>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

FLORIDA STRUGGLES TO RECOVER FROM THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE IAN, ONE OF THE COST LI EFFORT STORMS IN U.S. HISTORY.

PLUS, A PAY HIKE FOR AMAZON WORKERS.

WILL IT HELP THE COMPANY HIRE MORE WORKERS HERE IN NEW JERSEY IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON?

>> I WANT TO SERVE.

I WANT TO BE OF SERVICE OF PEOPLE, AND IT'S THAT MINDSET AND THAT THINKING THAT REALLY GIVE ME ENERGY WHEN THINGS GET REALLY HARD.

>> AND THIS WEEK, WE'RE PUTTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN FOCUS FROM SUCCESSFUL CEOs GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES TO BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS GROWING THEIR BUSINESSES.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

♪ ♪ ♪ >>> THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>> HELLO.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANK FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

AS REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IAN PELT PARTS OF NEW JERSEY THIS WEEKEND, THE LONG PROCESS OF CLEANUP AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT IN FLORIDA AND OTHER SOUTHERN STATES IS JUST BEGINNING.

ALREADY WE KNOW THAT IAN LEFT A TRAIL OF CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE COSTLIEST STORMS IN U.S. HISTORY.

EARLY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS RANGE FROM 7 TO TO $100 BILLION.

THAT'S WELL ABOVE THE COST FROM STORMS THAT HAVE HIT NEW JERSEY IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDING SANDY AND IDA.

HURRICANE KATRINA WAS THE COSTLIEST STORM IN U.S. HISTORY, CAUSING $186 BILLION IN DAMAGE WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION ACCORDING TO NOAA.

MEANTIME, IAN HIT FLORIDA AT A TIME WHEN THAT STATE'S PROPERTY INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS IN TROUBLE.

THE MARKET THERE HAS FACED BILLION-DOLLAR LOSSES, INSOLVENCIES AND SKYROCKETING PREMIUMS.

>> THE SITUATION IN FLORIDA IS FAR MORE DEVASTATING.

WE'RE JUST BEGINNING TO SEE THE SCALE OF THAT DESTRUCTION.

IT'S LIKE IT RANKED AMONG WORST OF THE NATIONS IN THE WORST OF THE NATION'S HISTORY.

YOU HAVE ALL SEEN ON TELEVISION HOMES AND PROPERTY WIPED OUT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE MONTHS, YEARS TO REBUILD, AND OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THOSE FOLKS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE STORM.

AMERICA'S HEART IS LITERALLY BREAKING AND JUST WATCHING PEOPLE ON TELEVISION.

I JUST WANT THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA TO KNOW, WE SEE WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH AND WE'RE WITH YOU.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR YOU.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS MOVING CLOSER TO GETTING A CHILD TAX CREDIT DESIGNED TO GIVE FAMILIES SOME FINANCIAL RELIEF.

THIS PAST WEEK THE STATE SENATE APPROVED LEGISLATION ENABLING FAMILIES TO COLLECT TAX CREDITS NEXT YEAR WHEN THEY FILE THEIR 2022 TAX RETURNS.

PREVIOUSLY APPROVED LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE PROVIDED TAX BREAKS IN THE 2023 TAX YEAR.

SO THIS NEW BILL MOVES THINGS UP.

THE STATE ASSEMBLY IS SET TO CONSIDER THE BILL NEXT WEEK.

HOUSEHOLDS UP TO $80,000 ANNUALLY WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE AND N.J. BUDGET SIDELINER HAS THE BILL.

>> NEW JERSEY IS A HIGH-COST STATE AND WE HAVE RISING INFLATION.

WE HAVE RISING TAXES AND SO I THINK THE BROAD INSPIRATION WAS TO HELP MAKE NEW JERSEY MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE INCOMES UNDER $80,000, BUT ALSO WE'VE HEARD THE SPONSORS TALK ABOUT A TAX CREDIT THAT WAS AVAILABLE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FUNDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THAT HAS CHILD TAX CREDITS AND IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING CHILD POVERTY AND IT'S HELPING TO MAKE NEW JERSEY MORE AFFORDABLE AND ALSO MODELING A STATE-LEVEL TAX POLICY OFF OF SOMETHING THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON IN WASHINGTON D.C.

DIDN'T GET RENEWED.

>> PAY RACES ARE ON THE WAY TO SOME WORKERS IN AMAZON, ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS.

