Category Archives: Member and Community Partner Spotlights

Small Business Spotlight: The Revolutionary Lounge Cafe

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We are pleased to present a blog post which features one of our current businesses, how they got started, and how First Financial has helped them grow their business. If this inspires you to want to expand your business goals or see how First Financial can assist you further, feel free to reach out to us. Keep reading to learn more about our featured Business of the Month, The Revolutionary Lounge Cafe in Toms River. 

The revolution is here! Peter Perea and Jill Mulligan have teamed up to create The Revolutionary Lounge and Cafe, a coffee house that has adopted a theme based on the United States’ part in the American revolution.

Peter Perea (Builder and Handyman) and Jill Mulligan (General Manager and Chef)

Years in Business: 8 years

What do you love most about the business?

It’s a cliche answer, but it would be the people. We have a really wonderful and loyal following throughout Ocean County and even further. Folks who love real coffee, real tea, and simply just real ingredients and local flavors – are able to appreciate what we do and that’s awesome to see. Beyond that, we are able to take more time with having a creative design inside our space. Certain coffee chains are all the same inside, but our cafe has the love of a lot of people throughout it’s design, and that’s enjoyable to see for a change. Not to mention, we have a continuous flow of coffee and espresso available at all times which doesn’t hurt either!

What has your biggest challenge been in business?

The biggest challenge is simply choosing what you want to do today, tomorrow, next week, and next year. Business is always changing and evolving, and you want to do everything – but when you’re small you’ve got to pick and choose what works best for you. That can be tough when you’re a little impatient and want to give everything a try.

What do you like most about banking with First Financial?

Cliche again, but the people and the cozier atmosphere. Sure, it’s still a financial institution, but FFFCU isn’t some giant too-big-to-fail Wall Street heavyweight…it’s a local place with local people whom we’ve come to know and appreciate. The folks at First Financial know our business, and that’s a lot more than you’ll get out of any big bank. We’re a small business, so we want to support the companies out there that support small businesses too, and that’s First Financial.

What is your key to success?

Most people will occasionally complain that they don’t have enough hours in the day to accomplish everything they want, but we’ve discovered that with a continuous flow of caffeine you can reach hummingbird-like speeds and squeeze about 2 hours out of every 60 minutes. With 48 hours in a day how can you fail?

To learn more about The Revolutionary Lounge Cafe and see their menu, click here, email hi@revlounge.com or call 732.608.7819. You can visit their new location at 1256 Indian Head Road in Toms River.

Ready to grow your business? Call the Business Development Department at 732.312.1500, email business@firstffcu.com or stop by any branch location. Learn more about our Business Account products and services on our website.

Small Business Spotlight: The Best Auto Reconditioning Center in Neptune

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We are pleased to present a blog post which features one of our current businesses, how they got started, and how First Financial has helped them grow their business. If this inspires you to want to expand your business goals or see how First Financial can assist you further, feel free to reach out to us. Keep reading to learn more about our featured Business of the Month, Daryl Jackson: Owner of The Best Auto Reconditioning Center. 

Daryl Jackson: Owner of The Best Auto Reconditioning Center

Protect your investment with The Best! Owner Daryl Jackson has been in the car detailing business for over 40 years, and has owned The Best Auto Reconditioning Center since 2011. The Best Auto Reconditioning Center takes great pride in detailing, and recently received a five star rating on Google. Daryl’s shop on Route 35 in Neptune is friendly, knowledgeable, and always has unique smooth jazz playing in the background. Having your car washed and waxed regularly is one of the easiest ways to preserve its paint and keep it looking great! To learn more visit @BestDetailNJ on social media or thebestautoreconditioning.com. 

Owner: Daryl Jackson

Years in Business: 40+ years – 8 owning The Best Auto Reconditioning Center.

What do you love most about the business?

The thing I love the most about my business is making people happy.

What has your biggest challenge been in business?

Trying to respect other detailers and looking out for my customers’ best interest, but also making them understand that I am going to do a great job.

What do you like most about banking with First Financial?

The thing I like the most about banking with First Financial, would probably be how simple it is to do business there.

