Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I grew up right next door in Berkeley Heights until I moved to Hoboken for 2 ½ years after college. I lived in Chatham the year after I was married & then bought a house in Middlesex where we lived for 9 years. We recently moved back to Chatham over the summer of 2019.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have 3 little girls…7, 4 1/2 , 22 months (she will be 2 in late March)
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Cooking/baking, walks & being outside, puzzles & match games, dance parties 😉
Favorite places to eat & shop in the area?
I love supporting local & small businesses. Before the pandemic I would spend a good deal of time all over Main Street…I’m always out walking with my stroller full of at least 1 child!
We actually love all the restaurants in town & try to choose a new one each Friday (since it’s the day I absolutely do not cook) & sometimes Saturdays.
Some of our faves that we frequent most often though are
TM Ward
Sorriso
Arminio’s
Scoops
Yo Lotta Love
Chatham Bagel
Mitsuba
& I love sitting and getting some work done at Fleur De Sel although I haven’t spent as much time there since the holidays.
Favorite form of self care?
This is a big goal for me – taking more time for myself. I haven’t done as much lately since the pandemic, but I’ve been intentional about my skin care routine using safe products that a friend created, dry brushing before showering, journaling & walking. Trying to meditate a bit at night with my crystals is a new addition!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes! I am currently launching my new movement platform where I will be teaching live classes (Pilates & barre inspired) as well as offering a video library of a variety of different forms of exercise.
I will also be launching a cooking course in March helping to provide simple, quick & healthy meals, and the Why, What & How behind it. It will provide menus, recipes, grocery lists & live cooking videos as well as educational videos.
If you could give one tip to fellow Mom Entrepreneurs what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help & invest in your business! This was so hard for me & scary but has made all the difference. Knowing the areas that you aren’t an expert in (for me tech stuff) & being ok with that & seeking help has been a game changer! Getting my family on board & helping them to understand the nature of what I do, especially since so much of it is over social media, in my opinion is necessary as well.
And above all…set boundaries for yourself to balance the work (which never ends since there aren’t always set hours) & family time.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I’m pretty much an open book & share a lot of my life on my Instagram page but this ones kinda funny…
I was my husband’s assistant Varsity soccer coach for 5 years at Governor Livingston, the high school we both attended and played for. The first year was great, the next 2 years we started dating…still great, the following year….engaged…started to get interesting, the last year we were married…let’s just say I needed to move on 🙂
I went on to coach for 3 more years both soccer and softball at Kent Place.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Chatham has such an amazing sense of community. This town truly believes in supporting small & local businesses. It is such a family oriented town, neighbors become friends who become family. I have met so many moms in town who are interested in what I do & encouraging & supportive. I love to see that many here prioritize health for themselves & their families & in turn support the work I do as a Health Coach.
For more info on Gina!
Head to simplybalancedwithgina.com
Follow along on Instagram @simplybalancedwithgina
Move Well platform
10 Day Healthy JumpStart