AMAZON IS INCREASING AVERAGE STARTING PAY FOR ITS WAREHOUSE AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS TO MORE THAN $19 AN HOUR, UP FROM $18 AND THE PAY INCREASES WILL COST AMAZON NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR, BUT THE COMPANY IS HOPING THE MOVE WILL ENABLE IT TO ATTRACT WORKERS WITH THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

>> NEW JERSEY-BASED LAKELAND BANK HAS AGREED TO PAY $13 MILLION TO SETTLE CLAIMS THAT ENGAGED IN REDLINING.

THAT'S DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR BY DENYING THEM MORTGAGES AND OTHER HOUSING-RELATED LOANS.

IT WAS BANNED UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968, BUT IT HASN'T GONE AWAY.

LAST YEAR THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHEDED A NEW INITIATIVE TO FIGHT IT.

THE DOJ THIS PAST WEEK ANNOUNCED THE SETTLEMENT WITH LAKELAND BANK SAYING THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FAILED TO PROVIDE MORTGAGES TO PEOPLE LIVING IN BLACK AND HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOODS IN NEWARK AND OTHER PARTS OF ESSEX, SOMERSET AND LAKELAND COUNTIES AND THEY ADMITTED TO NO WRONGDOING.

>> NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING MARKETS LIKE THE REST OF THE NATION HAS COOLED.

THE NEW JERSEY REALTORS ASSOCIATION SAYS INFLATION, HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND FEARS OF A POTENTIAL RECESSION TOOK A TOLL ON BUYERS AND SELLERS THIS SUMMER.

THERE ARE 20% FEWER HOMES ON THE MARKET COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

THIS YEAR THE AVERAGE 30-YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE HIT 4.82% ACCORDING TO BANK RATE.

IN AUGUST, CLOTHES SALES WERE DOWN MORE THAN 16% COMPARED IT A YEAR AGO.

BUYERS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES ON THE SIDE LINES AND MORTGAGE SELLERS ARE HOLDING BACK ON LISTING THEIR HOMES.

>> WE HAVE NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH BY RECOGNIZING SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S STANDOUT FEMALE EXECUTIVES AND BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS.

WE'RE CELEBRATING THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND PUTTING THEIR PATH TO SUCCESS IN FOCUS.

THE NUMBER OF WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THIS COUNTRY AND NEW JERSEY CONTINUES TO GROW BY ONE COUNT, THE NUMBER OF WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES CLIMBED 21% OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO A TOTAL OF NEARLY 13 MILLION.

OVER 300,000 OF THOSE BUSINESSES ARE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

MOST BUSINESSES OWNED BY WOMEN, 2.8 MILLION FALL UNDER THE CATEGORY OF OTHER SERVICES.

THAT INCLUDES HAIR AND NAIL SALONS AND PET CARE BUSINESSES.

1.9 MILLION BUSINESSES ARE IN HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES CHILD CARE.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT FOR 1.6 MILLION BUSINESSES AND THAT'S A CATEGORY THAT INCLUDES LAWYERS, BOOK KEEPERS, ARCHITECTS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERTS AS WELL AS CONSULTANTS.

TO FIND OUT HOW WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES FARE IN THE GARDEN STATE, I SAT DOWN WITH CHRISTINA RINNA WHO CHAIRS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AND SHE SHARES HER OWN UNIQUE CAREER JOURNEY.

>> HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE IT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OF SOUTH JERSEY?

>> WE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE, UNFORTUNATELY.

OUR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE BUSINESSES OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR THAT BOTH TEND TO BE SMALLER BUSINESSES AND CONTINUE TO REALLY HAVE A HARD TIME BOUNCING BACK FROM THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE PANDEMIC.

STILL, WE ARE SEEING SOME PROGRESS AND THINGS ARE CERTAINLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT DOES LEAVE OURSELVES SOME CHALLENGES THERE.

>> WHAT CAN BE DONE IN TERMS OF POLICIES FROM THE STATE THAT MIGHT GIVE THOSE WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES THE SUPPORT THEY NEED?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY THE TOP ISSUE FOR ANY BUSINESS OWNER, NOT JUST WOMEN CONTINUES TO BE ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

ANY KIND OF GRANT PROGRAM, AND KIND OF MONETARY FINANCING OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD HAVE A VERY LOW INTEREST RATE, THAT'S ALL VERY APPEALING AND IT CAN BE VERY HELPFUL ESPECIALLY TO WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT STRUGGLE IN THAT AREA IDENTIFYING ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

HOWEVER, ON A BROAD POLICY BASIS, THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS CHILD CARE.

