In the firm belief that all business should be convivial, Biz4NJ gathered many of its Circle of Experts and contributors to its Harvest Celebration and Marketing Roundtable, on the afternoon of October second. Held at the home of Biz4NJ editor Bart Jackson, and his wife Lorraine, celebration guests were greeted to the site of a whole lamb turning slowly on the spit above the glowing coals.
Several of the Garden State’s finest winemakers took a brief break from their own hectic harvesting to share some the best fruits of previous labors. Louis Caracciolo, from his Amalthea Cellars in Atco brought, among other vintages, his award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Anthony Ricci, owner of Hamburg’s Cava Winery and Vineyard shared his Zincato white. And Al Natali owner of Cape May’s Natali Vineyards proffered several vintages, including his Cedar Hammock Red. Guests enjoyed the endless array of samplings, with many comments about how our state’s wines pleased both palates and pocketbooks.
Biz4NJ publisher and co-host Pravin Philip had enticed along his good friend, wine expert George Taber from his Block Island writing haunt. Taber has just finished another manuscript on the grape, and delivered it to his publisher with no little relief. It was Taber who in 1976 reported to the world how California’s wines had triumphed over the French, and again in a blind tasting how Garden State wines were preferred over the best of California and France last year. He praised the vintners’ offerings and reminded us of Ben Franklin’s words “Wine is proof that God loves man and wants him to be happy.”
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein was also on hand, attentively listening to guests’ concerns as she toured the grounds. Spying the solar array which supplies all the Jackson’s electricity needs, she praised their green efforts. In the more contemplative setting of the thatched Japanese teahouse, Ms. Greenstein chatted with constituent Eileen Sinett, CEO of Plainsboro’s Comprehensive Communication Services, and Renate Novak, founder of Health Choices in Hillsboro.
Old comrades and former co-consultants Dr. Stephen G. Payne, head of Leadership Strategies and Ravi Arapurakal also found the sylvan tea house an ideal place to renew their long friendship.
As the lamb was being carved by master chef Newt Richards, guests circled their chairs beside the croquet court for the initial marketing round table. As each business owner introduced themselves and brought forth their firm’s greatest marketing challenge. With calm, incisive dialectic, Dan Conley, head of NJAngels.net and Joe Roman, CEO of Accelerant Sales, dissected each problem and presented possible solutions.
Then, as the sun gave up her light and began filtering through the maples, chef Richards carved the succulent lamb, and the corn pot was hefted off the fire. All feasted heartily. Following the sunset, Lorraine Jackson invited her guests to quit the long, outdoor tables and move inside. With all settled in for dessert, co-host Bart Jackson deemed it time to bring out his Chateau Bonne Chance - wine made from grapes grown on his own property. The professional vintners were gracious in their assessment of this “hobby wine.”
A second round table sprang up informally, with veteran mortgage expert Roger Pierson outlining the causes of the current fiscal plunges and making a few predictions. Assemblywoman Greenstein explained her recent Predatory Annuities Prevention Act, as well as promising legislative attention to several agricultural and small business issues. Acting in genial harmony, Lorette Pruden, founder of Team Nimbus and Bob Baker, head of Copy to Go, Inc. provided some organizational and writing presentation basics to fellow business owners.
Many perks come with joining Biz4NJ’s Circle of Experts, and the guests at the Harvest Celebration experienced some of the sociable ones that night - friendly, perceptive advice, fellowship of insightful business leaders, fine wines, grand feasting, and even a little song and piano spontaneously brought forth by some of the tacitly talented guests. All the more reason to register and consider applying for a Biz4NJ Expertship. Biz4
