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In The Lead: 2024 NJBIZ Women-Owned Businesses recognizes and celebrates New Jersey women who are using their energy, talent, intelligence and perseverance to build prosperous companies. For more:

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R. Seelaus

Founded in 1984 by Richard Seelaus, R. Seelaus & Co. has grown to become a full-service firm that includes a broker-dealer and asset management business.

The firm is now run by his daughter, Annie Seelaus, who took the helm as CEO in 2015 – and has decades of experience covering diverse financial markets. In 2023, the firm reported $43.3 million in revenue.

Under her leadership, Seelaus has become certified as a Women-owned Business in the state and nationally. Seelaus has a two-fold mission of being a high-quality, experienced option for clients seeking diversity in the firms with which they do business; and to support and empower women in the financial services industry and in the community.

That includes a focus of being an on-ramp for qualified women in the financial services industry who have taken a hiatus, and to support them with a flexible working environment which encourages work/life balance and actively seeks out and encourages women to re-enter the workforce. The firm has committed to educating young women about the opportunity in financial services and building a pipeline of talent into the industry.

The firm and its CEO have also committed to supporting community organizations that share the goal of empowering women.

SHI International

SHI is a global tech leader with more than 6,000 employees in 35 offices around the world.

Since 1989, SHI has been led by CEO and President Thai Lee. Under her leadership, SHI has evolved from a $1 million reseller into a $14 billion global provider of information technology products and solutions.

“We don’t ‘target customers, we talk to them,” said Lee. “We understand where they are and where they need to go. Then we help them select, deploy, and manage the technology that will get them there.”

SHI is the largest Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise in the United States.

The company’s Somerset HQ and Integration Centers in Piscataway are home to more than 2,000 sales, technical, support, and warehouse and configuration center employees.

And the company’s remarkable growth continues.

In May, SHI announced the acquisition of Locuz Enterprise Solutions Limited, an Indian cybersecurity and digital transformation services company.

“SHI’s acquisition of Locuz is more than a strategic expansion; it is a direct investment in our customers’ success,” said Lee. “The addition of Locuz will be a key component of our mission to deliver comprehensive solutions that address the complex needs of our customers globally.”

SKC & Co. CPAs LLC

Founded in 1982, Montville-based SKC & Co. continues its growth.

Since its humble beginnings over 40 years ago with a one-room office and a vision, the Montville-headquartered firm has locations on both coasts – reporting revenue of $6.7 million in 2023.

The public accounting and consulting firm serves entrepreneur business owners from across the country – taking a holistic approach to fully understand and serve the many facets of clients’ needs.

SKC is led by Managing Partner Sarah Krom along with partners Andrea Diaz and Caitlin Smith.

Just like its clients, SKC is an entrepreneurial, independent business – with experience that spans multiple generations – offering customized service and attention that only a smaller firm can provide.

“Our staff understands why entrepreneurs can feel there are not enough hours in the day,” SKC writes about its approach on its website. “We help our clients find where they are most productive and profitable, then free them up to focus their time and energy where it counts.”

Charity is also at the heart of the company philosophy – with the firm giving back in a number of ways through The SKC Foundation, its nonprofit and philanthropic initiative.

Solvix Solutions

Technology sales and services provider Solvix Solutions covers clients’ needs in both the private and public sector for desktop, software and infrastructure projects. Started out of a garage with a $5,000-limit credit card back in 2013, President Stacey Rock and Vice President Anthony Rock built a fast-growing business, which previously placed on the Inc. 5000. Today, its roster includes more than 5,000 different customers each year.

Solvix says its services are boosted by the relationships it maintains with distributors, offering consistency as well as quicker turnaround times. The company says its partners carry more than 250,000 products serving office and tech needs. It also specializes in government contracting, assisting with writing, managing or growing GSA Schedule Contracts.

Additionally, Solvix is proud of the relationships it has with its customers. The company offers services to back-up all its products throughout their lifespan and encourages a teamlike approach for both internal – and external – interactions.

As offices continue to evolve and engage new features, Solvix offers assistance in meeting that charge. Studies have shown the benefits standing can have on the health and attitude of workers. As more employers look to offer solutions such as these, Solvix has gained prominence too, establishing itself as an expert in the ergonomic workplace environment.