HAVING MORE CHILD CARE OPTION FOR WOMEN WHO ARE ENTREPRENEURS AND WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT ON THEIR OWN AND START A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, CHILD CARE ENDS UP BEING THE NUMBER ONE OBSTACLE OUTSIDE OF THOSE TRADITIONAL BUSINESS ISSUES THAT IMPACT ANY KIND OF BUSINESS OWNER.

>> THERE'S A LOT STILL TO BE DONE FOR SURE AND THERE'S A LOT OF STRUGGLES AHEAD, BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT WE HAVE SEEN WOMEN TRY TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND TRY TO STRIKE OUT ON THEIR OWN AND WOMEN HAVE MADE SOME ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL IN NEW JERSEY.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR OWN JOURNEY.

HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TO LEAD THE SOUTHERN JERSEY CHAMBER.

>> MY BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY IN POLITICS.

I WENT TO ST. JOE'S UNIVERSITY IN PHILADELPHIA, AND THEN VILLANOVA FOR MY MASTERS SDG ALL IN PUBLIC POLICY AND MY BACKGROUND IS WORKING FOR FORMER STATE ASSEMBLYMAN DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY, WORKING AT A PRIVATE COMPANY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND DOING MORE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, BUT THE POSITION OPENED UP IN 2007 TO BE THE SOUTH JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S DAY TO DAY LOBBYISTS IN TRENTON AND THAT WAS A JOB I WAS ABLE TO SECURE WHEN I WAS 27 OR 26 YEARS OLD AND THAT LED ME ON THE TRAJECTORY OF WORKING IN AND AROUND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES, PRIMARILY ON THE LOBBYING AND PUBLIC POLICY SIDE OF THE EQUATION UNTIL TAKING OVER THE CHAMBER IN JANUARY OF 2020, SO IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING RIDE.

I WAS WITH THE CHAMBER FOR A FEW YEARS AND I LEFT AND WORKED FOR GOVERNOR CHRISTIE IN HIS FIRST TERM AND IN 2018 LEFT STATE GOVERNMENT, LEFT PUBLIC SERVICE AND CAME BACK TO THE CHAMBER AND CONTINUED THAT LOBBYING ROLE AND TOOK ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY UNTIL TAKING OVER THE CHAMBER.

IN JANUARY 2020 RIGHT BEFORE COVID HIT.

>> SO WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO WANT TO CLIMB THE LADDER LIKE YOU DID, EVEN WITH THESE OBSTACLES ABOUT FINDING CAPITAL AND FINDING CHILD CARE.

IT'S DIFFICULT, BUT WHAT'S THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D GIVE THEM?

>> IDENTIFY NETWORKING GROUPS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, NAVO, WOMEN'S FOCUSED GROUPS AND YOU CAN POUR SUPPORT AROUND YOU THAT YOU CAN LEAN ON WHEN YOU NEED ADVICE, SUGGESTIONS AND WILL HELP LIFT YOU UP PROFESSIONALLY AS YOU CONTINUE TO BUILD ON YOUR CAREER.

>> CHRISTINA, THANKS SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> OF COURSE, RHONDA.

THANK YOU.

>> DESPITE SOME CHALLENGES, WOMEN CONTINUE TO TAKE THE PLUNGE AND BECOME ENTREPRENEURS AND WOMEN OF COLOR ARE LEADING THE CHARGE.

IN A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IN 2019 AMERICAN EXPRESS REPORTS AFRICAN WOMEN STARTED 42% OF NET NEW WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

THERE ARE NEARLY 2.7 BLACK WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES OR 21% OF ALL COMPANIES OWNED BY WOMEN.

THEY ARE LIKE GEVA JOHNSON JONES.

SHE LAUNCHED HER BUSINESS AFTER DISCOVERING AN UNMET NEED IN THE MARKETPLACE TO SUPPORT THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY.

GENOVA BECAME AN ENTREPRENEUR AFTER A CORPORATE LAYOFF AND THIS CEO TOLD ME SHE LOVES BEING HER OWN BOSS.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT".

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO I WANT TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE FOUNDING HUDSON KITCHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO INTO THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN BUSINESS?

>> I ACTUALLY SPENT 15 YEARS AS A MARKETING EXECUTIVE FOR A BIG PUBLISHING COMPANY, AND I WAS LAID OFF IN -- AT THE END OF 2014 AND I DECIDED I DID NOT WANT TO GO WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND INITIALLY LAUNCHED A FITNESS BUSINESS WITH A MEAL PREP COMPONENT AND I WAS LOOKING AROUND FOR KITCHENS AND YOU CANNOT MAKE THAT TYPE OF FOOD IN NEW JERSEY TO THE PUBLIC AND DECIDED TO OPEN MY OWN KITCHEN.

