my adult life repaying her and supporting her as much as she needs.” 
 Fontaine-Brun&nbsp;says she’s grateful for her daughter’s support. 
 “It’s a great relief,” she says. “I don’t have to worry about the classes. She’s helping me a lot.” 
 The center offers a few staple yoga classes, most running 70 minutes or longer, and all include&nbsp;stretching, breath work and meditation. Qigong, an ancient martial&nbsp;art that optimizes the mind and body’s energy, and tai chi classes focus on conditioning, while free movement vibration classes&nbsp;combine cardio with meditation. 
 For new students, Brun recommends taking an introductory class to assess flexibility, balance and coordination. Often, she says, people work on their breathing during classes, which gets impaired by stress. 
 Introductory classes start at&nbsp;$30 and unlimited for a year is $1,490.&nbsp;Body &amp; Brain is located at 29 Hempstead Ave.,&nbsp;Lynbrook. The studio is open Monday to Wednesday, and Friday to Saturday. Classes are 10 a.m., 4:30 and 6 p.m. Check website for schedule;&nbsp;516-612-3737, <a href="http://bodynbrain.com">bodynbrain.com</a>.

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Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi in Lynbrook run by mom and daughter, who stepped in at time of need

Daughter steps in at time of need to help mom run LI business 

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Joe Dziemianowicz

The spotlight on women and their amazing accomplishments shines brighter this March, which is a great thing. Then again, it’s always a good time to celebrate what women do — at home, at work and beyond.&nbsp; 
 We’re seizing the moment to showcase three Long Island moms who turned passions into businesses — and reaped rewards for themselves and their families. 
<h2> Love, MiMi: Blinged-out hair clips crafted with love </h2> 
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 The businessmom: Nicole Mogil, 39, is a former elementary school teacher who lives in East Islip with her husband Greg and their kids, Gavin, 11, and Mia, 7. 
 What’s the biz: Love, MiMi is a line of bold and colorful handmade resin hair clips that run around $3 to $17. She launched the business&nbsp;in September 2020, when her daughter Mia (aka, Mimi) headed to kindergarten. “I’ve always been very drawn to creative hobbies,” says Mogil, who’s enterprise has gone from kitchen table to a dedicated studio workshop in Bay Shore. The line has expanded to include blinged-out bookmarks, keychains and sunglasses. 
 Success secrets: Early on, Mogil joined Babes In Business Long Island, a networking group. “It was really empowering,” she says, adding that she learned how to maximize the power and reach of social media as a marketing tool. “Tags turned into shares, shares turned into follows, and follows turned into orders.” Another asset: An appealing and easy-to-use website. 
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 Labor of love: Being a one-woman business appeals. “It’s just me. I really enjoy making every single item. It’s something I always look forward to.” 
 Looking ahead: “Love, MiMi has turned into something greater than I anticipated, but I look at it as my side hustle. I enjoy the flexibility of being a mom and staying involved in the kids’ school events and activities,” she says.&nbsp; 
 INFO: <a href="http://love-mimi.com">love-mimi.com</a> 
<h2> Alegna soap: Raising the bars changed her life </h2> 
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 The businessmom:&nbsp;Angela Carillo, 66, has two adult children — Steven, 40, and Elaine, 37, and lives in Bethpage with her husband Brian Bofill. 
 What’s the biz: Alegna soap (her name spelled backward) began as a hobby Carillo explored after her kids left home. She has an associate degree in medical technology and a bachelor’s in biology. Mixing essential oils and other ingredients appealed to her love of science. She launched her business in 2010, selling soap made in her basement studio at craft fairs. “My house might not be clean,” she says, “but it always smells good.”&nbsp; 
 Success secrets: It’s all in the timing. “I started making and selling soap about three years before everybody else started doing it,” she says. Alegna soaps sell online and in shops, including Hitch in Babylon. Peppermint scrub, lavender-lemongrass and anise-orange are her top-sellers and retail for $9 a bar. 
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 Labor of love: “Finding something that I loved and making it a business has taken me out of my shell,” says Carillo. “Soapmaking has taken me to do things I never thought I would do. I wrote a book called “Bath Bonanza.” I’ve spoken at conferences. I traveled to Haiti to teach women who were living in tent camps after the earthquake how to make soap.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Looking ahead: Carillo diversifies. She teaches soapmaking and makes soaps for retailers who sell it under their own label. “I’m actually trying to get more private label orders,” she says.&nbsp; 
 INFO: <a href="http://alegnasoap.com">alegnasoap.com</a> 
<h2> Be Clear Handbags: Transparency is good business sense </h2> 
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 The businessmom: Joey Bowen is a mother of two — Brooke, 20, and Collier, 17, who lives in Bethpage. 
 What’s the biz: Be Clear Handbags are transparent and come in styles and sizes that range in price from $65 to $188. The accessories are handy at sporting and other events that require see-through bags for security reasons. Bowen founded her company in 2019, after her divorce was finalized. “I needed to support myself and my kids,” she says. “It was a necessity.” 
 Success secrets: In 2020, Bowen’s bags, which are made overseas, premiered at a trade show at the Javits Center in New York City. “When I started it was just me in my living room,” she says, adding that there now are sales reps and a shipping warehouse. “It’s grown really fast,” she says. Beyond the website, Long Island stores including Lets Bag It in Merrick carry the product. “What comes through is that I love what I do. And if I wouldn’t carry the bag, it’s not in our line.”&nbsp; 
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 Labor of love: “I’ve loved handbags and accessories since I was a kid,” says Bowen, who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and held sales and account executive jobs before finding the role that clearly fit her best — businesswoman.&nbsp; 
 Looking ahead: “My business has taught me to never give up, to work hard, and that if you dream it you can make it happen. I’m really excited to see where this takes us. I see us one day sponsoring the Super Bowl.” 
 INFO: <a href="http://beclearhandbags.com">beclearhandbags.com</a>