Stateside Affairs

Founded in 2015 by Cristina Pinzon, Stateside Affairs is a woman- and minority-owned government affairs and public relations company.

The award-winning firm is comprised of former journalists, media specialists and government officials – with more than 50 years of combined experience. Stateside Affairs uses state-of-the-art marketing and strategic thinking on behalf of clients, garnering regional and international recognition for its work in public affairs as well as print and digital communications. It is a bipartisan firm with clients on both sides of the political spectrum.

In July, the firm marked nine years in business.

“Celebrating nine years in business alongside New Jersey’s inaugural Diverse Business Month, Stateside Affairs is proud of the significant strides we have made as a minority- and woman-owned public relations and government affairs firm,” said Pinzon. “Our journey has been marked by hard, dedication, and the rewarding experience of breaking glass ceilings.”

Pinzon has championed a diverse array of issues – and using her prior experience as a journalist and government official, is uniquely positioned in both public-private sectors.

Stateside Affairs was recognized last year as the No. 1 Minority-Owned Business in the NJBIZ 2023 Reader Rankings.

Stillwell-Hansen

Founded in 1969, Stillwell-Hansen is a leader in data center infrastructure solution, fire protection and traditional HVAC products.

A key philosophy of Stillwell-Hansen is striving to act as an extension of each manufacturer – representing them in the 12 northern counties of the state who believe they offer a superior product.

The company, which had 2023 revenue of $82.5 million, is led by President and CEO Carol Stillwell, who joined the company in 1969 as a secretary.

Under her leadership since 1996, Stillwell-Hansen keeps growing – and continues the legacy of truthfulness, experience and dedication to customers first instilled by founder Gordon Stillwell.

Stillwell continually strives to actively mentor and support women – and has played a big role in the industry, growing from a traditionally male-dominated one to a sector with a more gender diverse group of leaders. She is frequently invited to speak at events for women’s initiatives and presents lectures on subjects such as “The Journey, Belief in Yourself and Perseverance.”

Philanthropy is also a huge part of the company ethos. A portion of profits supports nonprofit causes with a strong focus on aiding cancer, health care and educational organizations. Stillwell has also personally devoted her life to philanthropic causes – serving as an advocate and major fundraiser for numerous charities.

Studio 5 Partnership Architects / Planners LLC

Studio 5 is a full-service architectural firm specializing in design, planning, interior design, sustainable design, and construction administration for both public and private clients. It reported 2023 revenue of $4.16 million and is a a certified Women-owned Business Enterprise. Over its 12 years in business, two partners retired, but new women leaders stepped up. Studio 5 now holds WBE certifications in New Jersey, New York State, New York City and with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The firm’s leaders possess more than 100 years of collective experience, which they apply to every phase of the development process, from clarifying objectives, to coordinating teams and providing creative solutions when potential obstacles arise.

Among the firm’s New Jersey projects are the renovation of the Hoboken PATH station, which transformed a dingy, leaky passageway that was a dismal experience for commuters. Studio 5 created an energy-efficient, well-lit area with an improved public address system. The project won the 2013 Construction Excellence Award from the Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association. Another notable Garden State project is the Fair Lawn Community Center, which replaced two outdated facilities. Borough officials wanted a a multi-functional community gathering space that could accommodate a wide range of recreational, cultural and social services in a new, modern, well-conceived space.

Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC

Summit Place Financial Advisors is an SEC registered wealth management firm providing investment management and financial consulting services for individuals and multi-generational families. The firm touts itself as an independent financial advisor that does not sell products, earn commissions or impose quotas. All of its services are fee-based, which keeps client interests at the forefront. Its professionals boast more than 35 years of combined expertise, with a particular focus on managing wealth in excess of $5 million. According to the Summit Place website, the firm uses a partnership approach.

“First, we listen carefully to the priorities in your life, and then together we agree on a strategy to arrange your portfolios and your affairs to support those priorities,” the firm says. Clients can get help on such needs as funding for college, future weddings or a comfortable retirement with no diminution in lifestyle.

Founder and President Liz Miller often shares her expertise with media outlets, such as Bloomberg, Reuters and CNBC. In a recent article for the publication of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, Miller wrote about dealing with older clients. “Successful financial plans anticipate longevity, emergency expenses, and late-life health care crises,” she wrote. “They give our clients comfort and confidence that we have heard their vision of their future and that their financial resources are likely to support them for the lifetime they anticipate. But financial plans can’t reflect the critical discussions our clients need to have with each other and their families to ensure their lifestyle experiences follow their vision.”

