Central Monmouth Advice Givers: Recent Episodes
Jenine Kenna
Central Monmouth Advice Givers started as an idea. Its founder, Jenine Kenna, and host of the Central Monmouth Advice GiversPodcast, as a business owner herself, had an interest in meeting other smart business owners and fascinating entrepreneurs. When she started to reach out to these people and started talking to them, he realized others needed to hear their stories too. These were experts in their respective fields, smart and intelligent, not to mention, many had discovered unique ways to impact the lives of their customers, clients and patients. So she asked, “Why not share these stories? Why not Interview these people? Create a Podcast? Why not create a site where they could be posted and listened to?” With that, the concept of Central Monmouth Advice Givers was born.
Some of our Core Beliefs:
1 —We believe if you can’t trust the person. Then you can’t trust their work.
Here is the truth. Trust is a function of “getting to know” someone. What is their story? Why did they choose the career path they chose? What drives them? What motivates them? What is their philosophical viewpoint? Does it align with yours? Do they have a family? Have they experienced tragedy? Adversity? Have they bounced back? When put into a difficult situation, how do they respond?… These are the kinds of questions that can only be answered, by having a conversation with someone. This is why Central Monmouth Advice Givers is a site dedicated to interviewing local experts. There are no reviews or ratings. Only stories. Only conversations. And you’re welcome to listen in, to find that next professional you may hire. The idea, frankly, of hiring someone, when you’re in need of critical advice, from an ad or marketing piece, is ludicrous. As the saying goes, “truth in advertising.” HA!… Truth lives in stories, real, authentic, stories… Only by hearing someone’s voice, and understanding their thought-process, can you come to trust them.
2 — We believe in relationships. Actually getting to know someone is more powerful than a Google or Yelp review.
Let’s face it. Aren’t most review sites bombarded with fake and fraudulent reviews, written by people who tend to over-exaggerate or under-exaggerate their true experience. How can the same establishment, for example, have so many 5-star reviews and 1-star reviews, at the same time? Time Magazine recently published an article titled, “9 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Trust Online Reviews.” But this just gets to the bigger point, accurately expressed by entrepreneur and angel investor, Peter Shankman, who wrote, “A business model [i.e. online review sites] that allow anyone to review, at any time, with no structure or background is a flawed model. There’s no reason for me to trust anyone I don’t know. It’s the INTERNET, for the love of God. Why should I?” He has a point doesn’t he? “Why do people allow themselves to be influenced by complete strangers?” I suppose when the decision is trivial, like which restaurant to eat it, then its no big deal. There is little at stake. But… when it comes to getting real advice, for an important decision… Really? You’re going to trust a stranger? We believe, bluntly, there is a better way. To first hear their story…
3—We believe the consumer is too smart to fool. And even though some aren’t, they shouldn’t be misled.
You don’t really think these review sites are “objective” do you? Of course not. You are too smart. The reality is, many of these sites allow businesses and service-providers to “pay for” top rankings. Take Angies’ List for example, according to Consumer Reports, “Angie’s List misleads consumers by prominently promising that “businesses don’t pay” and that it’s a consumer-driven service supported by membership fees. But almost 70 percent of the company’s revenues come from advertising purchased by the service providers being rated.” Huh? But the real kicker is that Angies’ List then charges consumers a “membership fee” for the privilege to view their skewed and misleading ratings. Or take Google + whose reviews have also been called into question… because businesses can reach out to customers who’ve posted bad reviews, and beg, bribe, make amends, or otherwise convince the aggrieved to change or delete their original opinion. “This can skew the ratings positively,” states Consumer Reports. That being said, we believe the public deserves better. The consumer is not stupid and he shouldn’t be treated as such. This kind of “false objectivity,” many online review sites are guilty of, speaks to the character of their site.
4—We believe trust can’t be bought. It must be earned.
Unlike other sites, we never sell out. If someone is on this site, it is because he or she earned it. It is because they are smart. Intelligent. Have contrarian beliefs and views, and thus, something to offer—a different perspective. Or they have a long, celebrated track record of delivering their customers, clients, or patients superior results. Unlike popular “review sites,” which are big Wall Street businesses disguised as consumer-sites, we are not. We have no shareholders to appease or keep happy. Our trust. Our integrity, cannot be bought. On Central Monmouth Advice Givers, those featured, are the experts that we believe will have the greatest impact. And be of the greatest service, to Monmouth County residents. We are committed to helping these folks impact more lives, through spreading their stories…
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Robert Skowrenski, a New Jersey native, attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft NJ for high school and completed his undergraduate work at Fairfield University in Connecticut, where he earned a degree in Finance. He later went on to earn his MBA at Monmouth University in West Long Branch NJ. Robert has held a Mortgage Banking License in NJ since 1992. He's been coached by Building Champions and has earned the professional designation of Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS). He began his mortgage career in 1989 and founded America’s First Funding Group in 1999. AFFG is currently licensed in NJ and CA and acts as a referral only boutique mortgage planning firm. Robert shares his best advice for getting the best mortgage lender, and lowest cost package, for your situation. He also clears up some common misconceptions surrounding the mortgage industry, and discusses the the best ways to qualify your advisor. To learn more, you can reach Robert at 732-643-0200 Ext)113 or Rsko@AFFG.org, or checkout CentralMonmouthAdviceGivers.com
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Jay Sweet, owner of Sweet Music Academy, is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and also has a Master's in Music from Rutgers University. In addition to his work at Sweet Music Jay is an adjunct professor at Monmouth University, where he teaches bass lessons and classes such as Jazz in America, American Music Traditions and Music Appreciation. He's also published and presented many scholarly works on American music and jazz. Jay plays double bass, electric bass, guitar, banjo and mandolin and is an active performer. He's played and recorded with several well know musicians and has released four albums as a leader. Jay's music is available on iTunes and Spotify. You can currently find Jay performing every Friday night at Brandl Restaurant in Belmar as well as at many other local venues.