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Love, Mimi is a&nbsp;custom hair clip business started by Nicole Mogil after her daughter went to Kindergarten.&nbsp;NewsdayTV&#39;s Elisa DiStefano stopped by Mogil&#39;s Bay Shore workshop to see how the resin clips are made.

Newsday's Elisa DiStefano makes custom hair clips with Love, Mimi creator Nicole Mogil

'I've got glitter and a dream'

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3 Long Island moms who turned passions into businesses

3 LI moms who turned passions into businesses

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Be Clear see-through bags made by a Bethpage mom&nbsp;are selling across the country.&nbsp;NewsdayTV&#39;s senior lifestyle host&nbsp;Elisa DiStefano reports.&nbsp;

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Meet Long Island mom Joey Bowen behind Be Clear Handbags 

Meet the Long Island mom behind Be Clear Handbags 

Lisa Irizarry

The philosophy behind Jessica Bianculli’s Skin Bar New York wellness spa is, “When you look good, you feel good, you do good,” she says.&nbsp;And after a long road to success,&nbsp;she's living out her own mantra.&nbsp; 
 Bianculli, 37, owns a spa in Huntington and a new satellite office&nbsp;in Garden City. While services include facials,&nbsp;microneedling, eyebrow shaping and laser treatments, supporting women is at the center of&nbsp;her business model.&nbsp; 
 Bianculli, of Huntington, says experiencing&nbsp;mental and physical&nbsp;abuse&nbsp;in the past led her to feel shame and doubt herself.&nbsp;Her business, however, has helped make her into a new, empowered woman, she says, and she wants other women who have experienced mental and physical abuse to know that they can start a new and better life as well. 
 Bianculli&nbsp;had been working as a part-time aesthetician before opening&nbsp;her first spa in Huntington in 2017 with a $10,000 loan. Last month,&nbsp;she added the Garden City location. 
 Before starting her own business, Bianculli says her “biggest fear” was that she wouldn’t be able to make it financially on her own. 
 “It’s a tough pill to swallow when you have to take accountability and recognize how little self-worth someone has to have to continue to stay with an unsupportive and abusive partner,” Bianculli, who has two daughters, 5 and 6, says. “I would never want my daughters to be treated as ‘less than.’” The Huntington resident adds, “I definitely feel much stronger now.” 
 With the opening of the Garden City location, Bianculli&nbsp;aims to support&nbsp;The Safe Center LI&nbsp;in Bethpage&nbsp;by offering discounts to customers who make center donations. The nonprofit provides services to victims of domestic violence, including counseling services and access to a 24-hour assistance hotline (516-542-0404). 
 “You feel a lot of shame in these situations and you are so emotionally distraught it is very hard to think clearly or logically about how you’re going to move, feed your kids, et cetera. When I visited The Safe Center, they literally have every service under one roof and provide a lot of the provisions I was looking for,” she says. 
 At each spa location, for every $25 a customer gives to the shelter, a 10% off voucher is given toward services and packages. Clients&nbsp;receive a 20% off voucher for a $50 donation, and 30% off for every $100 donated.&nbsp; 
 “My business is about elevating and enhancing a person’s appearance to give them the extra confidence boost I was looking for myself during that time,&quot; Bianculli adds. “I’ve decided to become vocal because I believe we all have a purpose that involves being a service to others. If you can take the negative and help enough people turn it into a positive then it was well worth it.” 
 Skin Bar New York is located at 775 Park Ave., Suite 310 in Huntington and&nbsp;950 Franklin Ave., LL9 in Garden City;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.skinbarnewyork.com/">skinbarnewyork.com</a>; Call or text&nbsp;631-339-2698 for both locations.&nbsp;