Suuchi Inc.

Suuchi Inc. has been disrupting the supply chain since the Paramus-based company’s inception in 2017 — notably pre-pandemic. By crafting an accessible (both in terms of usability and price point) and simplified interface, the company’s software simplifies logistics operations and supply chains, as well as technology stacks, for businesses.

Today, customers across more than 20 industries employ the Certified Minority Women Business Enterprises’ end-to-end GRID solution, ranging from cosmetics and apparel operations to safety products or tools.

Powered by AI, the GRID can help companies upgrade their operations or integrate into legacy systems to better connect people, data and workflows.

In May, CEO and founder Suuchi Ramesh was recognized as an INNOVATE100 leader, spearheaded by Innovation+, for her contributions as a manufacturing entrepreneur in the state.

“Building and scaling a company is not a straight line,” she reflected in a recent post on LinkedIn. “To us at Suuchi, Inc. success is all about the journey, the joy of controlling our destiny, the joy of the build, the thrill of redefining a market. It the unmatched happiness and high that comes from working with the most driven, high character, A+ leaders in their game.”

Technology Concepts Group International

TCGi is a leading diverse supplier of advisory and IT professional services. President and CEO Avis Yates Rivers brings more than 35 years of general management experience in the information technology industry to bear for clients. She has been a successful tech entrepreneur for over 30 years.

Before establishing her first company in 1985, Rivers spent 11 years at Exxon and its subsidiaries. She decided to set out on her own proceeded to start several firms, culminating with Technology Concepts Group International LLC.

With innovative supply chain solutions, TCGi specializes in reducing the cost of IT asset management, IT procurement management and tail spend management. With its acquisition of BigVAR, TCGi also began providing technology solutions to government agencies and businesses.

Rivers was a finalist in the 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards program. Other honors include the Shirley Chisholm Award for Business, Top 10 Women in Technology and Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners, along with a White House Champion of Change in STEM honor awarded by President Barack Obama.

She is also the author of “Necessary Inclusion”, a book published in 2017 that analyzes the challenges of getting more women and people of color into the technology industry. It also provides advice on solving this persistent problem.

Turtle

A fourth-generation, family-owned business, Turtle is a leading electrical and industrial distribution, logistics and supply chain provider, which had 2023 revenue of $887 million.

Founded by M. Berry Turtle and Bill Hughes, the company is now led by Jayne Millard, co-CEO and executive chairman of the board (who is Turtle’s great granddaughter) and Luis Valls, co-CEO and president, Electrical Distribution Division.

For more than 20 years, Turtle has been a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

In 2023, Turtle marked its 100th anniversary – and rebranded from Turtle & Hughes to the streamlined Turtle in addition to debuting a new logo. The rebranding also resulted in a new mission – ‘Rethinking Energy. Advancing Tomorrow’ and leaning into a new brand value – ‘Radical Collaboration.’

Last August, Turtle officially moved from Linden to its new space in Clark – where about 200 employees work.

Millard told NJBIZ, “It’s a really exciting chapter for Turtle because we were able to consolidate a lot of our location and our old headquarters into a beautiful new space where we’ve created – my goal was to create somewhere that was sort of between home and work, something where people were comfortable and wanted to stay and you also have kind of the comforts of home, as well.”

Twin Elephant Brewing Co.

Chatham-based Twin Elephant Brewing Co. has been serving up suds since 2016 with a distribution network that stretches throughout the Garden State.

And the brewery consistently earns praise as one of the best to do it in New Jersey. It offers brews at its unique Morris County taproom, packaged goods to go as well as new releases, events and more. The business was founded by Scott McLuskery, Tim Besecker and Cindy DeRama.

Since Twin Elephant’s start, DeRama has been visible as a woman in the industry. She’s also been vocal about the importance of fostering ties among these women professionals. Twin Elephant was out in front too, rallying against divisive rules the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control introduced in 2022.

Voices like DeRama’s were among those that helped turn the tide on the brewery/distillery regulations, which were upended following new legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy at the start of this year.