>> WHAT ARE THE SERVICES THAT YOU OFFER THEM?

>> SURE.

SO HUDSON KITCHEN IS AN 8,000 SQUARE FOOT FOOD BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND LOCATED IN CARNEY, NEW JERSEY AND WE WORK WITH ALL TYPES OF FOOD BUSINESSES AND MOSTLY FOCUS ON FOOD PREP, CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS AND FOOD TRUCKS, AS WELL.

WE OFFER THEM A TURN-KEY SERVICE.

THEIR HOME IS HUDSON KITCHEN WHERE THEY RUN THEIR BUSINESSES AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO USE OUR ADDRESS AS THEIR BUSINESS ADDRESS AND WE PROVIDE THEM WITH MANUFACTURING SPACE AS WELL AS STORAGE SPACE FOR ALL INGREDIENTS AND ITEMS.

WE HAVE A LOADING DOCK AND FOOD TRUCK PARKING AND SPACE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE.

>> YOU ARE CLEARLY FULL SERVICE.

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

WE EVEN HAVE A SHOWER IN ONE OF OUR BATHROOMS.

YOU CAN LIVE THERE IF YOU WANT.

>> CERTAINLY WON'T GO HUNGRY.

WHICH PROGRAMS DID YOU FIND MOST HELPFUL WHEN YOU WERE FUNDING YOUR BUSINESS?

WHAT REALLY HELPED YOU GET OFF THE GROUND?

>> I WORKED WITH HUDSON COUNTY ECONOMIC CORPORATION AND THEY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ME GET FUNDING FOR HUDSON KITCHEN.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IT WAS A BIG UNDERTAKING AND I WROTE A BUSINESS PLAN AND THEY TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW IT WITH ME AND MADE CHANGES AND THEY HELPED ME SHOP IT AROUND TO BANKS TO GET AN SB ALONE.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING IN TERMS OF GOING FROM CORPORATE LIFE TO BEING OUT ON YOUR OWN?

>> I THINK IT WAS REALLY JUST MAKING SURE THAT I HAD THE RIGHT SUPPORT SYSTEM IN PLACE.

A LOT OF MY FRIENDS WHO WERE IN CORPORATE AMERICA AND WHILE THEY WERE SUPPORTIVE THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR, SO ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID I SIGNED UP FOR THE COMMUNITY BUSINESS ACADEMY AND NOT ONLY DID IT TAKE ME TO THE STEPS, BUT IT ALSO GAVE ME A COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS TO WORK WITH.

>> WHAT OTHER ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE WOMEN, ESPECIALLY BLACK WOMEN WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES?

>> I WOULD SAY LOOK AROUND YOUR AREA AND REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEW JERSEY HAVE TO OFFER ESPECIALLY THE NON-PROFITS.

THEY OFFER COURSES AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE FREE OR FOR A NOMINAL COST AND THEY'RE QUITE HELPFUL AND AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT FINDING THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM AND FINDING A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND EVEN A GROUP OF WOMEN THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT AS YOU, KIND OF LAUNCHING BUSINESSES.

I HAVE A FRIEND THAT LAUNCHED HER BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME AND SHE IS MY ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER AND WE TALK ABOUT THE UPS AND DOWNS AND HER FRIENDSHIP IS INVALUABLE.

>> HOW DO YOU LIKE BEING YOUR OWN BOSS?

>> IT IS AMAZING.

I WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO CORPORATE.

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY GREAT HEARING YOUR STORY.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH ME TODAY.

>> WE CONNECTED WITH ANOTHER JERSEY ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS HELPING HER FELLOW FEMALE BUSINESS OWNERS GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.

KAREN YANKOVICH DEVELOPS DIGITAL STRATEGIES FOR HER CLIENTS AND HER SOCIAL PLATFORM OF CHOICE IS LINKEDIN.

>> WHEN I ASK PEOPLE WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES?

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR BIGGEST CLIENTS FROM?

ALMOST ALWAYS THEY SAY REFERRALS AND THEY SPEND ALL THEIR MARKETING TIME AND DOLLARS ON OTHER THINGSES.

SO LINKEDIN IS WHERE WE CAN BUILD A REALLY STRONG, REALLY PROFITABLE PERSONAL NETWORK OF PEOPLE THAT CAN GIVE US MORE REFERRALS.

