Note from Lynn: When I started ChicpeaJC I never thought in a million years that one day I would have a team of people who make my visions come to life. I can’t do anything without these awesome people and I am so thankful that they are part of this journey. They all deserve a medal for dealing with my shenanigans. We asked contributor and photographer Ashley Jacklyn to photograph and interview the team! Show them some love.

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It’s been 5 years since Lynn created ChicpeaJC. A simple idea that turned into something bigger than she could ever imagine.

I had the pleasure of photographing and interviewing the ChicpeaJC team. Some of them have worked with her from the beginning and others are new members, but each make the ChicpeaJC blog turn to bring you content everyday.

Meet the current ChicpeaJC team!

Peter Bonacci

What’s your name & age?

Peter Bonacci, 27

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

Yes, I have lived in Jersey City for two years.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

The better question is, why did she hire me!? I wasn’t getting emails or callbacks from any company I applied for in New York, for a long time. But Lynn hired me on the spot. It was nice having that reassurance again, knowing SOMEONE out there saw potential in me.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

Everyone works and works hard here. It may look like all we do is eat and drink all day. But damn, does everyone put in work.

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

My favorite spot in Jersey City is hands down The Archer.  My go to hide out spot. It’s moody and dark on the inside, with incredible cocktails and food.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

Jersey City is changing, I’ve worked in this city for 5 years now and it has done nothing but changed consistently. Not to mention the change that has happened over the past decade. It’s really like a living thing. Stores, restaurants, people, all come and go, slowly morphing itself into something new.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

Being a photographer you have to push yourself. You have to really love what you do. Always experiment and try new things. You’re an artist, so have fun with it!

Put yourself out there as much as possible. Work your ass off, my friend!

Alexandria Perez

What’s your name & age?

Alexandria Perez, 23

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

I don’t live in Jersey City anymore, but I grew up here and lived here for about 9-10 years.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

I had just quit my job at an insurance company after a year and told myself I’d take the summer off to figure out what I want to do next. I stumbled upon the blog through a contributor’s interview with a local artist I knew. One day, Lynn said she was looking for a summer intern and I decided to just go for it since I had experience in copywriting, and here I am three years later.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

It’s a chill, flexible environment that’s open to new ideas. I think it’s difficult to find a job that actually incorporates your interests into the work being created, but ChicpeaJC has been growing with new ideas from the team. An example of this would be the project Laura and I created, JC Locals. We started this to showcase longtime residents who want to share their perspectives on the city in a time where people seem to be overlooking any neighborhood that isn’t Downtown.

Working here can get hectic and requires patience, but it can also be rewarding.

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

Oof, it depends. I’m at Exchange Place all the time, that’s my number one spot. For drinks and quick bites, though, O’Hara’s is my go-to.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

Along with wanting to see more attention brought to underserved areas and neighborhoods, I’d love to actually see a change in the Jersey City schools. There’s no reason why students, parents, and staff should have to fight the City or the State this often for basic needs.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

I do a lot of writing and I’m not the best by any means, but I’d tell anyone trying to pursue writing to practice. Read books of different genres, explore the styles that may interest you. Anything creative is rooted in passion, so as long as you enjoy what you do and find a way to make it work for your interests, you’ll do well!

Vanessa Santiago

What’s your name & age?

My name’s Vanessa, I am 25.

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

I am not a Jersey City resident, I was actually raised in Bergen County but I now live in Montclair.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

I joined the ChicpeaJC team because I wanted a creative outlet, and wanted to feel a part of something where my opinions matter and my voice is heard.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

It’s not all selfies and cute outfits. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into the brand.

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

Probably Porta, but I am a die-hard Ani Ramen fan! They have a location right by my house and then a block away from work so I practically live there.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

Accept the change! How boring would life be if things stayed at a constant all the time?

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

Go for it, and if you have no experience or don’t know where to start, figure it out! The internet is a great tool! Gone are the days of asking “Where do I begin?” Google it.

Laura Galarza

What’s your name & age?

My name is Laura Galarza and I’m 23 years old

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

I’ve been a Jersey City resident since 2002.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

I saw her instagram post looking for videography interns and thought it would be a great learning experience, especially since it’s in Jersey City.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

It’s not a typical 9-to-5 job, you have some flexibility. Most of the time, you need to be quick on your feet, but you have a lot of creative control. Like Alex said, we were able to create JC Locals, and that started from an idea we just had one day.

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

I love hanging out with friends in Barcade and eating vegan cauliflower bites from Pet Shop.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

I would want to see more Jersey City residents come together and take part of the community, especially those who are fairly new. I’d also want creatives to support each other and come together. I feel like there has to be a better way for our voices to be heard and action to follow when it comes to everything that’s happening with schools, housing, transportation, etc.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

Stop fearing what other people might think or that you’re not good enough. No one is perfect when they first start, but if you keep being consistent and have a passionate for it, it will all work out.