“We actually want to work with them—we want to sell our beer to them,” DeRama told NJBIZ in 2022, adding that breweries don’t see themselves as competition for restaurants and bars. “But the squeaky wheel gets the oil … [t]he ones that complain the loudest aren’t necessarily interested in craft beer, they’re selling macro, and they see us as competition even though it’s not necessarily the case.”

With restrictions on the number of events and the ways breweries can offer food now relaxed, Twin Elephant is poised to tap into new opportunities.

Undercover Snacks

Undercover Snacks was launched in 2017 by a Garden State mom looking to satisfy sweet cravings in a less indulgent way. The resulting chocolate, crispy treats are also gluten-free and peanut/tree nut-free, without skimping on flavor.

The family-operated business manufactures its snacks in East Hanover from a custom-built SQF (Safe Quality Food)-certified chocolate factory.

In June, it was among guests to travel to the Specialty Food Association’s 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show with the New Jersey Business Action Center. All 19 companies exhibiting were NJSTEP participants. The New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program offers financial awards to companies poised for growth via global export.

Undercover Snacks is also expanding its reach in the U.S. In May, the company announced its crisps would expand to all Whole Foods Market’s 500-plus U.S. stores. It was a full-circle moment for the company, whose treats (there’s nine flavors) are available at more than 25,000 retailers, including Amazon.com, Costco, CVS, Rite Aid and others.

“Whole Foods is where it all began in our first store in Newark, N.J.,” co-owner and CEO Diana Levy said in May. “We believe Whole Foods’ decision to launch Undercover nationally reflects our strong, accelerating sales, coupled with a phenomenally delicious chocolate snack that bring true innovation to the confection category.”

Valley Wellness

Founded by Sarah Trent, Valley Wellness holds distinction as the first independently owned medical cannabis dispensary to have opened in the Garden State. In 2023, the Woman Business Owned Enterprise expanded into the adult-use market.

The shop offers delivery, curbside or inside pick-up, and online ordering in addition to the traditional in-store experience.

Valley Wellness and CEO Trent are also known for their commitment to creating an educated workforce within the growing industry for emerging entrepreneurs.

“We assist other operators almost daily, helping them through issues that we also struggled through,” Trent said in a 2023 New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association member spotlight.

In 2020, the attorney founded a 15-hour certificate program. That sister company and course, NJ Cannabis Certified, is taught in conjunction with several community colleges throughout the state.

Upon the launch of a training round last year Trent said, “Now, more than ever, having access to and taking part in helping to train qualified individuals for New Jersey’s cannabis workforce is key to the success of both Valley Wellness and the industry at large, which I personally take very seriously.”

She also prioritizes creating and equitable industry and has forged retail partnerships with several woman-owned manufacturers and cultivators in the past year.

Van Cleef Engineering

For more than 50 years, Van Cleef Engineering Associates has served private and public clients with a wide range of professional engineering services and surveying solutions.

Van Cleef is a multi-disciplined firm of engineers, certified inspectors, landscape architects, planners and land surveyors, which was founded in 1972 by Neil Van Cleef.

Under the leadership of CEO Cynthia Norfleet, the company continues its growth and builds on its legacy.

In 2023, Van Cleef acquired Bursich Associates – expanding the firm’s ability to serve clients throughout southeastern Pennsylvania – into the active Montgomery County, Berks County, and Chester County regions.

Van Cleef has nine regional offices located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania – employing more than 225 professionals and technical support staff; providing expertise in all of the major areas of municipal and civil engineering.

The firm is committed to working with its clients from initial bidding through project completion – with a focus on providing personalized solutions for residential, commercial, financial, educational, religious, retail, health care and municipal clients.

Violet PR

Since its founding in 2010, Violet PR has become one of the top boutique PR firms in the state, working in such areas as economic development; real estate, architecture and engineering; and media, arts and social good. The Montclair-based firm designs and implements communications programs for media relations, social media and content development.

The result is a high-growth business according to no less an authority than Inc. mMgazine. Violet PR came in at No. 291 in the Advertising and Marketing category of the publication’s 2024 list of the 5,000 fastest growing businesses in the country. The firm ranked 61st overall in New Jersey.

