Women’s History Month honors the generations of women who fought for the opportunity to find success in an opportunistic world. Today, that legacy lives on in local business owners who turn their passion into community impact. From event planning to healthcare to media training to children’s enrichment, four New Jersey entrepreneurs show how women continue to shape their communities through resilience and innovation.

Celeste Kaitsa, owner of CK Loves Events, turned personal loss into purpose. The event-planning business began as an idea she shared with her mother, and shortly after her mother passed away, that idea became a thriving business.

“She told me to start an event company that was geared toward children’s events,” Kaitsa said. “She always wanted me to do this because I love kids and events, so I did, and voila, CK Loves Events was born.”

Kaitsa said her mother remains the beating heart of the company. “I felt as if I was creating this for both of us. It’s an amazing feeling when I own my company, it’s something I’ve created,” she said. 

Starting a business was not easy. Within her first six months, Kaitsa fell victim to fraud after trusting a client who contacted her through Instagram. She lost money booking venues and vendors before realizing the event was fake.

Despite this, Kaitsa persisted. During the pandemic, she maintained her income by creating party kits. “My creativity is definitely my superpower,” she said.

In Mendham, Dr. Kara Zuleg, owner of Hand in Hand Chiropractic, focuses on family care. Zuleg earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2020, opening her own practice two years later.

”I always envisioned owning my own family practice. Owning my own space allows me to create an environment that reflects my chiropractic style, techniques, and vision for family-centered care,” Zuleg said.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, Zuleg said biases are common. “There can be assumptions that female chiropractors use a lighter approach,” she said. “Effective chiropractic care is about precision, skill, and results— not force.”

For Zuleg, Women’s History Month is a time for reflection. “It allows me to revisit our mission and continue to improve and serve our community.”

In the creative world, the founder of Courtney Creative Co., Courtney Pierce, built her business after graduating from college during the COVID-19 pandemic, when jobs in entertainment were scarce.

”I literally took a leap of faith. I left my job. No safety net, no job, no clients,” Pierce said.

Pierce said entrepreneurship gives her confidence. “I control what I make. I control my schedule. The freedom and endless possibilities inspire me the most.”

Early on, she struggled to balance her work with her well-being. “I kept saying yes to everything,” Pierce said. “If you spread yourself too thin, you’re not actually helping anybody.”

Working in the video industry, a primarily male field, also presented challenges. “Some men don’t see the value in what I do, and they make that pretty clear,” she said. Still, she credits other female entrepreneurs for helping her grow.

”Highlighting women-owned businesses lets other women know that it’s possible for them too,” Pierce said.

For families in Morris County, Danielle Sporcic, co-owner of The Little Gym of Florham Park, brings leadership into childhood development. Sporcic entered her field as a mother seeking a positive environment for her kids. 

“I wanted to create an environment where children could grow physically, socially, and emotionally,” Sporcic said. 

After opening a location in Jersey City in 2019, she and her partners expanded to Morris County. She reported that balancing motherhood and business has become a strength. “Parents relate to our experiences and trust that we understand what their children need.”

For Sporcic, success goes beyond income. “We create a space where children feel confident, capable, and celebrated as they are,” she said.

Together, these women show that Women’s History Month is not only about honoring the past, but also about watching today’s women shape the future. Through creativity, risks, and leadership, they are building businesses that reach families and communities. Their work proves that progress happens every day, from studios to storefronts, where women take charge of what comes next.