The Hoboken Girl Team 
New Jersey has 564 municipalities, and Hoboken and Jersey City make up just two. Yet, these beloved areas produce all kinds of innovative, inspiring, and influential individuals. Each month, The Hoboken Girl highlights 10 people making a positive impact in our community. July’s roundup features a diverse group of people (and one pet), including entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and even a therapy dog. Read on for July 2025 Hoboken + Jersey City people to watch.
Jennifer Gonzalez | Colon Hygienist + Founder of Doody Free Girl
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Jen Gonzalez is a colon hygienist and the founder of Doody Free Girl, a colonic practice located at 189 Brunswick Street, Studio D, Jersey City. In honor of her 10th anniversary as a colon hygienist, Jen recently published Please Stop Pooping Your Pants (illustrated by local children book author + illustrator, Andi Green). This is a children’s book that she hopes will “build more awareness around hygiene and mental health.” “As a mother in the throes of potty training, this book was written with every mother in mind who is trying their best not to lose their sh*t fighting the good fight known as potty training,” Jen shared with The Hoboken Girl.
What inspires Jen in her line of work is her clients, their needs, and the realization of how emotionally and physically constipated our culture has become. Along with solidifying herself as a household name in the personal hygiene scene, Jen hopes to “inspire people to see the connection between bowel health and mental health,” she said. “Our nervous systems run through our bowels, which is why the gut is referred to as the second brain. Talking sh*t is simply not optional, it is mandatory for mental health.” She is also finishing production on a portable electric bidet and plans to manufacture a home enema kit soon.
Jen’s local favorites: Love Locked, Jane Do, Urban Sadhu, Jersey City Ballroom, Brian Corrigan (chiropractics), Belinda Brown (acupuncture)
Keep up with Jen and Doody Free Girl on her website and Instagram.
Read More: This Hoboken Resident Just Completed Sending 10,000 Thank You Notes Over 10 Years
Jeremy Tianyu Chi | Filmmaker
Photo Credit: Helen Cheng
Raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Jeremy Tianyu Chi is a filmmaker, editor, and sound designer. This Jersey City resident is an NYU alum and a creative through and through. At his day job, Jeremy’s work involves post-production for global brands. Still, his true passion lies in “telling quiet, emotionally charged stories—especially those centering queer and Asian voices,” he shared. Jeremy’s most recent short film, titled Ice Cream, Ice Queen, which “explores themes of intimacy, displacement, and queer identity through the lens of two women navigating loneliness in a foreign city,” he said, was partly shot in Jersey City. Several international festivals have also selected the film, with upcoming screenings to take place in Chicago, Amsterdam, and Seoul.
“I’m inspired by nuance and unspoken moments in modern urban relationships,” Jeremy shared. “I love when editing and sound design come together to express something words can’t quite reach.” He hopes that his art can reach younger queer or immigrant creatives, help them feel understood, and show them that “they’re not alone and don’t need permission to start telling their stories.”
Jeremy’s local favorites: Torico Ice Cream + Chengdu 1
Keep up with Jeremy and his work on his website.
Marilyn Sanchez | Founder of Oîma
Photo Credit: Selina Vesely
Marilyn Sanchez is a local entrepreneur. She is currently in the process of building her small business of botanically dyed silks and handmade notebooks. Her company is called Oîma, and it started “as a way to challenge [herself] to explore new frontiers, reconnect with [her] roots, and embrace a more sustainable way of living,” she shared with HG. As she continues to develop her business, Marilyn has begun teaching workshops on bookbinding, natural dyeing, and other creative practices to ” [inspire] others to slow down, create with their hands, and follow their creative instincts with an open mind.”
“What inspires me in my line of work is the quiet, intimate process of creating something by hand, from raw materials to a finished piece that holds stories, memory, and intention,” Marilyn said. “I’m deeply moved by the way craft connects us to traditions, to our ancestors, and to the present moment. The natural world, language, and cultural heritage also play a big role in what drives me creatively.”
