About
After a three-year hiatus, Jersey Indie is finally starting to gear back up.
Since 2014, we’ve been dedicated to showcasing and promoting all things independent and all things born/built in New Jersey and the surrounding area.
Whether you have a band, restaurant, bookstore, film, dance troupe, gallery, small business, startup, nonprofit—you name it—and you’re trying to make it on your own, we’ve got your back and we’re here to help.
Our mission is to:
- Make residents and visitors alike EXCITED about the talent that exists in NJ
- Encourage people to SUPPORT local small businesses and buy made-in-NJ products, and
- Foster a sense of curiosity and PRIDE in NJ’s diverse communities
One simple request (or two)
Jersey Indie is about shining the spotlight on emerging talent and small businesses in NJ. It's also about building community and a network of mutual support. Support your fellow artists and creative neighbors. Buy someone's album. Visit someone's storefront. Compliment an artist. Follow a startup. Donate to a local nonprofit. Get involved with a community organization. Let your neighbors know that someone cares and appreciates what they do. PAY IT FORWARD.
Copyright + Errors
The thumbnail images of featured businesses and/or artists are used for preview purposes only. All rights belong to the individuals and/or companies featured. Jersey Indie is meant to shine a spotlight on your business, your work, so if you are listed on JI and you notice an error in information, or if you would like to change the featured link, photo, or description, please send an email to contact@jerseyindie.com.
Who's Behind Jersey Indie?
My name is Sonia Schnee, Founder and Owner of Jersey Indie. I am a Morris County resident on a mission to showcase the wealth of creativity and talent that exists in the Garden State.
I have lived in NJ almost all my life. I call NJ my home. This state and its people, its diversity of landscapes, and the experiences that have come with it have shaped who I am. Storytelling has always been a passion. Before I even knew how to write, I told stories through pictures. I believe telling stories -- and telling stories about my home state -- is something that I'm meant to do.
A bit about my background: I’m a Certified Project Management Professional with a background in multimedia production. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 2009 with a B.A. and High Honors in Film & Media Studies, I went right to work in New York and Jersey on multiple film, television, and indie production sets, as well as in the nonprofit news sector, tackling everything from screenwriting to directing, editing, and more. Always fascinated by a good story, in my spare time I write screenplays, and once upon a time I painted oil portraits of peoples' pets. I believe it's important to remember that no matter what age you are, where you go, or what you do, never lose your creativity. Whether you use it to save the world, save yourself, or simply pass the time, a passion for creating never goes out of style.
One of my favorite quotes is from the book Die Empty by Todd Henry:
"You have a unique contribution to make to the world [...] You possess a one-of-a-kind combination of passions, skills, and experiences; there is something you bring to your work that no one else could. If you relinquish that power, then it will never see the light of day and you will always wonder “what if?” The price of regret is incalculable."
Another pearl of wisdom (from an unknown source):
"There is no such thing as a boring person. If someone seems boring, you just haven't asked them the right questions yet. Everyone is passionate about something — you just have to work harder in some instances to uncover it.”
I always try to keep these quotes at the top of my head whenever I go out into the world. I love meeting new people and forming meaningful relationships. I want to learn about who YOU are, what YOU do, and more importantly, why you're PASSIONATE about what you do. Don't be afraid to share your talent with the world. There's always someone who could benefit from it.