REFERRALS AREN'T NECESSARILY REPEATABLE, BUT IF WE KROO EIGHT A PROCESS THAT BUILDS OUT OUR NETWORK OF PEOPLE THAT CAN GIVE US REFERRALS.

NOW WE'RE MAKING THE MOST IMPACTFUL WAY THAT WE GROW OUR CAREERS AND OUR BUSINESS.

WE'RE MAKING THAT REPEATABLE.

>> FOR SOME JERSEY LEADERS, BUSINESS ISN'T JUST ABOUT MAKING MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> WE LOVE THE STORY OF CHAIA PAMELA, THE CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF PRINCETON-BASED PAMTAN.

IT DEFINES ITSELF AS A COMPANY THAT TRANSFORMS BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AND THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND UNDERPRIVILEGED.

SHE EMBRACES SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SHE FOUNDED A NON-PROFIT THAT HELPS NEEDY CHILDREN IN INDIA AND IT SEEKS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY.

SHE SHARED HER VERY PERSONAL STORY ON WHY GIVING BACK IS SO IMPORTANT TO HER AND HOW IT'S CHANGED HER COMPANY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON THE SHOW.

I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN READING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY.

YOU ARE A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, BUT YOU HAVE A BIG, SOCIAL MISSION.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT MISSION TO HAVE?

>> I WAS ALWAYS PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN.

BECAUSE I LOST MY PARENTS AT AN EARLY AGE, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME, SOMETIMES CHALLENGING.

THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY AND IT TOOK ME A LOT OF EFFORT TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY AND I GREW UP WITH THE PASSION TO HELP UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN.

SO THAT PASSION, ACTUALLY, I COUNTED IT FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE BEEN -- I WAS WORKING WITH A COMPANY AND AT THAT TIME I DECIDED THAT I SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO FIRST, I FOUNDED MY NON-PROFIT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR KIDS IN NEED AND THEN I FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING LARGER THAN THAT THAT WOULD HELP SUSTAIN THE ORGANIZATION AND HELP GIVE THE FOUNDATION TO THE NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT I THOUGHT MY SKILLS IN PROFESSIONAL LIFE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND SO I SAID LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND THAT'S HOW I CO-FOUNDED PAMTON IN 2007.

IT WAS REALLY THE PASSION STARTED FIRST AND THEN I STARTED MY FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

>> HOW DO YOU GET YOUR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED WITH THE SAME SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FERVOR THAT YOU HAVE.

>> OUR MISSION STATEMENT CLEARLY SPEAKS ABOUT OUR WORK THAT WE DO PROFESSIONALLY AND WE'RE TRYING TO TRANSFORM THE BUSINESSES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS.

WE ALSO SAY THAT THAT'S HELPING US TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THESE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND THAT MESSAGE, I THINK, TRANSLATES WITH PEOPLE AND OUR CLIENTS FEEL THAT THERE IS A PURPOSE IN ENGAGING US AND ARE WORKING WITH US.

SO OUR EMPLOYEES ARE VERY MUCH, YOU KNOW, INFORMED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THESE CHILDREN.

HOW THIS IS HELPING AND CONSTANTLY WE FEED THEM WITH INFORMATION AND HOW THEY WILL MOVE TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THESE CHILDREN AND MAKING THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE AND OUR EMPLOYEES LOVE THAT, AND MOST OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO SPONSORING THESE CHILDREN EDUCATION AND THEY FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

SO MUCH FOR GRATIFICATION, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW THAT YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING REALLY GOOD IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE REASON YOU'RE GOING TO WORK IS ALSO BECAUSE YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE BACK.

I THINK THAT FEELING IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY FEELS SO STRONGLY EVEN OUR EMPLOYEES AND COMPANIES AND THEY TAKE PRIDE IN WORKING WITH OUR COMPANY.

>> IN BEING A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY AND SHOULD OTHER COMPANIES DO WHEN YOU'RE DOING?

>> BUSINESSES HAVE TO MAKE PROFIT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HOW DO WE INVEST THAT MONEY TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE SOCIETY.

>> AS YOU SEE A LOT OF MILLENNIALS TODAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR -- WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT HAVE PURPOSE.

SO I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES TO REALIZE WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THEIR BUSINESS IS AND ALSO SEE HOW THEY CAN INPUT THAT IN THEIR MISSION?

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WILL ATTRACT THAT TALENT.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AND DRIVING YOUR COMPANY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS, RHONDA.

