GARDEN STATE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE TOP WELLNESS DESTINATIONS, GO-TO HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES, AND WHAT PUSHES THEM TO SUCCEED
BY ZACHARY WEG AND EMMA FLOYD PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC
Joe Maurillo
Co-Owner, Park Château Estate and Gardens / parkchateau.com
Joe Maurillo, a born-and-raised Garden Stater, lives and breathes community leadership. Born into a family deeply rooted in local business and community service, Maurillo’s journey reflects his commitment to both excellence and giving back. His entrepreneurial fire was ignited early while working alongside his father, Nicholas Maurillo, at J&N Amoco on Franklin Avenue. This experience instilled in him a strong work ethic and a passion for community involvement, values that would go on to shape his future endeavors. In 1989, Maurillo embarked upon his first independent business venture, establishing The Hop themed restaurants and nightclubs. The move was successful, paving the way for future enterprises.
In 1995, Maurillo, along with his brother Barry and their business partner Vito Cucci, launched Crystals Caterers and Nightclub in Lyndhurst. Later, the trio became the proud owners of Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville, a historic venue that underwent a transformative multi-million-dollar renovation under Maurillo and his partner’s stewardship. Next came the Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park (which Maurillo and his partners also revitalized), followed by the iconic Park Château Estate and Gardens, an exquisite French-style hotel, restaurant, and special event venue tucked into the leafy countryside of East Brunswick. (Fun fact: the partners acquired each of the three venues on April 8 of their respective years.)
Beyond hospitality, Maurillo is the president of IMAC Insurance Agency in Belleville, where he serves a diverse clientele in both public and private sectors. He and his partners also launched Nanina’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces, now staples in tri-state area supermarkets. He’s been honored with numerous awards, including the Essex County Chiefs of Police Distinguished Service Award.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
LOCALS TO MOGULS To be the best at what we do and provide the highest level of service. We pay close attention to details to help make our guests’ dreams come true.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION?
Italy has been our favorite spot almost every year. I loved Taormina and Sicily: outstanding views, great beaches, and impeccable food. I play a lot of golf and spend a lot of time at my vacation house in Florida as well.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FITNESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
I’ve been loving EMS training lately. I enjoy starting my morning with a full-body workout about twice a week, which I really like since I am very active in my lifestyle.
Dr. Peter Ferraro
Ferraro Spine and Rehabilitation / ferrarospine.com
Dr. Peter Ferraro, the visionary behind Ferraro Spine & Rehabilitation Center, has revolution ized the approach to treating complex spinal conditions such as herniated and degenerative disc injuries. Integrating holistic chiropractic care with a range of specialized, state-of-the-art treatments, Dr. Ferraro and his passionate team of 20 certified physicians and specialists offer a comprehensive wellness program that’s tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
As a graduate of New York Chiropractic College, Dr. Ferraro holds national certifications in spinal decompression and manipulation under anesthesia. His innovative approach to non-sur gical treatment led to the development of the patent-pending Ferraro Spine Method, an innovative combination of spinal decompression, therapeutic exercises, joint manipulation, and deep-tissue laser therapy to address the root causes of pain and discomfort. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Ferraro is a member of several healthcare organizations, including the American Chiropractic Association Governor’s Advisory Cabinet, the International Disc Education Association, and the Association of NJ Chiropractors. He’s also been honored as an NJ Top Doc and a 201 Magazine Top Chiropractor.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
As the only child of immigrant parents from Sicily, I have always been motivated by a high work ethic and a desire to provide more for my family. This nonstop desire fuels my passion as a physician.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION?
My absolute top global destination is, without a doubt, the One and Only Palmilla in Los Cabos. They offer the epitome of upscale hospital ity in an elegant yet subdued manner, which captivates all your senses.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FITNESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
My go-to activity has to be cruising on our E-bikes, either around town or on vacation. It’s a great way to take in the sights while still getting in some vigorous exercise.
Gwen Esposito
Co-Owner, GlowDoll Skin & Aesthetics / glowdollskin.com
Gwen Esposito is in the business of making people feel, look, and dress their best. As both a licensed aesthetician and style enthusiast, she co-owns a pair of fashion boutiques, GEMS in Red Bank and Bijoux Boutique in Middletown, plus the Middletown-based medispa GlowDoll Skin & Aesthetics (she runs the latter alongside her cousin, Victoria Russo, a medical and cosmetic aesthetician with more than a decade of experience under her belt). Prior to stepping out on her own, Esposito worked in the surgical department at Monmouth Medical Center as a licensed practical nurse, until a passion for beauty and self-care prompted her to pursue her aesthetician license. “Two weeks after I graduated, the pandemic hit,” said Esposito. “Victoria and I put our heads together and decided to open a place of our own.”