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Skin Bar opens in Garden City, encouraging support for victims of domestic violence 

LI woman opens Garden City spa encouraging support for victims of domestic violence 

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Jessica Bianculli, the owner of Skin Bar New York, talked to NewsdayTV&#39;s Elisa DiStefano about starting her own company. Bianculli opened the first location of her medical spa&nbsp;in Huntington in 2017. With her Garden City location, which opened this year, Bianculli&nbsp;aims to support&nbsp;The Safe Center LI&nbsp;in Bethpage.

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Skin Bar New York owner, Jessica Bianculli, talks opening new Garden City spa location

A medical spa on a mission to help women

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Women’s empowerment wasn’t preached to sisters Tanya Willock and Temidra Willock-Morsch while growing up. They learned about it by observing the lives of older females in their family. 
 “My family grew up in Antigua and struggled financially,” Willock-Morsch,&nbsp;33,&nbsp;says of the women on her mother’s side. “They grew up in a tiny 20-foot by 10-foot home with an outdoor bathroom. Unfortunately, this environment led many of the women to abusive relationships, but they had the courage to leave those situations and raise their children on their own and create a better life for themselves.” 
 Another woman who showed a lot of strength was their mother, the sisters say. 
 “Our family was very much a matriarchy, and we were able to watch my mom take charge of every aspect of her life as well as stand up for herself whenever the time arose,”&nbsp;Willock, 29, of Hampton Bays, explains. Her mother is a first-generation immigrant. “So being a strong, independent, empowered woman was all we’ve ever known.” 
 Willock and Willock-Morsch have created impressive lives for themselves, too. In 2019,&nbsp;they opened the Hidden Gem home d&eacute;cor and gift shop in Southampton, and they’ve drawn attention on Long Island and beyond&nbsp;for their Caribbean-look offerings not usually associated with the Hamptons. The duo has been featured in the print and&nbsp;online magazines of such style authorities as Martha Stewart, Vogue, HGTV and House Beautiful. 
 Though Willock and Willock-Morsch grew up in Springs, their Caribbean roots were firm. They would visit Antigua, but they were also surrounded by reminders of their heritage everywhere they looked in their Long Island home. Their mother, Genevieve, now 53, decorated with lots of bright colors and prints — very different from the blue and white and coastal looks widely identified with Hamptons homes.&nbsp; 
 “Our mom has always been stylish, and our house was always beautifully curated and designed. She never missed a detail,” Willock-Morsch, of East Hampton, says. “She also gave us the creative freedom to decorate our rooms how we wanted, so I think it has had an influence on our shop and how we curate things.” 
 The sisters make some things sold at their store. Their&nbsp;late maternal grandmother, Alice Desilvia, moved to America shortly after their mother&nbsp;and&nbsp;taught them as children how to knit, crochet and sew pieces to be sold in their front yard in Springs. 
 Willock-Morsch later became a fashion design student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles who had a job designing custom rugs. Willock studied fine arts at SUNY Purchase in Westchester and for three years worked as an art gallery manager. 
 When they decided to open their shop, the pair was confident their sense of style would work with Hamptons customers looking for something different from the area’s more traditional styles, and owning a business together worked perfectly for the two’s sisterly dynamic. Willock says she can be a little “disorganized,” while Willock-Morsch, a divorced mother of a 2-year-old girl, keeps things under control. 
 “We shared a room growing up and I had the typical ‘older sister’ role. I was very focused and always in charge of my siblings,” Willock-Morsch, notes. The sisters have a brother Jari, 23, of East Hampton, who has collaborated with them on a T-shirt and hat collection. 
 “I would consider myself very much the more rebellious one,” Willock, who is engaged, adds. “I was the kind of kid who had no issue taking my shoes off whenever I got a chance, and my sister would always make sure I put them back on.” 
 Store open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., currently closed Friday through Sunday; 47 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-259-3494;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hiddengemny.com/">hiddengemny.com</a>.&nbsp;

