About
Update 7/16/23:
After 9 amazing years, Jersey Indie is finally closing its doors.
Thank you to all the independent artists, small businesses, and creative minds who have shared your talents and passion with us.
While we are no longer accepting any submissions, we will keep our website and social media pages up so you can enjoy our past features.
Thank you for keeping NJ, PA, and NY creative,
Sonia Schnee
Founder/Owner, Jersey Indie
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Since 2014, Jersey Indie has been dedicated to showcasing and promoting all things independent and all things born/built in New Jersey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded our coverage to include Pennsylvania and New York.
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/PA/NY
- Encourage people to SUPPORT local small businesses and buy made-in-NJ/PA/NY products, and
- Foster a sense of curiosity and PRIDE in NJ/PA/NY’s diverse communities
One simple request (or two)
Jersey Indie is about shining the spotlight on emerging talent and small businesses in NJ/PA/NY. 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 as well as Jersey Video Production. 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 I'm meant to do.
A bit about my professional background: I am an AVID Certified Professional Video Editor with a B.A. and High Honors in Film & Media Studies from Dartmouth College, where I received the Maurice H. Rapf Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film & Media Studies. I have worked in film, television, and the nonprofit sector in both NJ and NY, doing everything from screenwriting to directing, editing, and many other things in between. In my spare time, I write screenplays, and once upon a time, I painted oil portraits of peoples' pets. I think it's important that no matter how old you get, where you go, or what you do, always hang on to your creativity.
One of my favorite quotes is by author Todd Henry. In his book entitled Die Empty (a truly inspirational read, despite its seemingly sad title), he writes:
"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 favorite quote of mine (from a different source) is:
"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."
I always try to keep these quotes at the top of my head whenever I go out into the world, be that in person or through social media or over the phone or via email. Don't be afraid to share your passion with the world. There's always someone who could benefit from it.
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.