Ella Barchie 
The foundation of Hoboken and Jersey City’s communities come from the people within them. Across the two cities, people have found ways to bring creativity and support to others. From karate to therapy to app development, here are a few examples of the people strengthening their communities. Read on for the July 2026 list of locals to watch in Hoboken + Jersey City.
Sanya Agarwala and Samaira Saini of Forever Charms
For cousins Samaira Saini and Sanya Agarwala, creativity has always been about bringing people together. As the young entrepreneurs behind Forever Charms, the duo has transformed their love of arts and crafts into a thriving jewelry business where kids can design their own personalized necklaces, bracelets, bag charms, and more. What began as a fun idea inspired by colorful fair activities has grown into a community favorite at street fairs across Hoboken, Livingston, and beyond.
The pair’s favorite part of the business isn’t just creating one-of-a-kind jewelry—it’s watching children discover their own creativity and leave feeling proud of something they made themselves. Through every charm and bracelet, Samaira and Sanya hope to inspire others to embrace self-expression, build confidence, and see that anyone can be an artist. They’re equally passionate about giving back, donating a portion of every sale to the Hoboken Shelter to help provide meals for those in need.
As Forever Charms continues to grow, Samaira and Sanya hope to expand their workshops and create even more opportunities for families and friends to connect through hands-on creativity. They credit North Jersey’s supportive community for encouraging young entrepreneurs like themselves to dream big, and they’re proud to be building a business that spreads joy, inspires imagination, and gives back along the way.
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Oana Iacob of Pure Joi Skin
For Oana Iacob, healthy skin starts with education, trust, and personalized care. As the founder of Pure Joi Skin, the senior licensed esthetician is introducing a thoughtful, results-driven approach to skincare in Jersey City. Passionate about helping clients feel confident in their own skin, Oana believes that every treatment should be tailored to the individual, empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve long-term skin health.
What inspires Oana most is seeing the transformation that happens when clients not only improve their skin but also gain confidence in themselves. Through Pure Joi Skin, she hopes to introduce a fresh perspective on skincare—one that combines advanced treatments with education, making professional skincare more approachable and personalized for every client.
Oana credits North Jersey’s diversity and vibrant small business community for inspiring her entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys spending time at local favorites like Liberty State Park and exploring Grove Street, while supporting fellow women-owned businesses such as Tresses Lounge and Bella Beauty Culture. As Pure Joi Skin continues to grow, Oana is excited to help more people invest in their skin, embrace self-care, and discover the confidence that comes from feeling their best.
Gregory McLoughlin
Photo Credit: @gregorymcloughlin
For Gregory McLoughlin, music is about creating moments of connection. A songwriter and recording artist who calls Jersey City Heights home, Gregory has become a familiar face in the Hoboken music community through his weekly free after-work concerts at Symposia Bookstore, where he helps audiences unwind with live music in a cozy, welcoming setting. He also performs monthly with his full band at Finnegan’s Pub and hosts a Monday night YouTube livestream that’s approaching its 300th episode. Inspired by underdogs, nature, his children, and the support of his online community, Gregory channels life’s challenges into songs that offer hope and encouragement.
His goal is simple: to remind people that even during difficult times, things will get better. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue being a positive presence in the community by encouraging others to pursue their dreams and never give up. When he’s not performing, Gregory can often be found grabbing a breakfast sandwich from Alessio’s, stopping by Empire Coffee, working out at Planet Fitness, or visiting Guitar Bar and Drum Den. He also admires local businesses like Hudson Dorms and Griot Cafe, whose owners inspire him through their passion, creativity, and commitment to the community.
Jim Mannoia of New York Open Water
Jim Mannoia is a marathon swimmer and Hoboken local that recently swam 28.5 miles around Manhattan to help support awareness and advocacy around waterways and swimming accesses.
Jim previously shared his story with Team HG, explaining that the experience was one of highs and lows – although pushing through eight hours of swimming was difficult, he was grateful for the views, bonding experiences, and overall initiative that it supported. He swam under each of the trail’s 20 bridges connected to New York City, and even had his daughter Loren join him for a stretch of the swim.
Jim has also completed long-distance swims in Harrington Sound in Bermuda, Key West in Florida, from Vermont to Canada, and from Yonkers to Inwood. Outside of swimming, Jim also enjoys visiting local spots in Hoboken, such as Hoboken Sailing Club, Thomas’ Ice Cream, and Zack’s.
Ray Rodriguez of Amazing Truth Society Karate
For nearly two decades, Ray Rodriguez has dedicated his life to empowering the next generation through mentorship, martial arts, and community service. As the founder of Amazing Truth Society Karate, based at the Hoboken Housing Authority, Ray has built far more than a karate program—he’s created a safe, supportive environment where children can develop confidence, discipline, and the skills they need to succeed both on and off the mat. From free karate and guitar lessons to homework assistance, therapeutic drum circles, and women’s self-awareness workshops, every program is designed to make enriching opportunities accessible to all.
Ray’s passion for serving the community is fueled by a simple but powerful mission: helping young people set ambitious goals, overcome obstacles, and believe in their own potential. He also founded the ATSK Alumni Magazine and the True Community Heroes Award Gala to celebrate the individuals and organizations making a positive impact throughout Hoboken. His commitment to giving back is deeply personal, as he also organizes events supporting juvenile diabetes research in honor of his daughter, Hope, whose legacy continues to inspire his work every day.