What is your key to success?

LOVING what I do!

Ready to grow your business? Call the Business Development Department at 732.312.1500, email business@firstffcu.com or stop by any branch location. Learn more about our Business Account products and services on our website.

Small Business Spotlight: Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza in Brick

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We are pleased to present a blog post which features one of our current businesses, how they got started, and how First Financial has helped them grow their business. If this inspires you to want to expand your business goals or see how First Financial can assist you further, feel free to reach out to us. Keep reading to learn more about our featured Business of the Month, Anthony Schifilliti: Owner of Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza. 

Anthony Schifilliti: Owner of Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza

Get your fresh pizza from Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza in Brick, NJ. Owner Anthony Shifilliti has been in the restaurant business for over 31 years, and has owned Nino’s for the last 10 years. Nino’s takes great pride in their food and customer satisfaction. During the week – Nino’s has theme nights, from 20% off your bill to children under age 10 eat for free with a regular adult entrée.

Business Owner: Anthony Schifilliti

Years in Business: 31 years

What do you love most about the business? Interactions with the customers and the satisfaction of what we create here at Nino’s.

What has your biggest challenge been in business? Not being complacent, I am always trying to improve the overall product.

What do you like most about banking with First Financial? First the one on one personal relationships, I know everyone by name and know I am not just another member. I love to recommend everyone I can to First Financial Federal Credit Union!

What is your key to success? Being excited, having passion, and truly putting the product and customer satisfaction before profit.

Visit Nino’s website for more information and to check out their delicious menu! 

Ready to grow your business? Call the Business Development Department at 732.312.1500, email business@firstffcu.com or stop by any branch location. Learn more about our Business Account products and services on our website.

Small Business Spotlight: Certified Auto Mall in Howell

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We are pleased to present a blog post which features one of our current businesses, how they got started, and how First Financial has helped them grow their business. If this inspires you to want to expand your business goals or see how First Financial can assist you further, feel free to reach out to us. Keep reading to learn more about our featured Business of the Month, Certified Auto Mall in Howell. 

This month’s Small Business Spotlight is Certified Auto Mall located at 5499 US Highway 9 North in Howell.  Certified Auto Mall specializes in sales, service, and towing. Their phenomenal reviews speak for the excellent quality, value, and service that they provide.

Art Stahnten and his family have been in the automotive industry for nearly 40 years and have been helping the hardworking Howell community stay in motion for the last 17 years.

Art grew up in Newark working from an early age at a gas station/automotive repair shop. The owner of the station would repair vehicles on credit so that his customers could continue to drive to work. This drive to help hardworking local people really made an impression on Art and he still operates Certified Auto Mall in this way today.

Art enjoys meeting and helping people and is very grateful to have such wonderful, loyal customers.  His favorite thing about banking with First Financial is that we are local and easy to get in touch with. The staff at Certified Auto Mall has yet to meet one person at First Financial that is not extremely nice and customer service oriented.

If you are in the market for a quality used automobile, reach out to the friendly staff over at Certified Auto Mall on Route 9 North in Howell!

Ready to grow your business? Call the Business Development Department at 732.312.1500, email business@firstffcu.com or stop by any branch location.

Small Business Spotlight: Clarity Salon in Brielle

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We are pleased to present a blog post which features one of our current businesses, how they got started, and how First Financial has helped them grow their business. If this inspires you to want to expand your business goals or see how First Financial can assist you further, feel free to reach out to us. Keep reading to learn more about our featured Business of the Month, Clarity Salon in Brielle. 

We sat down with Tracey Mahady the owner of Clarity Salon in Brielle to talk briefly about her business.

After 25 years in the industry, Tracey took a break to care for her father whose health was declining. She wasn’t sure she wanted to get back into a traditional salon setting, so her father suggested that she open her own small place. That small place she opened five years ago is not so small anymore!

Clarity prides themselves on using the best high-end organic hair care products. These products function at a very high level and do not contain harmful chemical ingredients.

