Spring 2019 Featured Businesses
March 1, 2019
The Pet Spa at Brook’s Edge
After graduating with her business degree, Alyssa Tai Chew was deciding what her career path should be. She had watched her mom, Raina, work in Compliance and Mutual Funds for many years. Although Raina suggested her daughter go down a similar, stable career path, Alyssa didn’t feel her mom was truly happy in her career and wanted to do something she loved.
Alyssa’s love for dogs motivated her to intern for Lynn, a highly recommended groomer, one summer while she was in college. She learned quickly and developed a passion for grooming. After graduating with her business degree, Alyssa went back to work with Lynn for another year and a half. She became such an integral part of the business that Lynn trusted her to run the shop while she was away. She had started by grooming two dogs a day and could now groom up to fourteen in one day.
Raina encouraged her daughter to pursue her passion and explore all parts of the business. Alyssa took a job at PetSmart to see how a big, chain store operated. The thought was that a store as large as PetSmart would have already worked out a lot of issues that can be faced by new business owners. While working at PetSmart, Alyssa also attended and taught at the Grooming Academy in New York. After finding teaching wasn’t for her, she took a six-month online course with Paragon School of Grooming.
On April 3, 2017, Raina and Alyssa opened the doors to The Pet Spa at Brook’s Edge. They immediately hired another groomer, and added two more thereafter. Their business consists solely of referrals, and today they can see up to forty dogs in a single day. Services include a spa bath, grooming and the Central Bark Day Camp.
Together, they make the perfect business partners. Alyssa has a passion for grooming, and Raina has a passion for details and problem solving. For example, they invested in a hot water tank to make sure there is always hot water and the dogs are always comfortable and the quietest dryer on the market so the dogs don’t get scared.
Amboy:
“I was referred to Amboy in October of 2017, and I’m so glad I was. I’m always greeted when I walk into the branch, and Jennifer gives me exceptional customer service.”
Contact Info:
The Pet Spa at Brook’s Edge
71 South Main Street
Marlboro, NJ 07746
732-414-2822
www.thepetspanj.com/
Ken’s Body Works
In 1971, while working for NJ Manufacturer’s Insurance, Kennedy E. Kowalski rented a garage to pursue his passion for cars. He’d work on the cars of his friends and family, but soon the word spread. In 1981, Ken purchased property in Freehold, NJ in order to expand his business fulltime. He built a 2,000 square foot facility and hired two employees. In 1987, he built the building that still houses Ken’s Body Works today.
Ken’s son, Craig, grew up around the shop and was the only family member who knew how to operate the shop and its finances. Therefore, it was up to Craig to take over Ken’s Body Works when his father suddenly passed in 2008. For six months, Craig continued his career as a banker and ran the shop, until he ultimately decided that wasn’t sustainable and took over the shop fulltime.
Since then, Craig has grown Ken’s Body Works exponentially. Services have expanded to include full-service fleet maintenance (including the Freehold Regional High School District busses), as well as truck body and heavy equipment repair. The once 5,000 square foot facility is now 11,000 square feet. The shop also still handles on collision work for both specialized and passenger vehicles.
Ken’s legacy lives on through Ken’s Body Works, but also through
The Kennedy E. Kowalski Charitable Foundation that the Kowalski family have established in his honor. Ken always believed in paying it forward and would quietly help those he knew were in need. Today, the Foundation honors Ken in this same way by helping and supporting families and charitable organizations in the area.
Amboy:
“When my father passed, I took over the family’s and the business’ finances. It was such a hassle to work with the big bank we had used. They knew me; we had been long-time clients. And they still treated me terribly. So, I knew I needed a bank with a local headquarters where I could grab someone if I need to, and that also offered all the products I’d need to ensure the business runs smoothly. Amboy is always there to help anytime there’s a problem. Norma is always available for us. And the bank provided the loan to help me put up additional buildings on our property.”
Contact Info:
Ken’s Body Works
111 Crow Hill Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-8040
http://kbwnj.com/