Looking ahead, Ray hopes to continue expanding Amazing Truth Society’s programs while reviving community karate tournaments and growing opportunities for local youth. Through every class, event, and mentorship opportunity, he’s proving that investing in children today helps build stronger communities for tomorrow.
Liat Ron, Director + Producer
Filmmaker, writer, performer, and Hoboken resident Liat Ron is passionate about creating work that challenges cultural norms and empowers people to reconnect with themselves. Her directorial debut, Fear and Now, is the first documentary to explore the transformative impact of HypnoBirthing on pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Inspired by her own birth experience in Hoboken, Liat set out to better understand how birth can be calm, empowering, and deeply healing—an experience that ultimately led her on a personal journey of self-discovery. Beyond filmmaking, she is an accomplished actor, playwright, and the co-founder of Techealthiest, a platform that helps people navigate health and wellness in an increasingly technology-driven world. Through each of her creative endeavors, Liat is committed to sparking meaningful conversations around wellness, identity, and personal transformation.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand the reach of Fear and Now while beginning work on her next documentary, Healthy is the New Sick, which examines modern wellness culture and its impact on health, body image, and self-perception. By sharing stories that encourage curiosity, compassion, and empowerment, Liat hopes to inspire others to trust themselves, embrace new possibilities, and reshape the narratives that define their lives.
Lauren Schapiro of Take Time Therapy
As the founder of Take Time Therapy, Lauren Schapiro is making mental health care more accessible for teens and young adults navigating anxiety, relationships, work stress, and the challenges of everyday life. Based in Hoboken, the virtual therapist is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their emotions, build resilience, and work toward meaningful personal growth.
For Lauren, the most rewarding part of her work is walking alongside people as they overcome obstacles and gain confidence in themselves. She believes that everyone deserves a place where they feel heard and understood, and hopes to inspire others to view therapy not as a last resort, but as a valuable tool for growth, self-discovery, and well-being.
Looking ahead, Lauren hopes to expand her impact beyond one-on-one therapy by becoming more involved in the Hoboken community, particularly through partnerships with local schools like Hoboken High School and Stevens Institute of Technology to support adolescent and young adult mental health. She credits Hoboken’s strong sense of community for making it such a special place to live, and when she’s not meeting with clients, you can find her enjoying local favorites like Otto Strada, Washington General Store, Somewhere in Between, Hidden Grounds, and The Hive.
Marissa Scioilli of root.
For Marissa Sciorilli, wellness is about much more than fitness or beauty—it’s about helping women feel grounded, confident, and supported in their everyday lives. A full-time product development engineer and co-founder of root., Marissa created the community-driven app after recognizing how difficult it can be to find trusted wellness recommendations and meaningful connections, even in an increasingly digital world. Her goal is simple: make discovering local wellness businesses easier while helping women build healthier habits together.
Inspired by her own experience balancing a busy career and life’s daily demands, Marissa believes that prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s foundational. Through root., she’s empowering women to share trusted recommendations for everything from fitness studios to self-care spots while shining a spotlight on the local businesses that make Hoboken’s wellness community so special.
As root. continues to grow, Marissa hopes it becomes more than just a discovery platform. She envisions it as a trusted space where women feel connected, supported, and inspired to invest in their well-being while strengthening the community around them.
Melanie Wilson of Life and Soul
Melanie Wilson is helping change the way people talk about one of life’s most difficult subjects. As the founder of Life and Soul™, a queer-owned death education and grief guidance practice based in Jersey City, Melanie is creating spaces where conversations about mortality, end-of-life planning, and grief feel approachable, empowering, and rooted in community. Drawing from both her professional background in project management and her own experiences with loss, she guides individuals and families through conversations that many people don’t realize they need until it’s too late.
What inspires Melanie most is witnessing people find the courage to grieve openly and connect with others instead of carrying their loss alone. Through community events, one-on-one guidance, and her signature Date with Death™ framework, she’s helping people approach end-of-life planning with intention, autonomy, and even a sense of creativity, long before a crisis arises.
As Life and Soul continues to grow across New Jersey, Melanie hopes to normalize conversations about death and grief as a natural part of everyday life. She credits Jersey City’s welcoming, community-minded spirit for embracing both her work and her identity, making it the perfect place to build a business centered on compassion, connection, and meaningful dialogue.
Tim Donohue of the World Cup Passport Project
Tim Donohue is a Hoboken resident who has recently completed the unique World Cup-related venture: meeting someone who represented each of the 48 countries in the World Cup, without leaving the Hoboken + NYC area.
He set out to find locals wearing soccer jerseys and had them sign his World Cup Passport to show “that you don’t need to go far to see the world.” In addition to seeking out locals, Tim also visited watch parties and restaurants with global cuisines.
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He made memories getting signatures all over the area, including an Iranian woman who treated him to a meal at Seven Valleys, tourists from Spain, France + England at the Hoboken PATH Station, and a signature for Mexico and Egypt at the same time when visiting Sunset Wine + Liquors. Tim saw it as a moment to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of Hoboken, a city he has come to love for its energy and friendliness.
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