Tracey’s favorite part of owning the business is that it truly is hers.  She has cultivated a wonderful working environment for her five employees where everyone is treated fairly. The environment is fun, creative and simply beautiful. Customers are welcomed with personalized service and the finished product is excellent.

Clarity Salon and First Financial FCU have worked together since the start of Tracey’s business venture. Tracey enjoys that we are very personal, reachable and there are no hiccups with her banking. The member service that we provide, is exactly what Clarity prides itself in providing to its customers – so the two business philosophies really go hand in hand.  Obtaining a business line of credit for Clarity was a smooth process and really helped to kickstart the success of the business.  Tracey would absolutely refer First Financial to friends, family and other business owners.

First Financial’s Business Line of Credit features:
• No pre-payment penalties
• No application fees
• Flexible terms and fixed monthly payments
• Advance from the line of credit as you need it!

Ready to grow your business?
Call the Business Development Department at 732.312.1500, email business@firstffcu.com or stop by any branch location.

Business Spotlight: Wall Stadium Speedway

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Down at the Jersey Shore, the Wall Stadium Speedway is home to great racing and family fun for the surrounding communities and fans of all ages.  From the time the Speedway first began racing in 1950, they have continued to provide a great experience for the fans who flock to the stadium.

Wall Speedway Photo - Racecars

Above Photo Credit: Ace Lane, featured on wallspeedwayracing.com from 7/28/12

Since it opened, the Wall Speedway was created on 47 acres with the future and safety in mind, featuring banked turns and a one-third mile track.  The track design was developed based on allowing racing car speeds to increase, but also providing a margin of safety.  Over time, the Speedway was altered and updated a few times, adding more safety precautions such as a flat inner loop and a metal guard rail.  Now it hosts many racing events throughout the year.  One of the most recognized races held is the annual Turkey Derby, which takes place each Thanksgiving weekend.  This year will be the 39thrunning of the popular event.

As a family operated business, the Krause family works hard to make sure the needs of the fans are met.  Stated Co-Owner Diane Krause, “Since our family began managing the Speedway in 2011 – we have really placed an emphasis on making sure our fans experience our family friendly, family fun atmosphere.  We want them to have a great time, right in their own backyard!”  And that they will, as Wall Stadium Speedway prides itself on its ability to provide family fun, offering entertainment not just for the diehard fans – but for kids too!  In addition to the races, the Speedway also has a dunk tank, bounce house, face painting, and mini train rides.  The Wall Stadium Speedway also has a new Kid’s Klub, where young racing fans can spend some time playing games, doing arts and crafts, and having all sorts of fun.  The Speedway even has a personal party area for young fans to host birthday parties at the track!

Over the years, the Wall Stadium Speedway has added new equipment, seating, a new sound system and lighting, among other amenities, and has renovated in order to keep the stadium up to date.  They also have plans for a few more new additions in the future – so stay tuned!

Wall Speedway currently races stock cars on Saturday nights in season.  They have two Open Wheel Divisions – Modified and Sportsman Class, as well as Legends, and two Classic Divisions – Factory Stock and Street Stock.  You can view the racing schedule at wallspeedwayracing.com.

With the Corporate Office being right across the street from the Speedway, First Financial has partnered with the stadium by sponsoring a #88 Senior Champ Kart in the past. Caroline Nickerson (First Financial member since 1965), and mother of driver Roger Nickerson (built the Speedway’s Sunday Go Cart Series Program), approached the credit union’s Business Development team and mentioned her husband, Charles Nickerson was a former First Financial CEO and Speedway enthusiast. She hoped that Mr. Nickerson’s former two vested interests could be combined into developing a partnership.  The credit union couldn’t have been happier to oblige and in addition to sponsoring the company branded Senior Champ Kart, also sponsored some additional event nights at the stadium.

1st Financial FCU - Annual Mtg.

Pictured above: Roger Nickerson (center) with First Financial’s Senior Champ Kart, along with Caroline Nickerson (left) and Chris Gall (right).

Please visit Wall Speedway’s website for more information and event schedules.  To contact the Speedway, call 732-681-6400 or e-mail them at CKMotorSports@aol.com.