>> ADINA BIO IS ANOTHER CEO WITH A PASSION.

AFTER COMING TO THE U.S. FROM WAR-TORN LIBERIA AS A TEENAGER, SHE BECAME A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WOMAN AT AN EARLY AGE AND SHE OPENED HER OWN IHOP RESTAURANT AT THE AGE OF 27 MAKING HER ONE OF THE YOUNGEST FRANCHISEES IN THE COUNTRY AT THAT TIME.

SHE'S STILL OPENING RESTAURANTS AND FOCUSING HER ENERGY ON AGENDA TO BRING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE STATE.

>> ADINA, WELCOME BACK TO NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELL, I THINK SINCE WE CHAT LAST YOU HAVE OPENED UP EVEN MORE RESTAURANTS IN NEW JERSEY.

BRING US UP TO SPEED ON WHERE YOUR BUSINESS IS IN TERMS OF OPENINGS IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO.

>> WE'VE OPENED TWO ADDITIONAL, ONE IN BROOKLYN, ONE IN NEW JERSEY, WE ADDED A NEW CONCEPT CALLED URBAN VEGAN WHICH IS DOWNTOWN NEWARK DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM CITY HALL.

WE'VE ALSO ADDED ANOTHER IHOP RESTAURANT ALSO DOWNTOWN NEWARK AND -- YEAH, AND STILL AT -- STILL BEING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE, AS WELL.

SO YES, I'VE BEEN PRETTY BUSY AROUND HERE.

>> I'LL SAY.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR DRIVE?

YOU HAVE BECOME A SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR.

YOU REALLY DON'T EVER TAKE A PAUSE AND REST.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO KEEP GOING LIKE THIS?

>> I PRIDE MYSELF IN A COMPANY THAT'S REALLY GROUNDED IN SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

I FUNDAMENTALLY BELIEVE THAT AS A PERSON, PARTICULARLY WOMEN OF COLOR THAT'S GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY, I WANT TO SERVE.

I WANT TO BE OF SERVICE OF PEOPLE AND IT'S THAT MINDSET AND IT'S THAT THINKING THAT REALLY GIVE ME ENERGY WHEN THINGS GET REALLY HARD.

I THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DEPENDING ON ME.

I THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT CAME BEFORE ME THAT DIDN'T HAVE HALF THE RESOURCES THAT I HAVE NOW.

I THINK ABOUT MADAM C.J.

WALKER, AND IT JUST REALLY GIVES ME A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF ATTITUDE AND GRATITUDE.

SO WHEN YOU SAY SERVICE, LET'S DIG INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT.

HOW ARE YOU SERVING THAT IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOU'RE HIRING RESIDENTS WHICH IS WONDERFUL.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING QUALITY RESTAURANTS AND WHERE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE INVESTED IN.

>> WHETHER YOU'RE CREATING CORN BREAD ON BROAD STREET AND MAPLE WOOD I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THE CUSTOMER.

OR WHEN I'M THINKING ABOUT URBAN VEGAN AND THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING VEGAN, ALSO THE SERVICE PART COME INTO ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING SIDE.

AS YOU KNOW, I'M ALSO AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER/ADVOCATE.

>> AND ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FRONT DO YOU THINK NEW JERSEY IS MAKING STRIDES WITH THE HELP OF PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF IN TERMS OF SOLVING THIS CRISIS OR ARE WE JUST IN THE EARLY STAGES HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE WORK TO DO?

>> I JUST SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO THE CITY OF NEW JERSEY.

IF THIS IS AWARDED THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IS AWARDED A 9% TAX CREDIT AND ALL OF THAT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HELP OF MAYOR ROCKER AND HIS TEAM BECAUSE I FUNDAMENTALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE HOUSING ISSUE ALL AT ONCE, BUT IT'S TAKING THESE STEPS EVERY DAY TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPERS SUCH AS MYSELF THAT WE WANT YOU HERE.

WE WANT TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO.

>> AND CERTAINLY, YOU ARE BEHIND A LOT OF EFFORTS.

YOU'RE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, ADINA.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AND GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

>> THANK YOU.

ALWAYS GREAT CATCHING UP WITH YOU.

ALWAYS MY PLEASURE.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK, THANK FOR WATCHING NJ BUSINESS BEAT AND REMEMBER WE PEST TO THE NEW CHANNEL WHEN WE THINK ABOUT NEW EPISODESES AND CLIPS.

>> I SAY HIM AND TO LUNCHING SMALL BUSINESSES AND MAKING THEIR MARK IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND.

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