Jay opened Sweet Music Academy in 2004. Sweet Music has trained over 3000 students. Many of their students have gone on to study at top Music Universities and now enjoy professional careers in music. All of Sweet Music Academy's instructors have University training and are active working musicians and educators. In addition to expert private one on one instruction on all instruments, Sweet Music offers group classes such as Musical theater, Rock band, Jazz Band, and Songwriting. They also have an innovative curriculum program designed by Jay Sweet and staff to help give students direction and to ensure success. You can learn more about Jay Sweet and Sweet Music Academy by visiting sweetmusciacademy.com, or CentralMonmouthAdviceGivers.com.
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Today we’re talking with Eric Ginsberg, owner of Solution Prep, New Jersey’s most comprehensive SAT/ACT program. Eric has been teaching the SAT/ACT and providing college counseling since 1998. Along with his wife, Laura, and friend Adam, both also teachers at Solution Prep, Eric worked on several test- and college-prep books including Cracking the SAT, 1,296 Practice ACT Questions, and 11 Practice Tests for the SAT, as well as College Essays that Made a Difference, The Easy Essay Workbook, and The Princeton Review’s Best 377 Colleges. Eric gives his best advice on how to successfully prepare for the SAT and ACT. Eric also has a degree in music and is currently working towards another degree in math education. He and I share stories from our time together at Marlboro High School, and we learn how Eric went from a mediocre high school student who didn't take school seriously, to a Master Tutor helping 100s of kids succeed at the SAT/ACT and nail their college admissions. Learn more about Eric and Solution Prep by emailing him at eric@solutionprep.com, or by visiting SolutionPrep.com or CentralMonmouthAdviceGivers.com.
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Ever looked up at that DJ on stage and thought to yourself “I could do that! Looks like fun!” Well, in this fun interview, we get to know DJ Dave Bain, owner of Modern DJ. We learn how Dave built a full service DJ company providing entertainment for over 25 bars and 200 parties a year. Dave stares stories about the struggles to build a large DJ business, and the obstacles involved in managing 20 DJs, 10 karaoke artists, and over 15 solo and duo acoustic/electric acts. Dave gives advice on staring a business and how to work with lots of people, learning that you cannot please everyone, making sure you work with people you trust and how he learned that “If you’ve got someone telling you you’re making a mistake, you should listen.” Hear how he began working on Runaway Tours with Jon Bon Jovi, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Don Henley, how he met 311, and almost met Billy Joel. Find out more by following DJ Dave on Facebook and Instagram! Or at www.centralmonmouthadvicegivers.com.
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Want to learn about how to get your kids to clean their room? Or how we can empower children and families, connect people, and foster a more inclusive community that provides opportunities for legitimate contribution by all of it's members? Scott Roskos is a special education teacher at Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School. He’s been teaching for 15 years, and was recently named “Educator of the Year.” He’s worked on the National Writing Project as a Teacher Consultant, and as an interdisciplinary trainee on Disability Studies at the Elizabeth Boggs Center on Disabiltiy at UMDNJ. He runs a Social Skills Club that fosters connection and shared experiences among students of all abilities. He also teaches special needs and children's yoga at a club for children with disabilities and their siblings. In this episode he shares his stories, and gives advice all parents, and anyone with children in their lives, should hear! Have questions for Scott? Email them to me at Jenine@JenineKenna.com (Scott is currently reworking his social media). I'll forward your questions to Scott and we will get you answers directly, and in a future podcast episode or Newsletter.
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Love that catchy music on our podcast? Love great art and music? Then you will love getting to know Melanie Schantz! Melanie is an artist and songwriter based out of Toms River, NJ. She uses her love of music and TV as inspiration for her art, creating pieces with musicians formed by handwritten lyrics or titles to their songs, and TV prints that are made by little illustrations of references to shows. In this interview we discuss how anyone can be an artist, how to overcome obstacles facing musicians, and how Melanie uses her talents to bring joy to people of all ages! Follow Melanie on Facebook, Instagram at @the_prints_of_pop and @TheBetterHalfMusic, and at www.TheBetterHalfMusic.com.
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Learn to “Trust the Process,” and get to know Mr. Evan Turner, owner and chief instructor at Innovate Martial Arts in Jackson. Not only is Mr. Turner a 6th degree black belt, with countless wins in a variety of competitions, but he is a local business owner with an innovative approach to keeping his students motivated. In this interview, Mr. Turner discusses how he runs his martial arts school differently than the industry standard, how we, as parents, can be more engaged with our children to keep them motivated and help them never give up on themselves. Mr. Turner truly exemplifies one of his favorite quotes, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
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