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Sisters bring Caribbean culture to the Hamptons with Hidden Gem boutique 

Sisters infuse Caribbean culture into East End boutique

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NewsdaysTV&#39;s Elisa DiStefano visits Hidden Gem in Southampton, a boutique owned by sisters Tanya Willock and Temidra Willock-Morsch.&nbsp;

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Sisters Tanya Willock, Temidra Willock-Morsch talk opening Hidden Gem boutique in Southampton

Southampton

A curated, cultural shopping experience at this Southampton boutique

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The Wharf Shop in Sag Harbor has been a staple in the community for&nbsp;more than 50 years with a mother-daughter duo running the show. Nada Berry, 92, and daughter Gwen Waddington, 65, have been working along side one another since Waddington was 16 years old.&nbsp; 
 Waddington, who was 10 years old when the store opened, has followed in her mother's footsteps, now running&nbsp;the day-to-day operations, while Barry&nbsp;still comes in a few hours each day to take care of the shop’s finances. 
 Noting that her mom, who started the local Chamber of Commerce, is a very strong personality, she adds, “Over the years, I did follow her leadership and now I’m taking more of a leadership role in the business, as she has stepped away at 92.” 
 She adds: “Working with my mother is always interesting because we will share lots of business information, but forget to share the family news …&nbsp;Sometimes, I am the last person to find out someone is having a baby.” 
 These days, more than half the store is dedicated to a wide selection of toys geared toward all ages, from newborn to adult. 
 “We’ve continued to sell giftware, but we do specialize more in items that reflect the area and are either seaside-y or say Sag Harbor or the Hamptons,” she says.&nbsp; 
 “We carry a full selection of games, dolls, wooden trains,” says Waddington, noting their inventory includes Melissa and Doug toys, Green Toys (made from recycled milk cartons) and Lego. 
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 In giftware, there are melamine trays and dishes sporting a stylized map of the Hamptons, coasters, totes, mugs, tea towels, pillows and jigsaw puzzles of Sag Harbor made exclusively for the store. 
 “We have driftwood candleholders and potholders and cooking aprons with crabs and lobsters,” says Waddington. “We carry a lot of items with whales on them, like bath mats, because of Sag Harbor’s whaling history.” 
 There are also history books on Sag Harbor and children's books by local authors such as&nbsp;“Elliot,” by&nbsp;Ingrid Simunic and “Montauk Mike,” by Nina Ross. 
 The shop carries kids dress-up clothing, mostly with a nautical or Sag Harbor theme, for infants up to 18 months, including lightweight&nbsp;cotton muslin outfits, sweatshirts and Magnetic Me onesies featuring magnetic closures. 
 You’ll also find Cat’s Meow Village collectibles,&nbsp;tiny replicas of notable local buildings, like the nearby Bay Street Theater&nbsp;and American Hotel. Cat’s Meow Village is an Ohio-based company that designs and builds miniature replicas of iconic buildings. The Wharf Shop works with the company&nbsp;to build Sag Harbor buildings exclusively for the shop, typically introducing one new design each year. 
 “People like to travel and get a little building from where they’ve been or the people in the local area like to collect their little village,” Waddington says. “We try to come up with a new one every year.”&nbsp; 
 The Wharf Shop is at 69A Main St., in&nbsp;Sag Harbor. The shop is open Monday through&nbsp;Friday, 10 a.m. to&nbsp;6 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to&nbsp;6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with extended hours in summer;&nbsp;631-725-0420,&nbsp;<a href="http://wharfshop.com">wharfshop.com</a>.

