MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
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| Rana Gaaffar, Owner, RG Interiors, LLCWe are thrilled to feature Rana Gaaffar for this week's member spotlight. Rana is the owner and lead designer of "RG Interiors", a full-service interior design company. Rana has an impressive background, with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and an Interior Design diploma. She previously worked as a marketing executive in Dubai, where she was responsible for 13 countries. Rana has been living in Basking Ridge, NJ, for the past five years with her husband and two teenagers. Rana's experience of moving between continents, countries, and cities has taught her about different cultures and aesthetic styles. She has learned the most important lesson of creating a home away from home, which inspired her to start her interior design business. Rana's mission is to help her clients create beautiful homes with functional spaces that reflect their personality, style, and identity. Rana started her business "RG Interiors" less than a year ago, in November 2022. She offers full interior design services, managing the entire project from initial stages to execution. Rana's draws on her experience from living in multiple countries, which has taught her to organize her life, deal with unforeseen circumstances, be independent and self-sufficient, and pursue her ambitions. When Rana is not busy designing beautiful spaces for her clients, she enjoys going on family trips to explore new places, restaurants, and experiences. She also enjoys working out, traveling, reading, and baking. You can reach Rana via email here rana.gaaffar@rginteriorsllc.com or visit the website here: https://rginteriorsllc.com/ |
| Evelyn Cucchiara, The Toy TamerEvelyn has been a resident of Basking Ridge for almost 4 years. She is Jersey born & bred, and jokes that she's never pumped gas - lol! She has 3 boys, all taller then her now, and this month marks 40 years of marriage for her and her husband Joe! Evelyn has been in business for 7 years and is known far & wide as The Toy Tamer - she goes into people’s homes and adds the right structure and system so the kids actually want to clean up their toys. She believes we’re raising kids today who can’t do anything because we do everything for them - and then we’re surprised when they grow up and can’t do anything! Setting up their playroom as a learning lab that they’re in charge of gives them a place to practice those vital executive functioning skills now, so they can run their own lives in the future. She's learned that mom’s everywhere share the same guilt about the state of the playroom - but it’s not their fault! Trying to organize it without the right equipment is like trying to organize a kitchen without any cabinets - it may work for a minute, but it’s not sustainable. And that’s there no such thing as dad guilt - at least not over the playroom! Evelyn has tons of hobbies including motorcycling, hiking, visiting breweries, discovering cool places in Jersey, hanging out with friends - and her newest adventure - renovating an 18th century farmhouse in Maryland! You can reach Evelyn via email here evelyn@thetoytamer.com or visit the website here: https://thetoytamer.com/ |
| Marcie Hanhart, Action NJ Bus Coaches LLCMarcie has been a resident of Basking Ridge for over 25 years. She was born and raised in Baltimore. Marcie was very close to her father, a hard-working first Generation Swiss who inspired her to always work hard and do her best! Marcie has been a business development and profit coach for 22 years. She owned three businesses prior to her current company. This is where Marcie gets her background for running and building businesses for legevity and PROFIT. She's learned that 1) we can never predict what opportunity is just around the corner. Be open, be curious and amazing things can happen; and 2) Never think you can do it alone. Marcie has lots of hobbies including traveling to various countries, sailing on the ocean, and reading about foreign intrigue and biographies. You can reach Marcie via email here: marciehanhart@actioncoach.com or visit the website here: http://www.actioncoach.com/marciehanhart |
| Michael LaCosta, MassMutual NJ-NYCMichael lives in Stirling, NJ with his wife and three beautiful daughters. He has lived and/or worked in the Basking Ridge area for 37 years! He is also a proud member of the Liberty Corner Fire Company. Michael runs a financial planning practice at MassMutual NJ-NYC, which he strated 5+ years ago. He guides families and businesses through various stages of life with tailored financial solutions. His areas of expertise encompass retirement planning, estate planning, cash flow management, and tax management. Michael is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor. He believes that talent is nothing without discipline. You can have all the technical knowledge and skill you need but the ability to stay consistent and work through tough stretches as an entrepreneur is the biggest key to success. Michael says his wife always makes fun of him because he has too many hobbies, or obsessions as she affectionately refers to them. On any given day you can find him on the golf course or cheering on the New York Rangers, New York Mets, and San Francisco 49ers. During the summer you can find him at a country concert, and he will never miss a Kenny Chesney show! As a family they love to travel, the beach is their happy place. You can reach Michael via email here: mlacosta@financialguide.com or visit the website here: https://financialprofessionals.massmutual.com/michael-lacosta |