Marilyn’s local favorites: Sure Things, Short Grain, Lackawanna Cafe, Pinwheel Garden, Bread + Salt, + Hartz Studio
Keep up with Marilyn and Oîma on her website, Instagram, and TikTok.
Shelby Wardlaw + Jason Gots | Educators at “The True Story”
Shelby Wardlaw is a professor at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, a writer, and a Jersey City resident. Jason Gots is a Jersey City Heights resident, established writer, educator, and host of critically acclaimed podcasts: “Think Again” and “Clever Creature.” This year, Jason and Shelby will teach their first six-week fiction and memoir class, titled “The True Story,” this September.
Shelby is inspired most by her students. “As a teacher, the (somewhat cheesy) but true answer is that my students inspire me,” Shelby told The Hoboken Girl. “They are so thoughtful and engaged (yes, even as Gen Z 18-year-olds).” As a writer, she is inspired by everything. “The news, books I read, errant thoughts on a walk, my friends,” she said. Jason added, “I want to build a community of writers who feel empowered to keep moving forward in their work with or without the permission of the marketplace.”
Shelby’s local favorites: Little City Books, WORD Bookstore, Sam A.M., the labyrinth on the boardwalk near Exchange Place, + Raine N River Apothecary
Jason’s local favorites: Lo-Fidelity, Baddie Tattoos (shout out: Anastasia), Bread + Salt, Riverview Liquors, Green Pear Cafe, Vito’s, Barbès, + Little City Books
Keep up with Shelby on her website and Jason on his website and Instagram.
Denise Woodard | Founder + CEO of Partake Foods
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Denise Woodward is the Founder + CEO of Partake Foods, an allergy-friendly cookie company that champions food inclusivity. Since launching, Partake has landed on the shelves of Target, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and Kroger. But beyond the big-name brands, Partake also partners with organizations like No Kid Hungry to fight food insecurity and HBCUs to continue opening doors for Black students and entrepreneurs.
Most recently, Denise sat down with Shannon Walker Allen on her Grown Woman podcast to talk all things “entrepreneurship, motherhood, and how to lead with purpose and intention.”
You can keep up with Denise by following her on Instagram here.
Erin Farley | Writer + Associate Attorney
Photo Credit: Erin Farley
Hoboken resident Erin Farley is a graduate of Rutgers University (New Brunswick), where she studied English + Political Science, and is an Associate Attorney at the personal injury law firm, Glugeth + Pierguidi, PC, located at 5 River Street, Suite 303, Hoboken. She’s also a children’s author and proud dog mom to the local celebrity: Zeppole, better known as “The Pizza Dog.”
Erin’s debut book, The Pizza Dog, tells the story of a golden retriever named Zeppole who dreams of becoming a pizza chef. “Through a rhyming story [that] all can enjoy,” Erin hopes to “encourage children (and their parents) to set big goals and never be afraid to try new things.” As Erin says, “Detours still lead to the destination.”
Zeppole’s local favorites: Finnegan’s, Joey No Nuts Cafe, Gentleman Barber Lounge, Hoboken Fire Engine 3, + Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance
Erin’s local favorites: Glugeth + Pierguidi, PC, Ironboy Performance and Fitness, Lena Nikolaj Photography, + Finnegan’s
Keep up with Erin and Zeppole on Instagram, TikTok, and their website.
Rachael + Joseph Hands | Founders of Hoboken Beach Club
Photo Credit: Rachael + Joseph Hands
Mile Square residents Rachael and Joseph ‘Joe’ Hands are the duo behind Hoboken Beach Club, a group that strives to be “a community-based way to connect Hoboken residents with each other and the beach,” the two shared with HG. The club hosts beach outings on various dates throughout the summer and works with a local bus company to provide attendees with transportation to and from the Jersey Shore. On select dates, the bus departs from Hoboken around 8:15AM to 8:30AM, and leaves to go back to the Mile Square at 4PM.
With Hoboken Beach Club, Rachael and Joe aim to share their passion for travel and foster deeper connections with their local community. “There is nothing more fulfilling than helping others and creating friendships,” the two shared. “Casual and accessible trips to the beach are such a great way to bond with local residents while offering a fun and reliable day trip.”