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The Wharf Shop in Sag Harbor still run by mother-daughter duo decades after opening

Mother and daughter run Sag Harbor toy store 

Finding the perfect present for someone always brings a rush of delight. At One for All Gifts in Southold, that buzz is accompanied by an eye-opening,&nbsp;&quot;Aha&quot; moment. 
 “We like to say we’re more than just a collection of items to sell,” says Theresa DeMarco who runs the shop with her son, Sean, who is 25 and on the autism spectrum. “We are a collection of stories to tell.”&nbsp; 
 The narratives share a unifying theme. Since opening in&nbsp;2020, the shop has curated and showcased merchandise by neurodiverse entrepreneurs. 
 That includes “artisans, makers, entrepreneurs and social enterprises built around people of different abilities,” says Theresa, a former human resources representative with two other sons in their 20s.&nbsp; 
 The store’s initial 12 businesses have now grown to 61, including several based on Long Island. Placards near products share their histories — from aromatic soaps and candles to tasty treats and clothing items and original artworks. 
 Decades Collectibles is Sean’s line of framed reprint movie posters. A cinephile who, according to Mom, loves everything from Fred Astaire to Freddy Kruger.&nbsp; 
 Sean says he “doesn’t have a favorite film.” But he is “a huge Tim Burton fan.” Sean’s in his sweet spot in the shop, where he helps decide on new businesses to add, assists customers, stocks shelves and helps handle shipping. 
 “He’s become a familiar face in the post office,” says Theresa. “This shop is about inclusion and community.”&nbsp; 
 He appreciates seeing customers respond to items. “I like it when people are happy,” he says. He wants young adults like himself to have the same sorts of business opportunities he has had.&nbsp; 
 Items are priced to be budget-friendly. A sampling of what’s in the store includes hot sauce ($12), gourmet granola ($2-$4), socks ($5-$14), note cards ($3-$5) and photography books ($57). 
 Half of the store’s customers are locals who like to shop small. The other half, says Theresa, “are connected to somebody with special needs.”&nbsp; 
 The shop’s logo is a delicate dandelion. “Most people look at dandelions and see a weed,” she says. “You have to look beyond to see the full potential.”&nbsp; 
 One for All Gifts is located at 53345 Main Rd., in Southold. Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 631-765-8317, <a href="http://oneforallgifts.com">oneforallgifts.com</a>.

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One for All Gifts in Southold, owned by mother-son duo, spotlights neurodiverse entrepreneurs

Southold shop run by mother-son duo spotlights neurodiverse entrepreneurs

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Owned by mother-son duo, One for All Gifts in Southold spotlights entrepreneurs that are&nbsp;differently-abled. NewsdayTV&#39;s&nbsp;Senior lifestyle host&nbsp;Elisa DiStefano reports.&nbsp;

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'It's awe-inspiring': A look inside One for All Gifts in Southold

Southold

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Joann Vaglica

Long Island preschool owner Linda Hill has expanded from child care to child wear with the opening of her new store,&nbsp;Natalia's Children's Boutique. 
 Hill, who opened Natalia’s last fall in Wantagh, says working with kids is a “happy” feeling. The shop&nbsp;is also owned by her daughter Kathleen Regenbogen, a registered labor and delivery nurse. 
 Named after her son&nbsp;Chris Hill's daughter, the boutique&nbsp;caters mostly to infants and toddlers, but also carries a line for kids up to age 7.&nbsp;It offers everyday clothing such as layettes (babies' first set of clothes),&nbsp;dresses, rompers, shorts, pants, one-pieces and sets, pajamas, sweaters and jackets. You’ll also&nbsp;find hats and hair accessories. 
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 The other part of the business brings in formalwear, like dresses, tuxedos and suits&nbsp;appropriate for Communions, baptisms, weddings (flower-girl dresses, groomsmen suits, ring-bearer suits), holidays and the like. Communion attire is available up to size 14. Add-ons, like veils, shoes and jackets, are also part of Natalia’s inventory. 
 Hill was inspired to open the&nbsp;boutique by her experiences owning Wind'n Willow Pre-School Learning Center in Massapequa (her &quot;happy place&quot;)&nbsp;and by her granddaughter. Whether kids are “learning in my school or trying on a cute little dress or outfit, they feel good about themselves and it builds their self esteem,” she says. It’s a “great feeling&quot; seeing children smile. 
 Shoppers will find a limited selection of towels, blankets,&nbsp;sippy cups, teethers, bibs, books, frames and toys. Prices for everyday styles range from $6 for hair accessories to $20 and up for clothing; formalwear ranges from $150 to $450. 
 Hill grew up working at her father’s longtime bakery, Mario’s, in Oceanside, which sold in 2015; the following year, she bought the preschool, which she still owns. 
 Natalia’s Children’s Boutique is at 1237 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh. It’s open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 516-804-6244, <a href="https://nataliascb.com/">nataliascb.com</a>.

