ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Family businesses hailed by FDU Rothman Institute
Companies born by determination
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Ventnor City web design company was honored as the “ Outstanding New Family Business ” of the year at the 30th Annual Family Business Awards , presented by the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University .
Francisco Vizcaino-Marmol , the founder of F & S Digital , accepted the award at the annual luncheon last month . The institute also honored Eastern Janitorial of Parsippany as the best family business in the over $ 10 million in revenue category and Roman Jewelers of Bridgewater as the best in the under $ 10 million category . The winners were selected from a field of 11 finalists .
Dale Caldwell , executive director of the Rothman Institute , shared each company ’ s details at the awards celebration . He explained Vizcaino-Marmol had a successful software company in the Dominican Republican but was forced to abandoned it when he moved his family to the United States because of the turmoil in his homeland .
When his eldest son , Francisco , earned a degree in computer science the family decided to pursue their entrepreneurial dream of starting a new business . Caldwell said F & S centers around creating and support custom-built websites , web apps , and mobile apps for companies of all sizes . The core service ensures that no organization / entrepreneur is ever limited by their technical knowledge , or their team ’ s bandwidth to adopt cutting-edge technology .
Eastern Janitorial is a second-generation family business , started by Ron Rafanello , the father of the current president and CEO , Nick Rafanello . Ron originally worked as a physical education teacher for a parochial school . He enjoyed the job , but found it did not pay well . Soon the needs of his growing family demanded he supplement his income . When he accepted a part-time job as a night janitor , the door to a new career opened . He realized it could be lucrative work and in 1977 he decided to start his own business .
After Nick Rafanello graduated from college he joined the family business , as he always hoped . Under his direction , it expanded into other facility services , including a flooring division and a handyman service .
Eastern Janitorial also collaborates with the Rutgers University SCALE Program and provides jobs for adults with autism , offering them an opportunity for an excellent career .
Roman Jewelers was established by Sophie and Roman Shor , who had emigrated from Belarus in 1980 with a dream of continuing their family ’ s passion for jewelry . Four generations of Roman ’ s family were in the jewelry business . In 1989 they opened their own small store with a $ 100,000 loan and an “ amazing gift ” from a stranger they met at the annual New York jewelry show who entrust them with several fine pieces to start their inventory .
Caldwell said the stranger ’ s generosity “ instilled in them the value of paying it forward .” He also said Sophie and Roman “ believe that purchasing jewelry is an experience and a cause for a celebration .”
The Rothman Institute has honored outstanding family businesses at the NJ Family Business of the Year Awards since 1992 . This year ’ s award program will be held during Family Business Week on Wednesday , Oct . 19 at the Upper Montclair Country Club .
This program recognizes the significant contributions to the economy and community made by extraordinary family businesses . This year , more than ever , their innovative strategies , personal achievements and business practices are vital for not only the NJ economy but for the survival of the legacy they have built . The institute believes the award program will highlight the struggles and successes these businesses have experienced and elevate their profile in the business community .
The other finalists included : Alfred Sanzari Enterprises of Hackensack , AWT Environmental Inc . of Sayreville , Equilliem of East Brunswick , Shovlin Mattress Factory of Fanwood , Traphagen CPAs and Wealth Advisors of Oradell , Walter Group of Barnegat , and York Building Services of Moonachie .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / shironosov
Family Businesses in Web Design , Janitorial Services and Fine Jewelry are among the winners of the 30th Annual Family Business Awards .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / tifonimages
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / HadiAltay
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