Safa Mostafa

What’s your name & age?

Safa Mostafa, 18 years old

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

Yes, all my life.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

Last year in the fall, Lynn came down to my school and spoke to a group of girls from my Journalism class. I expected to hear the “If you stick to the books and work hard you can be a successful reporter” story. Instead, I got the exact opposite. I heard her story of when she woke up at 30 years old with a house, family and a comfortable 401K and didn’t feel happy. At the time, I owned a business so I could relate. She mentioned that she wanted a youth writer for the blog. I gave it a shot and actually fell in love with the community and the connections I made. Eventually, we opened a section on the blog specifically for the youth.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

I have people telling me that I’m selling myself short and that I could be getting paid more elsewhere. I think people forget that most employees don’t know the CEO. They just get a paycheck and leave. That CEO is essentially a manager with a fancy title. With Lynn, she’s a leader. She leads by example, not orders. Working at ChicpeaJC is such a fun experience, it almost doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy writing articles that give people the exposure they need, or inform people of information they need to know but don’t have time to make it to every meeting.

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

My favorite spot to eat at is Miss America. If I need somewhere for me and my friends just to talk, it would be the waterfront.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

I want to see Greenville be safe and not expensive.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

Just go for it. People read articles because they’re looking for something.

Anna Avendano

What’s your name & age?

Anna, and I’m 27

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

I’ve been a Jersey City resident since 2006 when I moved from the Philippines, until 2013 but I’m still always in Jersey City.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

I love to eat. I came across ChicpeaJC a couple of years ago in my search for new eats in Jersey City and from there, I got to see Lynn’s passion for Jersey City through her engagement with the community. I joined ChicpeaJC because I also grew to love my second home and would love to be part of making it a better place. I also love to write, so it’s definitely a bonus!

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

There’s nothing more empowering than a group of (female) creatives working together. It’s the best feeling ever and you get to learn from each other. ChicpeaJC is so influential in many ways. Her love for the community and positivity is just contagious!

Favorite spot to hang at in Jersey City?

There’s a lot of places and they always involve food depending on my mood. ;) For boba and chill, it’s Big Straw. When I’m in need of island vibes, I go to Pokay and Sweetberry Bowls. Late night grub, I go to Wurstbar. To satisfy my sweet tooth, Bucket & Bay!

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

I would want to see resolution in the issues educators are facing in the school system. That they would be compensated fairly and receive the full benefits they deserve.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

It took me years to branch out and see what’s out there for me aside from a traditional 9-5 job. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. Partner with people and learn from people who have already done it and are doing it well. Whether it is interning, working part-time or attending workshops that help cultivate creativity – just do it! There’s so much to learn and who knows, maybe people can also learn from you.

Natalie Marzano

What’s your name & age?

Natalie Marzano, 22

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

Nope, but I grew up about 40 min away from JC

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

I joined ChicpeaJC because I wanted to be part of a team that creates and brings something new to the table.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

Working with ChicpeaJC is a lot of fun, I love how every day is different!

Favorite spot to hang out in Jersey City?

I love enjoying a cup of tea and reading my book at Beechwood Cafe in the morning before I go to work.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

I am new to Jersey City so I am just excited to explore and learn more about the city.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. It’s easy to be relatable when you’re being yourself!

 

Chelsea Plesnitzer

What’s your name & age?

Chelsea Plesnitzer, 31

Are you a Jersey City resident? How long?

Yes, I love where I live. I’ve been in the Jersey City Heights for the last five years.

Why did you join ChicpeaJC?

It has given me the opportunity to work alongside an incredibly passionate, driven, and creative team in the community that I live in and love! Working alongside Lynn as her executive assistant has given me the opportunity to learn firsthand what it takes to build a brand and business from the ground up.

What’s one thing you want people to know about working with ChicpeaJC?

There is never a dull moment! Whether it is networking with local businesses, planning events, or launching new concepts, one of my favorite things is that we are always getting ourselves into something new and exciting!

Favorite spot to hang out in Jersey City?

Ahh, this is such a hard question! I love food, so a lot of my favorite spots revolve around great food and friends. Some of my favorite spots include Fox and Crow- best fried chicken sandwich; Ozu- for Japanese food; Pinwheel- amazing kimchi bacon fried rice; The Hutton for great food and live music; and Porta’s rooftop.

What’s one thing you want to see change in Jersey City?

There is already so many awesome spots in the Heights, but I would love to see more nightlife and businesses come to the JC Heights area! With that said, perhaps a bit of an improvement of public transportation to and from NYC and Downtown JC.

Any advice for someone trying to make it in this career/field?

1. Work Hard! Never give up! You will face many road blocks and people who tell you no. 2. Lynn has taught me and has led by example to be your AUTHENTIC self and to always keep it real. 3. Own your mistakes and learn from them. 4. Ask thoughtful questions and listen to the answers! You would be surprised how much you can learn listening to others.