When Rachael and Joe are not hosting fun beach trips, they’re busy pursuing their professional careers. Rachael is a Certified EMDR Therapist + Consultant, the founder of Heart In Hand Psychotherapy, a virtual private practice based in Hoboken, and a certified yoga teacher who currently subs at Urban Souls, located at 100 Hudson Street, 4th floor. Joe is an avid traveler who has lived in three countries (and visited many more) and has ten years of experience in the international tax and financial services industry.
Rachael and Joe’s local favorites: Mulligan’s, Urban Souls, Margaritas, Barbès, East LA, Project Sculpt, Urban Souls, + Sober Curious Community.
Keep up with Rachael and Joe on the Hoboken Beach Club’s Instagram and website.
Joseph Genuardi | Owner of Genuardi Master Tailor
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Joseph Genuardi is the owner of Genuardi Master Tailor, an authentic bespoke tailoring company located at 300 Observer Highway, Hoboken. Joseph and his team of local artisans make handmade custom suits and other clothing pieces from scratch.
“In our Hoboken shop, we craft our suits to the highest standards of workmanship,” Joseph said. “Our biggest asset is our understanding of the body and how to fit you properly.” Joseph’s biggest inspiration in his line of work is the fact that he can “create world-class works that have beauty and design integrity.”
Joseph’s local favorites: The Hudson Riverfront, Hoboken parks, Neumann Leathers Art Studios, Lisa’s Mozzarella, Anthony Davids, Burgiss, Bwe Cafe, + Hoboken Lacrosse Club
Keep up with Joseph and his tailoring business on his website and Instagram.
George Cruz, Riley McGrath, Paul McGrath, Alex Lozano, + Chris Bonanno | Founders of Total Pet Kitchen
Photo Credit: Total Pet Kitchen
This local to watch is not just one person but a whole team of innovative individuals. Behind Total Pet Kitchen (and the parent company WYSE Products) are New Jersey natives: Chef George Cruz, Riley McGrath, Paul McGrath, Alex Lozano, and Chris Bonanno. After years of working in the culinary industry, George and his partners created an all-in-one pet food multicooker. This Hudson County-born product aims to “[make] it easier for pet parents to cook fresh, balanced meals using real ingredients,” George shared with HG.
“What started as a prototype idea became a labor of love—years of testing recipes, designing a production-ready appliance, and refining the user experience. The result? A first-of-its-kind kitchen appliance that cooks, grinds, and portions healthy meals for pets—all at home, all with the push of a button,” George said.
With their product, George and his team aim to help make “mealtime better for pets and less stressful for their people,” he said. He also hopes to inspire others to make positive changes. “I started out as a local kid from WNY, bussing tables and learning from the ground up,” he said. “Over time, I found purpose in sharing meals and creating moments that bring people together. If my journey can show someone that they, too, can follow their passion and make a difference, even in small ways, then that’s something truly meaningful to me.
George + his team’s local favorites: Robongi Sushi Wok Grill, Ramen and Bar, The Highwood, + The Madison Bar and Grill
Keep up with George, Riley, Paul, Alex, Chris, and Total Wise Kitchen on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Riley Maverick Mills | Therapy Dog at Hoboken Public Library
Photo Credit: Lindsay Mills
Riley Mills, an English Cream Golden Retriever, is a lifelong Hoboken resident making a positive impact on the community. Riley has been a certified therapy dog since March 2025. She volunteers one Saturday a month at the Hoboken Public Library, located at 500 Park Avenue, during the library’s Therapy Dog Story Time program. Here, she is an emotional support resource to kids developing their reading skills.
See More: People to Watch: LGBTQ+ Community Leaders in Montclair
“It is incredible to watch how kids react to dogs,” Lindsay Mills, Riley’s owner, told HG. “The kids that come to events light up when they are around her.” With the help of Riley, children in this program are learning how to overcome their fears and grow as strong readers.
Keep up with Riley on Instagram and read more about her story here.
Note: These features are almost entirely submission-based. If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please complete this Google Form to be considered for potential inclusion.
