March is Women’s History Month, a time where we celebrate mothers, daughters, wives, girlfriends and every other amazing woman in our life. Farmingdale is home to many incredible women who help others through their businesses, provide valuable services and products, and give back to the community.

Mind Your Business, a group for women in business, focuses on creating bonds among women business owners in and around Farmingdale. That support helps members and their businesses. All women who are current members in good standing with the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce were invited to join the group.
 
This list aims to shine a light on 10 of Farmingdale’s businesswomen and show them the support they deserve. 

• Jennifer O’Neill of Step By Step Dance Studio (248 Main Street)
  •  Step By Step offers courses for everyone age 2 and above. The studio offers ballet, hip-hop, jazz, Irish step, contemporary and more, so there’s something for everyone. The studio also offers adult classes in VXN Dance Cardio and Tap and Ballroom dances. Jennifer herself was a student of Step By Step growing up and emphasizes having fun in her studio. She and her troupe, The Step By Step Dance Company, routinely give back to the community. Some examples include dance performances, food drives, requesting toys for childhood cancer patients, fundraisers for cancer research, and participating in other community events.
• Silvia Vargas of ProPac Marketing
  • ProPac Marketing was founded in 1999 and offers English and Spanish services. Silvia and her team specialize in promotional giveaways, executive gifts, advertising specialty items, employee recognition, company stores and more. Customizable items for sale include apparel, shirts, bags, accessories, drinkware, fun things, outdoor items, office goods, trade shows, and writing utensils.
• Marie Malerba of 1042 Collision Repairs (1042 Fulton Street)
  • Marie inherited the auto body repair shop from her father, Ralph, and has not looked in the rear view since. She fondly remembers her father’s statement to a customer: “Sure, we can fix it. We can fix anything, except a broken heart.” Marie joked on her website that her dad starting a flower shop or restaurant would have been easier on her manicure. Auto repairs, she said, are hard, dirty, dangerous, hazardous, expensive, ever-changing, highly technical and stressful. But she’s proven she can do it and proudly carries the mantle in her father’s memory. If your car is in need of repair, check out 1042 Collision Repairs!
• Nancy White of Arthur F. White Funeral Home (315 Conklin Street)
  • Wake and funeral services, while a celebration of one’s life, can be a very difficult time for those mourning a loved one. Arthur F. White Funeral Home has helped people say goodbye in a peaceful, comforting setting for over 100 years. Nancy White currently owns the funeral home. She aims to help families focus on grieving by making funeral arrangements as simple as possible. The home also helps people plan their own funerals so their grieving loved ones have something less on their minds. The business also offers grief support.
• Marie Rafter of In Full Bloom Florist (70 Motor Avenue)
  • Marie over at In Full Bloom Florist offers flowers for every occasion: birthday, prom, wedding, congratulations, anniversary, get well, sympathy, new baby, and more. The shop offers curated collections, specialty gifts, garden and plaque decorations, candles, and corporate gifts, as well as gourmet truffles and chocolates. Check out In Full Bloom Florist and pick up something for that special someone in your life. Marie began her career in the floral industry in 1976 and has since developed her own style. She opened her own business in 1993 with the goal of sharing her passion for flowers. She strives to offer personalized flowers that capture every intended detail.
• Suzanne LoBiondo, CPA P.C. (100 Broadhollow Road, Suite 206)
  • Suzanne LoBiondo leads a team of certified public accountants and services dedicated to meeting each client’s unique needs. Her team brings years of experience in providing personal and professional accounting, tax, payroll and business services. Clients can plan next year’s taxes or their retirement.
• Rebecca Kender of Kender Academy of Irish Dance (97 Hempstead Turnpike)
  • Rebecca, the founder, has been dancing for more than 16 years – since she was 13. She has since represented the U.S.A. on the world stage for multiple years. She enjoys teaching her students the technique of Irish dance and seeing them have fun. Her academy strives to provide an Irish dance education rooted in tradition but exploring modernity. Her academy is the right fit for dancers looking to explore both the competitive and performance aspects of Irish dancing. Rebecca emphasizes overall health and wellness with her pupils, as well as fun, friendship, dedication, discipline, respect, fitness, teamwork and artistic expression. While Rebecca is blazing her own path, she fondly remembers how her mother, Kathleen, drove her to every dance lesson and took her to every competition. Kathleen was and is still her daughter’s biggest fan.
• Mary Lou Carlson of Wilks Hearing Center, Inc. (475 Main Street, Suite 1F)
  • Dr. Carlson has been with the Wilks Hearing Center since 1986. She became director in 2018. She received her doctor of audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. She and her business provide audiological services, hearing healthcare, hearing tests, hearing aids, and help manage hearing loss.
• Lisa Gardner of 3A-Travel/3rd Alternative Inc. (380 Main Street #304)
  • Looking to get away? Pay a visit to Lisa Gardner at 3A-Travel/3rd Alternative Inc. She and her team will help you choose from destinations like The Grenadines, Barbados, the Virgin Islands or the Republic of Cuba. Or if you’re looking for a particular experience - white sands, diving, family fun, sightseeing, romantic getaway, snorkeling, beautiful scenery or outdoor adventure - 3A-Travel can help you tailor your ideal itinerary.
• Christine Maier of Traveling Giraffe
  • Christine is an author, coach and speaker who aims to help people and organizations turn obstacles into opportunity through helping them understand their beauty, purpose and power. Christine herself was born with a cleft lip and palate and underwent more than 25 surgeries - her first at 4 months old. She said she looked different while growing up, struggled with her speech and often missed school for surgeries and treatments. A learning disability added to her challenges, and her small stature ensured she was a last round pick in the elementary school kickball draft, she added. She is tired of hearing stories of what people cannot achieve and is passionate about guiding people, youths especially, to turning obstacles into opportunities. People can purchase a self-study course and access to Maier’s private Facebook group or a coaching package with five one-on-one sessions.