“We are thrilled to be named to 2024’s Inc. 5000 list, said April Mason, Violet PR’s founder and president. Over the past year, the Violet PR team has doubled down on growing our business and supporting even more clients committed to making a difference. Our team has expanded to 14 full-time employees, and we’ve onboarded a number of new clients in the past year. This recognition proves our continued commitment to doing meaningful work.”

The firm’s growth accelerated over the past year in part because of the addition of several new clients, including the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Switzerland Global Enterprise and The Connell Co.

Wong Fleming PC

With offices across the country, minority- and women-owned law firm Wong Fleming is celebrating 30 years since its founding in 2024. The Princton-based practice prioritizes ongoing professional education and diversity, since growing into a nationally recognized team with more than 30 attorneys.

The firm represents Fortune 500 companies and other corporate clients in the areas of commercial law, corporate asset recovery, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, employment and labor law, environmental, insurance defense and coverage, intellectual property, immigration, real estate, and premises and product liability.

“Three decades ago, we envisioned a firm that not only excelled in legal expertise but also championed diversity, innovation, and unwavering client commitment. Today, as we commemorate Wong Fleming’s 30th anniversary, we’re proud to see those principles embodied in every aspect of our practice,” CEO and partner Linda Wong commented in a celebratory LinkedIn post on the milestone.

Wong Fleming’s commitment to diversity in the legal profession is celebrated regularly by external parties, too. Most recently, the firm earned praise as one of 57 firms recognized by Bloomberg Law’s DEI Framework in addition to being the No. 2-ranked firm nationwide in Law360’s 2024 Diversity snapshot.

ZAGO Manufacturing

In March, ZAGO Manufacturing celebrated Women’s History Month making some of its own: achieving certification as a Women Business Enterprise in New Jersey.

The move opens opportunities for the sustainable sealing fastener and switch boots manufacturer with private sector participants who prioritize supplier diversity, as well as the government. The state’s burgeoning offshore wind sector, in particular, presents opportunity for ZAGO.

“We are a sustainable manufacturer, making sustainable sealing solutions for a sustainable world,” co-founder and CEO Gail Rottenstrich told NJBIZ in 2022. “Our corrosion-resistant, reusable sealing fasteners are specifically designed to shield contaminants, such as saltwater, precipitation, dirt, chemicals and lubricants from seeping into equipment and damaging it or leaking out and potentially harming our environment.”

Launched in 1993, the company has its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Newark. In 2023, ZAGO was among the inaugural NJBIZ Empowering Women honorees, recognizing companies for their efforts to support women in the workplace. The company offers paid tuition for those who wish to pursue higher education, remote work opportunities to care for family, and makes an effort to assign women to leadership roles and offer mentorship opportunities.

“Harvey [her husband and co-founder] and I realized that ZAGO should become a woman-owned manufacturer to show women, explicitly and implicitly, what is possible,” Rottenstrich said earlier this year celebrating the WBE certification.

The Zita Group

Headed by Patrizia “Trish” Zita, a former Assembly research associate in the 1990s and later the senior director of the Chemical Industry Council of New Jersey, The Zita Group consistently ranks as one of the most recognized, respected and relied upon lobbying firms in the state.

In addition to lobbying, the 17-year-old Trenton-based group specializes in public affairs, government affairs, business development and procurement.

TZG’s team consists of political leaders, former senior administration officials, campaign operatives and attorneys with experience representing clients on legislative, administrative and regulatory issues at all levels of New Jersey government.

In November 2022, the firm rebranded from Kaufman Zita Group to The Zita Group, a move that came about a year after longtime partner Adam Kaufman retired. After Zita became full equity partner, the business became the first and only-woman owned firm among the top lobbying groups in Trenton.

Commenting on the name change, Zita said it was done to reflect the firm’s diversity and “innovative approach to servicing clients.”

“Our new identity is rooted in our original look and all the expertise and support our clients have come to expect while moving the firm forward into a new era,” said Zita. “At TZG, we understand today’s complex and disruptive world. In order to stay ahead, we must adapt and evolve. TZG is committed to remaining ahead of trends and innovations in the industries we represent, and we’re excited to usher in a new chapter with our clients.”

Click here for the introduction  |  Click here for companies A-D  |  Click here for companies E-P

Editor’s note: This list was updated to correct the spelling of Stillwell-Hansen’s company name and to delete a reference to a line of business in The Zita Group profile.