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Move aside, millennials… Gen Z is ready to make their presence felt on Hoboken and Jersey City’s business scene. Bringing fresh ideas, tech-savvy strategies, and a deep commitment to social impact, these business owners were all born between 1997 and 2012 – meaning they’re part of the Gen Z generation. Read on to learn more about local Gen Z business owners and entrepreneurs in Hoboken and Jersey City.
Disclaimer: This list is growing and is not an intentional omission. If you would like to be added, please email us. [email protected].
About Gen Z
Gen Z are digital natives. Unlike the millennials who came before them, they grew up with the internet and social media at their disposal. Research shows: This constant connectivity has dramatically shaped Gen Z’s communication styles, making them more adept at navigating the digital landscape than previous generations.Pew Research Center).
Because Gen Z grew up in a hybrid digital world, trends suggest this generation generally exhibits a desire for independence and a preference for creating their own career path. Unlike previous generations, they are less likely to work in traditional 9-to-5 jobs. Recent data shows that many Gen Zers are motivated by a sense of purpose and prefer to align their business efforts with their values, such as promoting sustainability, social justice, and community engagement.McKinsey & Company). Meet some Gen Z business owners in Hoboken and Jersey City below.
Read more: A list of Black-owned businesses to support in Hoboken and Jersey City
Anastasia SK — Social Fusion Studio
Anna, 26, With a background in business and marketing, Anna has managed social media for various organisations throughout her career, including the United Nations, ultimately founding Social Fusion Studio. In 2018, Anna launched her first business, a sustainable fashion brand. Recently, she decided to build her own social media practice aimed at providing a truly impactful service to business owners.
Dylan Zajac — Computers 4 People
Photo credit: Dylan Zajac
Computers 4 People is a non-profit green business (officially certified by the City of Hoboken) led by 21-year-old Dylan Zajac, who started his work here in Hoboken when he was 15 years old. The organization is dedicated to collecting, repairing and donating computers to individuals and organizations in under-resourced communities to promote equity and access to opportunity. Since its founding, the organization has donated more than 2,400 computers, enabling thousands of people to find work, get an education and connect with family and friends. Dylan has raised more than $1.5 million for Computers 4 People, which recently held its fifth anniversary fundraiser in Hoboken.We raised over $30,000.
Jake Hertz — NanoHertz Solutions + Origin Labs
Jake Hertz is a 26-year-old from Westchester, NY who has lived in Hoboken for three years. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 2020 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Jake said: H.G.“I’ve been starting businesses my whole life, from selling candy in middle school to repairing iPhones and laptops in college,” Nick said, starting his own business while in graduate school. Nanohertz Solutions Inc. has since split into NanoHertz Solutions and Origin Labs, which both design and write about the technology. Nanohertz Solutions is a technical communications business that helps develop technical content such as blog posts, articles, white papers, e-books, and provides public relations services to help companies build industry awareness and brand leadership. Origin Lab is a high-tech product development and engineering design studio that provides specialized engineering and product development services to startups, helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.
Marissa Herman — Move House
Photo by Marissa Helman
Move House is a Hoboken-based fitness studio run by 26-year-old Marissa Helman that offers low-impact, high-energy, full-body sculpt workouts. Marissa began dancing when she was two years old and continued dancing competitively until she was 18. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BFA in Dance. During her senior year, Marissa earned ballet certification to teach at her aunt’s studio during college and after graduation. After college, she took a part-time job at a local fitness studio but soon realized that that was exactly what she wanted to do. Move House combines Marissa’s dance and dance skills. I use my dance background and fitness knowledge to create an effective and fun workout. She opened her studio on September 1, 2023. They hosted pop-up classes at their Hoboken locations, Studio at Hoboken (251 1st Street) and the lower floors of the Citadel Building (450 7th Street), before launching Move House on Demand, a program that lets you work out from anywhere.
Natalia Artigas — Natalia’s Accessories
Photo credit: Natalia Artigas
At just 13 years old, seventh grade student Natalia Artigas used her passion for creativity, love of crafts and attention to detail to start a small business selling intricate, handmade earrings. Her parents helped her start the business by purchasing the supplies she needed, and she has been selling handmade earrings at school, to family and friends ever since. Her designs caught attention and she started an Instagram page. NataliaShe exhibits her work and accepts custom orders at her online art gallery, where her mother says, “Her ability to juggle her studies with her job is a testament to her incredible time management skills and passion for her work.”
Nicholas Petruzelli + Jordan Getz — Heart of Hoboken
Photo credit: Nicholas Petruzelli + Jordan Getz
Nicholas Petruzzelli and Jordan Getz are current seniors at Hoboken High School who founded and run a nonprofit organization for children with special needs, ages 10-18. Heart of HobokenWe launched our Community Activation Group in February 2024 and have continued to grow each month. Our first event was called “Night at the Nest” and was a fun activity series held in the Hoboken High School gymnasium, featuring pizza from Alessio’s Cafe and cinnamon rolls from The Hive. The group’s second event was an inclusive kickball event, and our most recent event (and most successful to date) was an inclusive bowling event.
Olivia Renteria — Tutu School (coming soon)
Photo by Olivia Renteria
A new business (and Gen Z co-owner) is on the way in Jersey City Heights. Tutu Ballet School was founded by Olivia Renteria, 24, and her aunt, Purdy Baumann, owner of Purdy Space in JC Heights. Olivia Renteria is a professional dancer, singer, and actress. She recently Mean Girls. Olivia has worked with artists such as Julianne Hough and Emma Roberts. In addition to her career as an actress and entrepreneur, she is also the frontwoman of her own band and currently performs around New York City singing country, pop and R&B covers.
Peyton Jackson — Dye by Pei
Peyton Jackson is a 26-year-old Hoboken resident who runs two small businesses, her first being a tie-dye company. Dyeing by PeiWhen the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Peyton temporarily moved to suburban Connecticut. Out of boredom and weekend crafting, Dyed by Pey was born. The brand sells t-shirts and tank tops, sweatshirts and hoodies, shorts, sweatpants, accessories, and custom tie-dyed pieces. She has participated in several pop-ups in Hoboken and also does birthday parties. Payton’s second venture was Etsy Shop They sell phone cases and sweatshirts.
See more: 7 Cool Inventors from Essex County, New Jersey
Rachel Ziegler — Ivy Main Studio
Rachel Ziegler, founder and owner of Ivy Mane Studio, started her business in 2020 while completing her interior design degree. What began as a creative outlet quickly morphed into much more as she became fascinated with the medium of concrete. Rachel draws inspiration from the world around her, including the serenity of nature and the vibrancy of New York City. These influences then merge with her passion for design and architecture to produce unique, functional pieces that tell a story. While the studio primarily sells handmade products for the home, Ivy Mane also hosts creative workshops for anyone looking to get creative, including hands-on experiences like making “drip plant pots” and “booty planters” (yes, they’re exactly what they sound like).
