Trenton, New Jersey, is a city buzzing with potential and offers a vibrant lifestyle for its residents. Known for its rich history dating back to the American Revolution, Trenton continues to be a place of inspiration and new beginnings. The city's diverse community creates a melting pot of culture, enhancing the sense of neighborhood spirit and camaraderie.
For nature lovers, Trenton provides an abundance of green spaces and picturesque parks. Cadwalader Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers residents a serene escape with its sprawling landscapes and charming walking trails. Adventurous souls can take advantage of the scenic Delaware River, perfect for kayaking or a tranquil riverside stroll.
One of Trenton's shining jewels is its thriving arts scene. The city's museums and galleries, including the New Jersey State Museum and Artworks Trenton, feature captivating exhibits that celebrate both local and international talents. Creative energy flows throughout the streets, with murals and public art adding color to urban life.
Trenton's commitment to growth and revitalization is exemplified by its bustling downtown, which is full of unique shops, cozy cafes, and mouthwatering eateries. Thanks to convenient tran...
Discover the Charm of Living in Trenton, New
4 | HelloTrenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue
Discover the Charm of Living in Trenton, New Jersey: A City on the Rise
Trenton, New Jersey, is a city buzzing with potential and offers a vibrant lifestyle for its residents. Known for its rich history dating back to the American Revolution, Trenton continues to be a place of inspiration and new beginnings. The city's diverse community creates a melting pot of culture, enhancing the sense of neighborhood spirit and camaraderie.
For nature lovers, Trenton provides an abundance of green spaces and picturesque parks. Cadwalader Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers residents a serene escape with its sprawling landscapes and charming walking trails. Adventurous souls can take advantage of the scenic Delaware River, perfect for kayaking or a tranquil riverside stroll.
One of Trenton's shining jewels is its thriving arts scene. The city's museums and galleries, including the New Jersey State Museum and Artworks Trenton, feature captivating exhibits that celebrate both local and international talents. Creative energy flows throughout the streets, with murals and public art adding color to urban life.
Trenton's commitment to growth and revitalization is exemplified by its bustling downtown, which is full of unique shops, cozy cafes, and mouthwatering eateries. Thanks to convenient transportation options, including easy access to New York City and Philadelphia, Trenton provides the perfect blend of urban amenities and suburban tranquility.
Embrace the chance to be part of Trenton's exciting journey and discover why so many are proud to call this city home.
Hello Trenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue |5
Discover the Charm of Living in Trenton, New
What Most People Get Wrong About Painting Cabinets
Painting cabinets might seem like a simple weekend project — just pick a color and brush it on. But in reality, cabinet painting is one of the more demanding and detailed painting tasks in any home. The biggest misconception? That it’s just like painting a wall.Most people think you can just slap a
coat of paint on your cabinets and call it a day. But cabinets aren’t drywall. They’re high-touch surfaces with edges, corners, and years of exposure to grease, moisture, and fingerprints. Without the right prep, paint simply won’t stick well or last long.Cabinet painting is a process that
6 | HelloTrenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue
What Most People Get Wrong About Painting Cabinets
Painting cabinets might seem like a simple weekend project — just pick a color and brush it on. But in reality, cabinet painting is one of the more demanding and detailed painting tasks in any home. The biggest misconception? That it’s just like painting a wall.
Most people think you can just slap a coat of paint on your cabinets and call it a day. But cabinets aren’t drywall. They’re high-touch surfaces with edges, corners, and years of exposure to grease, moisture, and fingerprints. Without the right prep, paint simply won’t stick well or last long.
Cabinet painting is a process that requires precision. Before anything gets painted, the surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned, especially in kitchens where cooking oils leave behind residue. Cabinet painting takes precise prep, like degreasing, sanding, and priming, to get a smooth, lasting finish. Sanding removes old finishes and creates the right surface texture, while priming ensures even coverage and proper adhesion for the topcoat.
Skipping these steps is where problems begin. That’s how you end up with peeling paint and brush marks. Paint applied over grease or glossy finishes will chip and bubble within months. And without a good primer and proper application techniques, brush strokes and drips are hard to avoid.
Cabinets also have more wear-and-tear than most surfaces in a home. They’re opened and closed dozens of times a day, exposed to water and steam, and subject to frequent cleaning. That’s why the coating needs to be durable, and the prep needs to be nearly flawless.
Think of it more like furniture refinishing than just painting. Cabinet painting requires the same level of care, attention, and material selection you’d expect from restoring a valuable piece of woodwork. Done properly, it can completely transform your kitchen or bathroom, without the cost of full replacement.
So before grabbing a brush, take a step back. A quality cabinet finish starts with craftsmanship, not shortcuts.
Bob Jamrog
surface texture, while priming ensures even coverage and proper adhesion for the topcoat.Skipping these steps is where problems begin. That’s how you end up with peeling paint and brush marks. Paint applied over grease or glossy finishes will chip and bubble within months. And without a good primer and proper application techniques, brush strokes and drips are hard to avoid.Cabinets also have more wear-and-tear than most surfaces in a home. They’re opened and closed dozens of times a day, exposed to water and steam, and subject to frequent cleaning. That’s why the coating needs to be durable, and the prep needs to be nearly flawl...
requires precision. Before anything gets painted, the surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned, especially in kitchens where cooking oils leave behind residue. Cabinet painting takes precise prep, like degreasing, sanding, and priming, to get a smooth, lasting finish. Sanding removes old finishes and creates the right
Cabinet painting takes precise prep, like degreasing, sanding, and priming, to get a smooth, lasting finish.
About the Author
Bob Jamrog, owner of CertaPro Painters of Hunterdon County, NJ, brings nearly 20 years of coatings expertise to every project. He’s committed to delivering top-quality results and a seamless experience for residential and commercial clients, ensuring every paint job meets the highest standards of professionalism and customer satisfaction.
HelloTrenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue |7
FEATURED STORY
Inside BBB New Jersey with CEO Melissa Companick
by HelloNation Staff
Melissa Companick leads the Better Business Bureau Serving New Jersey, and her message is steady. The BBB exists to make everyday choices safer and clearer for both consumers and businesses. She returns to that point in campus talks, in local media, and in community conversations, because the mission works best when everyone understands the steps.Her public appearances often start with a basic map of the BBB system. People can search Business Profiles to see complaint patterns in context, not as isolated stories. They can read business responses,
8 | HelloTrenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue
HelloNation Staff
ABOUT THE AUTHOR HelloNation is a national magazine dedicated to practical consumer education. We translate real marketplace issues into plain steps that help people set fair expectations, compare options, and resolve problems. Our editorial mission closely aligns with the Better Business Bureau’s emphasis on public education and transparent practices, while remaining independent and not affiliated.
see how issues were handled, and decide whether a company’s approach fits their expectations. That visibility helps buyers set terms before they sign, and it helps honest firms show their standards in public. When a deal goes sideways, the BBB provides a documented process that asks for dates, messages, and a clear account of what each side wants.Companick’s interviews explain that process in plain language. A complaint that meets the acceptance policy is posted to the company’s profile, and the BBB expects a timely, professional response that addresses the issues raised. The
Hello Trenton, New Jersey • Winter Issue |9
Inside BBB New Jersey with CEO Melissa Companick
Melissa Companick leads the Better Business Bureau Serving New Jersey, and her message is steady. The BBB exists to make everyday choices safer and clearer for both consumers and businesses. She returns to that point in campus talks, in local media, and in community conversations, because the mission works best when everyone understands the steps. Her public appearances often start with a basic map of the BBB system. People can search Business Profiles to see complaint patterns in context, not as isolated stories. They can read business responses, see how issues were handled, and decide whether a company’s approach fits their expectations. That visibility helps buyers set terms before they sign, and it helps honest firms show their standards in public. When a deal goes sideways, the BBB provides a documented process that asks for dates, messages, and a clear account of what each side wants. Companick’s interviews explain that process in plain language. A complaint that meets the acceptance policy is posted to the company’s profile, and the BBB expects a timely, professional response that addresses the issues raised. The emphasis is on evidence, not volume, so both parties understand what supports their position. If the facts support a resolution, the record reflects it. If the dispute continues, the public can still see how each side handled the conversation. For many readers, that is the first time they have seen a consumer dispute laid out without hype. Education is the second pillar. In New Jersey, she uses interviews to translate scam trends into simple habits that hold up over time. When smishing texts surge, she suggests typing official web addresses into a browser, not tapping links. When fake package alerts arrive, she reminds listeners to check shipping accounts directly and to be skeptical of any request for payment by gift card or wire. The steps are small, but repeatable, and they fit the pace of daily life. Listeners learn to slow down just long enough to verify the sender and keep a copy of every exchange. Her talks to students and professionals add another layer, the responsibilities of both sides. Businesses reduce risk when they post clear refund and cancellation policies, train frontline staff to resolve problems without defensiveness, and confirm promises in writing. Consumers improve outcomes when they compare estimates, keep screenshots and emails, and describe issues with dates and names. When both sides use the same simple rules, most problems get smaller and faster to solve. That is the practical outcome she stresses, less heat and more clarity. Companick’s background helps her bridge conversations between households and companies. She spent several years in the private sector before joining the BBB, so she understands how policies are made inside large organizations and how those policies feel at a service counter. In New Jersey’s crowded market, that perspective matters. A small change in disclosures, or a faster, specific reply to a complaint, can mean the difference between a lost customer and a repaired relationship. She frames those changes as operational habits, not marketing lines, which keeps the focus on behavior. Her community appearances reinforce the same themes. In local government forums and regional podcasts, she walks through how Scam Tracker surfaces patterns across the state. Residents report what they experienced, and the BBB shares trends so neighbors can see schemes before they arrive. The tool is not a replacement for law enforcement; it is a way to make private losses useful to the next person. That loop only works if people know it exists, so she repeats the message whenever she can. Day to day, the New Jersey office delivers the system’s core services. Staff publish Business Profiles that are easy to scan and update as new information arrives. They route disputes through set timelines and ask for the documents that matter, like contracts, receipts, and message histories. When a business replies with specifics and a plan, the record shows it. When a consumer accepts a resolution, the profile shows that too. Over time, these small public records create a living picture of how companies operate when things do not go perfectly. Companick’s media segments rarely chase novelty for its own sake. Instead, she anchors advice to the most common risks in a given season. Before the holidays, she covers online shopping and charity giving basics. During travel periods, she talks about refund terms and third-party booking pitfalls. When storms hit, she explains how to hire home repair contractors and stage payments to get the work completed. The through line is always the same: use simple, repeatable habits that work even when details change. That is why her leadership reads as practical rather than dramatic. She focuses on the tools people will actually use, and she talks about them in the same plain terms, whether the audience is a classroom, a council chamber, or a podcast. In a state where commerce moves quickly and attention is scarce, the value is clear. The BBB does not promise perfection; it promises a fair process and public information that helps people choose with confidence.
When both sides usethe same simplerules, most problems getsmaller and faster tosolve.
emphasis is on evidence, not volume, so both parties understand what supports their position. If the facts support a resolution, the record reflects it. If the dispute continues, the public can still see how each side handled the conversation. For many readers, that is the first time they have seen a consumer dispute laid out without hype.Education is the second pillar. In New Jersey, she uses interviews to translate scam trends into simple habits that hold up over time. When...