Blanketed top-to-bottom in pink, GlowDoll focuses solely on skincare, offering facials, laser treatments, cryo slimming, skin tightening, and more in a warm, bubbly atmosphere. Esposito is the brains behind the marketing and packaging, devising monthly specials and package deals to help clients nail their skincare goals. One of the salon’s signature offerings is the BBL facial, which Esposito calls the Ferrari of lasers. “It’s the same laser Kim Kardashian uses for younger skin. It practically stops the skin from aging.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
I genuinely love making people feel beautiful and good about themselves. I don’t even have to think about going to work because I’m passionate about what I do.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELL NESS AND RELAXATION?
I go to my spa! [laughs]
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FIT NESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
I do a lot of yoga and pilates
Matthew Gray
Marketing and Membership Director, The St. Laurent Social Club thestlaurent.com
Matthew Gray was born with big dreams. After high school, the Michigan native felt pulled to the energy of New York City, where he studied brand management and marketing at NYU. Over the next two decades, he honed his skills in understanding his client’s grander visions, then translating them into compelling brand narratives. He developed an expertise in integrating brands into the fabric of their local communities, which soon became a hallmark of his work. Gray’s passion for engagement marketing is palpable, made evident in an approach that’s at-once fine-tuned and fresh, meticulous and creative.
In 2020, after a fruitful 20-year career in the Big Apple, Gray relocated to the chic shoreside town of Asbury Park, two years before The St. Laurent Social Club celebrated its grand opening. Gray has been with the club since the beginning, and was instrumental in shaping the marketing strategy for the vibrant Jersey Shore destination, a hybrid blend of high-end social club, gourmet restaurant, boutique hotel, and event venue. His role extends far beyond traditional marketing; he’s the lead architect of a buzzy social calendar for the club’s members and guests, organizing anything from fitness activities and fashion pop-ups to cocktail classes and tasting events at the club’s signature restaurant, Heirloom. The St. Laurent also hosts private events, from corporate staycations to intimate weddings, that can be fully customized to the client’s specific interests. It’s all part of his commitment to holistic community engagement.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
I have always felt passionate about creating – making beauti ful things that enrich the world around me and invite others to think outside the box.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION?
When I take time away, I love to go to Tulum. It’s my number one spot for relaxation and recovery.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FITNESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
My go-to activity is Tandem Cycle in Asbury Park. It provides a high-intensity workout with a high-energy atmosphere and instructors that always leave you feeling better than when you walked in.
Kim Clemente
Master Aesthetic Injector, Lombardi Plastic Surgery Center / lombardiplasticsurgery.com
Inside her office walls of the Lombardi Plastic Surgery Center, Kim Clemente is passionate about boosting the confidence of the thou sands of clients she’s seen after eight years with the popular Eatontown practice. As a nurse practitioner and master aesthetic injector, Clemente meets her patients’ aesthetic care needs with the finesse and warmth of a seasoned industry veteran. (She also serves as a national trainer with Allergan Medical Institute.) “I’ve always had a passion for it, both personally and professionally,” Clemente said of aesthetics. “I’ve also been on the receiving end of aesthetic procedures for 18 years, and I’ve always loved my results.”
Whether administering Botox, facial fillers, or lip enhancements, Clemente’s primary goal with each and every appointment, she explained, is simply to make her patients feel their best. “It’s so rewarding to boost someone’s self-esteem and help them feel a little more positively about themselves,” she said.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
First and foremost, my motivation is that I have six children, four whom I’m solely responsible for, so they’re my biggest motivating and driving factor. Taking care of them and making sure that they’re successful.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION?
St. Bart’s. It’s still one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to, from the atmosphere to the water to the mountains. It’s paradise.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FITNESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
I enjoy boot camps, pickleball, tennis, and group classes. I like to work out usually 6-7 days a week.
Chris Merone Jr.
Managing Partner, CM Law Group, PLLC
Merone Jr. isn’t driven by wealth or power. The son of a successful title insurance veteran, Merone Jr. was motivated to become a real estate attorney to help clients navigate the often muddy waters of buying and selling property. He received his real estate development degree from the Schack Institute of Real Estate Development at New York University and studied law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. After sharpening his skills in both corporate and boutique law f irms, he took a leap of faith to launch his own practice, CM Law Group, PLLC, this January.
“I grew up around the real estate industry,” noted Merone Jr., whose dad steered several local development projects over the last 15-20 years. “I’m passionate about it. I worked hard to get where I am, and persevered when the road was tough. My career path required many years of education and exams to be successful. Now, my goal is to grow my firm, not for greed or money, but to support my family and the community I serve.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SUCCEED?
What motivates me to succeed is family and self-worth.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION?
Bali, Indonesia.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY FOR HEALTH OR FITNESS IN YOUR LIFESTYLE?
I go to the gym six days a week. I lift weights and do a lot of HIIT cardio, but my go-to activity is golf.