Where is Larisa Today?

10/20/2026

Supporting small businesses will always be personal to me. ❤️

There’s something special about walking into a locally owned business, meeting the people behind it, and experiencing the passion and hard work that goes into what they do every single day.

And what better excuse to support local than East Brunswick Restaurant Week?! 🍽️🎉 I mean, if there’s ever a reason to go out and eat more than you normally would, THIS IS IT! 😂

Today’s stop was Tulsi Indian Restaurant in East Brunswick, and WOW! The food was absolutely delicious, the flavors were incredible, and the service was impeccable! 🌶️🍛

Having spent so much of my career working with small businesses, I know firsthand how much every customer, every recommendation, and every bit of community support matters.

When we support small businesses, we’re supporting our neighbors, our families, and the heartbeat of our communities.

So here’s my challenge to you: Get out there, try somewhere new, support a local restaurant, and spread the word!

And if you haven’t tried Tulsi yet, add it to your list! You won’t regret it! 😋

CommunityMatters TulsiIndianRestaurant LarisaConnects

10/16/2026

Business owners said the grants are providing encouragement as they continue to grow.

10/15/2026

💙 BIG dreams. SMALL businesses. POWERFUL impact! 🙌✨

60+ people. One room. Endless inspiration!

Today was about so much more than grants. It was about GRIT, PASSION, RESILIENCE, and COMMUNITY! ❤️

The Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce brought together incredible small business owners, community leaders, and partners to celebrate the people who put their hearts into building something of their own.

And let me tell you… the energy was CONTAGIOUS! 🔥

The stories. The emotions. The gratitude. The connections. You could FEEL the pride in that room!

Coming from a small business background, this one hit close to home. Building a business in New Jersey isn’t easy. Behind every success is a story of sacrifice, determination, and perseverance.

Seeing these entrepreneurs celebrated and supported was a powerful reminder of WHY we show up for one another.

👏 Huge kudos to the Woodbridge Metro Chamber and our amazing community partners for investing in local dreams and creating opportunities!

I walked out with a full heart and one simple reminder:

When you lift up ONE business, you help lift an ENTIRE community! 💙

THAT is the power of showing up. THAT is community! ❤️

StrongerTogether ShopLocal CommunityImpact SmallBusinessLove

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

Great meeting today at Top That Donuts with Jersey Shore Chamber ! We are planning some fantastic events for the Jersey Shore community. Next week is the Jersey Shore Women’s Conference 🧡🧡🧡

10/09/2026

A new track. More opportunities for students. A community investment brought to life. 💙👟

Today’s ribbon cutting at West Haverstraw Elementary celebrated a project that Optimum helped make possible through a $10,000 contribution last summer!

This is why showing up locally matters—supporting our schools and investing in spaces where kids can move, grow, and connect.

Thank you for inviting us to celebrate! Proud to represent Optimum and support the communities we serve. ✂️🎉

LocalMatters

10/07/2026

🏆 Chamber Member of the Year! 💙

Still taking this one in! I’m incredibly honored to have been named the 2026 Chamber Member of the Year by the Edison Chamber of Commerce.

For me, being part of a Chamber has always been about more than attending events. It’s about showing up, building relationships, making introductions, supporting others and finding ways to make a difference in the communities we serve.

I’m proud to represent Optimum while doing work that I truly love—connecting people, businesses and organizations and turning those connections into meaningful partnerships.

And while my name may be on the award, I certainly don’t do it alone. 💙 Thank you to my Optimum team and colleagues who support my ideas, collaborate with me and continue to show up alongside me.

A huge thank you to Joe Coyle, Art Cifelli, the Edison Chamber Board and the entire Chamber team for this recognition.

And congratulations to all of this year’s honorees! 👏 It was an honor to be recognized alongside so many incredible business leaders, organizations, educators and community champions making an impact throughout Edison.

✨ Show up. Get involved. Make the introduction. Support someone else.

You never know where one connection can lead.

Grateful for this recognition—and even more excited for what’s ahead! 💙🧡❤️

10/07/2026

Women together. Lifting each other. Leading the way. ❤️

A morning well spent at the 25th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit with the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce! 💪

So many great conversations and takeaways from today’s speakers and panelists, but a few really stuck with me:

✨ Listen to understand, not simply to respond.
✨ Confidence is built through experience, taking chances and continuing to grow.
✨ Leadership isn’t about your title—it’s about how you show up.
✨ Our impact becomes even greater when we create opportunities for others.

That last one especially resonates with me. ❤️

I’ve always believed that some of the best opportunities start with a simple conversation, introduction or “You two need to know each other!” 🤝

Leadership isn’t only about where you go—it’s about who you bring with you, whose voice you amplify and what doors you can help open along the way.

Congratulations to the Women in Business Committee, all of the speakers and panelists, and everyone who made 25 years of this summit possible!

Keep showing up. Keep connecting. Keep lifting each other. 🚀

MiddlesexCounty CentralJersey LarisaConnects

10/04/2026

🎻 Show up. Support local. Make a difference. 💙

This past Friday, I was proud to represent Optimum and support the East Brunswick High School Orchestra at their Boba Tea Fundraiser! 🧋🎶

Supporting our schools means supporting the next generation—and the arts play such an important role in building creativity, confidence, teamwork, and community.

Thank you to Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and United Desi of New Jersey Corporation for helping bring our community together for a great cause.

For me, being local isn’t just about where we do business—it’s about showing up for the people, students, schools, and organizations that make our communities special. 💙

🎻 Support the arts. 🏫 Support our schools. 🤝 Support local.

10/02/2026

🏭 Made in New Jersey! 💪

Today, Optimum was proud to be part of NJMEP’s “Made in New Jersey” Manufacturing Day, celebrating the businesses, innovation and people helping move New Jersey forward.

Beyond making new connections 🤝, there were some really engaging breakout sessions covering everything from scaling manufacturing and funding growth to women in manufacturing and developing the next generation of talent.

For me, these events are about getting into the room, listening to what businesses need and finding new ways for Optimum to connect, collaborate and support the organizations and employees that make our communities stronger. 💙

👏 And congratulations to NJMEP on 30 years of supporting New Jersey manufacturing!

Another event = another longer follow-up list. 😊📋