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Natalia's Children's Boutique opens in Wantagh

Preschool owner opens LI children's boutique

Mom-made: Celebrating Long Island mom creators this Mother's Day 

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Mom-made: Celebrating Long Island mom creators this Mother's Day 

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The two new rides will be introduced as part of Adventureland's 65th anniversary celebration in 2027.

Adventureland will open 2 new rides in 2027

From fertility issues to menopause side effects, the concerns that come with a diagnosis can look different depending on when in a woman's life it occurs.

'Life-altering at any age': LI women at different life stages react to breast cancer diagnosis

Dancers ages 8 to 18 will perform as the opening act at Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular on Nov. 10.

LI dance team set to open for the Rockettes

They are making as much as $2,600 per installation.

These twin sisters are LI's 'pumpkin fairies,' transforming porches for fall

The number of treatments for rare genetic disorders is expected to increase sharply in the next several years.

Disease screening can save newborns' lives. New treatments may save many more.

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Our food critics share the best dishes they've ordered so far this fall on Long Island.

9 menu items on LI you need to order this fall

It replaces two short-lived ventures, and one 32-year village stalwart.

New bakery-cafe opens on LI

4 Halloween freebies, deals at LI eateries today

The existing restaurant is set to become an event space.

LI singing dining experience moving to new eatery

"Why are you stepping on the little guy's toes?" one customer asked.

Burger chain opens next to local joint, sparking residential debate

The chopped bodega sandwich stems back to the '90s.

New deli serves viral chopped sandwiches

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NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits a family owned farm in Southold which specializes in pasture raised pigs, chickens, and eggs alongside fruits and vegetables.

Out East: Lettuce visit Deep Roots Farm in Southold

How this Long Island blind swimmer defies the odds to win gold and inspire others

How this blind swimmer defies the odds to win gold and inspire others

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa checked out the spooky Halloween treats at Zio's Casa di Dolce in Seaford.

'It's got an eyeball; they're looking at you'

From Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns in Wheatley Heights to trick-or-treating at Adventureland, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

'It's completely different when the lights are out'

Rori Zura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 33. Today, she helps others as a cancer exercise specialist. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Movement is a form of medicine'

Karla Waldron, executive director of Mondays Cancer Care, received her breast cancer diagnosis after spending her whole career in the cancer community.

'I thought I knew everything'

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed steps into the vineyards at Bedell Cellars to get an inside look at the action, the artistry, and the fresh flavors shaping Long Island's latest vintage.

Out East: Harvest time at Bedell Cellars

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at what to know ahead of the 2026 Oyster Festival.

What to expect at this year's Oyster Fest

Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits Taste of Chennai in Bethpage to try some of the vegetarian options on their menu.

Vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Bethpage

Katherine Schiro talks about self love, body positivity and motherhood.

Best of both worlds? This Nashville singer/songwriter went viral for her song about Long Island

Lifestyle Trending Articles

Get a sneak peek inside the 2026 Fun Book with guides to apple picking, hidden shops, fall hikes, winter holiday activities and so much more.

Fall Fun Book guides

Thanksgiving seasonal races have become a Long Island family tradition.

LI turkey trots & 5Ks

Explore our interactive guide to weekend fun, including family-friendly events, concerts, festivals and more.

Things to do this weekend

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

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Picture This: When Kings Park had a psychiatric hospital

The cost of living on Long Island is causing some Gen Zers to live at home with their parents. Newsday real estate reporter Rachel Weiss was more.

Cost of living keeps Gen Z at home with parents

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Hair we Share to see the process of turning donated hair into wigs.

LI Works: Giving wigs to those in need

Nassau and Suffolk counties have implemented a combined $57 million in technology upgrades to streamline the voting process.

New voting machines at Long Island polling places

Laura Otton, perinatal mental health therapist and owner of Therapy for Motherhood, talks to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about the logistics of returning to work after having a baby.

Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

Breast cancer survivor helps others take charge of their recovery

The report identified over half a million hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026, with monthly growth of 75%. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Anti-South Asian rhetoric surging on some social media platforms, report says

Liberty Water has applied to raise rates in three of the areas it serves on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Liberty seeks water rate hikes of $21-$28 a month for some Nassau customers

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Co-Owner, Dough & Co. Pizza to try the Apple Bay Pizza, which is exclusive to their Oyster Bay location.

Trendy Bites: An apple pie ... pizza?

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